Anne Chafe, CEO of The Rooms, plans to retire this May after nearly two decades in leadership roles at the museum and art gallery.
She assumed the role of interim CEO in July 2019 and secured the permanent position in June 2020, almost a year following the provincial government’s dismissal of former CEO Dean Brinton without stated reasons.
Key Achievements During Her Tenure
Under Chafe’s leadership, The Rooms unveiled three permanent exhibitions:
- Here We Made a Home in the Elinor Gill Ratcliffe Gallery;
- From This Place: Our Lives on Land and Sea in the Cenovus Energy Gallery;
- Beaumont-Hamel and the Trail of the Caribou: Newfoundlanders and Labradorians Overseas and at Home, 1918–1949 in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Gallery.
Chafe guided the institution through significant transitions, earning praise for her stewardship.
Recognition from Officials
Tourism Minister Andrea Barbour described Chafe as a “thoughtful steward of one of the province’s most important public institutions” in a recent statement.
Margaret Allan, chair of The Rooms board of directors, highlighted Chafe’s impact, stating, “Her contributions to the organization are immeasurable.”
Next Steps for Leadership
The tourism department intends to collaborate with The Rooms board and the Independent Appointments Commission to identify Chafe’s successor.
