Financial leader has extensive nonprofit management experience

Photograph of Sue Springirth
Image courtesy of the Eiteljorg Museum

INDIANAPOLIS –The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art recently hired as its new vice president of administration and chief financial officer Sue Springirth, who has extensive executive experience managing the finances and administrative operations of nonprofit organizations. Springirth, a Carmel resident, joined the Eiteljorg on March 1, succeeding Susan Lewis, who is retiring after 23 years with the museum.

Springirth comes to the Eiteljorg after serving as the chief financial officer at The Center for the Performing Arts and Great American Songbook Foundation in Carmel. Earlier in her career, Springirth served as finance, technology and human resources team leader for the National FFA Organization, in Alexandria, Va., and was part of the team that moved that organization to Indianapolis in 1998. She then worked 17 years for the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, an organization focused on creating pathways to home ownership for low-income families. At INHP she served in expanding roles, including executive vice president for finance and operations. A certified public accountant with an accounting degree from Virginia Tech, Springirth began her career working for a large public accounting firm in Washington, D.C. before moving into the not-for-profit sector.

“Sue Springirth brings to the Eiteljorg a remarkable history of positions and professional experiences that make her especially well prepared for this position as the Eiteljorg moves forward with important projects in coming years,” Eiteljorg President and CEO John Vanausdall said. “Sue is strong in analytics and strategic planning, she loves the arts, and we are pleased to welcome her to the Eiteljorg.”

At the Eiteljorg Museum, Springirth will manage the museum’s accounting, finance, human resources and technology areas, oversee budget development and management, serve on the museum’s Business Group, and will be liaison to the museum’s finance, investment and human resources councils as well as its endowment and bond committees.

Vanausdall also expressed gratitude to Susan Lewis, the retiring vice president of administration and CFO, who has managed the museum’s finances and moved decisively to pursue grant opportunities for the Eiteljorg during the difficult pandemic year of 2020. Lewis, who joined the Eiteljorg in 1998, was an honoree for the Indianapolis Business Journal CFO of the year in 2009. She retires April 15.

About the Eiteljorg Museum
A cultural pillar for nearly 32 years in downtown Indianapolis’ scenic White River State Park, the Eiteljorg Museum seeks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of North America and of the American West by telling amazing stories. Located on the Central Canal at 500 West Washington St., the Eiteljorg is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. It was named one of the USA Today Readers’ Choice 10 Best Indiana Attractions.

Front exterior view of the Eiteljorg Museum
Image courtesy of Jessica Strickland Photography, 2013

Media Contacts
Bryan Corbin
Public Relations Manager
317.275.1315
bcorbin@eiteljorg.com

Bert Beiswanger
Director of Marketing and Communications
317.275.1317
bbeiswanger@eiteljorg.com