Cosanti Foundation board announces leadership transition

Patrick McWhortor steps down at conclusion of contract

The Cosanti Foundation announced  President and CEO Patrick McWhortor has stepped down upon completion of his contract on March 31.

Mr. McWhortor served at the helm of the foundation for two and a half years, and his contributions have made a lasting impact, according to a press release.

“Patrick’s leadership has been essential in seeing The Cosanti Foundation through this time of unprecedented change, and his efforts will continue to influence our growth and progress for years to come,” said Matteo Di Michele, the foundation’s chair of the Board of Directors. “We’d like to encourage the public to join us in thanking Patrick for his dedication to The Cosanti Foundation and in wishing him all the best in his future endeavors.”

During his tenure, Mr. McWhortor served as the driving force behind The Cosanti Foundation’s transition toward a renewed sense of purpose and unity, opening the door to fresh possibilities as the organization crossed the threshold between its first 50 years and the next.

Mr. McWhortor’s list of accomplishments during his time with The Cosanti Foundation include:

•  Transforming the leadership of The Cosanti Foundation as well as forming a dedicated and professional board of directors
•  Engaging a diverse cohort of board, staff and Arcosanti residents in the reformulation of the organization’s mission and vision for the 21st century
•  Forging a new partnership with the internationally renowned School of Architecture, founded by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1937, which now resides at Arcosanti
•  Growing the revenues of Cosanti Originals, ensuring a bright future for the world-famous ceramic and bronze windbell business that has helped to fund projects at Cosanti and Arcosanti for more than 50 years
•  Introducing significant improvements to the foundation’s overall organizational structure as well as its operating standards and procedures
•  Expanding philanthropic support for The Cosanti Foundation with the launch of its first membership program and new foundation relationships
•  Stewarding The Cosanti Foundation through the immense challenges of successfully running and funding a nonprofit organization and tourist destination during COVID.

The Cosanti Foundation’s board is  conducting an international search to fill this position, the press release stated.

At the heart of this pursuit is the organization’s focus on finding a dynamic leader with a true passion for The Cosanti Foundation’s unique and urgent mission: To inspire a reimagined urbanism that builds resilient and equitable communities sustainably integrated with the natural world.

For more, visit www.cosanti.com.