18 Jun 2025 A Q&A with HBI’s new Executive Director: Dr. Rebecca Kemper
We are thrilled to announce that Historic Boston Incorporated has appointed Dr. Rebecca F. Kemper as its next Executive Director. Dr. Kemper has over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience and holds a doctorate from Ohio State University’s Knowlton School. She is a dedicated community builder and preservationist from the Midwest, most recently serving as the Chief Executive Officer for Columbus Landmarks, a nonprofit organization that advocates for historic preservation and design excellence throughout greater Columbus, Ohio. She will be joining the team in July, but get to know Dr. Kemper with a quick Q&A here!
1.) What first sparked your interest in Historic Preservation?
One of my first experiences with historic preservation was completing a preservation-focused design competition for the Cranbrook Academy of Art campus with my mentor, the late Lisa Marie Tilder. As an early-career planning and architectural design professional, this experience really set my passion for preservation as I saw firsthand its power to create and sustain communities over the generations.
Additionally, growing up immersed in my Basque heritage and hearing stories of my family’s escape from Franco-controlled Spain—particularly in the aftermath of the devastating bombing of Guernica (traditionally spelled Gernika in Basque) by Nazi and Mussolini air forces, which killed many civilians and damaged cultural heritage sites—gave me a deeper understanding of how historic preservation can serve as a powerful tool against oppression and the erasure of history.
2.) What are you most proud to have accomplished at Columbus Landmarks?
We are most proud of how we have elevated the mission of preservation by making it more inclusive and accessible to our Columbus neighborhoods, representing the histories, stories, and cultural heritages for many more of our communities. It is especially meaningful to see how this work has helped our Columbus neighborhoods feel more empowered to advocate for other needs to be met as well regarding multi-modal transportation, housing affordability, and educational improvements.
3.) What do you want the Historic Boston community to know about you?
I want the Historic Boston community to know that I am deeply committed to preservation not just as a profession, but as a personal calling. My lived experience– shaped by a rich family history that includes ancestors who served in the American Revolution, as well as others who immigrated to the U.S. in the 20th century in search of a better life —has shown me how vital it is to protect the places and stories that define who we are as a neighborhood, city, and nation. I believe preservation is not only about saving buildings, but about honoring memory, fostering belonging, and making space for all voices. I am here to listen, to learn, and to contribute meaningfully to the shared work of safeguarding Boston’s rich and diverse heritage for generations to come.
4.) What are you most excited to get to work on at HBI?
What excites me about HBI is the ability to contribute to projects that bring new life into historic places while centering the needs and stories of the very communities that have made these spaces meaningful. The work of HBI is at a critical intersection of preservation, equity, and accessibility which deeply resonates with me. I am eager to help advance efforts that not only save our important buildings but also expand who benefits from preservation—ensuring that it is a tool for economic opportunity and inclusion. Being part of a team that views history as a living, community-centered resource is incredibly energizing, and I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves and help make that vision real alongside our notable board, staff, and longtime partners.