Chestnut Hill Conservancy Welcomes David Gest as New Executive Director
Philadelphia, PA – The Chestnut Hill Conservancy is excited to announce that David Gest, Esq. has been named its new Executive Director. Gest will officially begin his role on January 6, 2025, working closely with outgoing Executive Director Lori Salganicoff throughout December to ensure a seamless transition.
David Gest brings a wealth of experience that uniquely positions him to lead the Conservancy into its next chapter. With a background in city planning, law, nonprofit leadership, historic preservation, and community advocacy, David is deeply committed to advancing the Conservancy’s mission of preserving the historical, architectural, and natural resources that define Chestnut Hill and its surrounding communities in the Wissahickon watershed.
Gest shared his excitement about joining the Conservancy:
“I’m thrilled to build on the over 55-year legacy of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy, most recently stewarded during the successful tenures of Lori Salganicoff and Eileen Javers. I’m excited to begin a new chapter of growth for the organization, which is the ideal place for me to combine my experience in law, city planning, historic preservation, and community engagement.”
Gest’s extensive career includes serving as Chief Operating Officer of Mural Arts Philadelphia, where he oversaw operations for the nation’s largest public art program, managing an $18 million budget, more than 100 full-time equivalent staff, and multiple programmatic departments. As a Partner in Zoning and Land Use at Ballard Spahr LLP, he advised clients on complex real estate and preservation projects while providing pro bono counsel to organizations such as YouthBuild Philadelphia and Mural Arts. Most
recently, he founded SquareSide, a consulting firm specializing in land use, city planning, and nonprofit management.
Board President Eileen Javers remarked on the announcement:
“David’s leadership experience, paired with his dedication to preservation and community, aligns perfectly with the Conservancy’s missions. We look forward to his guidance as we build on the Conservancy’s strong foundation and plan for a vibrant future.”
Gest’s appointment follows a comprehensive search process led by the Conservancy’s Search Committee, co-chaired by Eileen Javers and Bill Webster, and supported by committee members Nancy Newman, Tim Greenwood, Rob Fleming, Larry Salva, and Rebecca Morley. The committee partnered with Disston Search, whose expertise proved invaluable in identifying the best candidate from a pool of over 130 exceptionally qualified professionals.
Outgoing Executive Director Lori Salganicoff will work closely with Gest in December as she concludes her extraordinary ten-year tenure leading the organization.
The Chestnut Hill Conservancy looks forward to David Gest’s leadership in preserving, conserving, and celebrating the Wissahickon watershed’s historical, architectural, and natural treasures.
For more information on the Conservancy’s mission and initiatives, please visit chconservancy.org.
About the Chestnut Hill Conservancy
The Chestnut Hill Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the historical, architectural, and cultural resources and the open spaces that define the character of Chestnut Hill and surrounding communities in the Wissahickon watershed. Founded over 55 years ago to protect and celebrate the area’s historic architecture, since 1990, it has protected over 105 acres of land through its easement program as the nation’s first urban accredited land trust. The Conservancy houses a professionally maintained archive with over 52,000 items accessible to the public and engages the community through educational programs, advocacy, and events.
The organization has also documented thousands of structures, contributing to Chestnut Hill’s designation as a National Historic District.
Open
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. 8708 Germantown
Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118 | 215-247-9329 | https://chconservancy.org/
For media inquiries, please contact:
Chrissy Clawson
Programs and Communications Manager
Chestnut Hill Conservancy
Phone: 215-247-9329 x 108
Email: Chrissy@CHConservancy.Org