Landmarks Illinois CEO Steps Down After Loeb Fellowship Win
Event summary
- Bonnie McDonald, President & CEO of Landmarks Illinois, will step down on July 24, 2026 after receiving the Loeb Fellowship from Harvard.
- McDonald led the organization for 14 years, shifting focus to building reuse as a climate and social justice tool.
- COO Frank Butterfield will serve as interim President & CEO during the transition.
- The Loeb Fellowship requires McDonald to reside in Cambridge, MA for 10 months starting August 2026.
The big picture
Bonnie McDonald's departure marks a significant shift for Landmarks Illinois, as her tenure redefined preservation priorities around climate change and social equity. Her move to Harvard underscores growing academic interest in building reuse as a multi-faceted solution. The organization now faces the challenge of maintaining momentum while searching for permanent leadership.
What we're watching
- Leadership Transition
- How smoothly Frank Butterfield can implement the Transformational Plan during his interim period.
- Strategic Pivot
- Whether Landmarks Illinois can sustain its focus on building reuse as a systems-level solution under new leadership.
- Industry Influence
- The pace at which McDonald's work through the Loeb Fellowship will impact national preservation practices.
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