Tania Munz is FHS’s New President and CEO

The Forest History Society (FHS) is pleased to announce Tania Munz will become its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 5, 2023. Munz succeeds Steven Anderson, who is retiring after leading FHS for the past twenty-seven years.

Munz comes to FHS from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Cambridge, MA. As Chief Program Officer, she led the independent research center’s programmatic work in areas spanning science, humanities, international affairs, and education. She has previously served as Vice President for Scholarly Programs at the National Humanities Center in Research Triangle Park, NC, and as Vice President for Research and Scholarship at the Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, MO.

In a message to Society members announcing the appointment, Lynn Wilson, a former chair of the FHS board of directors and head of the CEO search committee, shared that “after more than a year of thoughtful and deliberate succession planning, we believe Tania Munz is the ideal leader for ensuring that FHS continues advancing its mission of helping people identify, collect, preserve, and use the documents of forest history. Tania’s leadership will also enable FHS to sustain another part of its mission—informing natural resource decision making.” Bob Izlar, chair of the FHS board of directors, said, “We know that Tania’s previous leadership experience, her passion for history, and her vision for the future of FHS make for a winning combination that signifies great things ahead.” He also thanked Steven Anderson for his many years of service, noting that Anderson “leaves the Society in the enviable position of having a top-notch staff; strong, diverse support; and a beautiful new facility that situates FHS and Tania well for the future.”

“I’m thrilled and honored to lead the Forest History Society in this next phase,” stated Munz. “The FHS’s collections on the history of forestry and its related industries are unique and make it a foremost destination for scholars, practitioners, and all who care about forests. Our history and future are deeply tied to forests, and it’s exciting to be joining the talented staff and impressive and committed board members to further grow the reach and profile of the FHS.”

Munz received a PhD in the history of science from Princeton University and authored the award-winning book, The Dancing Bees: Karl von Frisch and the Discovery of the Honeybee Dance Language (University of Chicago Press, 2016).

Download the press release as a PDF HERE.