Leadership Forum | $299 [add-on ticket for 2025 AMMC Cleveland; space is limited; registration open from 8/13/24 to 3/17/25]
This component of the conference was launched in Houston 2023 and has been expanded based on feedback. With programming geared towards senior-level Membership professionals and repeat attendees of AMMC, Leadership Forum participants will connect with a trusted cohort of peers before the conference via a virtual networking session. During an exclusive session on the first day of the conference, participants will have the opportunity to discuss trends and key indicators with industry expert Colleen Dilenschneider from IMPACTS Experience. In Cleveland, Leadership Forum participants will also enjoy networking opportunities to share and discuss the challenges of managing complex membership programs in a changing world.
Upon your return home, you will participate in two online sessions to continue the conversation and gain valuable insights that will positively impact both your organization and the museum membership field in general. The Leadership Forum fee also includes online access to the cohort between conferences.
Recommended for the individual that has primary responsibility for membership at their institutions. To ensure the cohort is as broad as possible within our space constraints, we request each organization select one individual to participate. If you would like to be considered for an exception please reach out to Ruth White.
This component of the conference was launched in Houston 2023 and has been expanded based on feedback. With programming geared towards senior-level Membership professionals and repeat attendees of AMMC, Leadership Forum participants will connect with a trusted cohort of peers before the conference via a virtual networking session. During an exclusive session on the first day of the conference, participants will have the opportunity to discuss trends and key indicators with industry expert Colleen Dilenschneider from IMPACTS Experience. In Cleveland, Leadership Forum participants will also enjoy networking opportunities to share and discuss the challenges of managing complex membership programs in a changing world.
Upon your return home, you will participate in two online sessions to continue the conversation and gain valuable insights that will positively impact both your organization and the museum membership field in general. The Leadership Forum fee also includes online access to the cohort between conferences.
Recommended for the individual that has primary responsibility for membership at their institutions. To ensure the cohort is as broad as possible within our space constraints, we request each organization select one individual to participate. If you would like to be considered for an exception please reach out to Ruth White.
2025-26 Leadership Forum Schedule
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 12:00 pm-1:00 pm PT / 1:00 pm-2:00 pm MT / 2:00 pm-3:00 pm CT / 3:00 pm-4:00 pm ET | VIRTUAL
Cohort Welcome Session
The first session in the series will introduce Leadership Forum co-chairs Mindee Kashiwagi, Director of Membership at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy; Aidan Vega, Vice President of Individual Giving and Membership at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; and Jennifer Garza, Chief Administrator of Membership and Guest Services at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Our AMMC Board President, Tiffany Tessada, Director of Membership and Annual Giving at Seattle Art Museum, has also been an integral part of shaping the program and a key committee member.
Join us to meet your cohort of leaders in the membership-based fundraising field and gain insights into the program's structure, conference sessions, post-conference opportunities, and resources for connecting with fellow members.
This virtual session will also offer a chance to engage with other membership leaders and begin building valuable connections. Plus, attendees will receive an exclusive sneak peek of the AMMC strategic plan.
Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm ET | IN-PERSON at Hotel Cleveland
Sunday Night Happy Hour
For those of you who are in town, join fellow Leadership Forum cohort members for an informal get together and a no-host drink at Maker, the hotel restaurant and lounge. Let’s raise a glass, deepen relationships and kick off the conversations!
Monday, May 19, 2025 | 8:00 am-9:00 am ET | IN-PERSON at Hotel Cleveland
Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast and networking with your fellow Leadership Forum colleagues.
Cohort Welcome Session
The first session in the series will introduce Leadership Forum co-chairs Mindee Kashiwagi, Director of Membership at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy; Aidan Vega, Vice President of Individual Giving and Membership at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; and Jennifer Garza, Chief Administrator of Membership and Guest Services at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Our AMMC Board President, Tiffany Tessada, Director of Membership and Annual Giving at Seattle Art Museum, has also been an integral part of shaping the program and a key committee member.
Join us to meet your cohort of leaders in the membership-based fundraising field and gain insights into the program's structure, conference sessions, post-conference opportunities, and resources for connecting with fellow members.
This virtual session will also offer a chance to engage with other membership leaders and begin building valuable connections. Plus, attendees will receive an exclusive sneak peek of the AMMC strategic plan.
Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm ET | IN-PERSON at Hotel Cleveland
Sunday Night Happy Hour
For those of you who are in town, join fellow Leadership Forum cohort members for an informal get together and a no-host drink at Maker, the hotel restaurant and lounge. Let’s raise a glass, deepen relationships and kick off the conversations!
Monday, May 19, 2025 | 8:00 am-9:00 am ET | IN-PERSON at Hotel Cleveland
Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast and networking with your fellow Leadership Forum colleagues.
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Monday, May 19, 2025 | 9:00 am-10:30 am ET | IN-PERSON at Hotel Cleveland
Leadership Forum Session It’s Cool to Be Kind: What Members Value & What This Means for The Future The last several years have been hard for Americans, from the pandemic to economic difficulties and more. But with these hardships have come some benefits for museums: elevated trust perceptions, increased (digital) connectivity, and a belief that museums are assets to their communities. Today, it’s cool to be kind – and with this emphasis on care and kindness comes a unique moment for museum membership programs. People believe that being a museum member makes them a better friend, neighbor, or parent, and in this session, Colleen Dilenschneider will show the data on why that matters for museum membership programs. Dilenschneider will also discuss opportunities to further cultivate caring and how trends are manifesting themselves in museum membership data, from the top benefits of membership to the best thing about being a member and member views of museum’s missions. Finally, Dilenschneider will provide an overview of how much Americans care about arts and culture – and what this means for membership leaders. This presentation will encourage museum membership leaders to consider their own programs and strategic approaches. Colleen Dilenschneider is the Managing Partner of IMPACTS Experience and oversees audience engagement initiatives on behalf of clients in the cultural sectors. Colleen uses data to identify and predict emerging market opportunities, and helps nonprofit organizations maintain relevance and secure their long-term financial futures by building affinity with their onsite and virtual audiences. Colleen has worked with many of the most admired and successful entities in the nonprofit realm, and currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors at the National Aquarium. She is the author and publisher of the popular website Know Your Own Bone, a data-informed resource for cultural organizations, and has been frequently featured as an expert resource in publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Washington Post. Colleen earned her undergraduate degree from The University of Chicago and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. |
Erin Phillips
Jennifer Garza
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October 16, 2025 | 12 pm PT / 1 pm MT / 2 pm CT / 3 pm ET [60 minutes] | VIRTUAL
How to Lead in a Changing Field Join industry veterans Jennifer Garza, Chief Administrator for Membership and Guest Services at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Erin Phillips, Founder of Pennington Gray, for this lively discussion on how to lead your program during this major time of transition for museum membership programs. During this session, we’ll talk about overall industry trends. We’ll then drill down using the MFAH as a case study to learn how you can lead through ambiguity, staff changes, and institutional goals. We’ll talk through practical applications on how to prioritize; the evolving "client" and "agency" relationship; advancing your knowledge of what’s possible through your network; and, how you can best prepare your institution now for the future. Our time together will include a breakout session with your peers to explore how to apply these learnings. This program was designed for live participation and as such will not be recorded. |
April 23, 2026 | 12 pm PT / 1 pm MT / 2 pm CT / 3 pm ET [60 minutes] | VIRTUAL
Details coming soon.
Details coming soon.