Wyoming – May 20, 2025 – In response to the sudden and unprecedented freeze of all funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) on April 2, 2025, Wyoming Humanities is undergoing a transformation that will shape its role as a cultural leader in Wyoming.
With heavy hearts, the Wyoming Humanities Board made the excruciating decision to end the employment of two-thirds of the operations staff, effective May 31, 2025. These are not just professional colleagues. They are passionate, dedicated citizens of Wyoming who have upheld the mission of this organization with integrity and vision.
“It has been a highlight of my career to have led Wyoming Humanities and our incredible team for the last five years of its fifty-plus years,” said executive director Shawn Reese. “There is nothing more powerful than finding connections and inspiration through the stories that shape Wyoming. The next chapter of Wyoming Humanities is in the hands of a caring and dedicated board, and I look forward to seeing it unfold.”
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff members whose work has shaped this organization into what it is today. Their legacy will continue to inspire our future. We also thank the State of Wyoming, our donors, grantees, and partners across the state and the nation for standing with us. Your support will be vital as we reimagine the future of Wyoming Humanities together.
Despite dramatic change, Wyoming Humanities is not going away. The volunteer Board of Directors will continue to lead the organization and ensure that Wyoming Humanities remains a space for civic learning, cultural reflection, and public dialogue. While operations will be reduced in the short term, our commitment to our mission is unwavering. We will continue offering grants and programming to the best of our ability and fulfill our obligations to donors, partners, and communities.
“The work of Wyoming Humanities is more important than ever,” said Stacy Stebner, Interim Chair of the Wyoming Humanities Board. “In times of uncertainty, we need more, not less, connection. More dialogue. More stories. More understanding of where we’ve been and where we’re going.”
This moment of disruption is also a moment of opportunity. Wyoming Humanities is launching a transformation of the organization that will help build a more sustainable, collaborative, and resilient cultural network across the state. We are engaging our donors, partners, and the broader public to imagine what a thriving humanities ecosystem could look like for Wyoming’s future, one rooted in our shared values and guided by local voices.
Amid this transition, continuity matters. Two familiar and trusted team members will remain at the heart of Wyoming Humanities, helping to carry forward the values and relationships that define our work. Retaining these team members will ensure continuity and integrity in our day-to-day functions. They will work alongside the Board of Directors to sustain the essential work of Wyoming Humanities; continue our obligations to donors, grantees, and partners; and explore new possibilities for collaboration and support across Wyoming’s cultural landscape.
Chloé Flagg has been appointed Interim Executive Director. With a deep commitment to the mission of Wyoming Humanities and a clear vision for its future, Chloé brings the insight, experience, and steady leadership needed to steer the organization through this transitional period.
Michele Carter will remain as Director of Operations, ensuring continuity and integrity in our day-to-day functions. With years of exceptional service to the organization, Michele brings unmatched knowledge of our systems, partnerships, and programming infrastructure.
These familiar faces will bridge what has come before and what is still possible. We are confident that with their guidance and the strength of our Board, communities, and partners, Wyoming Humanities will emerge from this transition with renewed purpose and greater resilience.
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For media inquiries or more information, please contact:
Chloé Flagg
Interim Director
307-851-5937