Hillwood Museum Director Kate Markert to Step Down After 16 Years
Kate Markert, the executive director of Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, has revealed her retirement plans, with her departure set for December 31, 2026. She has led the institution since August 2010, becoming its first female executive director. Under her guidance, Hillwood experienced notable expansion, including a doubling of annual attendance to around 115,000 visitors and a rise in membership from fewer than 1,000 to over 5,000 households. Her tenure focused on strategic initiatives that improved public engagement and shifted the organization from a private foundation to a public charity, advancing the vision of founder Marjorie Merriweather Post.
Key facts
- Kate Markert will retire as executive director of Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens on December 31, 2026.
- She has served in this role for 16 years, starting in August 2010.
- Markert was the first woman to hold the executive director position at Hillwood.
- During her leadership, annual attendance more than doubled to nearly 115,000 visitors.
- Membership grew from under 1,000 to over 5,000 households under her direction.
Entities
Institutions
- Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens