Newport, RI, February 25, 2026 — The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Hilary Fagan as its next Executive Director. Fagan, a Newport native with deep experience in Rhode Island economic development and financial services, will assume the role on March 9, 2026.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors selected Fagan following a national search, citing her energy, her diverse background in both the public and private sectors, and her lifelong connection to the city.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hilary to the Newport Restoration Foundation,” states Edith McBean, President of the Board of Directors. “We chose Hilary because she is a proven leader who knows how to get things done. She understands that fulfilling Doris Duke’s legacy requires consistent commitment to historic preservation, maintaining our properties, and keeping them beautiful, vital, and engaging for the community. Hilary’s background in promoting Rhode Island’s economy, combined with her financial expertise, makes her the ideal person to guide NRF as we face new challenges, including the impact of sea-level rise on our historic neighborhoods.”
Fagan joins NRF with a distinct blend of experience in government, business, and education. Most notably, she served as President & Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Business Development at the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, where she led efforts to strengthen the state’s business climate and attract investment. She currently manages key strategic accounts for National Grid and previously held roles at CBRE and the Lincoln School. Early in her career, she worked in financial services at Nasdaq and Morgan Stanley.
“I am honored to join the Newport Restoration Foundation, an organization that has been part of the fabric of my hometown since 1968,” states Fagan. “NRF is a leader in preserving the unique sense of place that makes Newport special. I look forward to working with the board and staff to ensure that our historic homes remain vibrant community assets that evoke pride in Newporters. It is an exciting time to explore how historic preservation can drive economic vitality and community resilience.”
###
About Newport Restoration Foundation
The Newport Restoration Foundation is a non-profit organization established by philanthropist Doris Duke in 1968 to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of 18th and 19th century Newport. NRF promotes economic and community restoration through historic preservation initiatives like Keeping History Above Water, which advocates for resiliency and the protection of cultural resources in the wake of climate change, the Historic Trades Initiative, which trains the next generation of preservation tradespeople in vital skills, and Telling Stories, which shares the stories of people connected to the places NRF cares for and helps ensure their preservation. In addition to a portfolio of more than 70 historic houses rented in an unique Tenant Stewardship program, NRF operates properties that are open to the public including Rough Point, the Newport home of Doris Duke, and the 300+ year-old Vernon House, a site of expansive storytelling, contemporary dialogue, and preservation trades skill-building. For more information, please visit www.NewportRestoration.org.
NRF is on Facebook/NPTRestoration and Instagram @NPTRestoration
