Anne Marie Chirieleison Appointed Director of the Foundation of the State Arboretum

The Foundation of the State Arboretum (FOSA) has named Anne Marie Chirieleison its new Director, effective September 9, 2024. Chirieleison will lead FOSA in its mission to support the Blandy Experimental Farm’s research and educational goals while also enhancing the public value and expanding the collections of the State Arboretum of Virginia housed at Blandy.

Anne Marie Chirieleison is the new Director of the Foundation of the State Arboretum (FOSA).

“Blandy and the Arboretum are among the brightest stars in the constellation of Virginia’s educational and cultural resources, to say nothing of its inherent natural beauty. As Director of FOSA, I am honored and thrilled to help it shine,” Chirieleison said. “The centennial anniversary of this important landmark is coming up in 2026, and many exciting initiatives are in store!”

Chirieleison brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as Executive Director of the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum in Sterling, Virginia. She has also worked with the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area and the National Sporting Library and Museum. Her ten years in nonprofit leadership in the Northern Virginia piedmont have fostered her passion for cultural history, environmental stewardship, and community service.

Beyond her professional roles, Chirieleison has been an active community leader, serving on the Board of Directors for the Middleburg Business & Professional Association and Visit Loudoun. She is an advocate for small organizations that have a big impact. Chirieleison grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with a strong appreciation for history and the natural environment, nurtured during family trips to national parks and Civil War battlefields. She holds a degree in History from James Madison University and a Certificate in Museum Management from the Virginia Association of Museums. She enjoys mixed media art, gardening, and exploring the outdoors with her family in her leisure time.

“Anne Marie is the right person to take the helm of FOSA at this time,” said Nancy Takahashi, President of the FOSA Board. “She brings energy, passion, and professional experience in working with historical, agricultural, and environmentally focused organizations. With Anne Marie, we look forward to taking Blandy into its second century with expanded support, new programs, and preservation of all that makes Blandy and the State Arboretum of Virginia so beloved by its donors, many volunteers, and 200,000 annual visitors.”

About Blandy Experimental Farm

Blandy Experimental Farm is a 712-acre research facility in Clarke County, Virginia, owned by the University of Virginia. The farm’s mission is to foster an understanding of the natural environment through research and education. The State Arboretum of Virginia, located on 172 acres within Blandy, features diverse plant collections, walking trails, gardens, and a Native Plant Trail. Blandy is open year-round from dawn to dusk and welcomes up to 200,000 visitors annually.

For more information, visit blandy.virginia.edu.