Winslow Hastie, president and CEO of Historic Charleston Foundation, announced Aug. 26 that he will step down from his leadership position at the end of the year.
Hastie assumed the helm of the organization in late 2017, when he took over from Katharine S. “Kitty” Robinson upon her retirement. For 11 years before that, he was the foundation’s chief preservation officer. Prior to that, Hastie was a senior preservation planner for the city of Charleston.
His background in architecture, urban planning and historic preservation, and his Charleston roots, caused him to stand out among a field of 85 candidates for the top position, according to a 2017 statement from the board chairman at the time, Park B. “Peach” Smith Jr.
Hastie’s tenure has corresponded with striking growth in the Charleston area, climate change impacts, threats to cultural heritage, museum management challenges and a growing urgency to protect the city’s resources and treasures.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, but Hastie is leaving an organization in good shape financially and administratively, he said.
“There is no controversy, no conflict, just my personal decision,” he said. “I wanted to step away from a position of strength.”
The staff is capable, and the bank account flush thanks to successful recent fundraising, Hastie said.
Next year, the Historic Charleston Foundation will mark its 80th anniversary. Hastie has been with the organization for a quarter of that time. It’s a good moment to hand over the reins, he said.
Board Chairman David Maybank III said Hastie is departing an organization on solid footing after many fruitful years.
“Over the past 20 years, Winslow has given an extraordinary part of his professional life to Historic Charleston Foundation and to the preservation of the city and region he loves,” Maybank said in a statement. “As President and CEO for the past nine years, he has led with vision, integrity, and a deep understanding of what makes preservation meaningful, not simply protecting the past, but helping Charleston navigate its future.”
