Newfields' new CEO talks 'secret shopper visits' and why he took the job

Before Le Monte G. Booker Sr. decided to take on the role of president and CEO at Newfields, he conducted a series of so-called “secret buyer visits.”

“During that time, I really looked at the institution through the lens of a visitor — to think about what things we were doing well and what things we could improve,” Booker said.

The combination of art and nature, as well as the dedication of the staff, convinced him to take the top position at the headquarters of the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

“Through the many, many meetings that I have had, the many, many different interactions that I have had with Newfields employees, board members, other cultural leaders and community leaders, I have become satisfied with Newfields.” “We are on the right track, that we’re making a big effort,” said Booker, 56, who was chief financial officer of the Field Museum in Chicago before joining Newfields on Oct. 21.

Booker is the institution’s third permanent CEO in as many years. The position has been under intense scrutiny since Charles Venable resigned in 2021 following a controversial job posting. Venable’s successor, Colette Pierce Burnette, left suddenly and without explanation after just 15 months. After both incidents, many Indianapolis patrons and artists questioned the institution’s commitment to inclusion and transparency with the community.

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The new CEO will have to deal with the fallout from these controversies as Newfields continues its 2021 action plan, which includes commitments to improve access, diversify leadership and acquire more representative art. In a conversation with IndyStar this week, Booker didn’t dwell on the past but said he’s focused on the future and Newfields’ growth opportunities.

He also discussed his relationship with Indiana and the arts, why he wanted the role, his background in nonprofit finance and how he plans to learn from museum staff and community members.

A Chicago native, Booker is a seasoned visitor to the Hoosier State

The new CEO grew up and worked in Chicago, but he and his wife have visited the Circle City and Indiana often over the years — especially when their son played football for Indiana State University. Over the years he has watched the city develop into one of the most vibrant in the country.

“What I’m really pleased with is the way (the city) is growing – how much it’s really boosted the economy and the businesses here, and then I’m really pleased to see how strong the cultural, artistic and Civic aspects are “The scene is there,” said Booker.

Le Monte has been married to Hyacinth Booker, a registered nurse, for 31 years and the couple share son Le Monte Booker II, 29, and daughter Brittany Booker, 20. Le Monte II lives in Chicago, along with the rest of the family also in Chicago, has moved to a residence near Newfields, Le Monte said.

Painting conquered the new CEO at a young age

Booker turned to art at an early age. As an elementary school student on Chicago’s west side, he impressed his teachers with his talent for painting, often creating scenes from war and Roman history.

“They were drawings and paintings that showed many different people and warriors – all coming together to face a great challenge, an enemy,” Booker said. “As a kid, I think I grew up in a pretty tough part of Chicago where there was a pretty big need to think about safety, and for some reason I liked that kind of painting, that kind of art.”

Exclusive:Newfields director Belinda Tate talks about her roots and addresses controversy

He no longer paints, but enjoys the Newfields collection, particularly the Clowes Pavilion, art with religious themes, indigenous and African pieces, and the Lume. He said it was too early for him to choose a favorite piece from the museum’s many treasures.

“As time goes on, our tastes change, and Roman art and war aren’t exactly tastes today,” he said with a laugh, “although I see a lot of different types of art that I love.”

“I like art that reminds us of where we are in the world today, that we need more humanity and more empathy for people. I really like art that represents that in some way and tells us how lucky we are to have here as humans and how important it is for us to take care of this planet we live on.

He has expanded his charitable work beyond finance

Booker has held finance-focused positions throughout his career, including leadership roles at several nonprofit organizations, including Chief Financial Officer at Easter Seals and the American Academy of Pediatrics. According to his LinkedIn profile, he graduated from DePaul University in Chicago with a degree in business administration and from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management.

Over the years, he said, he has seen the CFO title expand.

“These roles are much, much broader today. CFOs are involved in so many different aspects of institutions and operations, from facilities management, security, technology, human resources – even… retail, restaurants and so on,” he said. “I think this has taken me a long way in terms of how I work with nonprofit institutions to advance their mission.”

Booker calls the 2017-2018 Jurassic World exhibition one of his favorite experiences at the Field Museum. He said he had the opportunity to be more involved in this exhibition – based on the blockbuster movie – than others during his nine years working there. For Jurassic World, Booker helped develop contracts, collaborated with outside organizations, and created the space needed to bring in animatronics, science scenes, and actor projects. He is also a dinosaur fan.

“I’m just fascinated by animals that were alive so many years ago and their wildness – it’s pretty amazing,” he said.

Why he wanted this job, even after recent controversies

In the last three years, Newfields has faced two major controversies, which many feared would complicate the recruitment of a new leader. In 2021, a job posting for museum directors said the successful applicant would be expected to cultivate the museum’s “traditional, core, white art audience” while attracting more diverse patrons. And in 2023, Burnette — the president and CEO who was brought in to rebuild trust after the job description debacle — unexpectedly left after just 15 months in the job.

Neither Burnette nor Newfields have explained the departure; The institution has simply stated that it does not discuss internal employment issues. The immediate fallout included a public protest and the resignation of five trustees and four members of the non-governing, community-focused Board of Governors.

In his interview with IndyStar, Booker did not directly answer questions about whether the controversy affected him. He shared that he did “extensive research” before coming to Newfields.

Questions remain unanswered:Newfields’ handling of the CEO’s departure was “an unforced error” that undermined public trust, experts say

“What I will say is that the outcome of this research gave me some satisfaction that Newfields is very, very committed to the community; it is deeply committed to opening its arms and being inclusive and accessible to the community; and that this institution – like many other institutions do – we still have a lot of work to do, but Newfields is definitely on the right track in my opinion,” he said.

How Booker plans to build relationships in the community

The new CEO said he wants to work from the inside out and first learn what makes the museum tick.

“The next step is to step further and further out of the institution. So my approach is to meet key members of the community and key institutions in the community and learn how we can work together on common concerns to find out what’s at stake.” “Experience the needs of the community and learn how Newfields can help secure these needs,” he said.

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