CEO Roundtable Facilitators

AAM 2025 CEO Roundtable Programming

The American Alliance of Museums will host CEO and Directors Roundtables at the 2025 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo in the Los Angeles Convention Center on Wednesday, May 7 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. This peer-to-peer exchange offers a series of informal conversations by and for museum directors on hot topics of interest.

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FIRST SESSION: 3 – 3:55 pm

Leading in a Time of Chaos
How are you leading during these uncertain times? This roundtable will be an open discussion of current challenges and opportunities facing your organization in the current moment, and how the mindset you have adopted and the strategies you are employing have helped or hindered your success as a leader. David Odo, D.Phil., Director, Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, GA

Sovereign Nations: Crafting New Pathways of Trust
Tribal consultation is more than a legal requirement—it’s a leadership responsibility. This roundtable will examine real-world examples of executive-level engagement with sovereign nations, including ancestral site renaming and management, integrating tribal perspectives into general plans, city/tribal meetings, and creating new positions dedicated to tribal relations. We’ll discuss strategies for building authentic partnerships, navigating governmental processes, and fostering trust through meaningful collaboration. Simon Tipene Adlam, Commissioner of the Arts, Director, Arizona Museum of Natural History, Mesa, AZ

Project Management: What Is It, and What Do I Need to Know?
For new museum directors an unexpected task could be museum expansion and building projects. Even a small project can catch museums off guard with unforeseen expenses. Large projects can become unwieldy and take on a life of their own dominating the priorities of the life of the museum director.  Understanding the demands and the workload of museum expansion, renovation and new construction are key to a successful museum director and the life balance of a museum. David B. Shields, Ph.D., Museum Director at the National Museum of the Pacific War (Texas Historical Commission), Fredericksburg, TX

Museums as Guardians of Civic Space: Navigating the Challenges of Our New Reality
In an era of increasing polarization and threats to civil rights, museums play a critical role in preserving civic space as forums for dialogue, reflection, and action. This roundtable will explore how museums can uphold their missions while addressing complex social justice issues. How do we maintain trust and relevance amid political and societal shifts? What strategies can museums employ to foster inclusive civic engagement while navigating external pressures? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving responsibilities of cultural institutions in defending democracy and human rights. Ann Burroughs, President & CEO, Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, CA

Working with Boards: Healthy Governance and Strong Organizations
An effective partnership between the board and the museum leader benefits the organization. This interactive roundtable will examine specific strategies for building dynamic board – CEO partnership in museums that lead to strong and productive relationships built on trust and operational independence, while harnessing the strength that comes from a well-functioning board. Matthew C. Naylor Ph.D., President & CEO,National WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City, MO

Sustaining Museums: Environment, Resources, and People
Sustainability in museums is about more than energy-efficient buildings and balanced budgets—it’s about creating institutions that can thrive for the long term. In this roundtable, we’ll tackle sustainability from multiple angles: environmental responsibility, financial resilience, and the well-being of our staff and communities. Whether you’re rethinking operations, navigating funding challenges, or developing workplace practices that foster retention and care, this conversation is a chance to share strategies and support one another in building museums that endure. Juliette Bianco, Ed.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Museums and Creative Practice and Anne and Ben Cone Memorial Endowed Director, Weatherspoon Art Museum, UNC Greensboro

From Object Centered to People Centered
Museums have been reassessing their public value proposition for decades, shifting from object-centered to visitor-centered models in the early 2000s and now from visitor-centered to people-centered models. Investing in community building empowers staff while directly meeting societal needs like human connection and creative engagement. However, this people-centered transformation brings unique challenges. Traditional donors may feel we are leaving them behind while others may think centering people in inclusive ways is embracing a “woke agenda.” This roundtable discussion will explore these tensions and the ways we are evolving our support and communications to mitigate change. Jessimi Jones, Executive Director, Springfield Museum of Art, Springfield, OH; Cindy Meyers Foley, Executive Director and CEO, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids, MI

Accreditation & Small Museums
11% of accredited museums have 5 or fewer staff, including some with only one or two full time staff. And 30% have 10 or fewer staff.  Meet up with Accreditation Commissioners and other directors of smaller museums to ask questions about the value of accreditation, swap strategies for success and ways to build buy-in for it with your governing authority, and share your thoughts and ideas on ways AAM could better support or prepare smaller museums for accreditation and increase its value proposition. Lisa Tremper Hanover, Independent Professional, Former Museum Director & CEO / Accreditation Commission Chair; Quantia “Key” M. Fletcher, Museum Director, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Little Rock, AR  

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SECOND SESSION: 4:05 – 5 pm

AI in Museums: Lessons from the Frontlines – Successes, Pitfalls, and What’s Next?
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping museum practices, from collection management and visitor engagement to curatorial decision-making and immersive experiences. Some institutions have already implemented AI-driven projects with varying degrees of success, while others are still weighing the possibilities.  This roundtable will provide a space for museum directors and professionals to share their experiences with AI—what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they had known before starting. Participants will discuss the challenges of integrating AI, ethical considerations, and the impact of AI on institutional workflows. Those considering AI projects will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain insights from peers. Bethany Montagano, Director of Museums for the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

What Exactly Is Illegal DEI?
From crafting nuanced conversation with donors to navigating elimination of community-specific federal programs to interpreting executive orders that seem to criminalize efforts to diversify audiences, museum’s ability to seek, reflect, name, and welcome specific communities is becoming increasingly difficult. So, what now?  How do we continue DEI work?  Is there a difference between tactics for predominantly white institutions (PWI) and culturally-specific institutions? How do we respond in ways that don’t alienate stakeholders – external and internal? There must be a way for museums to update our language and our approach that sustains and stewards our ability to make inclusive, meaningful impact across diverse communities. Let’s discuss and figure this out together. Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, President & CEO, International African American Museum, Charleston, SC

Sustaining Academic Museums in a Time of Change: A Peer-to-Peer Exchange
Academic museums are navigating an era of constant change—shifting national, state, and institutional priorities, evolving audience expectations, and increasing financial and societal pressures. This roundtable brings together directors from across disciplines to discuss shared challenges and opportunities, including fundraising in uncertain times, managing impacted grant funds, maintaining values-driven programming, demonstrating impact to administration, and balancing academic and public engagement. Join fellow leaders in an open exchange of strategies, insights, and experiences to sustain and strengthen academic museums now and for the future. Donna Merkt, Director, South Dakota Art Museum, South Dakota State University, Brookings

Managing The Unthinkable
Crisis management is the skill we least wish to acquire but will probably need at some point in our lives as leaders. Crisis arrives in many forms—a natural disaster, potential bankruptcy, scandal, criminal activity, political controversy, unexpected leadership transition, unethical behavior—and the list goes on. When crisis hits, there is little time to prepare for the onslaught that follows. So how do we prepare for crisis before we are consumed by it? We will discuss personal stories in dealing with crisis and lessons learned, as well as steps we can take in advance to prepare for the unthinkable (in its many dimensions). Cathryn Mattson, Executive Director and CEO, Orlando Museum of Art, FL

Next Generation Leaders Revitalizing Workplace Cultures
As a millennial (or younger) leader, creating a revitalized, inclusive, person-focused workplace culture is paramount. At this roundtable, we will discuss how emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and empathy can shape effective leadership and build trust among peers and teams—even when you’re the boss. Topics may include strategies for fostering a welcoming and supportive environment, navigating intergenerational dynamics, prioritizing diversity and inclusion, and balancing professional authority with authenticity. Maggie McKenna, Executive Director, Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg, NY

Capital Campaigns and Harnessing the Power of Volunteer Leadership
A capital campaign is perhaps one of the most challenging elements of an ED’s or CEO’s tenure with an institution. It comes with a slew of challenges and opportunities especially when you are relying on volunteers. If you are in, have completed or thinking of starting a museum makeover capital campaign, come hear the wisdom of your peers and true confessions about the tragedies and triumphs of leading a Capital Campaign while harnessing the power of volunteer Campaign Leadership. Bill Lawrence, President & CEO, San Diego History Center, CA

Fostering Trust and Harnessing Inspiration to Improve Organizational Culture
Now more than ever, fostering a positive culture is foundational to caring for our museums, improving the guest experience, and recruiting/retaining great staff. Building or transforming culture takes time, patience, leadership, and inspiration. Let’s work together during this roundtable to share ideas, needs for support, and inspiration for developing a positive culture. Be prepared to share both successes and lessons learned in building or transforming culture at your organization. Discussion topics will include establishing and living your organization’s mission, vision, and values, best practices for effective and powerful communication, and fostering effective, energetic, and engaged teams. Cara O’Brien, Museum Director, Hearst Castle, California State Parks, San Simeon, CA

Exploring Strategies for Small Museums: Staying Relevant and Engaging Our Communities Without Big Budgets
Small museums play a vital role in preserving culture, history, and the arts, but staying relevant in a fast-paced world can be challenging—especially with limited resources. This session is an opportunity to share and exchange ideas on low-cost, high-impact strategies that keep museums thriving.  From digital tools and community partnerships to innovative programs and alternative funding sources, we’ll explore practical solutions that have worked for others. Bring your experiences, challenges, and success stories as we brainstorm together and uncover new ways to keep small museums vibrant and connected to their communities. Dinora Harris, Executive Director, Michelson Museum of Art, Marshall, TX

Leadership, Courage, and Democracy
Over the past century, museums and other cultural institutions in many parts of the world have faced challenges related to governance, funding, and political instability. These pressures can place exceptional professional, ethical, and personal demands on staff—particularly on leaders. How should museums respond? Could stronger democratic engagement with our societies be part of the solution? David Anderson, Honorary Visiting Professor of Cultural Policy, Cardiff University and Former Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales

Accreditation & Medium/Large Museums
Meet up with Accreditation Commissioners and other directors of other museums to ask questions about the value of accreditation, swap strategies for success and ways to build buy-in for it with your governing authority and share your thoughts and ideas on ways AAM can better support or prepare museums for accreditation and increase its value proposition. Norman Burns, President & CEO, Conner Prairie, Fishers, IN; Lisa Tremper Hanover, Independent Professional, Former Museum Director & CEO / Accreditation Commission Chair