Modernism Week has announced that Lisa Vossler Smith has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1. She has been Executive Director of the Palm Springs-based, nonprofit organization since 2013. In addition, Modernism Week also announced that four people have been promoted from within the business to support the new leadership framework.
“Lisa is an outstanding individual and a significant asset to our organization,” said William Kopelk, Chairman of the Modernism Week Board of Directors. “Lisa has a proven history of successfully guiding Modernism Week as we have grown over the years. She did an outstanding job running the organization during the pandemic when we adjusted our business model to adapt to the national crisis. We have the utmost confidence in her abilities and look forward to working with her in her new role as CEO.”
Vossler Smith has a long history of non-profit leadership roles and promoting cultural tourism and the rich heritage of the Palm Springs desert region. Prior to joining Modernism Week, she served for several years as Senior Director of Administration & Operations at Palm Springs Art Museum. She was involved with Modernism Week as a volunteer from its beginning in 2005.
She attended Indio High School and grew up in La Quinta where she began her early career training at La Quinta Hotel under the leadership of her mother, Judy Vossler. After graduating from the University of California, Irvine, she pursued a career path in special event management. Lisa and her husband, artist Phillip K. Smith III, also from the Coachella Valley, are proud to have established their business and family life in the desert. Lisa was awarded “40 Under 40” Young Leaders by Palm Springs Life in October, 2006, was included in the “A-List” Young Professionals by The Desert Sun in November, 2007, received the “Top Business Leader in the Community” designation in the 2014 Women in Business Awards sponsored by Palm Springs Life, won a “Desert Visionary Award” from the Women Leaders Forum in 2016, and was included in the Desert Charities News “Women in Philanthropy” list from 2018 to 2020.
She has served on various community boards including Junior League of the Palm Springs Desert Communities, Architecture & Design Council of the Palm Springs Art Museum, Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, and the California Preservation Foundation Annual Conference Steering Committee.
Modernism Week is growing into a year-round operation with multiple events, tours, and trips during the year. In addition to promoting Vossler Smith as CEO, Modernism Week also promoted from within four new Directors to support her by overseeing various aspects of the business. The senior management team consists of Davy Aker, Director of E-Commerce, John Miraglia, Director of Operations and Controller, Sara Dawson, Director of Sponsorship, and Alex Addrisi, Director of Partner Events.
