Dear John,

Almost nine years ago, our board Chairman, Secretary Don Evans, asked me to join the Bush Center as its President and CEO. He gave me a clear mission: to ensure the organization's impact by setting the conditions necessary for our policy work and programming to deliver results far into the future while adhering to the foundational principles of President and Mrs. Bush. 

We have established that firm foundation, thanks in no small part to your generous support. So, as I announced ([link removed]) last month, I believe that this is the right time to find the person who will lead us into the next decade. I say “us” because, while my role will change, I believe in this organization and will remain involved through the transition process and at the board level in the long-term governance of the Bush Center. 

It has been the honor of a lifetime to work on the issues to which President and Mrs. Bush have dedicated their public service. I’d like to take this opportunity to look back on what we’ve accomplished together.

We have established the Bush Institute in the policy community as a compassionate, conservative voice promoting the values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. We have increased the breadth and depth of our policy work ([link removed]) and action agenda, focusing on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening our democracy, and advancing free societies worldwide.

We have built up an enviable financial position by engaging constituents across the country who have invested in our work. And we’ve led among presidential centers in modernizing how presidential museums operate and engage with the community. 

This has allowed us to attract renowned thought leaders and audiences from around the world.

We created strategically designed and repeatable programming that convenes people in ways only a presidential center can. Since 2018, our annual Forum on Leadership ([link removed]) has brought the world to the Bush Center and the Bush Center to the world by gathering global thought leaders like Condoleezza Rice ([link removed]) , Henry Kissinger ([link removed]) , Bono ([link removed]) , Jeff Bezos ([link removed]) , Indra Nooyi ([link removed]) , and many others to our community. We have increased our profile and engagement with many in person and across our online platforms. We have attracted over 2 million people to visit the Bush Museum and our public programming since
we opened.

Our best-in-class leadership programming ([link removed]) for midcareer professionals – which is about to reach 1,000 alumni – has increased the impact of those working at home and worldwide to solve pressing challenges.

Our Engage at the Bush Center public programming ([link removed]) presented by NexPoint convenes thought leaders and audiences for content that they cannot find elsewhere. Our digital platforms have grown tremendously, continuously engaging the public and the policy-making community.  And we have increased connectivity with SMU on many fronts.

We’ve changed millions of lives globally through our work to combat cervical cancer in Africa ([link removed]) , champion democracy ([link removed]) and human rights ([link removed]) around the world, and ensure opportunity for veterans ([link removed]) , students ([link removed]) , and immigrants ([link removed]) here at home. At the same time, we’ve had a lot of fun together. 

We have an important year lining up in 2025: The Bush Institute will put forth policy recommendations and resources for the new administration and Congress. We will execute on our action agenda, as well, by continuing with new classes of our leadership programming. Our museum will open a new special exhibit and continue its efforts to broaden our reach. And our world-class public programming will continue, highlighted by our Forum on Leadership in April. I hope you will continue to support our work ([link removed]) in 2025 and well into the future.

I was the right person for this job at the right time, but none of what I’ve accomplished as a leader of this organization would have been possible without this remarkable team. So I want to say thank you to the entire Bush Center staff. It has been a privilege to be counted among you. We have made incredible strides to ensure that the values we stand for will have a home far into the future and will be a place where a common sense voice will always be present.

And to our board members, donors, and Bush Center followers, your support and friendship have been vital. Thanks to each and every one of you as we embark on the next journey. I’m grateful to all of you and I look forward to an exciting 2025 at the Bush Center. 

All the best,

Ken Hersh
President and CEO, George W. Bush Presidential Center




About the George W. Bush Presidential Center

Located on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is a nonpartisan institution advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. The Bush Center comprises the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and the George W. Bush Institute, a solution-oriented policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies through policy solutions and public engagement. The Bush Center also houses the George W. Bush Presidential Library, operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, which provides access to official documents and artifacts from the George W. Bush Administration. Learn more about the Bush Center at www.bushcenter.org

Was this email forwarded to you by a friend?
Subscribe today to receive updates from the George W. Bush Presidential Center. ([link removed])

George W. Bush Presidential Center
2943 SMU Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75205

Privacy policy (target=&pid=1022&did=0&tab=0)

Email preferences (target=&pid=915&did=0&tab=0)

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
George W. Bush Presidential Center . 2943 SMU Blvd . Dallas, TX 75205-2563 . USA