Idehen Aruede

I.D. Aruede was named Co-Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer in 2018. Prior to his current role, Aruede served as Director of Finance from 2009 to 2012 and as Chief Financial Officer from 2012 to 2018 during which he oversaw financial planning for the transition to the Whitney’s new building. As a member of the senior management and policy-making team, Aruede works closely with the Director, staff, and trustees, and has broad responsibility for museum-wide planning and operations. As CFO, Aruede oversees operating and capital budgets along with finance, treasury, investment, endowment, and accounting functions. In addition, he oversees the Human Resources and Legal departments, and co-leads Whitney Publications and Equity and Inclusion initiatives.

Aruede began his career in public accounting at KPMG, where he audited clients in the financial services, healthcare, and not-for-profit sectors. Prior to joining the Whitney, Aruede held various roles in equity research covering the consumer food and beverage sectors at leading global investment banks, including J.P. Morgan and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He serves as a board member of the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP). Aruede received a BS in Accounting from Morgan State University and earned his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.