“The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation today announced Lynn Osmond as its next president and executive director, effective Sep. 29.
“She will replace Anne Lazar, who has led the foundation since 2019 and will serve as co-president through December to assist with the leadership transition.
“Osmond, a former Chicago Architecture Center president and CEO, stepped down as head of Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism arm, in 2024 after two years at the helm to ‘focus her time and energies on a family health matter.’ During her tenure, she oversaw the city’s tourism industry as it recovered from the pandemic and secured a handful of key wins on the convention and meeting front.
“As head of the CAC, a position she held for 25 years, Osmond created Open House Chicago, the citywide architectural festival, in 2011 and led the building and opening of the new Chicago Architecture Center.
“She is familiar to many in the city’s nonprofit and philanthropic circles, having served on boards and commissions such as the Magnificent Mile Association, Chicago Institute of Classical Architecture and the Chicago Landmarks Commission, among others.
“‘As a Foundation Board member since 2022, Lynn has worked with Anne Lazar and the Foundation staff to direct the Foundation’s growth, including overseeing the tripling of annual grants,’ Cynthia Van Osdol, president and CEO of Driehaus Trust Company, said in a statement. ‘As a seasoned and well-respected Chicago executive, she brings strong organizational and transformative instincts, an innovative spirit, strong leadership, and a steadfast commitment to service excellence. Above all, she is deeply committed to delivering value for stakeholders, whether they are grantee partners, employees or the broader civic community.'” (Dupré, Crain’s Chicago Business, 9/10/25)
Preservation Chicago warmly welcomes Lynn Osmond as president and executive director of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. She has lead many important Chicago institutions and has been a steadfast supporter of the vibrancy of Chicago and for Chicago’s built environment. We have strong confidence that the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation will be in good hands.
We also wish to celebrate Anne Lazar for her outstanding leadership of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation since 2019. She has expertly steered the Foundation through the tragic passing of Richard H. Driehaus on March 9, 2021, through the Covid-19 crisis, the purchase, restoration, and Chicago Landmark Designation of the John B. Murphy Memorial at 50 E. Erie Street, and so much more. The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation is stronger today because of her dynamic leadership.