President and chief executive officer of Vulcan Park Foundation, Darlene Negrotto, left, will be retiring at the end of the month. Cynthia Cardona, right, currently director of museum operations, will take over the top spot.The president and chief executive officer of Vulcan Park Foundation, Darlene Negrotto, is retiring at the end of the month.
The foundation board of directors has appointed Cynthia Cardona, currently director of museum operations, to succeed her as president and chief executive officer as of April 1, according to a statement from the foundation. She also will join the board, which oversees Vulcan Park & Museum.
“On behalf of the board of directors, the VPF staff, we want to thank Darlene for her leadership and impact for nearly two decades with the organization,” Martha Raber, Vulcan Park Foundation board chair, said in the statement.
“This year, we mark the 19th anniversary of Vulcan Park’s reopening, and she has been instrumental in helping Vulcan Park & Museum fulfill its mission to preserve and promote Vulcan as the symbol for the Birmingham region, advance knowledge and understanding of Birmingham’s diverse history and culture, and encourage exploration of the region,” she continued. “The board is sincerely grateful to Darlene for her dedication and wishes her nothing but the best as she starts this next chapter in her life.
“With our experienced leadership team, Vulcan Park & Museum is poised for success through this leadership transition.”
Raber said Cardona brings to the foundation experience and knowledge acquired in more than two decades of varied museum work, during which she held roles focusing on collections management, visitor engagement, operations and administration.
Negrotto has been with the foundation since 2004 and has made many lasting contributions to the area’s hospitality and tourism industry, according to the statement.
She was named the Birmingham Business Journal’s Non-Profit CEO of the Year in 2011 as well as receiving the 2011 Best Minority Business Award for Non-Profit Leadership.
“As I move on from the role I have been honored to have held since 2004, I am profoundly grateful to the City of Birmingham, each of the supporters, the staff members, volunteers and board members whose contributions, efforts, expertise and enthusiasm have fulfilled our mission beyond expectations,” Negrotto said. “And to the many institutions and individuals with whom we have partnered or collaborated, or who have so willingly shared insights, I thank each of you and wish you continued success.”
Cardona said as she prepares to take on the role, “I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to work with our talented team, the board and with the Birmingham community.”
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