Anne Dema

Linda Hall Library has welcomed its new Chair of the Board of Trustees, Anne Dema, PhD. In this leadership role, Dr. Dema will guide the board as the Library continues to develop its unique collection and present new educational opportunities to the scientifically curious community.

“It is an honor to step into this new role and continue to serve on the Board of Trustees that has helped grow its influence in our community and around the world,” said Dema. “With decades of scientific, leadership, research, education and business management experience, the board has never been in a better position to support the evolution of the Linda Hall Library.” 

Dr. Dema has been a member of the William Jewell College faculty since 1993 and is a tenured professor of chemistry. In her time at William Jewell College, she held positions including associate dean for general education, special assistant to the president for planning, vice president for institutional effectiveness, president’s chief of staff, and Provost, a role which she served for more than 11 years before returning to the classroom. Dr. Dema holds her Bachelor of Science from Pittsburg State University and a doctorate in Inorganic Chemistry from Vanderbilt University.

“The Board of Trustees provides essential support to ensure we fulfil our commitment to providing professionals, students, and families in Kansas City and beyond access to collections and visitor experiences to learn, invent, and be inspired,” said Dr. Eric Dorfman, President of the Linda Hall Library. “For the past five years, Anne has been influential in charting a new course for the Library and is the perfect person to support our strategic direction into the future.”

Dr. Dema is a recipient of professional awards and recognitions including the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching for the State of Missouri and the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Teaching Award, and she was named to the National Science Foundation Project Kaleidoscope Faculty for the 21st Century. In addition to her service to the Linda Hall Library Board of Trustees since 2019, Dr. Dema was a member of the Pembroke Hill School Board of Trustees from 2014-2022 and served as president of the board from July 2018 – June 2021.

Dr. Dema succeeds Marilyn Bartlett Hebenstreit who served as board chair from 2003-2024 and will continue to serve on the Library’s Board of Trustees.