Dear Members of the Bates Community,

I write to share the news that Kristen A. Lainsbury will join the Bates community as vice president for communications and marketing, effective Oct. 14, 2024. Kristen comes to Bates from Earlham College, where she has led that institution’s marketing and communications office since 2021.

This Bates News story shares more about Kristen’s appointment.

Bates is fortunate to welcome a leader as accomplished as Kristen Lainsbury. She has a remarkable track record of forging strong and effective partnerships, leading high-performing teams, making data-driven decisions, and serving as a strategic thought partner. Through her extensive experience and deep understanding of both traditional and emerging communications platforms, Bates will be well-positioned to shape how we tell our story to the world.

Kristen is an ambitious and strategic leader whose ability to connect with varied audiences and develop compelling narratives will be invaluable as we continue to share the remarkable achievements of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and college. I am thrilled to partner with Kristen to elevate Bates’ communications and marketing efforts to new heights, further enhancing the college’s reputation as a leader in higher education.

I am grateful to the members of the VPCM search committee who dedicated a significant amount of time to the search, particularly during the summer months. I also wish to thank the many members of the Bates community who took time to meet with finalists and provided important feedback. The search committee received valuable assistance from The Ward Group, a leading search firm that specializes in communications and marketing.

I would also like to thank Leigh Weisenburger, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission and financial aid for serving as interim vice president for communications and marketing since May, and all members of the BCM team for their continued contributions to Bates during the leadership transition.

All my best,

   Garry