Finance Veteran Marc Chennault Joins Joan Mitchell Foundation Board

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Marc Chennault to the Joan Mitchell Foundation's Board of Directors for a three-year term. Chennault, who brings 20 years of private investment experience, has been advising the Foundation’s Finance Committee since 2017, and his formal appointment to the Board recognizes and expands his leadership role. Chennault currently serves as a Senior Advisor at Cherokee Acquisition LLC, and additionally sits on the Board of The Reciprocity Foundation, a New York-based non-profit focused on holistic health programs for New Yorkers facing homelessness, incarceration, and trauma.

“Marc has been an incredible partner over the last three years, offering invaluable guidance and insight to our Finance Committee,” said Christa Blatchford, the CEO of the Joan Mitchell Foundation. “Equally, Marc brings a deep appreciation for the arts and a shared commitment to supporting the lives and careers of artists. As the Foundation navigates the economic uncertainty of the current moment, we know that Marc’s expertise as well as his enthusiasm for our mission will be essential to our ongoing success. We look forward to welcoming him to our team and broadening our work together.”

Prior to taking his position as Senior Advisor at Cherokee Acquisition LLC in 2020, Chennault held investment, advisory, and sales and trading roles at S.G. Preston Company, Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc., Citadel Securities LLC, and Morgan Stanley in the United States and Europe. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Business Administration (with Honors) degrees from the University of Michigan. A native of Detroit, Chennault previously served as an advisor to the Heidelberg Project, an outdoor art environment established by painter and sculptor Tyree Guyton to enhance neighborhood life through art.

“I have always believed in the value and importance of art and artists to public life,” said Chennault. “In these challenging times, the Joan Mitchell Foundation’s mission of supporting artist communities feels even more essential. I have very much enjoyed my work with the Foundation to-date, and am looking forward to further supporting its work and vision.”

Members of the Board of Directors of the Joan Mitchell Foundation serve three-year terms, with a maximum of three consecutive terms. The current Board members include Ronald Bechet, President; Jean Shin, Vice-President; Michele Tortorelli, Secretary; Sandy S. Lee, Treasurer; Theodore S. Berger; Kemi Ilesanmi; Miranda Lash; Paul Ramírez Jonas; Juan Sánchez; and Linda Usdin, Dr.PH.

Additionally, the Board has seven Emeritus members: Alejandro Anreus, PhD, Board President Emeritus; Dan Bergman, Board President Emeritus; Tomie Arai, Director Emeritus; John Koos, Director Emeritus; Tyrone Mitchell, Director Emeritus; Yolanda Shashaty, Director Emeritus; and Carolyn Somers, Founding Member & Executive Director Emeritus. All were appointed to Emeritus status in recognition of their many years of service and commitment to the Foundation.

Download full press release (PDF)