2 more, including Martin University president, resign from Newfields' Board of Trustees

Two more members of Newfields' Board of Trustees have resigned. Newfields confirmed Thursday that Sherron Rogers, the chief financial officer of Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, and Sean Huddleston, the president of Martin University, have left.

Martin University's executive vice president and chief of staff also confirmed to IndyStar that Huddleston resigned from the board Nov. 20. A statement sent to IndyStar links his decision to the abrupt Nov. 10 departure of of Colette Pierce Burnette, who spent 15 months in the role of Newfields CEO and president.

In the statement, Huddleston said he joined the board because he saw it as "an extension of what we do at Martin University."

"I saw an opportunity to help people see themselves in a space that they didn’t know was for them, accepting of them, and supportive of their interests. For Martin, that’s people who have not felt embraced by higher education. For Newfields, it was the museum and gardens," the statement reads.

"With Dr. Burnette’s untimely departure, I feel that my time now needs to be spent focusing on how Martin (and others who may wish to partner with us) can continue that work and further any progress that has been achieved."

IndyStar has reached out to Rogers, who just joined the board in May, for comment on her reason for leaving.

With the news, Huddleston and Rogers became the fourth and fifth members of the Board of Trustees to resign since October. The others were Otto Frenzel IV on Oct. 9, Gary Hirschberg on Nov. 10 and Adrienne Sims on Nov. 17. Newfields confirmed the earlier resignations but has not provided reasons for them. IndyStar reached out to the other departed board members for comment but has not heard back.

On Monday, four members of Newfields' associate Board of Governors — Malina Simone Bacon, Chris Gahl, Isaac Bamgbose and Barry Wormser — also resigned. Those who explained the reasons behind their individual decisions cited a lack of opportunities to lead, be part of strategic decisions and carry out positive change.

Other resignations: After CEO's abrupt exit, 4 Newfields governors resign; one describes 'siloed approach'

Newfields has specified neither a reason for Burnette's departure nor whether she resigned or was terminated. The institution has noted that it does not discuss details of internal employment matters and that it would share future updates on the leadership transition. The Board of Trustees on Nov. 21 released a statement that said it was unable to say more about the leadership transition but remained committed to earning the community's trust and developing programs.

IndyStar has reached out to the museum regarding the latest board departures, as well as additional details regarding the circumstances of Burnette's departure. Burnette has declined to comment.

Huddleston joined the Board of Trustees in 2021 and served as chair of the Community Advisory Committee. The group was formed that year as part of Newfields' action plan in the wake of its controversial museum director job description that that called to maintain its "traditional, core, white art audience" while diversifying its visitors.

At the time, board Chair Darrianne Christian told IndyStar that Ice Miller’s Racial Equity Solutions Group chose Huddleston and that he had the authority to determine how the committee would work and acquire members. The Racial Equity Solutions Group was part of the External Expert Assessment Team that reviewed leadership and culture at Newfields as part of the action plan.

The committee seeks to bring community voices to Newfields' decision-making. Among the group's projects was an initial review of neighborhoods included in the museum's Neighborhood Membership program, in which some who live near the museum receive unlimited free admission and discounts, among other perks.

IndyStar has asked Newfields about the Community Advisory Committee's operations moving forward and who the leader will be.

Committee member Wildstyle Paschall, who organized a Nov. 19 protest after Burnette's exit, resigned last week from his post and told IndyStar that he felt Newfields' commitment to inclusion was not credible.

Huddleston's other posts have included serving as vice president and chief equity and inclusion officer for the University of Indianapolis as well as on the IMPD Response Review Committee. He also received the 2022 Achievement in Education Award from Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb at the Governor’s Awards Reception.

Rogers previously worked as chief financial officer and chief strategy officer at Eskenazi Health as well as in roles at Indiana University Health and Cummins Inc. She's also served as a board member for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation.

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Newfields CEO exit: More resignations from the Board of Trustees