Cassie Wright, banjo and reso-guitar player with Chicago’s Fox Crossing Stringband, has been named as the new Executive Director of the IBMA Foundation. Her term is set to begin on April 1, taking over from Nancy Cardwell who is retiring after 10 years with the Foundation, and another 20 with the IBMA.
Wright comes with more than a decade’s experience leading non-profit and government programs in the public health, housing, and education sectors, including service as Senior Director of Operations at the Education Development Center. Her educational background includes a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy from the University of Nebraska, Omaha; a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from DePaul University; and a Project Management Certification from Cornell University, College of Engineering.
She is also a graduate of IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass and serves on the board of the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association. In addition she manages the Bluegrass Chicago web site, where she keeps tabs on the goings on in the region.
Cassie says that she is rarin’ to go.
“I have spent my career at the intersection of nonprofit work and bluegrass music because I truly believe in the power of this community. I’m so excited to put that experience to work as we expand the reach and impact of the music that means so much to all of us.
Nancy Cardwell and the Board of Directors have led the way with remarkable work, and I am honored to build on that foundation as we start this next chapter together.”
IBMA Foundation President and Board Chair Trisha Tubbs says that they are all delighted that Wright will be part of the team.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Cassie Wright as our next executive director. Our work thrives on relationships—with generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and trusted community partners, along with a shared passion for bluegrass music. Cassie deeply understands this and brings valuable experience and commitment to advancing our mission and growth.
We also extend heartfelt gratitude to Nancy Cardwell as she retires, honoring her years of dedicated service, integrity, and leadership that have strengthened our community and shaped the Foundation’s success.”
Nancy may be retiring from her Foundation work, but she still plans to remain active in bluegrass through writing, consulting, and volunteering. She has also recently joined Appalachian Express on bass, a Virginia band with a long history, including other members Cindy West, Clyde Bailey, Tim Peade, Bobby Thompson, and Johnny Ridge.
The IBMA Foundation works to promote programs and initiatives that foster the growth of bluegrass music, particularly in the education sector, and in bluegrass-related arts and culture, education, literary work, and historic preservation. They depend on the generosity of the wider bluegrass community through charitable donations and planned giving. Full details on their work and on offering to contribute can be found online.
