LISA VAN DEMAN
Durham,NC
Summary
Inspirational leader and accomplished museum professional, with advanced skills in institutional and team management, change management, strategic planning and fundraising, Mission driven with strong work ethic, creative, adaptable and possessing exceptional interpersonal skills. Demonstrated success engaging with diverse stakeholders and audiences, resulting in productive relationships and strategic growth.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Creative Consultant
La Nube: The Shape of Imagination (Science Museum)
El Paso, TX
01.2022 - Current
- Hired to assist CEO in developing and managing a variety of planning and pre-opening essentials, including organizational development and staffing plan, establishment of community partnerships, departmental budgeting, for the new bi-lingual children's science center, scheduled to open in 2024
- Developed the visitor experience master plan for STEM programming for children, families and school groups, with primary focus directed at partnering with area school districts
- Wrote numerous grants and materials, including copy for tv promotions and the museum website.
Executive Director
Kidzu Children's Museum
Chapel Hill, NC
01.2014 - 09.2021
- Provided strategic and operational leadership of the museum, with a focus on STEAM, child health, and emerging literacy
- Steered the museum to financial sustainability through diversification of funding sources, increasing earned revenues, establishing new partnerships and internal re-structuring. Operating Budget - $1-1.2m.
- Spearheaded the museum's phased expansion plan and future re-positioning as the NC Children's Museum – serving audiences, on-site, off-site and on-line
- Focused extensively on development of community partnerships and relationship-building to ensure access for marginalized communities, refugee populations, neuro-diverse learners
- Directed fundraising strategies, including donor cultivation and stewardship
- Wrote numerous grants and was frequently awarded major corporate and foundation funding as well as state and federal support
- Nurtured and mentored a passionate, diverse team, establishing a culture of inclusivity, creativity and collaboration
- Direct Reports – 6; Total museum staff - 26
- Created and administered the integration of multiple academic collaborations with UNC-Chapel Hill, including The Nest, a Reggio-Emilia-based learning lab for early learners, caregivers, students and researchers.
Executive Director
North Carolina Arts in Action
Durham, NC
03.2008 - 01.2014
- Led the strategic growth and direction for the NC affiliate of the National Dance Institute, providing year-long in-school performing arts residencies to local Title 1 elementary schools utilizing the award-winning teaching methodologies of NDI
- Worked closely with Board of Directors to expand base of support, attracting new donors and long-term foundation partners
- Expanded the budget through extensive fundraising efforts, tripling organizational reach in 3 years
- Initiated and nurtured collaborative relationships with district leaders, school administrators, teachers and stakeholders
- Developed strategies to expand NC AIA regionally
- Developed organizational structure from the ground up, including staffing and HR, financial management, marketing, and strategic planning
- Direct Reports – 6 plus contractors.
Vice President/Exhibits & Programs
National Children's Museum
Washington, DC
09.2003 - 12.2007
- Championed the conceptual planning process for the National Children's Museum
- Served as the primary museum education expert and informal-learning advocate in meetings and presentations to prospective national donors and stakeholders
- Crafted and presented persuasive stories to support the museum's vision as a 'national' museum
- Developed numerous funding proposals/presentations in collaboration with internal and external fundraising professionals
- Authored the NCM Program Master Plan, with heavy focus on STEAM, encompassing all aspects of the visitor experience – exhibits, public and fee-based programs for all ages and stages of learners
- Developed national market positioning in collaboration with Just Kid, Inc
- Led internal and external focus groups and planning charrettes with identified museum, education and content experts
- Established the process for identifying and vetting exhibit firms, and managed firms hired to collaborate on the museum's conceptual design
- Directed and managed all aspects of closing The Capital Children's Museum, including de-installation and gifting of all exhibits, staff re-organization, extensive program outreach and community partnerships.
- Direct Reports - 5; Contractors
Vice President/Exhibits and Programs
Capital Children's Museum
Washington, DC
07.2000 - 01.2003
- Recruited to re-conceptualize and re-energize the visitor experience, including staff mentoring and re-organization, establishing new programming on- and off-site, formalizing relationships with area schools, increasing community partnerships
- Major theme areas: STEM, world cultures, visual and performing arts
- Forged relationships with DC public schools, and created avenues for access for marginalized communities
- Hired and mentored a dynamic team of creative program managers, exhibit developers and technicians
- Established program partnerships with a wide variety of informal educational and cultural organizations
- Developed traveling exhibit, Five Friends from Japan in partnership with Boston Children's Museum
- Hosted visiting dignitaries, political families and celebrities from around the world.
- Headed planning efforts for the eventual closing of the museum in preparation to become The National Children's Museum.
- Direct Reports - 6; Department Staff - 21
Director of Education and IMAX
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
Harrisburg, PA
06.1998 - 01.2000
- Developed and implemented program master plan for the new science center, including school, public, and fee-based STEM programming
- Developed STEM focused teacher materials, exhibit guides and activities
- Wrote and awarded multiple six-figure national grants to fund award-winning youth mentorship program
- Provided oversight to the installation and daily operation of IMAX theater
- Hired and supervised opening team of program managers and IMAX staff
- Direct reports – 4; Department Staff – 17 plus 30 youth program participants
- Developed and managed pre-opening and first year operational budgets for the department.
Director of Public Programs
Orlando Science Center
Orlando, FL
03.1991 - 06.1998
- Directed the development of STEM education programs for diverse audiences, ranging from informal activities to science theater productions, demonstrations, community outreach and distance-learning television production
- Managed a talented, diverse group of program managers, performers, technicians, and contractors
- Developed and administered nationally recognized youth mentoring program
- Direct Reports – 7; Department Staff - 16 + 30 youth
- Developed and managed a variety of grant-funded programs
- Represented OSC on national exhibit planning initiatives
- Adjunct Professor at Rollins College for 3 years, teaching undergraduate courses in Museum Theater
- Served as officer on AAM's Museum Theatre Professional Interest Council.
Public Programs Manager
Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago, IL
06.1989 - 03.1991
- Established MSI's first science theatre program, including staff hiring and supervision, script-writing, production direction and operational oversight
- Produced demonstrations on the museum floor, theatre productions in in-house theaters and for special education initiatives (Jason Project, Black History Month, etc.)
- Direct Reports – 4; Interpretive Staff - 12 p/t + seasonal
- Collaborated with Exhibits and External Relations Divisions to develop and implement programmatic elements for new exhibits, special events and city festivals
- Provided voice-over talent for specific exhibit components throughout the museum.
Education
M.F.A. - Theatre, Acting
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
A.B. - American and English Literature
Washington University in St. Louis
Skills
- Team Leadership & Development
- Growth Mindset
- Community Engagement
- Fundraising & Stakeholder Relations
- Empathy & Authenticity
- Communications
- Financial Management
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
- Strategic Thinking
- Creativity and Innovation
- Collaboration
- Adaptability & Flexibility
Accomplishments
- Triangle Movers and Shakers Business Leader 2011
- Chapel Hill Hometown Hero 2018
Activities
- Duke School Board Executive Committee
- Riverside High School Project Lead the Way Parent Committee Member
- Actor's Equity Association
- IMLS, NSF Grant Reviewer
Timeline
Creative Consultant
La Nube: The Shape of Imagination (Science Museum)
01.2022 - Current
Executive Director
Kidzu Children's Museum
01.2014 - 09.2021
Executive Director
North Carolina Arts in Action
03.2008 - 01.2014
Vice President/Exhibits & Programs
National Children's Museum
09.2003 - 12.2007
Vice President/Exhibits and Programs
Capital Children's Museum
07.2000 - 01.2003
Director of Education and IMAX
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
06.1998 - 01.2000
Director of Public Programs
Orlando Science Center
03.1991 - 06.1998
Public Programs Manager
Museum of Science and Industry
06.1989 - 03.1991
M.F.A. - Theatre, Acting
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
A.B. - American and English Literature
Washington University in St. Louis
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