Poetry Foundation Appoints New Trustees

CHICAGO – The Poetry Foundation, an independent literary organization and publisher of Poetry magazine, appoints two new board members, Blythe McGarvie, board member of Sonoco, LKQ Corp., Apple Hospitality REIT, and Wawa, and Brian Provost, vice president of search at CBS Interactive.

“Blythe and Brian bring incredible business acumen and experience in leadership, and audience growth, along with deep roots in Chicago,” said Henry Bienen, Poetry Foundation president. “We’re excited to have them join us to further our mission of continuing to increase and influence the presence of poetry here in Chicago, and across the country.”

McGarvie, 61, serves as a commissioner for the NACD’s Blue Ribbon Commission initiative. She recently completed two years of teaching and research in the accounting and management unit at the Harvard Business School (HBS). Prior to teaching at HBS, Ms. McGarvie served as chief executive officer and founder of Leadership for International Finance (LIF Group), offering a global perspective for clients seeking profitable growth. She earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and was the chief financial officer for two major corporations, one based in the US and one in Paris. She is a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago board of directors and the Chicago Network. Ms. McGarvie is the author of two books: Shaking the Globe: Courageous Decision-Making in a Changing World (John Wiley & Sons, 2009) and Fit In, Stand Out: Mastering the FISO Factor: The Key to Leadership Effectiveness in Business and Life (McGraw-Hill, 2005).

Before joining CBS Interactive, Provost, 41, was vice president of Digital Strategy at Define Media Group and vice president of Audience Development at Focus Research. He founded the personal consulting firm Scoreboard Media Group, where he developed strategy, trained personnel, and executed complex internet marketing solutions across nearly every major vertical. Provost remains an advisor to a handful of startups, lending his experience in user acquisition and audience development.

McGarvie and Provost join the 16-member Poetry Foundation Board of Trustees which ensures the Poetry Foundation is managed as a well-run organization that supports poetry in our culture.

About the Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in American culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience. The Poetry Foundation seeks to be a leader in shaping a receptive climate for poetry by developing new audiences, creating new avenues for delivery, and encouraging new kinds of poetry through innovative literary prizes and programs. 

Follow the Poetry Foundation and Poetry on Facebook at facebook.com/poetryfoundation,  Twitter @PoetryFound and Instagram @PoetryFoundation.

Media Contacts:
Elizabeth O’Connell-Thompson, Media Associate, [email protected], 312.799.8065

Sarah Whitcher, Marketing and Media Director, [email protected], 312.799.8016