LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A month after announcing President and CEO Donald Lassere would be leaving the Muhammad Ali Center, the Center has named Laura M. Douglas as its Interim President and CEO.

What You Need To Know

  • Laura Douglas named Interim President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center

  • She is the first woman, and first Black woman to lead the center.

  • She replaces Donald Lassere who is leaving to return home to Chicago and lead a museum there.

  • Douglas has been a board member at the center for ten years

 

Douglas has been a member of the Center's Board of Directors for the past ten years and is the Ali Center's Immediate Past Board Chair.

In her role as Interim President and CEO, Douglas will oversee the day-to-day management of the Ali Center and will work with the Center's Executive Committee on the transition to a permanent leader.

Lassere is leaving Louisville to become the President and CEO of the Chicago History Museum. His last day is April 9. 

Douglas becomes the first woman and first Black woman to lead the Center. She begins transitioning into her new role Monday, March 15. 

In a statement Robert Croft, Chairman of the Board for the Ali Center said, “Laura is a proven leader with a distinguished track record of success in whatever endeavor she takes on. The Center’s Executive Committee is extremely grateful for Laura’s commitment to step into this interim leadership role at this exciting time in our history and we have full confidence in her abilities. She is the right person at the right time to fill this interim role.”

Douglas is no stranger to Louisville.  She earned her Juris Doctor Degree from the University Of Louisville Brandeis School Of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Louisville.  She has worked for several large Louisville companies including the Metropolitan Sewer District, the Louisville Water Company, E.ON.US, and LG&E, and KU Energy, LLC. She also served as Secretary for the Public Protection and Regulation Cabinet.

Douglas said in a statement, "As a member of the Ali Center's Board, and a past Board Chair, I have an unwavering commitment to the Muhammad Ali Center and its mission. I am proud to continue my service by assuming this new role. I am also humbled to lead the Center’s wonderful team of professionals as we approach the five-year anniversary of Muhammad’s passing this June and finalize our plans to mark that occasion with the annual Muhammad Ali Festival. I also look forward to working with our staff to welcome back the community and all its visitors to the Center when we re-open to the public on April 1st.”

The Ali Center, which has been temporarily closed due to the pandemic, will re-open on Thursday, April 1st. Hours will be Wednesdays through Sundays, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. It has also extended the dates of its Truth Be Told exhibit to February 2022.

Related Stories