SAVANNAH, Ga. – Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF), which is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary, recently announced that CEO and President Sue Adler will step down in June 2025 after six years of strong leadership and steadfast advocacy for preserving the buildings, places and stories that define Savannah’s past, present and future.
“Historic Savannah Foundation is thriving and poised for continued innovation with new programs that further involve and educate the community about ways to preserve Savannah’s treasured history,” said Adler. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done and know that HSF board, staff and members will continue to honor the legacy of our seven original founders through ongoing advocacy for the Hostess City’s landmarks, endangered sites and history makers.”
HSF will conduct a nationwide search for a new CEO and President who will lead the nonprofit organization and work to maintain the iconic city plan and historic architecture that have become synonymous with Savannah, Ga.
“The Board of Trustees at Historic Savannah Foundation is deeply grateful for Sue’s leadership over the past six years,” said HSF board chair Austin Hill. “She was the right person at the right time for HSF and for the Savannah community.”
Adler originally joined HSF in 2019 as the Chief Mission Officer, developing community engagement strategies designed to raise the organization’s profile. After three months with the nonprofit organization, she was named the Interim CEO and President and was officially named the CEO and President in 2020.
Under Adler’s leadership, the relationship between the Davenport House Museum and HSF has been strengthened, resulting in collaborative programming and stronger preservation efforts. In April 2022, the Historic Kennedy Pharmacy, which is owned by HSF, was opened to house the Davenport House Museum’s shop and staff offices as well as the Murray C. Perlman & Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center. Since then, the Historic Kennedy Pharmacy has become a community gathering place, hosting year-round Artisan Spotlight Series events that provide a dynamic platform for artists and artisans to share their unique creative processes with local residents and visitors from around the world.
In 2023, the Davenport House Museum added the award-winning Urban Enslaved Exhibit, which provides visitors with a more complete understanding of what life was like at the iconic Davenport House during the era of slavery. Adler also launched the monthly HSF Lecture Series, “The People, Places and Stories That Define Savannah,” and brought in distinguished guest speakers to educate the community on topics ranging from Jewish Foodways in the Lowcountry South to Susie King Taylor and the Making of Taylor Square.
Adler also welcomed numerous professionals who have helped expand the narrative of the iconic Davenport House Museum and embrace the often overlooked parts of Savannah’s history. Earlier this year, “Old Chan Magic: Chinese Roots, Southern Branches,” a photo exhibit curated by Davenport House Museum Executive Director Danielle Hodes, opened at the Murray C. Perlman & Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center, offering insight into Savannah, Ga.’s vibrant Chinese-American community in the 1900s.
Notably, Adler expanded HSF’s commitment to advocacy during her tenure as CEO and President. She formed and continues to lead the I-16 Flyover Removal Coalition, which brings together community leaders and business owners to meet with city officials and develop an effective plan. She also worked with HSF Director of Preservation Ellie Isaacs on the January 2025 launch of a new local advocacy initiative Endangered Places, which seeks to identify and preserve local historic sites threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance or inappropriate development.
“Over the next few months, I will be working closely with HSF’s board members and staff to ensure a smooth transition,” explained Adler. “Together, we will identify new leadership that will continue our positive momentum in the areas of advocacy, easements, preservation and education.”
Adler has accepted a new position as Executive Director at Savannah Historic Initiatives, a nonprofit affiliated with the Civis Foundation. Civis Foundation supports activities that promote awareness and collaborates with public and private partners to invest in community building, advocacy and cultural expression that align with the organization’s commitment to the betterment of humankind. Adler will report to the Head of the Foundation T. Eric Galloway and will oversee the day-to-day operations, including grants, W.W. Law House programming, Cuyler-Brownville initiatives and the Kiah House Experience.
The Kiah Museum, located in Savannah’s Cuyler-Brownville Historic District, was originally acquired by HSF as part of the Revolving Fund, which raises private money to purchase endangered historic properties, sells them to preservation-minded buyers and repeats the cycle. With the help of Sarah Ward and Becki Harkness of Ward Architecture + Preservation, Adler secured approval for the Kiah Museum, a former art museum that offered free admission to all during the mid-20th century segregation era, to be added to the Georgia Register of Historic Places.
An experienced nonprofit professional, Adler has served the Savannah community for over 20 years. Prior to joining HSF, she served as the Executive Director of the Georgia Southeast Division of the March of Dimes and worked for Memorial Health for eight years, doing fundraising work and community outreach.
As a founding board member of the Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia affiliate, Adler established the highly successful Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Savannah, Ga. She is the former President of the Savannah Chapter of Hadassah, past board chair for the Matthew Reardon Center for Autism, a former board member for Horizons Savannah and a former coalition member with Georgians for a Healthy Future.
Currently, Adler serves as the President of the Savannah Estate Planning Council, a board member for Visit Savannah and a representative on the City of Savannah’s Tourism Advisory Council. She is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Savannah and the Chatham Commerce Club.
ABOUT HISTORIC SAVANNAH FOUNDATION:
Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF), a leading nonprofit cultural institution, saves the buildings, places and stories that define Savannah’s past, present and future. Founded in 1955 when seven brave women banded together to save the Isaiah Davenport House, Historic Savannah Foundation spearheaded the preservation movement in Savannah. The organization continues to preserve and operate The Davenport House Museum, sharing its important story with the community, and operates a Revolving Fund to save endangered historic properties, now totaling over 420 buildings throughout several of Savannah’s historic districts. HSF is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary and continues to lead preservation efforts throughout the Savannah community. More info: myhsf.org.
ABOUT DAVENPORT HOUSE MUSEUM:
The Davenport House Museum is the historic 1820 Federal-style home and iconic Historic Savannah Foundation property that began the modern-day preservation movement in Savannah, Ga. In 1955, seven local women joined forces to save the Davenport House from demolition. Today, this award-winning house museum is dedicated to sharing the stories of master carpenter Isaiah Davenport, his family and the enslaved residents who lived in this home overlooking Columbia Square, showcasing period artifacts of life in Savannah from 1820 to 1827. Highlights include the award-winning Urban Enslaved Exhibit, which opened to the public in November 2023. Owned and operated by Historic Savannah Foundation, the Davenport House is the winner of the Preserve America Presidential Award — the highest national award honoring historic preservation achievement — and welcomes more than 40,000 visitors annually. More info: davenporthousemuseum.org.
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