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Ohio State Names Cathy Predmore Executive Director of Wexner Center
Read the full articleOhio State named interim leader Cathy Predmore executive director of the Wexner Center for the Arts, effective Nov. 1. The appointment follows former director Gaëtane Verna's resignation amid staff turnover and a projected 1.1 million dollar deficit.
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Ohio State appoints Cathy Predmore executive director of the Wexner Center for the Arts
Supporting evidence (5)
The Ohio State University has named Cathy (Cat) Predmore to serve as executive director of the Wexner Center for the Arts, effective Nov. 1.
Predmore has served as interim director of the Wexner Center while concurrently managing her duties as head of marketing and communications.
In the university's announcement, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Trevor Brown said Predmore offered "exceptionally clear and steady guidance" during her interim tenure, establishing strategic direction and fostering creative autonomy among staff members.
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“During her interim tenure, Cat has offered exceptionally clear and steady guidance, establishing the center’s strategic direction and fostering creative autonomy across the institution,” said Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Trevor Brown.
Before joining the university arts center, Predmore served as senior vice president at national communications agency Fahlgren Mortine, where she directed strategic planning and integrated marketing programs for museums, universities, and arts and science institutions.
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Before joining the Wexner Center, Predmore served as senior vice president at national communications agency Fahlgren Mortine, where she spearheaded strategic planning and integrated marketing and communications programs for U.S.-based museums, arts and science institutions, and universities.
Ohio State praised Predmore as bringing more than three decades of executive experience across strategic planning, operational management, and fundraising.
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A transformational leader and effective communicator with more than three decades of executive experience, Predmore is exceptionally equipped to lead the Wexner Center into its next chapter. She brings deep expertise in strategic planning, operational management and financial stewardship, alongside a stellar track record of designing high-impact fundraising strategies and community engagement initiatives for major national and international nonprofits.
Supporting evidence (1)
Predmore joined the Wexner Center on July 3, 2023, as head of communications and marketing.
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The Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University has hired Cathy Predmore (she/her) as its new Head of Communications and Marketing, effective July 3.
Supporting evidence (2)
Gaëtane Verna resigned from her role as executive director of the Wexner Center for the Arts effective immediately.
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Gaëtane Verna has resigned from her role as executive director of Wexner Center for the Arts effective immediately.
At the time of Verna's departure, the center faced a projected $1.1 million budget deficit for the next fiscal year after falling $2.5 million short of projected income.
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On Oct. 24, the Columbus Dispatch reported that the center is facing a $1.1 million budget deficit in the next fiscal year. More than a dozen employees gave Verna a vote of no confidence in August. The Dispatch reported that the center fell $2.5 million short of their projected income and employees were unsure of the center’s future under her leadership.
Supporting evidence (1)
Verna stepped down following an August 2025 no-confidence letter signed by more than a dozen staff members, who cited high turnover, organizational dysfunction, and financial instability.
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The announcement follows in the wake of an August letter sent to Bellamkonda and signed by more than a dozen Wexner Center staff members in which the workers expressed a no confidence vote in the leadership of Verna, who has served as executive director since Aug. 2022. “Over the past three years, it is our opinion that her approach has resulted in high turnover, organizational dysfunction, financial instability, and reputational harm,” reads the letter, a copy of which was obtained by Matter News.