Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation appoints Hanley as executive director

According to Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF), James Hanley has been appointed executive director after a national leadership search. BWAF is a New York-based non-profit and educational organization founded in 2002. Through research, education and programs, the Foundation focuses attention on the contributions of women in architecture and related fields. It works to ensure that they are afforded opportunities at the highest leadership levels in these professions. Hanley brings to BWAF 25 years of experience in leadership and fundraising for non-profit, educational, and cultural organizations. "With the appointment of Jim Hanley, we have a creative, mission-driven leader to move our organization into its second decade," said Beverly Willis, FAIA, BWAF's founder and chair of the board. "In addition, he is keenly aware of the issues encountered by women in the design industry. Jim will enable BWAF to build on its prior successes and help women achieve their professional and personal goals through our programs and outreach," said Willis. Joan Blumenfeld, FAIA, vice-chair of the BWAF board, said "Jim is a great fit for our organization. His experience in both the non-profit and private sectors is a tremendous asset that will take BWAF to the next level. The board is excited to work with Jim to improve BWAF's visibility and programming to reach more women in the industry." Prior to joining BWAF, Hanley was senior associate director of development at Barnard College. He has also held top positions at the museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Pace Law School, Western Museums Association, and the Delaware Art Museum. In addition to working in administration, financial management, and fundraising for major non-profit organizations and cultural institutions, Hanley has undergraduate and advanced degrees in architecture along with an MBA and an MA in Art History. "BWAF is a great organization, and I am thrilled and honored by this appointment," said Hanley. "In the upcoming months, I will use my skills in program development and financial management to broaden the role of the organization throughout the United States." In 2014, BWAF will complete its project entitled "Women of 20th-Century American Architecture," to highlight the contributions of 50 outstanding women who significantly shaped the built environment in America. The project has been funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and over 100 donors. BWAF will also continue its annual Industry Leaders Roundtable where top leaders discuss ways to build better opportunities for women in the building industry. Under Hanley's leadership, BWAF is launching a number of new initiatives in 2014. These include the exploration of a program for women as emerging leaders and the impact of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as factors in success. Another new initiative is "Built by Women: New York City," a focused collection within the Foundation's Dynamic National Archive (DNA), which BWAF plans to use as a pilot for similar projects for cities around the country.