After six years as Board Chair of the Yerkes Future Foundation (YFF), Dianna Colman stepped off the Yerkes Board of Directors last week as her second term as a Foundation trustee came to an end. Mrs. Colman, who was among the leaders of the effort to save, restore, and revitalize Yerkes Observatory that began when the University of Chicago announced its closing in 2018, served as the organization’s founding board chair. She will continue to serve as the Co-Chair of the Yerkes Master Plan Campaign Committee, which oversees fundraising for the educational mission and ongoing restoration of the building and grounds.

When asked about her time as YFF Chair, Mrs. Colman said, “The adventure with Yerkes Observatory was like a road trip without a map. The destination–a magical place for culture, exploration and learning, was clear–but the workload of restoration, staffing, fundraising, and planning was often overwhelming. Are we there yet? Not nearly. But the journey has been fantastic. Working with dedicated people, creating new friendships, and sharing excitement over every happy visitor, speaker, intern, or artist makes me smile.”

Mrs. Colman was instrumental in the formation of the Foundation, a nonprofit whose initial mission was to preserve and protect the historic Observatory, considered by many as one of the most important sites in the history of global science. The organization was formed in April 2018 in response to the announcement that Yerkes would permanently close later that year. In May of 2020, the University of Chicago transferred the Observatory and 50 acres of land to Yerkes Future Foundation as a gift to the community.

During Mrs. Colman’s six-year tenure as board chair, she led fundraising efforts, recruited board members and donors to the cause, hired the Foundation’s first employee–Executive Director Dennis Kois–and began the multi-million dollar restoration of the building, grounds, and scientific equipment that continues to this day. Within two years, the Foundation was able to re-open Yerkes to the public for tours, programs, and special events, after investing more than $16 million in the facility. As of 2024, the Foundation has raised nearly $30 million for the ongoing restoration and operation of this local landmark, with significant work and challenges still ahead. Mrs. Colman was designated as the recipient of the Lake Geneva region’s “Citizen of the Year” award for 2024 by Visit Lake Geneva.

Local resident and previous YFF vice-chair Tom Nickols was elected unanimously to serve as the Chairman of the Yerkes Future Foundation Board of Directors, a three-year term he began officially on January 1. “I’m thrilled to build on the progress the staff, board, and community have helped Yerkes achieve over the past five years under Dianna’s leadership,” said Mr. Nickols. “We have a wildly exciting future filled with great people and a steadfast mission to not only continue restoring our arboretum and observatory, but also to grow our ability to deliver extraordinary programs, educational impact, and positive experiences for visitors.”

Executive Director Dennis Kois noted “Dianna Colman is truly one of a kind. In my twenty-five years running museums and cultural institutions across the U.S., I’ve had the good fortune to work with some world-class trustees and visionary board chairs… but Dianna is among the very best. It’s been a highlight of my career to work with her to reimagine Yerkes for future generations, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to partner with Tom Nickols to write the next chapter of this illustrious institution in our community.”

Yerkes Observatory Executive Director Dennis Kois (left), Yerkes Future Foundation Board Chair Dianna Colman (center), and Yerkes Observatory Director of Programs & External Affairs Walt Chadick (right) at the 2024 Visit Lake Geneva Impact Awards ceremony.