BOSTON, MASS.- Matthew Teitelbaum, Ann and Graham Gund Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, announced today that Eric Woods has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, effective January 4, 2022. Woods will work closely with the Director and the MFA’s Leadership Team to elevate the experience of all visitors, optimize strategy and Museum operations, and drive financial growth and a sustainable future. Most recently, Woods served as Associate Dean for Administration and Finance for Northeastern University's Khoury College of Computer Science. In this role, he managed both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer responsibilities for the school, which serves more than 5,000 students and 250 faculty and staff members and has a $96 million operating budget.

“With experience as an investment banker, start-up advisor, entrepreneur and leader at the university level, Eric brings a wide range of skills to the MFA,” said Teitelbaum. “A strategic, visionary thinker, he has proven ability to develop and execute new, big-picture ideas while also refining the many details that are crucial to operating an institution. With a long-standing commitment to the arts, diversity and inclusion, Eric will be a key partner as we continue to build an MFA for all of Boston."

In his role at the MFA, Woods will provide strategic leadership to advance the mission of the Museum and manage all facets of operations—including visitor and security functions, retail and food services, human resources and business development. In collaboration with his new Leadership Team colleagues, he will create conditions for comprehensive performance growth across the institution, ensuring that the Museum optimizes its assets and meets revenue targets. Woods has also directed large teams, and has important experience in developing and cultivating staff in a variety of roles.

“The MFA is one of the premier art institutions in the nation and I'm very eager to begin my tenure," said Woods. "In so many ways, this appointment is not only the logical extension of my professional experiences but of my personal interests and passions as well. I look forward to working with Director Teitelbaum and the rest of the senior Leadership Team tackling challenges, identifying new opportunities, and, most importantly, advancing the mission of the museum.”

Prior to joining Northeastern, Woods founded Paladin Ventures, a firm dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs and emerging businesses in need of strategic planning, business development, marketing and brand management and investment capital across a variety of disciplines. He also previously worked in Pan-European Equities Trading for Goldman Sachs & Co, and in Municipal Bond Syndicates for J.P. Morgan & Co. He received an MBA in Finance and Management from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University.