Shared by Chestnut Hill Conservancy
Chestnut Hill Conservancy is delighted to share an important update regarding the Executive Director search. Following a comprehensive selection process, David Gest has accepted the role of Executive Director. He will officially begin his tenure on Monday, January 6, 2025, and will work closely with Lori throughout December to ensure a smooth transition. We greatly appreciate Lori’s commitment to doing this as she winds down her time with us after an amazing ten years at the helm.
David’s arrival marks the culmination of a comprehensive and thoughtful search process. Our Search Committee, which I co-chaired with Bill Webster, included Nancy Newman, Tim Greenwood, Rob Fleming, Larry Salva, and Rebecca Morley, who together worked diligently to select and engage with Disston Search to lead our Executive Director search. Courtney Disston’s expertise proved invaluable as she engaged with over 130 exceptionally qualified during the search before identifying David as the ideal leader to advance the Conservancy’s mission.
David has dedicated his career to causes that align closely with the Conservancy’s mission. With decades of experience in city planning, law, nonprofit leadership, historic preservation, and community advocacy, he combines a deep respect for the past with a compelling vision for the future of our work.
He brings a rich background uniquely suited to the Conservancy, including:
- Serving as Chief Operating Officer of Mural Arts Philadelphia, where he managed operations for the nation’s largest public art program, overseeing a $18 million budget, more than 130 staff, and multiple programmatic departments.
- Practicing law as a Partner in Zoning and Land Use at Ballard Spahr LLP, where he advised on complex real estate and preservation projects while providing pro bono counsel to organizations such as YouthBuild Philadelphia and Mural Arts.
- Founding SquareSide, a consulting firm specializing in land use, city planning, and nonprofit management.
David holds a J.D. from Columbia University and a Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was recognized for his leadership and contributions to urban planning, as well as a B.A. in Architecture from Yale University. His passion for historic preservation and advocacy for community engagement will be essential in advancing our mission.
Thank you all for your ongoing support and dedication during this vital transition.
Eileen Javers
President, Board of Directors
