Experience

Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI)

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Deputy Director

  • 2018 - Present

  The Institute for Learning Innovation is an independent not-for-profit organization working at the intersection of research, practice, and policy. We believe that a broader definition of learning, one that is lifelong and free-choice, can offer solutions to many of the critical cultural, environmental, economic and social problems facing institutions and communities in today’s rapidly changing world. Related to Professional Learning, we research, innovate and disseminate effective methods to engage professionals in learning and capacity building, particularly with in regards to integrating research into practice.



University of Toronto

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Instructor

  • 2010 - 2018

  Fall 2018 - Museums and their Publics. Graduate Seminar (12 weeks)Fall 2018 - Museum Management and Fundraising. Graduate Seminar (12 weeks)Spring, 2017 - Museum Interpretation and Meaning-making.” Graduate Seminar (12 weeks)Spring, 2010 and 2011 - Museum Interpretation and Meaning-making. Graduate Seminar (12 weeks)



Art Gallery of Ontario

• Canada
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Chief, Public Programming and Learning

  • 2014 - 2017

  Held primary responsibility to implement a vision and strategy that articulates, advocates for and executes public engagement programs through the AGO’s events, programs, exhibitions and gallery interpretation – online and onsite. Led the Gallery in understanding, accommodating and satisfying the various reasons diverse visitors come to the museum to ensure the creation of memorable and meaningful experiences. Division of 65 FTE and $ 4 M budget. Institutional Budget of $63M. Key Accountabilities of this role included:• Worked closely with Chief Curator and Chief Exhibitions and Collections to deliver exhibition and programming strategy that reflects the Gallery’s mission, strategic priorities and attendance goals.• Directed the multi-year planning and annual operation of the Weston Family Learning Centre achieving ambitious revenue and attendance targets• Led the development of a digital engagement department. • Institutional lead on the development of a gallery-wide inclusion strategy.• Identified and created key partnerships to leverage institutional goals



The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director, Education and Interpretive Programs

  • 2011 - 2014

  Led a department of 45 staff (budget of 2M) in developing enriching experiences of art and culture for broad audiences. Directed all visitor research. Led Innovation team. Key accountabilities included: educational programming, school partnerships, institutional innovation and change. (See link to "From Expert to Collaborator" video.)



Art Gallery of Ontario

• Canada
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Deputy Director, Education and Public Programmes

  • 2007 - 2011

  Developed and implemented a pan-institutional approach to visitor research to support data-driven, visitor-centered decision making. Guided the new process for team-based experience design. Led Interpretive Planning team, continually integrating and evaluating innovative strategies to engage broad audiences.



Institute for Learning Innovation

• Senior Researcher

  • 2005 - 2007

  Responsible for the business development, research design and implementation of visitor research in diverse free-choice learning environments. Responsible for generating individual projects totally 750K in funding. Responsible for quality control, client relations and budget management for all projects. Sample projects: a yearlong study of all youth programs funded by IMLS (https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/publications/documents/youthreport_0.pdf) and the impact of Citizen Science programs at The Florida Museum of Natural History.



The George Washington University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Adjunct Professor

  • 2005 - 2007

  Graduate Seminar in Visitor Research and Evaluation (12 weeks)



University of Colorado

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Deputy Director, Museum of Natural History and Anthropology

  • 2004 - 2005



Denver Museum of Nature and Science

• Manager of Visitor Research

  • 1997 - 2004