NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Museum of the City of New York (“MCNY” or “the Museum”) today announced the election of Matt Brown as Chair of the Board of Trustees, with the mission to unite New York City through immersive cultural experiences. Brown succeeds William R. Vrattos, who has served as Chair since 2019, and will remain as Vice Chair and Chair Emeritus.
“We are thrilled to welcome Matt as Chair of the MCNY Board of Trustees. It has been a pleasure to work with Matt over the past year to create a shared vision for the future of the Museum,” said Stephanie Hill Wilchfort, the new Ronay Menschel Director and President of the Museum. “Matt is a proven leader and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience driving innovation and change. His passion, creativity, and legacy with the Museum are incredible strengths as we chart our next chapter.”
Brown is the Founder and CEO of CAIS, a pioneering financial technology company headquartered in New York City with over 350 employees and $25 billion in platform assets. Brown is also the great-grandson of Henry Collins Brown, a Scottish immigrant, who founded the Museum of the City of New York in 1923. Brown’s election, which took effect in October 2024, comes at a pivotal moment of transformation for the Museum and a revival of New York City. As Chair, Brown will focus on supporting immersive and engaging experiences, New York City public school partnerships, and increased accessibility for all New Yorkers.
“I’m proud to champion the Museum’s important mission of fostering a deep understanding of the history, creativity, and resiliency that makes New York City the greatest city in the world,” said Matt Brown. “As the Museum enters its next phase, I remain committed to upholding MCNY’s more than 100 years of excellence in celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the past, present, and future of New York City. It is an honor to lead MCNY and to advance this important institution.”
William R. Vrattos, Vice Chair and Chair Emeritus of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, added, “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair for the Museum of the City of New York for the past five years, and I am confident that Matt will bring fresh vision, leadership, and passion to this important role. His deep connection to MCNY, along with his remarkable track record as an entrepreneur, makes him an ideal person to guide us into our next chapter. I look forward to supporting him and the Museum’s continued success in the years to come.”
Brown previously served on the Board of Endeavor, the leading non-profit organization establishing entrepreneurial ecosystems in over 40 countries. He served on Endeavor’s Global Board of Directors and supported entrepreneurs in Latin America, Africa, Middle East, and United States.
About the Museum of the City of New York
The country’s first and largest city museum, the MCNY fosters an understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the world’s most influential metropolis. Through history, popular culture, and art, the Museum explores New York City’s influence nationally and globally. Named the "Best Museum" in Time Out New York's "Best of the City 2021", MCNY holds a 750,000-object collection and hosts two permanent exhibitions; two immersive films; and four rotating exhibitions in its historic building at the top of Museum Mile.
