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| Britt Udesen | |
Britt Udesen was named the new executive director of the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, Minn. She succeeds Jocelyn Hale, who announced in January she would be stepping down in August. Prior to joining the Loft, Udesen was the executive director of the Cabin, a literary center in Boise, Idaho.
"We're thrilled to welcome Britt as the Loft's fifth executive director," said board chair John Schenk. "She emerged from a rich pool of talented candidates as the clear choice to lead the Loft into its next chapter.... Britt brings an energy and determination that is rare. She understands the importance of this place to so many people, and among all her great qualities, that passion and dedication impressed the committee the most."
Udesen said she is "honored to be able to return to the place I grew up and continue building on the legacy of a nationally recognized leader in serving readers and writers. Those are the people who make the Loft the special place it is, and I'm eager to hear their thoughts and ideas for the future of this wonderful organization."
Next month, the Loft community will meet Udesen when she accompanies Hale to 40 for 40, a celebration marking the Loft's 40th Anniversary. "I'm excited to start my tenure at the Loft in such a unique way," Udesen noted. "It's especially fun because I get to celebrate the Loft's 40th birthday the same year I'm celebrating my own. Hopefully that means more cake and ice cream."