Society of American Archivists Announces Executive Director Departure

Organization Initiates Search for New Executive Director

CHICAGO, IL, February 11, 2021—The Society of American Archivists (SAA), North America's oldest and largest national professional association dedicated to the needs and interests of archives and archivists, has announced that its long-serving Executive Director, Nancy Beaumont, will step down from her position once a successor has joined the association. SAA has initiated a search to identify a new leader.

An expert in organizational development and association management, Beaumont has served as Executive Director of SAA since 2003. During her eighteen-year tenure, she has guided the organization through periods of both growth and challenge.

Founded in 1936, SAA’s mission is to promote the value and diversity of archives and archivists, serving as the preeminent resource for the profession. SAA acts on behalf of 6,000 professional archivists and archival institutions representing governments, universities, businesses, libraries, and historical organizations nationally.

“It’s been an honor to partner with SAA’s elected leaders and staff through these years of growth and evolution,” said Beaumont. “During that period, we’ve been able to expand the ways in which SAA helps its members via an extraordinarily robust array of professional publications and education offerings, as well as advocacy on behalf of archives and archivists. I’m very grateful to have been a part of those efforts throughout the last eighteen years.”

“Nancy has dedicated herself to advancing SAA’s mission and has played a critical role in shaping SAA into the organization that it is today,” said SAA Council President Rachel Vagts. “Nancy’s tireless service through years of both growth and challenges has positioned our organization for continued success after her departure. We thank her for her years of dedicated service and wish her the very best in her retirement from the association management profession.”

SAA is drawing on the steps in its succession plan to guide the process of selecting a new Executive Director. It has formed a search committee to oversee the process and has retained the executive search firm Vetted Solutions to coordinate the search. The search will commence in February and the organization’s goal is to have a new Executive Director identified by the time of SAA Annual Meeting in August.

“The SAA Council recognizes the critical importance of this position to the long-term health of the organization and we are well prepared for this transition. We will keep our membership updated on the progress of the search via announcements on the association website and in other online communication channels,” said Vagts.