Board of Directors

Learn about the ACM Board of Directors and find out how you can get involved.

Topics:

Current ACM Board of Directors

ACM President
Neil H. Gordon, CEO, The Discovery Museums (Acton, MA)

Gordon joined The Discovery Museums, which include Children's Discovery Museum and Science Discovery Museum as CEO in 2009. Prior to joining The Discovery Museums, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Boston Children's Museum (MA). During his 10-year tenure, his responsibilities included overseeing the 2006 capital expansion of the museum, planning, program development, exhibits, the visitor experience and education programs.

Gordon was program co-chair for InterActivity 2005 and treasurer of the New England Museum Association. He has consulted with several museums on strategic and financial matters and taught graduate level public management and public finance. Gordon is the past-treasurer of the Museum Management Committee of the American Association of Museums and a member of the Cultural Institution Financial Management Group of Massachusetts.

Prior to working at Boston Children's Museum, he served as the budget director for the City of Boston for two years, having served as the deputy director for five years. Previously, he was the associate director for the Mayor's Office of Jobs and Community Services. He holds a Masters Degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a BS from Dickinson College. His main claims of qualification to work in a children's museum are his four children aged 15 through 5.

back to current board

Vice President of Governance
Jane Werner, Executive Director, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (PA)

My 27 years of museum experience includes 17 years at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh where I served first as Exhibit and Program Director, Deputy Director and Executive Director.

Leading the process for long-range strategic planning and implementation at the museum falls under my direction. The new Children's Museum of Pittsburgh opened in November 2004 after the completion of a $29M capital campaign. The museum is a Silver LEED rated museum and is the recipient of the 2006 American Institute of Architects National Award, the National Trust for Historic Preservation Award and the 2007 Rudy Bruner Silver Award for Urban Excellence. We are currently in a $22M capital campaign to design and build a community park in front of our Museum which is part of our neighborhood strategy for revitalization.

Prior to my tenure at the Children's Museum, I worked for the Franklin Institute, Carnegie Science Center and The Buhl Science Center.

Currently I am the Chair of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and sit on the Advisory Boards of the Forbes Fund, CEO's for Cities, York Forum and Hazlett Theater. I have served on the Boards of Directors for the Association of Children's Museums and the Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and was a juror for the 2006 American Institute for Architecture National Design Award.

I received a BFA in Synaesthetic Education from Syracuse University, attended the Museum Management Institute of the Getty Foundation (1999) and am a Fellow at the STUDIO for Creative Inquiry at Carnegie Mellon University.

ACM ACM Vice President of Programs
Henry Schulson, Executive Director, Creative Discovery Museum (Chattanooga, TN)

Schulson has worked in museums most of his life, beginning as a high school volunteer at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Since that time, he has been manager of membership and then development at the American Museum, director of the Dallas Museum of Natural History and, since 1997, executive director of the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Schulson has served on the ACM Council since 2000 and has been involved with InterActivity as a presenter, and as both a member of the roundtable committee and program committee. He has also served on the executive committees of both the Texas and Tennessee Associations of Museums, been a presenter at American Association of Museums and a reviewer for the National Science Foundation and Institute of Museum and Library Services' General Operating Support grants.

In his seven years at the Creative Discovery Museum, working with board and staff, the museum has transformed from an institution facing severe financial difficulties to one of Chattanooga's most innovative cultural organizations, operating with a balanced budget and noted for its community collaborations and educational programs.

Schulson is especially interested in issues related to community development, resource sharing, diversity and institutional startups. He believes museums must constantly search for the best ways they can meet the needs of their communities. He also believes that it is important that museum boards, staff and audience reflect the communities in which they serve.

back to current board

ACM Vice President of Marketing
Barry A. Van Deman, President and CEO, Museum of Life and Science (Durham, NC)

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC, began 50 years ago as a children's museum and at some point in its history focused its content on science, especially on the animals entrusted to its care. Today, the museum continue to serve families as its largest audience with exhibits and programs indoors and out. The museum clearly sees a fit with ACM's mission.

Children's museums and science museums share a common goal in nurturing a sense of wonder in children. In her book, A Sense of Wonder, Rachel Carson implored us to share the sense of wonder, rediscovering with the child the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in. This work is noble, joyful, and it requires effort.

The work of children's museums demands that the field continually learns from its experience with children, from research, and from each other. When Van Deman served as Section Head of Science Literacy at the National Science Foundation managing the Informal Science Education Program, he had the privilege to work with leaders in children's museums to fund some imaginative and impactful projects. He also observed areas where he thought the children's museum profession needed to grow.

Van Deman had the pleasure (and the pain) of working in museums for 23 years. He has taught elementary school and authored elementary science textbooks. His is the proud father of two adorable young children and the husband of a seasoned professional in children's and science museum work.

back to current board

ACM Treasurer
Julia Bland, Executive Director, Louisiana Children's Museum (New Orleans)

In 1997, Bland became the executive director of the Louisiana Children's Museum (LCM), an organization she had gotten to know first as a mother, later as a volunteer fund-raiser, then a board member and finally leading the organization as its director. Like many children's museums, LCM's origin was a grass roots effort, and has grown and evolved over its 18 year history into a proud destination and attraction for families all across the world. In 2004, LCM hosted Interactivity 2004.

Bland has worked in a variety of positions in New Orleans as a community activist, always with a focus on education and young children. She has chaired the boards of local organizations such as Trinity Episcopal School, the Tulane Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health's Advisory Board and served on the Museum Studies Advisory Committee of the Master of Arts in Museum Studies Program at Southern University at New Orleans. She was selected in 2001 as a City Business Woman of the year and is currently serving on the rector search committee for Trinity Episcopal Church. Nationally, she has presided over the museum collaborative MC2 and is a founding member of Quality Management to a Higher Level (Qm2)'s New Orleans Roundtable.

back to current board

ACM Secretary
Loretta Yajima, President & Chief Executive Officer, Hawaii Children's Discovery Center(Honolulu)

Yajima has served as President & CEO of the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center as a full-time volunteer for the past 20 years. As Chair of the Center's volunteer Board of Directors, she is responsible for the implementation of the organization's overall strategic and business plans and oversee the operations of the museum.

The initial success of the museum, which was located in a storefront in the Dole Pineapple Cannery, prompted us to look for a permanent home for the museum, one that could serve both local audiences as well as the large tourist population visiting the islands. After a $15 million campaign, the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center opened at its present location in the Kaka'ako Waterfront Park in December 1998.

Prior to becoming part of the Children's Discovery Center team, Yajima was an educator and former school administrator. She has degree in Elementary Education from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, and a Master's Degree in Education. Formerly a Head Start teacher, she also taught at the University of Hawaii Laboratory School as a demonstration teacher for Hawaii English Program (HEP), developing curriculum for the public schools in Hawaii. She left a position as Administrative Director at a private elementary school in Honolulu in 1986 to help start the first children's museum in Hawaii. The Museum received the Community Recognition Award from The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii in 1989; the First Lady's Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award for the most innovative project in 1990; and the Award of Excellence from The College of Education at the University of Hawaii in 1992.

In 1991, she was honored to receive the JC Penny's Golden Rule Award for Volunteerism and, in 1992, the George Washington Medal of Honor Award for Individual Achievement from the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation. According to Yajima, it was truly a team effort! All of her volunteer efforts over the years include work with organizations that focus on education and issues related to families and children. Past boards that she have served on include the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, Assets School, the University of Hawaii Foundation and the Hawaii Museums Association.

Past President
Laura Foster, Executive Director, Please Touch Museum® (Philadelphia, PA)

Foster has been a member of the senior staff of Please Touch Museum since 1991, and served on the ACM board four years prior to becoming ACM's vice president of marketing. She came to Please Touch after two other careers, working first in public health policy and law for the federal government and then in association management.

For the last six years, she has been part of the leadership team planning the expansion and relocation of the museum, first to Penn's Landing and now to Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park. The new Please Touch Museum will restore a national historic landmark (Memorial Hall is the site of the 1876 Centennial) that has been neglected for many years. The museum is also helping to create a new cultural district that will include the Zoo and the Mann Music Center. Memorial Hall is adjacent to the Parkside community that for 30 years has been working to realize their vision of neighborhood renewal. Please Touch Museum's relocation should serve as a catalyst for accelerating the kinds of change that Parkside is seeking.

back to current board

Leigh-Anne Stradeski, Director, Eureka! The National Children’s Museum (Halifax, United Kingdom)

Having served a one-year term as an honorary ACM board member , I am both honored and delighted to be nominated for a regular two-year term. I have worked in the children's museum sector for the past 15 years and was committed to the movement from the moment I joined the London Regional Children's Museum in London, Canada, as its executive director. After six years in this role I accepted the challenge of leading the second phase of development at the UK's flagship children's museum based in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Eureka! had been open for eight years when I came on board in 2000 and was in need of significant redevelopment to retain its relevancy and sustain visitor numbers. Nine years later, much has been achieved and we have secured our position as the UK's National Children's Museum with plans to launch a second Eureka! in the nation's capital within the next decade. This is a major achievement in a country where the concept of children's museums is still very much in its infancy and the need for a strong presence and voice to extol the benefits we bring to children from all backgrounds is imperative. To help build greater awareness and expertise in Europe, I have been a board member of Hands-On! Europe for eight years and president for four. I very much look forward to working with colleagues on the board of ACM to build on what has been achieved over the years and to help our members expand their impact on the lives of children everywhere.

back to current board

Marilee Jennings, Executive Director, Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose (CA)

In my current role as Executive Director of Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose (CDM), my responsibilities include fulfilling the museum's mission of bringing innovative interactive learning opportunities to the diverse children and families of Silicon Valley, managing a 52,000 square foot facility and an aggressive annual budget, supervising a staff of 100 full- and part-time employees and stewarding plans for the museum's continued growth and world-wide reputation as a leading children's museum. Throughout my tenure at CDM, I have been instrumental in securing national resources and recognition, including major federal grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), among others. In addition, I have successfully positioned CDM to compete for and secure awards, such as the coveted National Award for Museum Service, which I had the honor of receiving in person at the White House.

In 2004 and 2005, I served on the Interactivity program committee, and more recently, I had the privilege of participating in ACM's Good to Grow! initiative as a national advisor. Through these experiences, I have witnessed firsthand how vital ACM is to the successful development and ongoing operations of children's museums in the United States and around the world, and to the important role it plays in bringing learning and networking opportunities to member museums, small and large. I am committed to ensuring ACM's service to the diverse needs of the children's museum field and to supporting the professional development of its members to ensure the highest quality learning experiences for the children and families of their communities. Recently I was accepted as a Noyce Leadership Fellow for 2009-2010 and am credentialed faculty for San Jose State University's Certificate Program in Non-Profit Management. I hold a B.A. degree from Newcomb College in New Orleans and have 20+ years of museum senior management experience.

back to current board

Bryn Parchman, President and CEO, Port Discovery Children's Museum (Baltimore, MD)

Having spent the first fifteen years of my career on the private side — first in corporate banking, then in marketing, advertising and communications — I couldn't think of anywhere else I would rather be. The field is dynamic and the relevancy of children's museums today is greater than it has ever been - especially in an urban environment. Leveraging that value to others is key.

I joined Port Discovery just as we were opening at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. In 2008, we begin the celebration of our 10th year. It has been a time of reflection but mostly one of looking ahead. Being part of something new, part of an economic redevelopment effort, part of building an institution and then focusing on sustainability - all have been great experiences. It has been a wonderful, at times very difficult, but immensely rewarding journey. I have learned from all of you in the field and worked with a great and resilient Board and staff here. I have drawn from my experiences on other boards and organizations, as well as from my involvement in children's museums in Richmond and Minneapolis.

Our focus is on the future - engagement with the community and partnerships; building our endowment to keep the museum financially strong; and redoubling our efforts to ensure that children have guaranteed access. Engaging in a national dialogue of how we all work toward making our institutions stronger is one that will benefit all of us.

back to current board

Debbie Spiegelman, Executive Director & CEO, Miami Children's Museum (FL)

For the past six years, Spiegelman have been Executive Director of the Miami Children's Museum where she is involved with long range planning, development, the creation and implementation of exhibits and educational programs. Under her leadership, the museum's capital campaign raised more than $25 million to build the permanent facility where the museum has resided for the past two and a half years. The Museum targets all audiences in Miami's changing and diverse community and has become a town center for the children of South Florida. Many families living in urban and impoverished neighborhoods in Miami have had little or no exposure to museums or to arts programming. Through the museum's partnership with the City of Miami, local schools, and community-based organizations in low-income communities, the Museum has been able to provide free and reduced programs, admission, and scholarships for children living in these neighborhoods. It is through these programs that the museum fulfills its mission to the community.

Spiegelman's professional background includes 25 years of nonprofit experience in marketing, public relations, board development, management and fundraising. She has previously held positions with The Children's Home Society Foundation, University of Miami Miami Project to Cure Paralysis/Buoniconti Fund, Mount Sinai Medical Center and Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Spiegelman has fourteen years experience in the museum field, serving as director of the capital campaign, consultant to board of directors, and providing leadership development in all aspects of nonprofit management and business development.

In addition to her position as ACM Board Member, she is an active participant in the Children's Cultural Coalition; National Society of Fund Raising Executives; Children's Museum Charter School Board of Directors; the Cushman School Board; Temple Beth Shalom Board of Education, City of North Miami Educational Committee; Board Member Girl Scouts; and WPBT's KidVision Advisory Board Member.

back to current board

Ruth G. Shelly, Executive Director, Madison Children's Museum (Madison, WI)

My museum career started at the age my daughter is now — 14 — when I began volunteering at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Thanks to the attention of staff who took the time to train and mentor me, I chose exhibit design as my field, which later led to museum management. For 30 years I worked at art and natural science museums and an aquarium in Albuquerque, Santa Barbara, Atlanta, and San Diego before returning to my native Wisconsin.

While at these other organization, I grew frustrated with their target market of preschoolers through seniors, which hardly seemed like a "target" at all. I knew that the earlier museums could engage children in art and science, the more likely they would develop lifelong interest and competence in these areas.

Thus I jumped at the chance to work at my first children's museum in Madison, and have not been disappointed. The work of our museum, and that of our colleagues and ACM, demonstrates that children's museums can be powerful agents of social change. I look forward to contributing on a national level, and am honored to represent the small and medium-sized institutions in our field.

My own professional life was dependent on volunteering and the generous support of mentors. This background keeps me particularly interested in the role of volunteers in our museums and the "career path" we develop for our young visitors, who may be with us for only a fraction of their lives, but who can be influenced by us forever.

back to current board

Georgina Niobe Ngozi, President & CEO, Brooklyn Children's Museum (NY)

Ngozi became President and CEO of Brooklyn Children's Museum (BCM) in 2009. Prior to joining BCM, Ngozi was the executive director for the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry. She entered the children's museum field as the director of art education for The Children's Museum of Houston (CMH), an environment that nurtured her creative spirit and allowed Ngozi to create opportunities for children to discover their creative spirits. She worked at CMH for six years and in 2001, she returned to her native Brooklyn, New York, to serve as the director of education for Brooklyn Children's Museum, a museum she visited as a child. BCM, a collecting museum, enveloped Ngozi in an environment of cultural richness, which she believes can be found throughout the museum and can serve as a backdrop to the diverse beauty of the BCM visitors themselves.

back to current board

Sarah Caruso, President, Minnesota Children's Museum (Saint Paul)

I have been president of Minnesota Children's Museum for Four 4 years; coming to the Museum after 20 years of business experience with General Mills and JP Morgan, as well as board leadership in several child focused notnon-profits in Minnesota. My two great passions are children and education. Leading a mission-based organization that supports early learning such as Minnesota Children's Museum is a great joy. I have immersed myself in the areas of early childhood and museum studies, with the very able support of our wonderful staff. Minnesota Children's Museum is a leading advocate for early childhood policy, education, and family supports in Minnesota. We seek to spark children's learning through play by welcoming 400,000 visitors to our Museum each year and through extensive community partnerships. My business training has helped our institution think strategically and systematically not only about exhibits, program, and community partnership work but also about organizational issues such as staff development, marketing, and fundraising.

Minnesota Children's Museum has been fortunate to be part of the Good to Grow! Initiative since it's inception in 2004. I am currently serving on the national advisory board. In addition, I am part of the Growing Healthy Museums advisory group. The Growing Healthy Museums project is a major initiative of Association of Children's Museums, funded by the Institute of Museums and Library Sciences, to increase children's museum's' institutional capacity, knowledge and skills as leaders in promoting health and wellness in their communities. I have enjoyed working with so many colleagues in the children's museum field, as well as ACM staff on these important projects.

back to current board

Sheridan Turner, President & CEO, Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago (Glenview, IL)

I have long been focused on early childhood; you could even argue that my career began as early as age 7. Always caring for other people's children, I was known as the Pied Piper of Children in my village in England. My true career began as a nursery nurse specializing in premature babies. I then became a nanny, which led to my journey to and life in Chicago. After achieving a master's degree in early childhood education at the University of Illinois, my career took some interesting twists and turns — everything from creating a technology transfer program to overseeing construction of an underground parking garage at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. The knowledge gleaned from these unusual projects, however, provided ample preparation for my current leadership position as President & CEO of Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago. This is where I found my true passion — working with young children and their parents and caregivers to promote excellent early childhood education.

Through the position, I also discovered the phenomenal value of the Association of Children's Museums, where several ACM members and staff became my advisors, friends and supportive colleagues. This forum provides a critical venue - for all of us to not only share our success stories and best practices, but also analyze our challenges and disappointments. I have found tremendous strength in this organization and hope that through my work with ACM, I can continue making a solid investment in the future —- our children.

back to current board

Mark Alexander Wright, Director of Partnerships, National Children's Museum

I have been director of partnerships at the National Children's Museum since 2006 where I collaborate with colleagues in the museum to build relationships with partners across sectors. My background is in educational leadership in museums, art history and law, with an interest in the role of emerging technologies in facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration. My work as a curator and as a writer has focused on subject areas including Modern Civil Rights Movement Black photographers, community development and collaboration.

My career in museums began as a research assistant and then as assistant curator at the Smithsonian Institution's National African American Museum Project in 1993. I assisted in the development of exhibitions and programs, the integration of information technology with content delivery, and legislative research. In 1999, after leaving the Smithsonian, I became a program associate at the Museum Loan Network, a national grant-making program based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I facilitated nearly 200 museum/community collaborations in more than 150 cities in 51 States in US territories while helping develop a 20,000 record object database of museum collections available for loan. Among the most gratifying MLN projects were those that meaningfully engaged inter-generational community members with museums.

I hold a B.A. in Art History/Arts Administration & Museology from Drew University (NJ), and a M.S. Ed. from Bank Street College Graduate School of Education (NY), I have also studied Law at Suffolk University Law School (MA) and served as an American Foundations Fellow at Wake Forest University (NC). My volunteer commitments include coaching, school board, non-profit foundation truste, and neighborhood association council service.

back to current board

Ex-Officio
Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director, Association of Children's Museums (Washington, DC)

In her role as executive director of the professional association representing children's museums around the world, Elman has led the Association of Children's Museums (ACM) in a successful transition from an entirely volunteer driven organization in 1994 to one of the leading museum professional associations in Washington, DC today. She recently led the launch of ACM's vision statement for ACM to be, "recognized as a global leader, advocate and resource among organizations serving the learning needs of children and families."

Prior to joining ACM, Elman was director of national programs for Very Special Arts (now VSA arts) where she developed national arts programs for individuals with and without disabilities. During her six-year tenure at Very Special Arts, Elman developed and piloted programs in all the art forms — dance, drama, creative writing, music, and visual arts — which served as models for the 50 Very Special Arts state affiliates. She worked on early childhood curriculum materials to support program initiatives and developed training workshops to assist state directors in program implementation. Prior to her departure, she directed the 1993 national conference and additionally served as acting director of state services.

She has also held positions in art consulting and management consulting firms, and has curated the slide collection of works of art in an academic setting. Elman holds a BA in Art History and Communications from The George Washington University and an MA in Humanities from Marymount University.

back to topics

ACM Board of Directors Job Description

Accountable to: ACM membership and representatives through the leadership of the Board President and
Executive Director.

Functions
The ACM Board of Directors collectively functions in four major areas:

1. Policy-making
   

2. Strategic planning

3. Fund development
   

4. Financial oversight

In carrying out these functions, the board of directors assumes the legal responsibility for its actions.

back to topics

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors (collectively):
(Adapted from BoardSource)

1. Determine the Association's mission and vision.

2. Select the Chief Executive.

3. Provide proper financial oversight.

4. Ensure adequate resources.

5. Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability.

6. Ensure effective organizational planning

7. Recruit and orient new board members and assess board performance.

8. Enhance the Association's public standing.

9. Monitor the Association's programs and services in line with the mission and vision.

10. Support the Chief Executive and assess his or her performance.

While the Board of Directors functions as a body in its deliberations and policy-level decisions, the members are elected as individuals.

back to job description

Responsibilities of Board Members (individually):
(Adapted from BoardSource)

General Expectations

• Know the organization's mission, purposes, goals, policies, programs, services, strengths and needs.

• Suggest possible nominees to the board who are clearly leaders and who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization's progress.

• Participate in board member self-assessment.

• Serve in leadership positions or undertake committee assignments willingly and enthusiastically when asked.

• Avoid prejudiced judgments on the basis of information received from individuals and urge those with grievances to follow established policies and procedures.

• Follow the trends in the children's museum and related fields.

• Bring a sense of humor to the board's deliberations.

back to individual responsibilities

Meetings

• Prepare for and participate in board and committee meetings, including appropriate organizational activities (such as InterActivity).

• Ask timely and substantive questions at board and committee meetings consistent with their convictions, while supporting the majority decision on issues decided by the board.

• Maintain confidentiality of the board's executive sessions, and speak for the board or Association only when authorized.

• Suggest agenda items periodically for board and committee meetings to ensure that significant policy-related matters are addressed.

back to individual responsibilities

Relationship with Staff

• Counsel the Chief Executive as appropriate to offer support in his or her often difficult relationships with groups or individuals.

• Understand that the Chief Executive reports to the Board of Directors and the staff reports to the Chief Executive.

• Avoid asking for special favors of the staff, including special requests for extensive information or waivers of policies.

back to individual responsibilities

Avoiding Conflicts

• Serve the organization as a whole rather than any special interest group or constituency.
  

• Avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest that might embarrass the board or the organization, and disclose any possible conflicts to the board in a timely fashion.
  

• Maintain independence and objectivity and do what a sense of fairness, ethics and personal integrity dictate even though not necessarily obliged to do so by law, policy or custom.
  

• Never accept (or offer) favors or gifts from (or to) anyone who does business with the Association.

back to individual responsibilities

Fiduciary Responsibilities

• Exercise prudence with the Board in the control and transfer of funds.
  

• Faithfully read and understand the organization's financial statements and otherwise help the Board fulfill its fiduciary responsibility.

back to individual responsibilities

Fundraising

• Give an annual gift according to personal means.
  

• Assist the development committee and staff by implementing fundraising strategies through personal influence with others (corporations, individuals, foundations).

back to topics

Joining Committee

To support ACM's priority to be as inclusive as possible, the Association welcomes any representative of a member museum that is in good standing to consider joining an ACM committee, subcommittee or taskforce. There are a total of seven committees that are open to member participation (the Executive, Human Resources and Governance Committees are for Board Members only.)

Contact the committee chair if you are interested to join a committee, listing your background and talents that would contribute to the committees' knowledge.

Overview

• Committees are aligned with the strategic objectives and staff organization.
• Every committee, subcommittee and taskforce incorporates diversity as a key value.
• Committees are ongoing and may have subcommittees; taskforces are generally time-limited.
• Each committee and taskforce is chaired by a member or former member of the Board and assigned a staff contact who will coordinate the work of the committee.

Committees

back to topics

Executive Committee

Strategic Goal: Ensure the future of ACM with strong leadership and sound financial practices.

Chair: Neil Gordon (The Executive Committee is chaired by the Board president.)

Members: Jane Werner, Henry Schulson, Barry van Demon, Loretta Yajima, Julia Bland and Laura Foster

Primary Staff Liaison: Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director

Role: The Executive Committee is comprised of the seven officers of the Association: President, Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary and Past President. The Executive Committee ensures that the priorities of the Association are in alignment with the Strategic Framework. The Executive Committee serves as a representational body of the Board and is often empowered by the full Board to make decisions on behalf of the entire Board. Oversees the Human Resources Subcommittee.

Human Resources Subcommittee, a Subcommittee of the Executive Committee

Strategic Goal: Ensure the future of ACM with strong leadership and sound financial practices.

Chair: Neil Gordon (The Human Resources Subcommittee is chaired by the President.)

Members: Laura Foster, Barry Van Deman

Primary Staff Liaison: Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director

Role: The Human Resources Subcommittee works with the executive director to ensure that ACM remains a fair and competitive employer and recruits and retains the most talented staff.

back to Committee overview

Governance Committee

Strategic Goal: Ensure the future of ACM with strong leadership and sound financial practices.

Chair: Jane Werner (The Governance Committee is chaired by the Vice President of Governance.)

Members: Laura Foster and Neil Gordon

Primary Staff Liaison: Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director

Role: The Governance Committee reviews bylaws and Board structure in order to advance the strategic framework. Oversees Board advancement including the formation of a Nominating Subcommittee each year.

back to Committee overview

Nominating Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the Governance Committee

Strategic Goal: Ensure the future of ACM with strong leadership and sound financial practices.

Chair: Laura Foster

Primary Staff Liaison: Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director

Role: The role of the Nominating Subcommittee is to identify through the nominating process candidates for the Board of Directors and Officers and to ensure that Board members elect have a clear understanding of their responsibilities. The Nominating Subcommittee will work with the Diversity Taskforce to ensure representation of the diversity of the field on the ACM Board of Directors.

back to Committee overview

Finance, Audit and Investment Committee

Strategic Goal: Ensure the future of ACM with strong leadership and sound financial practices.

Chair:Julia Bland (The Finance, Audit and Investment Committee is chaired by the Treasurer.)

Members: Henry Schulson, Laura Foster and Neil Gordon

Primary Staff Liaison: Karen Maude, Director of Finance and Administration/Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director

Role: Responsible for fiduciary oversight of the Association's finances, audit process and investment policy. Responsible for oversight of Auditor.

back to Committee overview

Development Committee

Strategic Goal: Leverage the collective power of the field.

Chair: Sheridan Turner

Members: Debbie Spiegelman and Jane Werner

Primary Staff Liaison: Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director and Eliza Katz, Program Manager Executive Office & Special Projects

Role: The Development Committee guides ACM in its fundraising activities and works to identify new funding sources.

back to Committee overview

Diversity In Action Committee

Strategic Goal: Build the capacity of ACM members to achieve sustainability and relevance to an ever-diversifying audience.

Chair: Henry Schulson

Members: Loretta Yajima, Georgina Ngozi, and Non-board Member Representatives Jeri Robinson, Boston Children's Museum and Mark Thorne, National Children's Museum

Primary Staff Liaison: Lila Elliott, Program Manager, Membership

Role: The Diversity Taskforce guides ACM in recognizing model programs in member museums that encourage the development of diverse staff and audiences, and spearheads national efforts to increase the diversity of staff and audiences.

For more information about the Diversity Taskforce, including a sample of its ongoing work, visit the ACM Diversity Initiative page.

back to topics

Nominating New Board Members

Serving on the ACM Board is an opportunity to share your individual perspective and skills with a collegial and committed group to further ACM's mission. In general, a Board Member is elected to serve a two-year term. Elections for the 2009-2011 term will take place in March 2009. Please Note: ACM's fiscal and board year runs from July 1 to June 30.

Items to Consider

• Do you have strong experience in one of more of the Board's four major functions: policy-making, strategic planning, fund development and financial oversight?

• Can you meet the all collective and individual responsibilities outlined in the Board Member Job Description?

• Finally, in consideration of those ACM Board Members whose terms will expire in 2008, the ACM Nominating Committee has identified three top priorities for Board candidates: ethnic diversity, leadership skills and fundraising abilities. Does your background and/or talents relate to these priorities?

If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the ACM Board of Directors, please contact ACM's Nominating Chairperson Laura Foster.

back to topics