Alana Ryder appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that the Mystic Museum of Art (MMoA) has appointed Alana H. Ryder as its new Executive Director. The nationwide search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger. Ryder will assume her position on December 1, 2025.

‍Ryder joins MMoA following her tenure as Director of Fellows and Cohort Programs at the Art Bridges Foundation, a major national arts philanthropy dedicated to expanding access to American art. There, she launched and led the Foundation’s signature programs supporting emerging museum leaders and institutional partnerships across the country. Previously, Ryder held management and curatorial roles at the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center at SUNY Buffalo, where she created the Community Gallery program to showcase and support local artists.

Ryder brings to MMoA a strong record of innovation in museum programming, leadership development, and audience engagement. At Art Bridges, she built a new department and oversaw program strategy and budget, helping partner museums across the United States strengthen access, equity, and professional pathways in the arts. Earlier in her career, she directed university and public programs at the Wexner Center, where she managed endowed lectures, major grants, and initiatives linking artists with academic and community audiences. Ryder holds an M.B.A. from The Ohio State University; an M.A. in History with Museum Studies from SUNY Buffalo; and a B.A. in History of Art from the University of California, Berkeley.

“Alana is a dynamic and forward-thinking leader who combines a deep understanding of the museum field with a genuine passion for community connection,” said Breck Perkins, President of Mystic Museum of Art’s Board of Directors. “Her national perspective, creative energy, and proven ability to build partnerships will be invaluable as we advance MMoA’s mission and strategic vision for the future.”

“I am honored to join Mystic Museum of Art and to carry forward its legacy as a center for creativity and connection,” said Ryder. “Mystic’s artistic heritage and its active community of artists create a unique opportunity for dialogue, learning, and inspiration. I look forward to working with the Board, staff, and community partners to expand the Museum’s reach and deepen its impact in the region and beyond.”

Katherine Demsky Appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH) has appointed Katherine Demsky as its new Executive Director. The nationwide search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger. Demsky assumed her position on September 15, 2025. 

Demsky brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in museums and nonprofit organizations. Her professional background highlights strengths in strategic planning, program development, fundraising, and team leadership, paired with a deep alignment to values of compassion, equity, and service. She currently serves as International Tour Program Coordinator for ROW Adventures, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and will relocate to Houston from Portland, Oregon.

Demsky’s career spans multiple continents, reflecting her ability to build bridges across cultures. She has spent over a decade living and working in Nepal, India, and in China, where she helped establish the Lumbini Museum at the birthplace of the Buddha, led global retreats for Tergar International, a global meditation and education organization, and developed community-based programs supporting women’s empowerment in Nepal. She has also worked for the Portland (OR) Children’s Museum and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, China.

As Executive Director, Demsky will lead EGMH in implementing its strategic vision, broadening community partnerships, and strengthening its role as the first museum in the Americas dedicated to the life and values of Mahatma Gandhi.

“We are delighted to welcome Katherine as the next leader of EGMH,” said Atul Kothari, Chair of the Board. “Her breadth of experience and her passion for advancing cultural and educational missions make her an ideal fit to guide the Museum into its next chapter of growth and impact, and to deepen our role as a resource for Houston and beyond.”

“I am honored to join the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston,” Demsky said. “The Museum’s mission to advance peace and nonviolence through education and cultural understanding resonates deeply with me. I look forward to working with the Board, staff, and community to build on EGMH’s achievements and expand its reach as a unique institution dedicated to dialogue, reflection, and learning.”

Meg Hagyard appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures has appointed Meg Hagyard as its new Executive Director. The nationwide search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Suzanne Tan. Hagyard assumed her position on October 27, 2025.

‍A longtime Tucson resident and respected arts leader, Hagyard brings more than two decades of experience in the museum and arts-and-culture sector, where she has dedicated her career to advancing access, engagement, and sustainability for cultural institutions.

Hagyard most recently served as Chief of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives at the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, where she led major fundraising initiatives, expanded community partnerships, and supported organizational growth. Her previous leadership roles include Director of Development and Institutional Advancement at MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art), as well as senior positions with the University of Arizona Museum of Art and the Center for Creative Photography.

Throughout her career, Hagyard has demonstrated a passion for connecting art and community. Her work often explores the intersection of arts, health, and well-being, fostering collaborations that highlight the transformative power of creativity.

The appointment of Hagyard marks an exciting new era for The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. Building on the strong foundation established by founders Patricia and Walter Arnell, Hagyard will guide the Museum in expanding its programs, partnerships, and visibility both locally and nationally. 

“Meg’s deep experience in arts leadership, her commitment to community engagement, and her strategic vision make her an ideal fit for The Mini Time Machine,” said Chad Goebel, President of the Museum’s Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to welcome her as we continue to celebrate the artistry of miniatures and inspire imagination across generations.” 

“I am honored to join The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures,” said Hagyard, “a truly unique institution that delights and inspires people of all ages through its blend of creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. I look forward to working with the staff, Board, and community to envision the Museum’s next chapter and to build upon its wonderful sixteen-year history.”

Harry Philbrick appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that the Newport Art Museum has appointed Harry Philbrick as Executive Director. The nationwide search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger.

A native Rhode Islander whose career spans galleries and museums from London to Philadelphia, Philbrick has spent the last three decades as the leader of distinguished arts institutions such as The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Museum. 

Philbrick is currently serving as the Interim Director of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Museum and previously served as Interim Director of the Fabric Workshop and Museum, where he led the artist-centered institution through a strategic restructuring. He will start work in Newport in mid-September, taking over from Interim Executive Director Ruth Taylor. 

In 2016, Philbrick founded Philadelphia Contemporary, a visual and performance arts nonprofit that connected the community through place-based installations and programming. He served as Director until 2023, and in that time raised more than $10 million. Prior to that, he was Director of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Museum and Director of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. At The Aldrich, Philbrick led a $9 million capital campaign to open a new building, helped grow the endowment from $9 million to nearly $30 million, and led the Museum’s renowned exhibition program. 

Philbrick’s other professional roles include staff lecturer at the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, both in New York, and head of the exhibition lecture program at Hayward Gallery in London. Philbrick has an MFA from the University of London. 

“Harry is an extraordinary talent who will lead the Newport Art Museum into a future that honors the past yet remains innovative and relevant,” said Chair of the Board Ellie Voorhes. “This Museum has been a vibrant cultural hub in Newport for more than a century. Harry appreciates our legacy, understands our strategic plan, and has a strong vision for continued growth.” 

“Art, creativity, and their power to bring people together have always been at the center of my life and career. The Newport Art Museum is uniquely positioned to foster those connections,” said Philbrick. “I am excited about the possibilities the Museum has to connect communities within and around Newport, and to make a national impact in the years to come.” 

Benjamin Neely Appointed President and CEO

We are pleased to announce that the York County History Center has appointed Benjamin Neely as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Neely brings significant experience in museum management and historical programming to his new role. He most recently served for six years as Chief Executive Officer of the Berks County History Center in Reading, PA. Before that, he was with the Adams County Historical Society in Gettysburg, PA for fourteen years, the last seven as Chief Executive Officer. His background in central Pennsylvania’s cultural institutions provides him with valuable insight into the unique challenges and opportunities facing regional history centers. Neely holds an M.A. in Applied History from Shippensburg University, PA, and a B.S. in Marketing from the State University of New York, Oswego.

Throughout his career, Neely has shown a commitment to making history accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. His experience spans various aspects of museum operations, including collections management, educational programming, and community outreach. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Benjamin Neely to lead the York County History Center into its next chapter,” said Dennis Baughman, Chairman of the History Center Board. “His extensive experience in museum leadership and his proven track record of engaging communities with their local history make him the ideal candidate to advance our mission of preserving and sharing York County’s rich heritage, and to lead the History Center’s continued growth and evolution as a vital cultural resource for the region.”

“I am honored to join the York County History Center and look forward to working with the dedicated staff, volunteers, and community members who make this organization so special,” Neely said. “York County has such a rich and fascinating history, and I’m excited about the opportunity to help share those stories in new and engaging ways while building on the strong foundation that already exists.”

Neely succeeds Joan Mummert, who retired at the end of April. Terri Altland, Vice President of Visitor Engagement, served as interim President and CEO since May 1 and will continue to support the organization during the transition period.

Mindy N. Besaw appointed Director

We are pleased to announce that Mindy N. Besaw, Ph.D., is the new Wilma E. Kelley Director of the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University Bloomington.

Besaw brings more than two decades of curatorial and museum leadership experience with a focus on innovative exhibition design, expansive storytelling, and academic collaboration. She will assume her position on August 15, 2025. The search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant, Suzanne Tan.

Besaw currently serves as Director of Fellowships, Research and University Partnerships and Curator of American Art at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Since joining the institution in 2014, she has curated major exhibitions that examine wide-ranging narratives in American art and has championed initiatives that center underappreciated artists and voices. She has been instrumental in leading the Museum’s Tyson Scholars of American Art Fellowship Program, and in the foundation of the University of Arkansas’ Master of Arts in Art History, which specializes in arts of the Americas in partnership with Crystal Bridges. Earlier in her career, Besaw served as curator at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, where she oversaw the Whitney Western Art Museum. Her work has explored intersections of place, identity, and history in American visual culture.

Besaw earned a doctorate in American art history from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and holds a master’s degree in art history and museum studies from the University of Denver. At the Eskenazi Museum, Besaw succeeds David Brenneman, who became Director and CEO of Telfair Museums, Savannah, on September 1, 2024.

As Director, Besaw will oversee all facets of the Eskenazi Museum of Art’s strategy, operations, and engagement, including exhibitions, collections, teaching partnerships, and public programming. Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, she will guide the Museum’s next chapter as a dynamic center for visual arts education, interdisciplinary scholarship, and cultural dialogue. 

“Mindy is a visionary leader whose curatorial excellence and collaborative spirit make her an exceptional choice to lead the Eskenazi Museum of Art,” IU Bloomington Provost Rahul Shrivastav said. “Her deep commitment to expansive practice, community engagement and academic partnership will further elevate the Museum’s impact at IU and across the region.”

Noel Herden appointed as Executive Director

The Ellen Noël Art Museum (ENAM) has named Nicole Herden as its Executive Director. She began work on April 14. The national search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant, Dan Yaeger.

She most recently served as Executive Director of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, where she ran a multidisciplinary organization with an accredited art museum, theater, and art school. Her previous experience includes Executive Director at the Museum of Nebraska Art as well as curatorial and collections roles at Boise Art Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, and Arizona State University Art Museum.

Herden is an accomplished museum executive with over twenty years of experience in leadership, curatorial practice, and institutional transformation.

“Nicole has a blend of skills in museum management, art scholarship, fundraising, and community building that are an excellent fit with our Museum,” ENAM Board President Karmen Bryant said. “Her leadership will help us move into our new facility and chart a course for the coming years.”

ENAM is currently constructing a new 36,000-square-foot facility set to open in late 2025, which has been funded through a $20-million capital campaign. Bryant cited Herden’s experience with large-scale museum construction projects and fundraising. “She checked all the boxes for us,” Bryant said.

In addition to opening the new museum and launching new exhibitions in the galleries, Herden is charged with leading a strategic-planning effort that focuses on new opportunities generated by the new facility, galvanizing community support, and leveraging the Museum’s status as a Smithsonian Affiliate and AAM-accredited institution to serve visitors and the community.

Scott O’Donnell appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Scott O’Donnell as Executive Director of the Museum of the Southwest. He will begin work on April 1, 2025. Dan Yaeger, Senior Search Consultant for Museum Search & Reference, led the national search.

O’Donnell brings more than 30 years of experience in organizational leadership, museum administration, and event management. Most recently, Scott served for eleven years as the Executive Director of Circus World, a 64-acre living-history museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the historic headquarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Museum is the largest and most comprehensive circus museum in the world with more than 11,000 works of art, historic artifacts, and ephemera in addition to twice-daily seasonal circus performances.

In addition to his museum work, Scott served in leadership positions at Live Nation, an international entertainment and event-production company, where as Vice President of Festivals, he oversaw major music festivals, concerts, and venue operations around the country. He was also General Manager of the Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston, as well as Vice President and General Manager of the Big Apple Circus, a nonprofit touring circus with an international following.

As Executive Director of MSW, O’Donnell will lead the Museum’s efforts to prepare for its 60th anniversary in 2026 with a new strategic plan and branding, an initiative to create a new Visitor Center to unify its campus of museums, and by leveraging the Museum’s status to serve visitors and the community as an institution accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.