Laura Matzer
Executive Director at Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum- Claim this Profile
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French Limited working proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Dr. Annette Patzelt
As a fellow senior leadership expert at Oman Botanic Garden and colleague, I take great pleasure to endorse our Director of Visitor Engagement and Interpretation, Ms. Laura Matzer. Laura is part of a highly specialized advisory team at Oman Botanic Garden, leading the review of the planned interpretation of the garden. She also formalized our tour guide training materials, education program delivery planning, and developed an editorial and style guide. Laura is extremely knowledgeable, highly reliable, creative, and dedicated in communicating nature conservation and arts. Laura is, as well, a highly focused, well-organized, and diligent person, and each of these attributes were critical during the intensive review process of the garden’s interpretation plan. Laura has outstanding project management skills, demonstrating a strong commitment to professionalism and ethics. Her kind nature makes every collaboration very enjoyable. In sum, Laura is an extremely valuable asset to any organization, and any institution would be lucky to have her as an expert and leader.
Dr. Darach Lupton MCIHort. MCIEEM
Having worked with Laura I wholeheartedly endorse her skills, talents, great work ethic, and affable personality. In her role as Deputy Director of Visitor Engagement and Interpretation at Oman Botanic Garden Laura demonstrates an innate ability to embrace and lead a broad range of responsibilities. She spearheads departmental strategic planning, tour guide training materials, and program delivery and created an editorial and style guide, a first for the organization. Laura reviews all planned interpretation and makes recommendations for refining texts and storylines, greatly enhancing the content and style of the material. Laura is consistently creative in her approach, identifying new opportunities for participatory and hands-on activities for future operational plans, developing staff training programs, and fostering interdepartmental activities within the organization. In sum, Laura is a great asset to Oman Botanic Garden, bringing exceptional levels of organization and communication to her department; she is an extremely open, friendly, and supportive person with a great ability to nurture and develop people’s strengths.
Dr. Annette Patzelt
As a fellow senior leadership expert at Oman Botanic Garden and colleague, I take great pleasure to endorse our Director of Visitor Engagement and Interpretation, Ms. Laura Matzer. Laura is part of a highly specialized advisory team at Oman Botanic Garden, leading the review of the planned interpretation of the garden. She also formalized our tour guide training materials, education program delivery planning, and developed an editorial and style guide. Laura is extremely knowledgeable, highly reliable, creative, and dedicated in communicating nature conservation and arts. Laura is, as well, a highly focused, well-organized, and diligent person, and each of these attributes were critical during the intensive review process of the garden’s interpretation plan. Laura has outstanding project management skills, demonstrating a strong commitment to professionalism and ethics. Her kind nature makes every collaboration very enjoyable. In sum, Laura is an extremely valuable asset to any organization, and any institution would be lucky to have her as an expert and leader.
Dr. Darach Lupton MCIHort. MCIEEM
Having worked with Laura I wholeheartedly endorse her skills, talents, great work ethic, and affable personality. In her role as Deputy Director of Visitor Engagement and Interpretation at Oman Botanic Garden Laura demonstrates an innate ability to embrace and lead a broad range of responsibilities. She spearheads departmental strategic planning, tour guide training materials, and program delivery and created an editorial and style guide, a first for the organization. Laura reviews all planned interpretation and makes recommendations for refining texts and storylines, greatly enhancing the content and style of the material. Laura is consistently creative in her approach, identifying new opportunities for participatory and hands-on activities for future operational plans, developing staff training programs, and fostering interdepartmental activities within the organization. In sum, Laura is a great asset to Oman Botanic Garden, bringing exceptional levels of organization and communication to her department; she is an extremely open, friendly, and supportive person with a great ability to nurture and develop people’s strengths.
Dr. Annette Patzelt
As a fellow senior leadership expert at Oman Botanic Garden and colleague, I take great pleasure to endorse our Director of Visitor Engagement and Interpretation, Ms. Laura Matzer. Laura is part of a highly specialized advisory team at Oman Botanic Garden, leading the review of the planned interpretation of the garden. She also formalized our tour guide training materials, education program delivery planning, and developed an editorial and style guide. Laura is extremely knowledgeable, highly reliable, creative, and dedicated in communicating nature conservation and arts. Laura is, as well, a highly focused, well-organized, and diligent person, and each of these attributes were critical during the intensive review process of the garden’s interpretation plan. Laura has outstanding project management skills, demonstrating a strong commitment to professionalism and ethics. Her kind nature makes every collaboration very enjoyable. In sum, Laura is an extremely valuable asset to any organization, and any institution would be lucky to have her as an expert and leader.
Dr. Darach Lupton MCIHort. MCIEEM
Having worked with Laura I wholeheartedly endorse her skills, talents, great work ethic, and affable personality. In her role as Deputy Director of Visitor Engagement and Interpretation at Oman Botanic Garden Laura demonstrates an innate ability to embrace and lead a broad range of responsibilities. She spearheads departmental strategic planning, tour guide training materials, and program delivery and created an editorial and style guide, a first for the organization. Laura reviews all planned interpretation and makes recommendations for refining texts and storylines, greatly enhancing the content and style of the material. Laura is consistently creative in her approach, identifying new opportunities for participatory and hands-on activities for future operational plans, developing staff training programs, and fostering interdepartmental activities within the organization. In sum, Laura is a great asset to Oman Botanic Garden, bringing exceptional levels of organization and communication to her department; she is an extremely open, friendly, and supportive person with a great ability to nurture and develop people’s strengths.
Dr. Annette Patzelt
As a fellow senior leadership expert at Oman Botanic Garden and colleague, I take great pleasure to endorse our Director of Visitor Engagement and Interpretation, Ms. Laura Matzer. Laura is part of a highly specialized advisory team at Oman Botanic Garden, leading the review of the planned interpretation of the garden. She also formalized our tour guide training materials, education program delivery planning, and developed an editorial and style guide. Laura is extremely knowledgeable, highly reliable, creative, and dedicated in communicating nature conservation and arts. Laura is, as well, a highly focused, well-organized, and diligent person, and each of these attributes were critical during the intensive review process of the garden’s interpretation plan. Laura has outstanding project management skills, demonstrating a strong commitment to professionalism and ethics. Her kind nature makes every collaboration very enjoyable. In sum, Laura is an extremely valuable asset to any organization, and any institution would be lucky to have her as an expert and leader.
Dr. Darach Lupton MCIHort. MCIEEM
Having worked with Laura I wholeheartedly endorse her skills, talents, great work ethic, and affable personality. In her role as Deputy Director of Visitor Engagement and Interpretation at Oman Botanic Garden Laura demonstrates an innate ability to embrace and lead a broad range of responsibilities. She spearheads departmental strategic planning, tour guide training materials, and program delivery and created an editorial and style guide, a first for the organization. Laura reviews all planned interpretation and makes recommendations for refining texts and storylines, greatly enhancing the content and style of the material. Laura is consistently creative in her approach, identifying new opportunities for participatory and hands-on activities for future operational plans, developing staff training programs, and fostering interdepartmental activities within the organization. In sum, Laura is a great asset to Oman Botanic Garden, bringing exceptional levels of organization and communication to her department; she is an extremely open, friendly, and supportive person with a great ability to nurture and develop people’s strengths.
Credentials
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Certified Lean Management Professional
OTIFASOct, 2018- Oct, 2024 -
Certified Institutional Protection Manager
CIPM
Experience
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Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum
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United States
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Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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1 - 100 Employee
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Executive Director
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Jan 2022 - Present
Responsible for leadership, vision, and direction of the planning, curatorial, education, finances, marketing, staffing, funding, human resources, and operation of the organization to increase visibility, audiences, and community engagement; works with Board and staff to meet the objectives of a recently issued 5-Year Strategic Plan; secures funding through grants, donations, planned giving, special events, and campaigns to ensure long-term stability; develops annual operating budget and provides accurate financial reports to the Board Finance Committee; oversees staff responsible for collections, exhibitions, programs, and care of financial assets; oversees property and personnel of the museum; providing managerial leadership in the development of plans and programs; oversees maintenance of national museum standards, and the development of public interest and support; makes recommendations for organizational change and development to ensure long-term stability; maintains relationships with donors, individuals, businesses and agencies to expand fundraising capabilities; oversees all aspects of staff management, including hiring, supervising, training, mentoring, and administration of performance reviews. Show less
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THIRD PLACE: RELEVANT CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT, LLC
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United States
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Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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Principal
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Nov 2016 - Present
Senior advisor for cultural organizations seeking to develop or refine their visitor engagement strategy; to develop meaningful “third places” in visitor-centered spaces; to develop onsite, participatory experiences; and to develop tour guide training and learning resources. Overall specialist in conveying compelling stories, reflecting nuance for particular regions' culture and needs, to raise visitor comfort and accessibility in the spaces and activities of cultural organizations. https://www.thirdplacellc.com/ Show less
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Oman Botanic Garden
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Research Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Visitor Engagement & Interpretation
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Jan 2019 - Jan 2021
Senior expert directing the Visitor Engagement & Interpretation section of Oman Botanic Garden and strategic direction of the Garden as a member of the senior team. Provide leadership for learning and engagement programs, interpretation, and participatory activities across audience segments, ensuring relevance and inclusivity are guiding principles. Establish and maintain strategic national and international partnerships and relationships to further develop audiences. Develop the section’s culture through capacity building, mentoring, training, and development. Show less
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Head of Education - Arts Content Development / Interpretation
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Sep 2013 - Oct 2016
Direct and manage strategic interpretation plan of the Education Unit; directly oversee 4 FTEs; directly and functionally manage 15 PTEs indirectly; support international internships program; oversee exhibition content development and interpretation activities (family guides, teacher resource guides, audio tours, films, and extended text panels) for ongoing exhibitions; part of strategic team for marketing campaign strategy; support operational programming, including: educational workshops, and launch of new programs; co-lead teacher and school program (K-12 and University) initiatives, including Educator Evenings, outreach, and training; create and lead ongoing training sessions for public-facing Visitor Services Coordinators (VSCs), Visitor Experience Coordinators (VESs), and security guard staffs; implement and direct collation of new evaluative tools; lead for education-related deliverables and implementation with Agence France Muséums and Musée du Louvre, Solomon R . Guggenheim Foundation and the British Museum for Saadiyat Cultural District; manage numerous budgets and track with cost analysis for ROI programming. Show less
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TDIC
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Real Estate
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100 - 200 Employee
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Education Manager
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Jul 2010 - Sep 2013
Direct and manage strategic plan of the Education Unit; directly oversee 3 FTEs directly and functionally manage 22 PTEs indirectly; oversee interpretation activities (family activity guides, educator resource guides, audio tours, and extended text panels) for ongoing exhibitions; advise on exhibition strategy; oversee operational programming, including: educational workshops, and launch of new programs A Cultured Lunch: A Workshop for Professionals and Artful Afternoon Tea; oversee teacher and school program (K-12 and University) initiatives, including launching the new initiative Educator Evenings – now a legacy program continually offered – outreach, and training; designed, outfitted and launched Studios Manarat al Saadiyat, two dedicated workshop-spaces for exhibition-related programming; create and lead ongoing training sessions for public-facing Visitor Services Coordinators (VSCs) and security guard staffs; implement and direct collation of new evaluative tools; establish new collaborations and partnerships with key organizations (Tawazun, UAE Pavilion at la Biennale di Venice); lead for education-related deliverables and implementation including Agence France Muséums and Musée du Louvre, and The British Museum for Saadiyat Cultural District; project manage workshop spaces, Collecting Art tours, and, for Abu Dhabi Art fair, a volunteer program and Art Zone, now legacy programming continually offered; manage key performance indicators (KPIs), manage multiple budgets and track with cost analysis for ROI programming. Show less
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The Arizona Museum for Youth
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Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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1 - 100 Employee
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Curator of Education
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Mar 2008 - Jun 2010
Directed and managed mission, vision, and strategic and interpretative plan of the Education Department for the Museum; directly oversaw 2 FTEs and 10 PTEs indirectly; oversaw the Museum’s public education programs for adults, children, and families and launched new programs such as Intergenerational Learning Workshops, Artful Readings, and after hours programs; oversaw teacher and school program initiatives; oversaw interactive elements in the Museum’s permanent interactive space and in temporary exhibitions in art galleries; promoted outreach and new program initiatives; established partnerships and collaborations with key community organizations and businesses; held extensive grant writing and Museum spokesperson duties; served as a member of the Museum’s 4-person Senior Leadership Team; managed TCO budget and tracking for ROI programming. Show less
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Microsoft
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United States
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Software Development
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200 - 300 Employee
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Art Collection Curator & Program Manager
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Dec 2003 - Feb 2008
Directed acquisition activity, curated exhibitions, collection management duties, coordinated campus building installations and de-installations, object loans, insurance, storage, acquisitions, and de-accessions. Managed staff of seven. Managed a comprehensive education and outreach program, coordinated marketing of: Artist Lecture Series, Collecting Today Panel Discussions, Employee Off-Campus Art Tours, Campus Tours, Donated and Community Tours, Collaborated with on-campus Diversity Groups, The Seattle Public Library, Seattle Art Museum, Curated four annual exhibitions and six annual Cultural Heritage and Diversity exhibitions, Launched Employee Docent and Artful Reading programs. Developed exhibition-driven interpretive materials. Established partnerships with: University Book Store; The Richard Hugo House; Artist Trust; UC Berkeley School of Law/Art Law course, Berkeley, CA. Show less
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Amon Carter Museum
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United States
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Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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1 - 100 Employee
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Public Programs Coordinator
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2000 - 2003
Developed/coordinated adult public programs: American Masterpiece lectures, symposia, film series, gallery talks, An Artist’s Perspective talks, and workshops. Launched new initiatives such as An Eye for Detail: The Art of Observation, a required course for first-year medical students, Academic Decathlon preparatory art programs, Art of the Book, a book discussion series, and Sketching in the Galleries. Developed/wrote a variety of exhibition-driven educational guides and interpretive materials; coordinated American Masterpieces in the Amon Carter Museum: An Acoustiguide Audio Tour of the permanent collection; sat on Web, Signage, Audio Tour, Program Committees; Grant writing contributor. Show less
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Education
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1997 - 1999
The University of Texas at Austin
MA, Art Museum Education, Art History -
1990 - 1993
The University of Houston
BA, Art Education
Community
