SAINT-GAUDENS MEMORIAL
Jackie Rocha Appointed Executive Director
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jackie Rocha as Executive Director at the Saint-Gaudens Memorial in Cornish, NH, a historic site and living memorial to the life and legacy of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Rocha’s hire culminates a nationwide search led by Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger for MS&R. Rocha begins work on January 2, 2025.
Rocha’s career began in New York City at the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, a nonprofit organization that augments National Park Service operations at the iconic site. For fifteen years, Jackie served as Director of the American Family Immigration History Center, a department of the Foundation that has long been at the core of the Ellis Island experience and helps about 100,000 people per year research their family histories. She subsequently held senior development positions with the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, American Ancestors, and most recently, the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston.
“I am eager to join Saint-Gaudens Memorial and raise the profile of the artist and promote his living legacy,” said Rocha. “As a resident of the Upper Valley, I am aware of the wonderful work this organization does to support the cultural fabric of the region.”
“We are pleased to have Jackie join us in this important leadership role,” said SGM Board President Thayer Tolles. “She has years of experience with nonprofit fundraising, outreach, and operations that align well with our needs. She will play a pivotal role in building our impact both regionally and nationally, engaging audiences in our exhibitions, concerts, and programs, as well as augmenting support for the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park.” Rick Kendall, superintendent of the Park, said, “I am pleased to welcome Jackie and look forward to working with her to carry the partnership between SGM and the Park to new levels.”