Controversial Head of Filoli Estate Gone With No Explanation

Every year more than 100,000 people visit Filoli, a Georgian-style mansion and formal gardens in Woodside. And more than 1,000 volunteers keep it running. This week, they got an email from Filoli’s executive committee alerting them to the departure of Executive Director Cynthia D'Agosta and the search for an interim replacement.

Did she resign? Was she fired? The email doesn't say, and a spokeswoman for Filoli wouldn't elaborate. But the timing raises eyebrows, as Filoli’s biggest annual event, “Holiday Traditions,” begins the day after Thanksgiving.

Last winter, after D'Agosta required all volunteers to sign a new legal agreement to continue at Filoli, roughly 100 left. The bitter battle may well be the defining event of D'Agosta's three-year tenure at Filoli. But it's not clear whether that had anything to do with her departure.

The new guidelines require volunteers to donate their services, perform duties as assigned, allow Filoli to use photos for promotional purposes and pay for medical costs incurred by accident, illness or injury associated with volunteering.

"We are trying to move Filoli out of a 40-year-old business plan and into today's world, which is multifaceted and very litigious," D'Agosta told KQED in March. Attempts to reach her for this story were unsuccessful.

After 36 years at Filoli, Judy Harris was one of those who left over the legal agreement, and the way it was handled. Regardless of what prompted D'Agosta's departure, Harris wrote KQED, "I can not tell you how ecstatic I am!!!!!!!"

Read the Email 

We are writing to inform you that Executive Director Cynthia D’Agosta is no longer with Filoli. Carolyn Daley, Chair of the Governing Board’s Finance Committee and a member of the Governing Board Executive Committee will oversee Cynthia’s direct reports until an interim Executive Director can be named.

We are confident that this change will not impact the continuing operations of Filoli or Holiday Traditions. As you know, Filoli has a strong staff and the Friends Organization and the Governing Board have committed leadership. HT is fully organized, staffed and in the final stages of preparation with a confident momentum of its own.

Our plan is to immediately retain an interim Executive Director from a professional agency, followed by a search for a permanent replacement.  During this transition period the Governing Board Executive Committee will provide continuing oversight of all Filoli operations and ongoing projects. We know we can count on the help and support of the Board and the Friend’s leadership.

We thank Cynthia for her contributions to Filoli and wish her the best. We thank you all for your support as we move forward.

Filoli Governing Board Executive Committee