ADVANCE: Forward-Thinking Strategies for Belonging in Museums | Symposium 2025: Day 1

Описание: This year’s theme was ADVANCE: Forward-Thinking Strategies for Belonging in Museums: Lessons Learned & Pathways Forward. Whether you joined us in person or virtually, thank you for being part of this inspiring and impactful gathering. Your presence helped shape the conversation around what it means to truly foster belonging in museums, organizations, and communities.

Over these powerful days, we explored forward-thinking strategies, shared lessons learned, and highlighted best practices for advancing inclusion in cultural spaces.

We’re deeply grateful for your engagement, your ideas, and your commitment to this work. Together, we’re building a more inclusive future.

To view full bios, visit: https://toledomuseum.org/about/belong...
In order of appearance:
Rhonda Sewell, (she/her), community-centric culture amplifier for nearly 40 years engaged in impactful roles in journalism, higher education instruction, marketing/media relations, and advocacy & governmental affairs. Ms. Sewell is the current Director of Advocacy and External Affairs, Toledo Museum of Art (TMA).

Mikka Gee Conway, J.D., (she/her) attorney and museum professional with more than 30 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector. Most recently she was the inaugural Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer and Equal Opportunity Director at the National Gallery of Art, in Washington D.C.

Jessica Mack, (she/her), instrumental in building and strengthening relationships with local community centers, schools, churches, and libraries, and significantly expanding the museum’s outreach initiatives.

Dr. Maurice A. Stinnett, (he/him) experienced leader and expert in the areas of global leadership, strategic planning, organizational transformation, and inclusion & equity across corporate, nonprofit and education sectors. He served as the inaugural Global Head of DEI at Warner Music Group. Dr. Stinnet and previously was the inaugural VP of Diversity and Inclusion for BSE Global, owner of Barclays Center and the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.

Katie Shelley (she/her) is the Toledo Museum of Art’s Conda Family Manager of Access Initiatives. As a person with a physical disability, her interest in accessibility has shaped her life.

Rodney Eason, (he/him), Toledo Museum of Art Board member. Mr. Eason is a transformational leader with a passion for human capital strategy, talent manager, leadership development and over 25 years in operations management, training, safety and HR leadership.

Priya Frank, (she/her), seasoned consultant with over 25 years of experience specializing in racial equity strategy, philanthropic development, and community engagement. Ms. Frank’s career is defined by a proven ability to lead complex organizational change, most recently in a former senior leadership role at the Seattle Art Museum, where she spearheaded racial equity initiatives, curated impactful programs, and forged strategic community partnerships.

Tim Tegge, (he/him), Executive Director for The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio, a trusted nonprofit that empowers independence and enriches the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired. Mr. Tegge’s experience with The Sight Center has been as a low-vision client, then a two-term board member, and since 2015 a member of the staff.

Bee Davis, (she/her), pioneering data scientist, cybersecurity expert, author, storyteller, cultural strategist, and activist, whose work sits at the intersection of technology, social justice, and community advocacy. As a NASA-patented engineer and tech founder (Pandora, Eaze), Ms. Davis has led groundbreaking projects in AI, cybersecurity, and ethical data systems that have shaped and advanced equity in tech spaces. She advocates for data ethics, trans visibility, and Black liberation.

Roberto Bedoya, (he/him), profound writer and the former Cultural Affairs Manager for the City of Oakland, CA where he shepherded the City's Cultural Plan titled "Belonging in Oakland: A Cultural Development Plan". Known as the ‘Godfather of Belonging, his noted essays have reframed the discussion on exclusionary practices in cultural policy decision-making.

Grace Stewart, (she/her), responsible for leading the Alliance of American Museum’s (AAM) diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, and anti-racism initiatives as Associate Vice President of Coalition Building and Practice Management. Ms. Stewart is also an Adjunct Instructor at Heinz College | Carnegie Mellon University.

Adam M. Levine, the Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey director of the Toledo Museum of Art and a scholar of ancient art, is a transformative leader with a deep conviction that art inspires and museums are change agents.

This symposium is made possible with the generous support of Lead Sponsor Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, Sponsor Lehmann-Maupin, and additional support from Destination Toledo.