Asia Society Texas Center Names New Executive Director | Asia Society Skip to main content

Unsupported Browser Detected.
It seems the web browser you're using doesn't support some of the features of this site. For the best experience, we recommend using a modern browser that supports the features of this website. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge

  • Back to asiasociety.org
  • Visit
    • Plan Your visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Java Lava Cafe
    • About the Building
    • Ticketing Policies
  • At Home
    • At Home
    • Webcasts
    • Spotlight Asiatown
    • Houston's Asian American Journeys
    • Visit from Home
    • Learn from Home
    • COVID-19 Series
    • Family Activities
    • Encore Series
    • Staff Picks
    • Around the World
    • 1,000 Cranes for Hope
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Virtual Events
    • Family Events
    • Special Events
    • Past Events
    • Event Recaps
  • Exhibitions
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibitions
    • Permanent Exhibition
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Education
    • Family Programs
    • Student Programs
    • Teen Programs
    • Educator Programs
    • Japan Outreach Initiative
    • Adult Programs
    • Community Programs
    • Bold New Initiative
  • Support
    • Donate Now
    • Become a Member
    • Education Project
    • Special Events
    • Endowment
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partners
    • Volunteering
  • About
    • About Us
    • Unity in Diversity
    • Our People
    • Our Board
    • Our Supporters
    • Our Volunteers
    • Work With Us
    • Financial Statements
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • News
    • All Posts
    • Event Recaps
    • Press Releases
  • Space Rental
  • Shop
Texas
Search
Texas
  • Visit
    • Plan Your visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Java Lava Cafe
    • About the Building
    • Ticketing Policies
  • At Home
    • At Home
    • Webcasts
    • Spotlight Asiatown
    • Houston's Asian American Journeys
    • Visit from Home
    • Learn from Home
    • COVID-19 Series
    • Family Activities
    • Encore Series
    • Staff Picks
    • Around the World
    • 1,000 Cranes for Hope
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Virtual Events
    • Family Events
    • Special Events
    • Past Events
    • Event Recaps
  • Exhibitions
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibitions
    • Permanent Exhibition
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Education
    • Family Programs
    • Student Programs
    • Teen Programs
    • Educator Programs
    • Japan Outreach Initiative
    • Adult Programs
    • Community Programs
    • Bold New Initiative
  • Support
    • Donate Now
    • Become a Member
    • Education Project
    • Special Events
    • Endowment
    • Planned Giving
    • Corporate Partners
    • Volunteering
  • About
    • About Us
    • Unity in Diversity
    • Our People
    • Our Board
    • Our Supporters
    • Our Volunteers
    • Work With Us
    • Financial Statements
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • News
    • All Posts
    • Event Recaps
    • Press Releases
  • Space Rental
  • Shop

Asia Society Texas Center Names New Executive Director

Long-Time Nonprofit Leader Bonna Kol Tapped to Head Organization

Bonna Kol.

HOUSTON, December 18, 2013 — Asia Society Texas Center announces the appointment of Bonna Kol as Executive Director, concluding an international search conducted by Russell Reynolds Associates. Her appointment was unanimously approved by the organization’s full board of directors.

Kol will assume office in January 2014, becoming the fourth person to permanently hold the position in the Texas Center’s 34-year history.

“I am thrilled about the vision and leadership that Bonna Kol will bring to Asia Society,” said Charles C. Foster, Chair of Asia Society Texas Center and Co-Chairman of FosterQuan, LLP. “I have been fortunate to see our organization grow and become a significant facilitator strengthening ties between Houston and Asia. Bonna is the right leader to make what we do more significant.”

Kol comes to Asia Society most recently from KIPP Houston Public School, a charter school serving more than 10,000 students in the Houston area, where she serves as Chief Advancement Officer in charge of operations of development, marketing, community relations and advocacy for the organization. Prior to KIPP, Kol served as President and CEO of Catholic Charities for six years, one of the city’s largest charities serving more than 90,000 people annually.

Kol will assume responsibilities held by John Bradshaw Jr., Acting Executive Director since March 2013. Bradshaw will assume the position of Deputy Director while continuing in his fundraising role as Senior Director of Development, a position he has held since July 2011.

“We owe tremendous gratitude to John Bradshaw and appreciate his robust leadership efforts with staff, administration, programs, events, and fundraising,” said Edward R. “Eddie” Allen III, Asia Society Vice Chair and Co-Founder of Eagle Global Advisors. “John’s efforts demonstrated a high level of commitment and dedication to solidify the organization and ensure that it did not miss a beat while we searched for a permanent leader.” said Allen. “Asia Society is at a pivotal point in Houston. We are pleased to have an executive like Bonna Kol who comes to us with a strong track record of fundraising, management expertise, and nonprofit leadership to take the Texas Center into a promising new era.”

Bradshaw noted, “I could not be happier with the decision to hire Bonna Kol. She is a proven leader and I am confident she will deepen the impact the Texas Center has on our great city.”

“I am honored to be selected to lead this outstanding organization,” said Kol. “As a second generation Cambodian-American and long-time Houstonian, I have personally seen how diverse perspectives strengthen our city.” She added: “While Asia Society has been in Houston since 1979, the mission has become even more relevant. The Texas Center’s partnerships and programs create opportunities for us to permeate Houston and bolster the region through connections across a wide variety of fields.”

The Search Committee for Asia Society Texas Center was chaired by Eddie Allen and included Albert Chao, Charles C. Foster, Y. Ping Sun, Gordon Quan, Marty Goossen, Milton D. Rosenau Jr., and John Bradshaw Jr. The effort from Russell Reynolds was led by the Manager of their Houston office Stephen Newton and the leader of their nonprofit practice Laurie Nash, out of San Francisco.

About Bonna Kol

Bonna Kol is a nonprofit executive with 20 years of experience in the development and implementation of multi-million dollar projects. Currently, she is the Chief Advancement Officer at KIPP Houston Public School, a charter school serving more than 10,000 students in the Houston area. As a member of their executive team, she manages the operations of development, marketing, community relations, and advocacy for the organization.

Prior to her position at KIPP, Bonna served as the President and CEO of Catholic Charities, an agency dedicated to providing social services to more than 90,000 people annually. There, she helped to oversee the development of a strategic plan for geographic expansion, service to seniors, and housing development. From 2001-2005, she was the Executive Director of Mended Hearts in Dallas, the nation’s second largest support organization offering hope to heart patients, their families, and caregivers. She was also the Director of Operations at the Houston Downtown YMCA from 1999- 2001.

Bonna’s Cambodian heritage has facilitated her interest in all cultural aspects of the country. She graduated from the University of Houston and received her MBA at Our Lady of the Lake University.

About Asia Society Texas Center

Asia Society Texas Center is part of a leading global educational organization that promotes mutual understanding and strengthens partnerships among peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, Asia Society Texas Center provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration to connect Americans and Asians for a shared future. Asia Society Texas Center officially opened its headquarters, which was designed by famed Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, in April 2012. Part of the international Asia Society, which has offices in 11 of the world’s leading cities, the Texas Center works to promote mutual understanding and strengthen partnerships among people, leaders and institutions both here and in Asia.

 

Related Links

Houston Chronicle: Bonna Kol Named Executive Director at Asia Society Texas Center

CultureMap Houston: After International Search, Asia Society Texas Center Finds New Director Close to Home

Houston Business Journal: Asia Society Texas Center Names New Executive Director

Houston Chronicle: Asia Society Texas Center Names New Executive Director

 

Asia in Your Inbox

Enter your email address.

* indicates required
About
  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement
visit us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
global network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC
resources
  • Arts
  • Asia Society Magazine
  • ChinaFile
  • Current Affairs
  • Education
  • For Kids
  • Policy
  • Video
shop
  • AsiaStore
initiatives
  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Young Leaders
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Asian Women Empowered
  • Center for Global Education
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • China Learning Initiatives
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit
Connect
Email Signup For the media
Asia Society logo
©2022 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC