AUC's Newest Trustees: Thomas Lentz and Johanthan Wolf

Two new members have joined AUC’s Board of Trustees: Thomas W. Lentz, a 1985 graduate of Harvard's doctoral program in art history and a specialist in Persian painting, and Jonathan L. Wolf, founder and president of Wendover Housing Partners, LLC.

Until 2015, Lentz served as the Elizabeth and John Moors Cabot Director of the Harvard Art Museums, overseeing one of the leading arts institutions in the United States. Currently, he serves on several advisory committees, including the Princeton University Art Museum Advisory Council; International Board of Overseers for Sabanci Museum at Sabanci University in Istanbul; Dallas Museum of Arts Board of Trustees; Aga Khan Museum's Board of Trustees in Toronto; Center for Creative Photography in Arizona; Foundation for the Arts Board of Directors in Texas; and the Association of Art Museum Directors. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.

Previously, Lentz held curatorial roles at the Museum of the Rhode Island School of Design and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, served as head of research and collections — and subsequently deputy director — at the Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and national museums of Asian art. He was then appointed director of the Smithsonian's International Art Museums Division in 2000.

“I’ve had a lifelong fascination with the art, culture and history of Egypt, and the chance to work with its premier institution of higher education is both an honor and a privilege," said Lentz. "I also believe that the arts can play a larger role in the intellectual and cultural life of the University, for students, faculty and the community, and I look forward to helping work toward that goal.”

In 1995, Wolf founded Wendover Housing Partners, a Florida-based, privately held real estate development, investment and management company. As president, Wolf oversees the strategic direction of both Wendover Housing Partners — which consists of a portfolio of affordable and market-rate multifamily communities, senior housing, transit-oriented communities and student housing — and Wendover Management, which provides full-service property management for Wendover’s own properties as well as other properties throughout the country.

Wolf's mission is to provide housing opportunities in a variety of economically and socially diverse neighborhoods. He works actively at the local, state and national level to encourage lawmakers and governments to take the necessary measures to address the critical need for affordable housing nationwide. He is a leading authority in affordable tax credit housing development and an expert in creating public-private partnerships to bring housing developments to fruition.

Wolf is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina and graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He also studied at AUC.

“Studying at AUC had a profound impact on my life and I am proud to be a part of the AUC board and help further the mission of this outstanding University," Wolf said.

Prior to his career in real estate development, Wolf worked in finance, which included executive positions at The Chase Manhattan Bank and Citicorp. He also fulfills many philanthropic roles on a variety of charity, education and civic boards.

Richard Bartlett, chair of AUC’s Board of Trustees, highlighted how both Lentz and Wolf will provide the board with valuable counsel and expertise. 

“It is a pleasure to announce Jonathan and Tom as our two newest trustees," Bartlett said. "We will lean on each of them for their wisdom and enthusiasm.  Jonathan’s experience in facilities management and residential development—including student housing — will be an asset as we look to become a more residential and lively campus. Tom's academic expertise in Islamic art and his success as director of the Harvard Art Museums — where he completely reimagined the space and programs and inspired $400 million in funding for the project — will be valuable as we continue to increase arts engagement at AUC. It is a delight to have them both as colleagues."