We're Making Changes!

We're making some changes to the MMA Web site. If you're looking for something and can't find it, or have some suggestions, don't hesitate to contact us (ssteele@michiganmuseums.org). Thanks for your patience!

New Executive Director

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce the selection of Susan M. Steele as our next Executive Director. Susan was selected from a pool of terrific candidates and promises to carry on in the tradition of excellence we've come to expect from previous Executive Directors.

Susan M. Steele was previously the Director of Alumni Communications at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She participated in strategic planning around marketing, PR, fund-raising and alumni relations; developed and implemented an overall communications strategy for alumni, donors and other external parties; led the process to redesign the alumni magazine, Legacy; developed key messages for the institution and various units; instituted UM-Dearborn's e-communications plan for alumni; and pioneered the use of social media and networking tools to engage university audiences.

Steele also spent seven years at The Henry Ford, managing the design and installation of new exhibit projects, including the award-winning Heroes of the Sky, a 43,000-square-foot exhibit exploring the earliest years of aviation.

Steele graduated summa cum laude from OaklandUniversity with a BA in English. I believe Susan Steele will bring a new set of skills and expertise to MMA. She will help lead our commitment to the service of our members and our efforts to articulate the importance of museums as places of learning, legacy, and community.

We are all very sorry to see Teresa leave, but are confident that the Michigan Museums Association will grow and prosper under Susan's leadership. Steele began her position as MMA director on June 8. After six years, Goforth departs near the end of the month to pursue a museum consulting career, teach museum studies, and spend more time with her family.

Heather Price
President, MMA Board of Directors


MMA 2009 Summer Gathering

Many thanks to the Honolulu House and the American Museum of Magic in Marhsall, Michigan, for being such wonderful hosts for our Summer Gathering. It was a great success!