Donna Hassler

Donna Hassler is the executive director of Chesterwood, the former summer home and studio of Daniel Chester French. During her tenure, Hassler has transformed Chesterwood in Stockbridge from a typical house museum to a spectacular venue with an artist-in-residence program. In addition to raising millions for programing and restoration, Hassler has built upon Chesterwood’s history of exhibiting contemporary sculpture by introducing dance and musical performances, and commissioning prize-winning author/Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer to write the first biography of French since the 1930s. Says Michael Lynch, chair of the Chesterwood Advisory Council, “Through innovative leadership, Donna shows how traditional house museums are relevant to the 21st century.”