Beth Whitaker Joins the Hudson Valley Writers Center as Executive Director

Photo: Thomas Brunot

The Hudson Valley Writers Center is excited to announce the appointment of Beth Whitaker as its Executive Director, effective immediately.

Beth Whitaker brings over 25 years of experience in writer-focused programming and organizational leadership at premier cultural institutions. As Executive Director, she will lead HVWC’s strategic vision and oversee all operations, including marketing, fundraising, and community engagement. Whitaker was selected through a national search conducted by a Search Committee of the Board in partnership with Sandi Haynes, Executive Search Consultant.

“As the Hudson Valley Writers Center approaches its 40th anniversary, the Board is thrilled to appoint Beth Whitaker to lead HVWC toward that milestone and beyond," says Michael Quattrone, Board Chair. "Beth brings a proven track record of supporting writers, building community, and operating a mission-driven, creative arts facility. I am confident she will expand the reach and deepen the impact of HVWC’s unique programs, while strengthening its infrastructure to ensure long-term success and sustainability.”

“I am honored to join the Hudson Valley Writers Center, a vital organization with a deep legacy of engaging and amplifying writers,” says Whitaker. “The Center’s evolution is remarkable; from its founding by Margo Taft Stever as a community for poets and the beautiful chapbooks published by Slapering Hol Press, to the historic preservation of the Philipse Manor Station as an inviting gathering space, to a national presence through online programming. I look forward to working with the dedicated Board of Directors and talented staff to further expand the Center’s reach with new programs and partnerships. HVWC is well-positioned to welcome new communities and serve as a creative hub that champions storytelling and artistic expression in this critical time in our cultural landscape.”

Whitaker is an arts leader and creative producer with more than two decades of experience supporting writers, developing new work, and building strong creative communities. During her long tenure in senior leadership at New York’s Signature Theatre, she played a pivotal role in launching new artistic initiatives and expanding programming and operations for the organization’s landmark three-theater complex on 42nd Street. At Signature, she collaborated with an extraordinary roster of more than 30 resident playwrights on over 100 productions.

She currently serves on the faculty of The Juilliard School’s Drama Division, and has held literary and artistic positions at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, Tectonic Theater Project, and the Alliance Theatre. She holds a BFA in Theatre from Southern Methodist University and an MFA in Dramaturgy from Columbia University.

Please join us in welcoming Beth Whitaker to the Hudson Valley Writers Center community!