New York, NY—Dia Art Foundation announced the election of Nathalie de Gunzburg as Chairman of its Board of Trustees. Mrs. de Gunzburg, a philanthropist and collector, joined Dia’s Board in 2004, and has chaired Dia’s Committee on Trustees. William L. Haines continues in his roles as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Treasurer; Charles B. Wright continues as Secretary to the Board. Mrs. de Gunzburg succeeds Leonard Riggio, who had served as Chairman since 1998.

Mrs. de Gunzburg states, “Succeeding Leonard Riggio is a great and wonderful challenge. His vision, dedication, and passion for art helped to transform Dia through the creation of Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries. This enabled the institution to share its exceptional collection with a broad public. I know that the entire Board of Trustees joins me in offering heartfelt appreciation to Len for his leadership and enormous contributions. I have been deeply gratified to receive the warm support of Dia’s Board, a group of committed and visionary individuals. I look forward to working with Bill Haines and Charlie Wright and our colleagues as we help guide Dia through the next stage of its development.”

Mr. Riggio says, “I have been privileged to chair the Board at a pivotal time in the institution’s history. Now the time is right for new leaders to emerge. Nathalie de Gunzburg has been a committed and hard-working member of the Board. She has a deep understanding of Dia’s mission and the skill to guide it as it moves forward.”

Mr. Wright adds, “I could not be more pleased at the election of Nathalie de Gunzburg as Dia’s new Chairman. Her steady vision, combined with her passion for the arts, will help ensure that Dia continues to be among the most vital of arts organizations. I know that I speak for the entire Board in welcoming Nathalie de Gunzburg in her new role.”

Nathalie de Gunzburg
Nathalie de Gunzburg, with her husband Charles de Gunzburg, has assembled an important collection of art from the late nineteenth century through the present day, with a focus on Minimalism. Mrs. de Gunzburg is also a member of the International Council of The Museum of Modern Art, New York; a supporter of the Jewish Museum and Lenox Hill Hospital; and a Trustee of Musicians on Call (MOC), an organization that provides live music to hospital patients. Raised in France, Mrs. de Gunzburg completed two years of political-science studies, followed by a four-year finance degree, at the Institut Supérieur de Gestion. She moved to New York eight years ago.

William L. Haines
William L. Haines, who has been a member of Dia’s Board since 1999, has been Chairman of its Finance Committee and Treasurer since 2000. He is Chairman of The Bromley Companies, a New York-based real-estate development company. His many philanthropic activities include serving as Chairman of the Board of Ithaca College, New York; and as Trustee of the Fourteenth Street-Union Square Local Development Corporation and Symphony Space Theater, both in New York City.

Charles B. Wright
Charles B. Wright was Dia’s Director from 1985 to 1994, when he left to assume responsibility for family business interests in Seattle. A member of Dia’s Board since 1994, he served as Board Chairman from December 1995 through 1998, at which point he became Secretary. Mr. Wright is Chief Executive Officer of Merrill Company and Publisher at Wave Publishing, both in Seattle, and Trustee of The Menil Collection, Houston, and The Seattle Art Museum.

Leonard Riggio
Leonard Riggio is founder and chairman of Barnes & Noble, Inc. His contributions to Dia include combined gifts of art and financial donations that count among the most generous in the institution’s history. His major gifts have included the building of Dia:Beacon and works by Alighiero e Boetti, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, Agnes Martin, Gerhard Richter, Bridget Riley, and Richard Serra. Mr. Riggio has served on the boards of many notable not-for-profit organizations, all of which center on education, children’s advocacy, the arts, and public policy.

Dia Art Foundation
Dia Art Foundation was founded in 1974 by Heiner Friedrich and Philippa de Menil. A nonprofit institution, Dia is internationally renowned for initiating, supporting, presenting, and preserving art projects. Dia presents public programs and its permanent collection of works from the 1960s through the present at Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries, in New York’s Hudson Valley. Dia is currently exploring the relocation of its contemporary exhibition program, formerly located at Dia:Chelsea, to another site in New York City. Additionally, the foundation maintains long-term, site-specific projects in the western United States, in New York City, and on Long Island.