FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Waterford Foundation today announced that Executive Director Stephanie Thompson has informed the Foundation Board that she will step down from the role in July 2026, concluding a period of dedicated leadership marked by tremendous hard work, unwavering persistence, and a deep commitment to the Foundation’s mission.
During her tenure, Stephanie strengthened the Foundation’s operational capacity, successfully recruited, retained, and inspired a talented team of professional staff, creatively addressed countless tactical and strategic challenges, and helped drive a multitude of key preservation and education initiatives that support the historic village of Waterford. The Board of Directors extends its sincere gratitude for these tremendous contributions and the lasting impact of her service.
The Foundation has launched a comprehensive search to identify its next Executive Director. This process will be both thorough and deliberate, focused on attracting a highly qualified leader with demonstrated nonprofit leadership experience and a strong, proven capacity for fundraising, particularly within the broader Washington, DC region. The Board is committed to identifying a candidate who can build upon the strong team already in place while expanding and enhancing the Foundation’s visibility, partnerships, and long-term financial sustainability.
As stewards of a National Historic Landmark village, the Waterford Foundation remains firmly focused on its mission of historic preservation and education. This leadership transition represents an important opportunity to position the organization for its next phase of impact by ensuring that Waterford’s historic buildings, landscapes, and stories are preserved and shared for generations to come. The Board is confident that this search will result in a dynamic new leader capable of advancing the Foundation’s work and strengthening its role as a cornerstone of preservation in the region.