Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens announces familiar face as its new leader

The new leader at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is a familiar name and face in history circles.

Jennifer Highfield, the president and CEO of the National First Ladies' Library in Canton, has been named the new president and executive director of the historic estate in Akron where she once worked earlier in her career.

She replaces Sean Joyce who left Stan Hywet a year ago.

Highfield is credited with developing program, organizational and financial plans for the Canton library and also its financial health. “We look forward to working with Jennifer, and we are confident that our team and the entire Akron community will be will be inspired by her enthusiasm and plans for the estate,” said Rick Burke, Stan Hywet board chairman in a statement. 

Highfield worked at Stan Hywet from 2006 to 2010 as its director of fund development fundraising for the estate.

“I am honored to be selected as the president and executive director of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens," Highfield said in a statement. "Stan Hywet is a community treasure, and I look forward to working with the talented staff, volunteers, and board to advance Stan Hywet’s mission and continue its remarkable growth as we look ahead to the future.”

More:Stan Hywet announces 2022 tour plans.

Stan Hywet is the former estate of Goodyear co-founder F.A. Seiberling and is a National Historic Landmark and among the largest such estates open for public tours in the country.

A graduate of the University of Akron with an art history degree, Highfield earned her masters in art history from Kent State.

She is expected to start at Stan Hywet in September.

Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.