Ohio Humanities Names Rebecca Brown Asmo as New Executive Director

After national search, Brown Asmo brings strong fundraising and advocacy background to organization’s helm

Ohio Humanities announced today the appointment of Rebecca Brown Asmo as the organization’s newest Executive Director. Brown Asmo comes to Ohio Humanities with a breadth of experience in the nonprofit sector, including a decade as Chief Executive Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio. Brown Asmo will succeed Pat Williamsen, who will retire on June 30 after more than 25 years at Ohio Humanities. Williamsen has served as Executive Director since 2011.

“We are excited for this next chapter at Ohio Humanities. Rebecca’s background in both the humanities and social services makes her ideally suited to help us address the challenges and opportunities ahead,” said Ohio Humanities Board Chair Kevin Rose. “We are confident that she will carry on the legacy of excellence established during Pat’s years of service.”

Brown Asmo began her career in the public humanities in 2002 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., after graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in Art History. An adopted Ohioan since 2004, she has also worked in development for the Ohio History Connection and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio. She has participated in several of Harvard Business School’s Executive Education programs and is a 2018 alum of Linkage’s Global Institute for Leadership Development (GILD). Most recently, Brown Asmo served as Associate VP, Nonprofit and Community Relationship Manager at Heartland Bank.

Brown Asmo lives in Columbus’ Fifth by Northwest neighborhood with her two children. She will join the Ohio Humanities team on June 1.


Contact: Kiley Kinnard, Communications Coordinator