Unity Temple Restoration Foundation Appoints New Executive Director

Heidi R. Ruehle-May comes to us from the Pleasant Home Foundation, Oak Park, where she has served as Executive Director since January, 2013. She brings more than 20 years of professional experience including fundraising and development, marketing and communications, interior design and museum management. She has served the not-for-profit sector in the areas of refugee resettlement, children and family services, homelessness and architectural preservation.

In her new role with UTRF, Ms. Ruehle-May will be responsible for producing new programming, developing donor and member relations, designing fundraising campaigns, and promoting awareness and education through the use of the space, while introducing a worldwide public to the significance of Frank Lloyd Wright’s modern architectural masterpiece.

“We are very excited to have Heidi Ruehle-May join UTRF as its new Executive Director.  Heidi brings the expertise and local knowledge necessary to grow our organization, expand programming, and ensure ongoing funding so that Unity Temple can continue to be a spectacular home for the Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Church, a place for community gatherings, and a beacon for future generations of architectural enthusiasts.”

“I am thrilled to be part of the Unity Temple and greater Frank Lloyd Wright family, and look forward to working with the congregation, FLW Trust and other local and national organizations to foster a creative and collaborative environment.” Ms. Ruehle-May adds “UTRF is at an interesting juncture in our 45 year history; although we have recently accomplished the complete restoration of the building, we now have the responsibility to ensure the investment is preserved for many years to come, while maintaining a robust calendar of educational and cultural programming.”

Ms. Ruehle-May resides with her husband and 10 year old twins in Oak Park, where she has lived or worked for over 20 years. Currently she serves on the Visit Oak Park board of directors, helping to advance local, national and international tourism in the greater Oak Park area.