Ashley Beard-Fosnow, Missouri Humanities’ Executive Director, is stepping down from the nonprofit organization, effective March 8th, 2026. During her seven years with the Missouri Humanities Council, the organization has worked to build a more thoughtful and informed civil society. Beard-Fosnow’s leadership transformed the 55 year old organization, helping to expand connections across the state, improve operational effectiveness, provide innovative humanities programming, and facilitate meaningful impact. Last year Missouri Humanities served over 500,000 Missourians and offered programs and support in 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. Missouri Humanities awarded over $1.4 Million to libraries, colleges, small and large museums and other nonprofits to support community based cultural initiatives. Additionally, the organization delivered digital content to more than 2 million Americans across the country highlighting Missouri’s significant historical role in shaping the nation into what it is today ahead of the Semiquincentennial in July.
“I am grateful for the faith the Missouri Humanities’ Board of Directors placed in me to serve in this capacity as we strove to make the humanities a larger part of public life in communities across the state. Missouri Humanities is an essential player in the cultural infrastructure of this state. Humanities events and programs draw from history, literature, poetry, religious studies, philosophy, ethics, cultures, and related subjects to help us understand ourselves and each other and, as a result, build healthier communities.
It was a true pleasure to work hand in hand with Board Chairs Dr. Sudarsan Kant, Trish Erzfeld, Dr. Petra DeWitt, and Marilynn Bradford. The Missouri Humanities staff- Caitlin, Clarice, Claire, Ashley V., Michael, Nick, and Kaija- are the best in the business and it has been an honor to learn from each of them on a daily basis during my tenure with the organization. While I will deeply miss the work and people at Missouri Humanities, I have complete confidence in the staff and the ongoing success of the organization.”
-Ashley Beard-Fosnow
Chris Kempke has been selected to serve as the interim Executive Director of the Missouri Humanities Council. Kempke previously served as the Cultural Community Development Director at Missouri Humanities. With 10 years of experience in community development across Missouri, Kempke led two University of Missouri Extension county offices and has conducted community development projects spanning nonprofit management, economic development, leadership development, community arts and tourism asset mapping, and COVID-19 recovery efforts. Kempke has also served in leadership of the Missouri Association of Community and Economic Development Professionals, the Palmyra Chamber of Commerce, the Scotland County School Foundation, and as a member of the Platte County Extension Council, the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Missouri Extension. Kempke holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Applied Anthropology from Missouri State University.
Beard-Fosnow will remain a passionate supporter, donor, and advocate for Missouri Humanities and the statewide cultural community. Missouri Humanities is a state-wide nonprofit that explores history, civics, and culture through community partnerships and public programming.
