The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation Welcomes Byron Boston to Board and Sees Retirements of Tina Bennett and William G. Bardel

December 19, 2025

(NEW YORK) —The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation today announced the election of Byron Boston to its board of directors. Mr. Boston is chairman of the board and co-chief executive officer of Dynex Capital Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with more than $7 billion in managed assets. 

“We are honored to welcome Byron Boston,” said Daniel F. Wilhelm, president of the Foundation. “Byron brings a wealth of leadership experience in the worlds of business, finance, and investment that will be a welcome asset to The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation board. His deep interest in and commitment to addressing pressing global challenges will likewise enhance our efforts to produce and disseminate knowledge to address violence in its many forms.”

Mr. Boston’s career in finance and investment spans more than four decades and includes building two successful public companies. 

In 2004, Mr. Boston launched Sunset Financial Resources, a mortgage REIT, and led both the company’s successful initial public offering and sale. Mr. Boston joined Dynex in 2008 and instituted a restructuring of the company’s balance sheet and overall business model. During his eighteen-year tenure, Mr. Boston has greatly expanded Dynex’s market capitalization and earnings potential. As Dynex’s co-chief executive officer, Mr. Boston oversees all strategy and operations as well as key relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Mr. Boston is currently or has been a member of several industry and nonprofit boards, including the Mortgage Bankers Association, where he served as chair of the Commercial Board of Governors and investment committee, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, where he has served on the Advisory Board of Governors, and Salzburg Global, where he chaired both the investment and finance committees. He also serves on the Dartmouth College Athletics advisory board and the board of Virginia Learns. 

Boston holds an AB in Economics and Government from Dartmouth College and an MBA from The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

“I am deeply honored to join The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation board,” Mr. Boston said. “I have long been interested in the urgent problems of violence that are being investigated through the Foundation’s efforts and the research of its grantees. I look forward to lending my support to these important efforts. “

The Foundation also announced the retirement of longtime board members Tina Bennett and William G. Bardel following more than four decades of combined service. 

Ms. Bennett joined the board in 2004, serving on its program and nominating committees.  A literary agent, she fostered opportunities to connect the Foundation’s knowledge and grantees to external audiences through her extensive knowledge of publishing and journalism.

Mr. Bardel joined the board in 2005 following successful careers in finance and education.  He served as chair of the board’s investment, audit, and employee retirement plan committees, where he guided and helped ensure the fiscal health and financial growth of the Foundation over many years. 

 “We are grateful to Tina Bennett and Bill Bardel for their tireless dedication to and support of The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation’s work,” said Mr. Wilhelm, “Their extensive knowledge and expertise have been invaluable. Their collegial spirit will be missed.”

For more information, contact:

Halima Gikandi, Senior Communications Manager

hgikandi@hfg.org ⎟   646.428.0973