Hagley Museum and Library’s board president Henry B. duPont IV last week announced the appointment of David Allen Cole, Ph.D., as executive director.

Cole comes to Hagley from the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge, Mass., where he was vice president for advancement, communications, and public education. “Hagley has set a new strategic direction designed to position the institution for growth and impact as we look out over the next seven years to 2020,” duPont said. “Our vision is to be a place where innovation inspires and imaginations run wild. David brings an impressive set of professional experiences, combined with educational depth, that we believe will strengthen the institution and advance Hagley’s vision and mission.”

“This is a rare opportunity to lead an institution with collections that document the unfolding history of American business, technology, and innovation,” Cole said. “From the ‘hands on’ exhibits visitors can access on site at the historic DuPont powder works, to the cutting edge research being conducted in the business history archives, Hagley offers an unusually broad array of stimulating visitor experiences.” At Whitehead Institute, Cole designed and directed the public education programs, community partnerships, communications strategy and publications, and philanthropic initiatives.  The Whitehead Institute is a world-renowned non-profit research institution dedicated to improving human health through basic biomedical research.

Prior to his work at Whitehead Institute, Cole was the director of strategic initiatives at the Harvard University Art Museums, where he spearheaded community partnerships, launched exhibition projects, and played a key role in the capital campaign to renovate and expand the Fogg Museum.