The Parrish Art Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of seven distinguished leaders to its Board of Trustees: Ruchira Bhuyan, Marty Cordes, Suzi Cordish, Astrid Hill, Dr. Harvanit Gahunia, Kimberley Taylor, and Marlies Verhoeven. These new Trustees bring a wealth of expertise in philanthropy, global communications, healthcare, contemporary art, and real estate, further strengthening the Museum’s mission to celebrate art, artists, and the East End’s artistic legacy and expand access to the arts for the surrounding community and beyond.
“As we begin an exciting year filled with extraordinary exhibitions and deep community engagement, we are thrilled to welcome these dynamic leaders to our Board,” said Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, Executive Director of the Parrish Art Museum. “Their unique perspectives, expertise, and talents will catapult the Parrish well into the future. I am very excited to be working closely with these new and amazing Trustees.”
Co-Chairs Frederic Seegal and Alexandra Stanton added, “With the appointment of these seven exceptional new Trustees, the Parrish is well-positioned to enter 2025 with excitement and momentum. The leadership provided by all 28 of the dynamic and talented Trustees strengthens the Museum’s cultural offerings and deepens its connection to the community. We feel honored to welcome this outstanding group of new voices.”
Ruchira Bhuyan
Ruchira brings extensive experience in strategy, communications, and fundraising, developed through a career spanning the public and private sectors, as well as significant involvement with nonprofit institutions. Ruchira previously worked for the Canadian Consulate General in New York, where she specialized in communications and public affairs, before transitioning to retail media and communication roles at Amazon and Walmart. Currently, Ruchira serves as a Board Member for The International Preschools (IPS) in New York and leads Annual and Campaign Giving initiatives at The Collegiate School. She also serves on the Family Benefit and Leadership Committees at the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Additionally, Ruchira is a Committee Member for Children’s Hope India, a nonprofit organization focused on building schools in rural areas of India for underprivileged children. Together with her husband, she has introduced AI-driven tutors to address teacher shortages and personalize the curriculum for a girls’ school with over 650 students.
Marty Cordes
Marty Cordes is the Co-Founder of the Cordes Foundation, which she established with her husband, Ron, in 2006 to advance social entrepreneurship and gender-lens investing. As a champion for women’s empowerment, Marty leads the Foundation’s philanthropic efforts to create economic opportunities for women globally. Previously, Marty built a successful career in banking and held leadership roles with social service organizations in the San Francisco Bay area. Her prior board affiliations include Nest, Freedom from Hunger, and Grameen PrimaCare, where she worked to address global poverty and advance women’s rights.
Suzi Cordish
Suzi Cordish is a collector and advocate for contemporary art with over 40 years of experience building partnerships to support arts initiatives and emerging artists. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami and as a Board Member of the NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale. Previously, Suzi was a member of the Smithsonian National Board and a Trustee of the Arthur M. Sackler and Freer Gallery of Art: the National Museums of Asian Art at the Smithsonian. From 2016 to 2020, Suzi served on the Board of the Foundation for the Preservation of Government House with the First Lady of Maryland, Mrs. Yumi Hogan. Her philanthropic leadership included Maryland Art Place in Baltimore, Maryland where she raised millions to support the non-profit and served in multiple leadership roles and was Board Chair from 1999 to 2012.
Astrid Hill
Astrid Hill is the President and Founder of Monticule Art Advisory, a comprehensive art advisory firm based in New York City that specializes in connecting collectors with works by living artists, leveraging her established long-term relationships. She also holds the position of Vice President and Curator of Emerging Artists at the Hill Art Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Chelsea, New York City. The Hill Art Foundation features a public exhibition and education space that hosts rotating exhibitions and ongoing arts education programs. Opened in 2019, the Foundation operates in a custom-built 7,700-square-foot venue and is free and open to the public. Additionally, Astrid is a member of the Education Committee at the Guggenheim Museum and a founding member of the Vanguard Council at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Harvanit Gahunia (Vinnie Kumar), MD
Dr. Harvanit Gahunia, known as Vinnie Kumar, is a psychiatrist specializing in pediatric, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. In 2018, she established the Rohit and Harvanit Kumar Conference on Early Childhood Development at the University of Chicago, focusing on parental influence on childhood development and exploring new interventions to support parents. Vinnie is a board member of New 42, a performing arts non-profit behind New 42 Studios and the New Victory Theater, which promotes youth empowerment through the arts. Her professional and philanthropic work is dedicated to improving outcomes for underserved communities.
Kimberley Taylor
Kimberley Taylor is a luxury real estate specialist with The Corcoran Group. While serving clients across the East End of Long Island she also serves clientele throughout the country, in the Caribbean, and internationally. Known for her market expertise and dedication to exceptional client service, she has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor specifically in the Hamptons real estate community. Kimberley balances her professional pursuits with a passion for the East End’s vibrant arts and cultural scene, aligning her interests with the Parrish’s mission to foster creativity and cultural engagement.
Marlies Verhoeven
Marlies Verhoeven is Co-Founder and CEO of The Cultivist, a global arts club providing access to museums and exclusive cultural experiences. Before this, she served as Vice President and Global Director of Loyalty Marketing at Sotheby’s, where she co-launched the Sotheby’s Preferred program. Marlies began her career at the Belgian Mission to the United Nations and later co-founded the fashion brand Verlaine. Originally from Belgium, she now lives in New York with her husband and three children and serves on the Board of Art Production Fund, furthering her dedication to arts advocacy.
