Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of two new trustees to the board. Smithsonian Institution’s board of regents voted to appoint Miki Naftali and Lisa Roberts to the board of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.
Cooper-Hewitt's board of trustees, led by Chairman Paul Herzan and President James Rosenthal, is comprised of distinguished civic and business leaders dedicated to the continued growth of the museum.
"I'm delighted to have such outstanding individuals join the board," said director Paul Warwick Thompson. "Naftali and Roberts will superbly complement the experience and leadership of Cooper-Hewitt's board."
Naftali serves as the CEO and president of Elad Properties and the Elad Group, an international real estate investment and development firm, which counts the restoration of the landmark Plaza Hotel among its many projects. Before joining the Elad Group in 2000, Naftali oversaw the construction of various residential neighborhoods and hospitality projects in Israel. He received his bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Southern California.
Roberts is the author of the 2006 book “Antiques of the Future.” Previously, she practiced architecture for six years and has been a licensed designer in the home furnishing and giftware industries for 25 years. Her book and collection has been featured on the HGTV shows “The Ultimate Collector” and “Smart Design.” Roberts is a trustee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and an honorary trustee at the Charter High School for Architecture and Design, Philadelphia. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a master’s of architecture degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
