Whitney named executive director at Slater Mill

PAWTUCKET - Susan Whitney has been announced as Slater Mill's new executive director.

Whitney comes to Pawtucket after an extensive career in the nonprofit and banking fields, most recently at Citizens Bank, where she administered and directed a sizeable portfolio of not-for-profit organizations and private foundations. Before that she served as dean of resource development at Bristol Community College, and the Old Dartmouth Historical Society, where she worked in finance and investment, personnel administration and facilities management, among other jobs.

Whitney is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, where she earned a bachelor of science degree. "I am very excited about serving as the executive director of Slater Mill and look forward to enhancing the mill's services and role in the community," said Whitney in a news release. "The organization has a strong infrastructure, relevant and dynamic programming, and great vision. I am confident that I can bring new resources and leadership to the post."

Said Search Committee chairman Irving Sheldon, "Susan brings development expertise that will help the mill in raising its profile as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, a site with national significance and relevance that will be attractive to increased private philanthropy and corporate giving."

Sheldon said that members of the board look forward to working with Whitney as they did with the outgoing director, Janice Kissinger, who, having made significant strides in developing the mill's programming and fund-raising capacity, has taken on a new role as director of Slater Mill's Community Guild Studios, a textile and fine craft center that she founded at the mill.

"We are thrilled that Susan will be joining our team," said Slater Mill President Allen Chatterton. "Her financial background, combined with her nonprofit experience will be a great help as we move into the new decade. Susan will be picking up the reins as the mill moves forward with several major initiatives, such as restoring our historic waterway, rehabilitating turbines to return hydropower to the site, and updating our exhibitry."