Michael E. Hill
President, Chautauqua Institution
First recorded November 13, 2019
Michael E. Hill is the president of the Chautauqua Institution, a nonprofit that welcomes 7,500 persons in residence during a nine-week summer season on Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York. The institution explores the best in human values and the enrichment of life through programs that explore important religious, social and political issues of today.
Since arriving as president in 2017, Michael has ushered in a fresh, expanded vision for the Chautauqua Institution by expanding civil dialogue in the nation, an evolution to year-round programming, and engagement beyond Chautauqua’s physical grounds. Prior to his appointment at Chautauqua, he served as president and CEO of Youth for Understanding USA, where he dramatically expanded and diversified programs. He also co-led a historic civil rights trip to Cuba with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., at the invitation of Mariela Castro, two weeks before diplomatic relations were restored between the U.S. and the island nation.
An international educator, he has served as a panelist and speaker on issues surrounding international education and exchange. He has also held leadership positions for United Cerebral Palsy, the Washington National Cathedral, and The Washington Ballet.
Michael has given lectures on the nonprofit sector to groups from France and China in his work with George Mason University and as a visiting lecturer for Georgetown University. In 2016, he was chosen as a leadership fellow in the American Express—Aspen Institute Academy.
