'Museum Doctor': Cultural Executive, Consultant, Content Designer
My Bio
I am a versatile and innovative cultural consultant with experience advising more than 55 museum and cultural projects worldwide. Most recently I was the director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. My specific expertise is in finding innovative ways to connect cultural resources (collections, ideas, stories, research, space and staff) to new audiences.
Who Am I
I have raised two young adults- best training anyone could ask for (is one ever done mothering?) and a dog. I live in Johannesburg for now- but have lived in Washington DC, Barcelona Paris, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Johannesburg, Durban, Christchurch, and Harare. In my salad days, I was a youth worker, jazz poet, playwright and cartoonist.
founding director, institute for creative repaiR, 2023-
Repairing people, communities, cities and institutions through arts, culture and heritage. Cultural Incubation, Consulting, Project Initiation and Execution, Stakeholder Relations.
Director, smithsonian national museum of african art, 2021-2023
I joined the Smithsonian in 2021 and started transforming NMAFA into a 21st Century Global African Art Museum with a focus on Institutional Transformation, African Art Experiences and Knowledge Production. As director, I was responsible for vision and mission, strategic planning, organizational structure, budget, fundraising, board liaison. I was able to restitute the Benin Bronzes we had in our collection back to Nigeria,
Independent Consultant, 2018-2021, 2023-
I am currently working as an independent consultant, offering a number of professional services in museum planning, exhibition interpretation, content design and writing.
Head, Content and Strategy, Kossmann.dejong, Netherlands, 2017-2018
I worked with award-winning exhibition designers Kossmann.dejong to help shape their interpretive approach to exhibitions, strategic planning, new business development and content development.
I had a number of positions at Lord Cultural Resources:
· Principal Consultant, Lord Cultural Resources, 2012-2016
· Head of Strategy Lordculture, Paris, France 2012-2013
· Senior Consultant, Lord Cultural Resources, Toronto, Canada, 2008-2012
This was an amazing project that I started with journalist Stephanie Nolen. We worked on developing the museum for a number of years- pioneering new public programs (Healing through Memory) and the Virtual Memorial. Ultimately however we bowed out of the project- as, although South African- I was far away from the country and couldn't give it the time that it deserved.
Director, Space Marketing and Investments, Johannesburg, RSA, 2007- 2008
Founder, Museum of AIDS in Africa, 2008-2015
Director, Europe, Lord Cultural Resources, 2008-2016
An incredible opportunity which started with the challenge to transform the image of "Ponte" one of Johannesburg´s most iconic buildings. I worked with the real estate developers to change the narrative of this building to align with the exciting urban regeneration happening in downtown Johannesburg. Ultimately the position turned into one in which I was co-director of the sales and marketing arm of the developers.
Working with leading brand experience agency to develop the exhibitions side of their business.
Head of Exhibitions, VWV, Johannesburg, RSA, 2006-2007
Creative Director, Born Free Media, Johannesburg, RSA, 2006
Creative director and script editor for award-winning television and film production company.
Key part of the founding team of Ochre Heritage- a spin-off from Ochre Media and the place where I transitioned from working in television to working in museums and culture.
Senior Consultant, Ochre Heritage, Johannesburg, RSA, 2003-2006
Producer/Director, Ochre Moving Pictures, Johannesburg, RSA, 1999-2003
I worked as a television executive producer, producer, director for this leading South African film and television company.
Director, e.y.e. video, Toronto, Ontario 2002-3
I started a not-for-profit organization training marginalized youth in using video to tell their stories.
Producer TVOntario, Mind the Gap, Studio 2, 1996-7
I developed a television column focusing on youth issues, for long-running news magazine show Studio 2 for TV Ontario.
Videographer, Road Movies, 1992-3
While still at student, I was selected as one of 8 young people to star and produce in a prime-time television series celebrating Canada´s 125th Anniversary. We traveled across Canada identifying and shooting stories that we felt were important to us and for the country as a whole.
Education
Master of Arts, Media and Cultural Studies, cum laude, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa, 1998
Bachelor of Journalism (Hons), with distinction, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, 1996