For Immediate Release
ARLINGTON, VA – The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community, today announced new board leadership and seven newly elected members.
Appointed as AAM’s incoming Chair of the Board is Devon Akmon, Director, Michigan State University Museum. “At this pivotal moment for museums, I am honored to serve alongside the talented and dedicated AAM board members, leadership team, and staff,” said Akmon. “As we enter a strategic planning year, I look forward to working together to chart a bold, responsive course for the work ahead.” Akmon previously served as a Senior Consultant with the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management and as the Director of the Arab American National Museum, during which the museum was named an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Jorge Zamanillo, Founding Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and Chair of AAM’s Board from 2023-2025 will remain as Immediate Past Chair of the Board through Akmon’s term.
In addition to Immediate Past Chair Board Chair Jorge Zamanillo, Founding Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, the Alliance board announced the following officer appointments:
- Marcia DeWitt, Trustee, Biggs Museum of American Art, as Vice Chair (2025-2026)
- Larry Dubinski, President & CEO, The Franklin Institute, as Treasurer (2025-2026)
In addition to these appointments, the AAM board welcomes seven leading professionals who will serve three-year terms beginning this May. “These past four months have reinforced just how vital advocacy is for our members,” said Marilyn Jackson, AAM President & CEO. “Our new Board members bring expertise in government relations and communications, and fresh perspectives that have historically been underrepresented on our Board. The inclusion of voices from industry partners and those working in rural and conservative communities strengthens our work and expands our reach in meaningful ways. I look forward to advancing a resilient, member-driven organization that reflects the full spectrum of our field and the communities we serve.” The incoming board members are:
Amy Bartow-Melia is the Executive Director of the South Carolina State Museum (SCSM), an AAM-accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated museum. Before joining the SCSM, Amy spent over 20 years at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in various leadership roles. She has served as Chair of AAM’s Accreditation Commission and as a member of AAM’s Excellence in DEAI Task Force, as well as on several nonprofit boards, including the National Council for History Education. Amy was the founding director of two arts nonprofits, The London International Gallery of Children’s Art and Children’s’ International Art Outreach (CIAO). She holds a B.A. in Anthropology and Education from the College of William and Mary, an MAT in Museum Education from the George Washington University, and is a graduate of the Getty Museum Leadership Institute and the Smithsonian Leadership Development Program.
Lori Bettison-Varga has led the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County since 2015. She oversees NHM in Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall. A passionate educator, Dr. Bettison-Varga aims to connect visitors and the public to science, nature, culture, and history both inside and beyond the Museums’ walls. A geologist who received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, Dr. Bettison-Varga previously served six years as President and W.M. Keck Foundation Presidential Chair at Scripps College in Claremont, California. She was elected as a 2022 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest scientific society, in recognition of her contributions to undergraduate education and broad public involvement with science.
Le Monte G. Booker, Sr. is the current President and CEO of Newfields, the renowned 152-acre cultural institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Newfields houses the Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Garden, and the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. Booker most recently served as Chief Financial Officer of The Field Museum in Chicago, where he briefly stepped in as interim President and CEO. His outstanding contributions earned him recognition as a 2023 not-for-profit finalist for “CFO of the Year” by Financial Executives International Chicago. Booker’s career also includes senior leadership roles at Easter Seals’ national office, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Uhlich Children’s Advantage Network. He holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University. His board service includes roles with the CPA Endowment Fund, Asian Human Services, and as President of the CFO Roundtable of Chicago. Booker serves on the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee.
AJ Goehle is the CEO of Luci, an award-winning national design firm recognized for its innovative experiential museum exhibitions. With visionary leadership and a passion for transformative storytelling, AJ guides Luci in creating unforgettable “imprint experiences” that shape how visitors understand themselves and the world around them. Beyond Luci, AJ actively contributes to the museum and design communities through speaking engagements at venues such as TEDx and involvement in professional organizations, including ASTC, AIGA, SEGD, and the Women Presidents’ Organization. She currently serves on the executive committee of TEA’s North America Eastern Board and on the Titan 100 CEO Board. AJ has been twice honored as a global top 50 museum influencer by Blooloop and recognized as a Titan 100 CEO.
Charles Melcher is the Founder and CEO of Future of Storytelling, a creative studio focused on how storytelling and technology are developing in the twenty-first century. For over a decade, FoST has created groundbreaking live gatherings such as the FoST Summit and Festival and produced original content, apps, websites, films, and experiences for international brands and media companies. Currently, Melcher is writing “The Future of Storytelling: How Immersive Experiences Are Transforming Our World,” a first-of-its-kind book on immersive experiences, to be published by Workman Publishing in November 2025. He sits on the board of immersive theater company Punchdrunk International, is an advisor to art collective Meow Wolf, and is part of the Committee for Photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Melcher is also the Founder and CEO of Melcher Media, Inc, which works with leading brands, media companies, and individual authors to help them tell their stories via beautifully illustrated, interactive books.
Nikki DeJesus Sertsu is the Executive Director of Planet Word, a role she assumed in 2023 following several years first as a consultant and then as the museum’s Senior Director of Exhibits and Special Projects. Prior to Planet Word, Sertsu owned and managed a boutique consultancy, DeJesus and Associates, for fifteen years. Cultural clients and projects included the White House Visitors Center, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the D.C. History Center, and the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience in Meridian, Miss. Earlier in her career, Sertsu served as Founding Executive Director/CEO of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. Ms. Sertsu received a B.S. in Political Science from Tuskegee University and a M.S. in Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis from the New School for Social Research.
Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., joined the staff of the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon in 2008 and has served as its executive director since 2014. Raised in Oregon, she earned her doctorate in biological anthropology from the University of Colorado Boulder, conducting research that took her to Madagascar, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and China. During that time, Dana became inspired by the work museums do to energize and engage visitors with learning and discovery. Under Dana’s leadership, the High Desert Museum became a Smithsonian Affiliate, has experienced record attendance, and earned the prestigious 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Dana was recognized in 2024 with Oregon State University Cascades’ Distinguished Service Award, which honors those who have made exceptional contributions to the region and beyond.
See the full list of the Alliance’s board of directors.
The Alliance is grateful to the board members whose service ends this year: Chevy Humphrey, President & CEO of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (who served as Chair from 2020-2023 and Immediate Past Chair from 2024-2025) and Linda Harrison, Director & CEO, The Newark Museum of Art (who served as Treasurer in 2024). Their leadership has been instrumental in fulfilling the Alliance’s mission and strategic goals.
About the American Alliance of Museums
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos. Since 1906, we have been championing museums through advocacy and providing museum professionals with the resources, knowledge, inspiration, and connections they need to move the field forward.
###
Press Contact:
Natanya Khashan
