Keown will retire as president and chief operating officer at the end of the year, concluding more than seven years leading the Freedom Center.
During Keown’s tenure, the Freedom Center sustained its educational reach and community impact through the unprecedented disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, earned reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 2022 and was ranked among the nation’s top three history museums for five consecutive years, including being named USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice No. 1 History Museum in 2023.
He also guided the institution through milestone anniversaries celebrating 20 years since its opening and 30 years since its founding. Those commemorations culminated in the 2025 Freedom Festival, the return of the prestigious International Freedom Conductor Awards and the grand opening of In This Place, its first new permanent exhibition in 15 years.
Keown broadened public programming by expanding the annual Juneteenth Jubilee from a small in-house gathering into a multi-state celebration of freedom, culture and community—now one of the institution’s signature public programs.
He also extended the institution’s reach through public media, serving as co-executive producer and executive producer of two documentary films: "Black History Honors," which received an Emmy® Award in 2024, and "The Freedom Center: Truth, Tragedy and Triumph," which earned an Emmy® nomination in 2026.
The organization also improved guest engagement, expanded national partnerships and developed exhibitions and programs connecting the history of the Underground Railroad to the continuing pursuit of freedom. These efforts include Faith & (in)Justice, an original exhibition supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. and designed for a national tour.
Keown further raised the institution’s national visibility by helping shape and promote the United States Mint’s Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin series. The Harriet Tubman Silver Dollar, featuring Tubman as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, was named a 2025 global Coin of the Year finalist in the Most Historically Significant Coin category. Surcharges from coin sales benefit both the Freedom Center and the Harriet Tubman Home.
More recently, Keown shaped a curated leadership experience for emerging leaders, helping participants apply historical truth, build self-awareness, and advance justice-centered work through real-world impact projects.
“It has been an honor and privilege to lead the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and advance its mission,” Keown said. “I am grateful to our Board, staff, volunteers, partners, and community for the work we have done together, and I look forward to supporting an orderly transition as the Freedom Center continues its important work.”
Before joining the Freedom Center, Keown built a distinguished career as an entrepreneur, business investor, philanthropist, corporate executive and community leader, including his tenure as an executive at Procter & Gamble. He has also held senior leadership roles with numerous civic, faith-based and youth-focused organizations throughout Greater Cincinnati.
The Board has begun a succession planning process designed to ensure continuity, stability and sustained momentum. Additional updates will be shared as the process progresses, and Keown will remain engaged through the end of the year to support an orderly transition for staff, partners and donors.
The Freedom Center will continue advancing its mission through exhibitions, education, public programs and partnerships that connect history to the ongoing pursuit of justice and freedom.
The Board, staff and volunteers extend their appreciation to Woody for his vision, dedication and significant contributions to the institution and the wider community.