The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), has announced the appointment of Marilyn Jackson as its next president and CEO following an extensive national search. Jackson will begin the role on 22 April 2024.
Jackson is currently serving as president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky. She has been working in the cultural sector for fourteen years and is an experienced strategic nonprofit leader, a committed champion for education, and approaches income development with an entrepreneurial mindset. Jackson will be the first person of colour and the first Black woman to lead AAM.
Jorge Zamanillo, chair of AAM’s Board of Directors and founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, comments: “We are thrilled to announce Marilyn Jackson as the next President and CEO of AAM. Marilyn brings the right combination of museum, nonprofit, higher education, foundation, and organizational experience. A creative and forward-thinking leader, I am confident that she will lead AAM to even greater success in the years ahead.”
A new chapter for museums
Under Jackson’s direction, the Ali Center has implemented a new business strategy and exceeded revenue targets. It also revamped its website to position itself as the foremost digital platform for learning about Ali and his lasting impact.
Jackson also led the establishment of the Center for Humanity and Justice, which serves as a hub for the organisation’s impact programmes. These include curriculum development, youth leadership initiatives, DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) training, and professional development for educators.
The Louisville Business Journal recognised Jackson’s contributions to the Ali Center with the 2023 Most Admired CEOs award.
Before this, Jackson worked as the chief strategy and engagement officer at the United Way of Metro Chicago. This $55m organisation is dedicated to strengthening neighbourhoods and communities by improving healthcare, education, financial stability, and safety for all Chicago residents.
Her previous positions also include director of marketing at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, vice president of marketing and membership at the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF), and manager of strategic planning and special initiatives at Six Flags theme parks (a Time Warner Company).
She is a board member of the nonprofit Trotter Project, which promotes food security. She has also served on the boards of the Wolcott School, which helps students with learning disabilities, and the IAPPA Museum Committee.
Jackson was born in Jamaica, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BS in Biology and Society from Cornell University.
She says: “Museums and cultural institutions are vital assets that play crucial roles in educating, uniting, inspiring, delighting, and fostering empathy in our communities. I am honored to embark on the journey of leading the museum sector into an exciting new chapter, building upon the successes achieved under AAM’s current strategic plan, and exploring innovative ways to foster growth and enhance the sector’s support for our communities.”
Extensive search
The search was led by a committee, chaired by Dr Chevy Humphrey, immediate past chair of American Alliance of Museums’ Board of Directors and president and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, together with Russell Reynolds Associates.
Humphrey comments: “It’s been an honor to chair the search committee for AAM’s next leader. In Marilyn, we found a visionary and transformative leader who will help drive AAM to new and different heights. Her strong leadership and marketing skills, coupled with her firsthand experience working and collaborating with different museums, will serve AAM and its members exceptionally well.”
Jackson replaces former president and CEO Laura Lott. The Board of Directors has thanked Brooke Leonard who has served as AAM’s interim CEO since June 2023. She will return as AAM’s vice president of strategic initiatives and chief of staff. Jackson will be introduced by the Alliance Board at the 2024 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo in Baltimore in May.
Last month, the American Alliance of Museums announced that its latest issue of TrendsWatch has been made available to its members. TrendsWatch: Navigating a Volatile Future provides a detailed discussion of three key themes: Culture Wars 2.0, AI Adolescence, and Decarbonizing the Future. It will be made available to all, for free, in March.
