Anne Chafe, CEO of The Rooms, plans to retire this May after nearly two decades in leadership roles at the museum and art gallery.
Leadership Journey
Chafe assumed the role of interim CEO in July 2019 and secured the permanent position in June 2020, almost a year after the provincial government dismissed former CEO Dean Brinton without providing a reason.
Key Achievements
During her tenure, Chafe spearheaded the development of three permanent exhibitions:
- Here We Made a Home in the Elinor Gill Ratcliffe Gallery;
- From This Place: Our Lives on Land and Sea in the Cenovus Energy Gallery;
- Beaumont-Hamel and the Trail of the Caribou: Newfoundlanders and Labradorians Overseas and at Home, 1918–1949 in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Gallery.
She guided The Rooms through a significant period of transition, earning praise for her stewardship.
Official Recognition
Tourism Minister Andrea Barbour described Chafe as a “thoughtful steward of one of the province’s most important public institutions” in a recent statement.
Margaret Allan, chair of The Rooms board of directors, highlighted Chafe’s impact, stating, “Her contributions to the organization are immeasurable.”
Next Steps
The tourism department will collaborate with The Rooms board and the Independent Appointments Commission to recruit a successor.
