Samuel H. Kress Foundation Appoints L. W. Schermerhorn as President
New York, NY — April 27, 2026. The Board of Trustees of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation today announced the appointment of L. W. Schermerhorn as President, effective immediately. The Board voted unanimously to elect Ms. Schermerhorn to the position.
Ms. Schermerhorn brings an extensive record of leadership at the Kress Foundation, where she has served since 2008. Over the course of her tenure, Schermerhorn has held the roles of Vice President and Interim President, overseeing the development of several of the Foundation’s key programmatic initiatives, in addition to administration and operations.
“More than ever, our field and the world need the work of the Kress Foundation both in bringing important art to audiences around the nation, and to train the next generation of scholars,” said Daniel Weiss, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Lisa has demonstrated her capacity as a steward of this institution and her ability to drive meaningful change, along with a deep and abiding commitment to the mission of the Kress Foundation.”
Ms. Schermerhorn assumed the role of Interim President following the sudden passing of President Julia M. Alexander in May 2025. In the intervening period, she has ensured the continuity of the Foundation's programs and operations while simultaneously charting a course toward greater impact.
"I am deeply honored by this appointment," said Ms. Schermerhorn. "I remain inspired by Samuel Kress's singular vision to ensure that art can be accessed and enjoyed by everyone. In a rare act of philanthropic generosity, Kress amassed a collection of nearly 3,000 works of early modern European art and then distributed them to more than 80 museums and other repositories across the country. The Foundation continues his visionary legacy through our steadfast commitment to supporting scholarship, preservation, and increased public access to this remarkable body of artwork. I look forward to working collaboratively and creatively with the Board, the Foundation team, and the broader field to build on that legacy and to strengthen our contributions in the years ahead."
Schermerhorn holds an MA from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley. Her current board service includes the Alumni Council for the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University and Socrates Sculpture Park.
About the Samuel H. Kress Foundation
The Samuel H. Kress Foundation, established in 1929, is dedicated to advancing the enjoyment, scholarship, and conservation of early modern European art and architecture. Through its grant and fellowship programs, the Foundation supports individuals and institutions (art museums, universities, and nonprofit organizations) committed to the study and stewardship of works of art from antiquity through the early modern period.
For further information, please contact: info@kressfoundation.org
L. W. Schermerhorn, President,
Samuel H. Kress Foundation