Kennett Collaborative will begin a search for a new Executive Director, following the resignation of current Executive Director Bo Wright, who will move on from the organization this fall.
Wright is stepping away to pursue a project that unites his passions for building great places. “For the past two years, I’ve encouraged the community to see that we can build good, even magical, places once again. We don’t have to settle for beige boxes and strip centers. The How We Build Matters Speaker Series is one example of this advocacy,” he says. “I’m looking forward to working on a new venture that will demonstrate a commitment to quality and provide equitable access to beauty.”
Wright, whose passion for creating beautiful, people-centered places and walkable communities has manifested itself in placemaking projects like Kennett Blooms, Floral Flash, and new events like Summerfest, for example, in addition to the Speaker Series, leaves his mark on Kennett Collaborative and the town. “Leading Kennett Collaborative and working to ensure Kennett continues to be a vital, vibrant, and thriving community has been an honor,” he says. “I’ve grown to love this community and have enjoyed working with the terrific people that are making it thrive.”
Over the last few years, Wright has helped shape local conversations about public space and economic development. Among other placemaking projects, he helped build the parklets.
“Kennett Collaborative has never been stronger,” says Kennett Collaborative Board chair Mary Kay Gaver. “Bo has led the organization since January of 2020 and brought innovative ideas and creative new initiatives to Kennett to help make our community thrive. In the toughest of times during the pandemic, Kennett Collaborative created and supported various initiatives to help small businesses secure needed funding. As the world moved toward a new normal, the talented team at Kennett Collaborative worked to ensure that the programs and events that make Kennett the unique and special place it is continued to grow from strength to strength. We also introduced new ways for our community to connect around important topics, such as the How We Build Matters Speaker Series. While Bo will truly be missed, Kennett Collaborative is well positioned to advance our vision of a community where all can belong and prosper.”
The Kennett Collaborative team: Kelli Prater, Bo Wright, and Tara Smith (not pictured: KSQ Farmers Market Manager Ros Fenton).
Kennett Collaborative works to make the community thrive through placemaking, events, and community development initiatives. The organization’s placemaking programs, including Light Up the Square and Kennett Blooms, reimagine and reinvent public spaces through seasonal initiatives that make Kennett a fun and beautiful place to live, work, and visit. “Our events and programs bring people together and celebrate and support local businesses,” says Gaver.
Some popular Kennett Collaborative programs and events include Kennett Brewfest and Winterfest, the KSQ Farmer’s Market, the Kennett Square Holiday Village Market, Third Thursdays on State Street, and Christmas in Kennett. The weekly Around the Square newsletter brings fresh stories about local merchants, events, nonprofit organizations, economic development, placemaking, and more—as well as information and links to local initiatives and events—to subscribers every week. Kennett Collaborative also works in partnership with other organizations to support events such as Clover Market, Juneteenth celebrations, the Memorial Day Parade, Día de los Muertos, Tinsel on the Town, and the Holiday Light Parade.
The Kennett Blooms Floral Flash is one of the many popular placemaking programs Wright initiated during his time at Kennett Collaborative.
With an eye toward the future, Kennett Collaborative advocates for and supports the development of a community where businesses can thrive and where all residents can take part and contribute to the community.
“We are looking for our next dynamic leader who will embody Kennett Collaborative’s mission and our passion for our community and the people who live, work, and own businesses here,” says Gaver.
Applications are now being accepted. Click here for more information, including a position description and application details.
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About Kennett Collaborative
Kennett Collaborative helps make Kennett thrive. We long to see Kennett Square become the most beautiful town in America, where people from different backgrounds, generations, and walks of life are welcome and can afford to live and contribute to the community, where new architecture complements old, where creativity flourishes, and where everyone can belong and prosper.
