Join the Association of Midwest Museums and Mutual of America for a free summer series focused on connecting museum leaders in the Midwest to their peers during virtual and in-person gatherings. Museum presenters and members of Mutual of America’s team will share observations, trends and resources related to issues that are top of mind for many organizations and their staff, especially as we emerge from the pandemic:
- Change management
- Adapting to a post-pandemic fundraising landscape
- Recruiting, hiring, and supporting a diverse workforce
- Retirement readiness
The Mutual of America Museum Leadership Series was organized with staff in leadership, operations, or development roles in mind, and is open to all who are interested. Learn more about the series programs and events below and follow the links to sign up.
AMM Annual Business Meeting and Panel Discussion
The series kicks off at the live AMM Annual Business Meeting, to be held virtually on July 26th at 11am CT/ Noon ET. Business will be brief and followed by a moderated conversation with museum leaders from across the Midwest region about the disruptions and opportunities of the past year, the impact on their organizations, and how they are managing change. Panelists include:
- Mary Bower, Evansville Museum, Evansville, IN
- Christian Greer, Michigan Science Center, Detroit MI
- Ricki Levine, Holland Museum, Holland, MI
- Billy Ocasio, National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, Chicago, IL
- Patti Sherman-Cisler, Jewish Museum Milwaukee, WI
Lunchtime Leadership Chats
Three live sessions will feature short presentations on financial and human resources topics, covering both personal and institutional needs and highlighting creative solutions to common challenges, followed by discussion and Q&A. Sessions will take place virtually as Zoom Meetings, so that participants are able to interact with presenters and each other. ASL interpretation and captioning will be provided. Come as you are, bring your lunch and your burning questions, and join the conversation!
Lunchtime Leadership Chat: Talent Recruitment and Retention, August 4 at 11:30am CT/ 12:30pm ET
Join us for a presentation and conversation with Andy Treinen, President & CEO at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, KY, and Mutual of America representatives Trevor Koenig, Joe Lenartz, and Brian Sharrow to talk about strategies for recruiting, developing, supporting, and retaining talent. Presenters include:
- Andy Treinen, President & CEO, Frazier History Museum, Louisville, KY
- Trevor Koenig, Vice President, Field Consulting Services
- Brian Sharrow, Vice President, Field Consulting Services
Lunchtime Leadership Chat: Planning for Retirement, August 10 at 11:00am CT/ Noon ET
The second in our series of Lunchtime Leadership Chats features Mutual of America representatives Todd Dixon, Marissa Halchak, and Sara Wiencken, who will talk about how to assess retirement readiness and action steps to take today to prepare for the future. Panelists will also address the challenges women often face with saving for retirement and how to close the gap. Presenters include:
- Todd Dixon, Senior Regional Vice President, Field Consulting Services
- Marissa Halchak, Vice President, Regional Financial Consultant
- Sara Wiencken, Vice President, Field Consulting Services
Lunchtime Leadership Chat: Post-Pandemic Fundraising Strategies, August 19 at Noon CT/ 1:00pm ET
Our final Lunchtime Leadership Chat will explore changes observed in the fundraising landscape during and after the pandemic and how organizations have adapted their fundraising strategies, from unique approaches to events to forging new partnerships. Participants will also learn more about Mutual of America’s Community Partnership Award. Presenters include Aaron Mack, Megan Dunn, and Sean O’Donnell, development team members from Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, MN; and Mutual of American representatives Adam Johnson and Doug Psick. Presenters include:
- Aaron Mack, Development Associate, Corporate Relations, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
- Sean O’Donnell, Development Associate, Institutional Giving, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
- Megan Dunn, Development Associate, Special Projects, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
- Adam Johnson, Vice President, Field Consulting Services
- Doug Psick, Vice President, Regional Financial Consultant
Museum Leadership In-Person Events, hosted by Mutual of America
Participants in the Mutual of America Museum Leadership Series are also invited to attend in-person gatherings at museums across the region in late summer/early fall. Connect with your peers and fellow series participants at any (or all) of the four events. Catch up on museum news as you visit AMM member museums, explore new exhibitions, and enjoy some food and beverages courtesy of Mutual of America.
Details coming soon!
Case Studies in Leadership Series Recordings
When you sign up for any of the Mutual of America Museum Leadership Series sessions and events, you’ll also receive complimentary access to recordings of AMM’s spring Case Studies in Leadership Series webinars, featuring presentations about inspiring leaders from the past to inform our work today. Featured stories include:
- General MacArthur: Strategic Priorities with a Shrinking Budget by Chris Kolakowski, director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison, with a focus on defining strategic priorities during a financial crisis
- Advocacy from the Ground Up, by archivists from the Indiana Historical Society, with a focus on a few lesser-known stories of leadership featuring Indiana women whose advocacy work made a difference for communities facing hardship as the result of discrimination, racism, and injustice