A letter from the executive director

It is with both a heavy heart and a burst of optimism that I am writing to share the news about the difficult decision to step down from my current role as the executive director of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. This fall, I will be following my family to New Mexico as we begin this next chapter of our lives. Bittersweet, because of the momentum we have put into motion here at MMAM. Optimism, because I know the seeds we have planted together are just emerging and ready to grow.

Serving this organization has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional life.

Together, we have continued to build on MMAM's extraordinary foundation, expanded access to the arts, deepened community partnerships, and cemented MMAM’s commitment to creating meaningful conversations about our relationship with water.

I am grateful to each and every one of you for allowing me to insert some of my past experiences at the North House Folk School, American Swedish Institute, and the American Craft Council in the way we do our work at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

A former colleague of mine once reminded me that we are truly in this work together to not just count heads, but make heads count. The community that MMAM works in, the partners it works alongside, and the supporters who step forward who understand this have been the real champions in helping me drive the vision for MMAM forward in a way that can only be described as remarkable in my short tenure. It was the right time. It was the right place. And it was the right mix of people.

Today, MMAM is stronger than ever. Our talented staff, engaged Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers, and passionate supporters have helped position the museum as a cultural leader in our region and beyond. Through ambitious exhibitions, innovative educational programming, and community-centered initiatives, we have continued to grow our impact while remaining guided by a clear vision: creating a more compassionate and connected world for all.

I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. Yet what I will carry with me most is not a single exhibition, program, or milestone. It is the culture we have built. It is the way this community shows up for one another, embraces new ideas, and believes in the power of art to bring people together.

Throughout this transition, the Board of Directors will lead a thoughtful and inclusive process to identify the museum's next leader. I have every confidence that MMAM's next chapter will build upon the momentum, creativity, and sense of purpose that define this institution today.

The work of connecting people through art, fostering curiosity, and inspiring stewardship is bigger than any one individual. It is sustained by a community that believes in the mission and in each other.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your unwavering support of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. It has been an honor to serve alongside you, and I look forward to watching MMAM continue to flourish in the years ahead.