MAAM Announces New Executive Director

Gretchen Sorin, President of the Mid Atlantic Association of Museum’s Board of Directors announces that Kahla DeSmit has been named as the new Director of the organization and will begin in her position on July 5, 2023. In this role she will lead the major museum organization serving New York, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and Washington, D.C.

DeSmit will work with the board to support museum professionals throughout the mid-Atlantic region
through programs, mentoring, and a range of local and regional resources. She will also plan and coordinate MAAM’s popular annual conference (Wilmington Delaware, October 2023) and its national Building Museums Symposium that supports architects, museum planners and engineers as well as museum professionals in sharing information on the design, construction and renovation of museum spaces throughout the United States.

Kahla DeSmit is the former Executive Director of the Lewisburg Children’s Museum. Previously she worked as the Interim Visitor Services Manager at Gracie Mansion in New York City. She also served as an interpretive writer at the Museum at Bethel Woods. DeSmit holds a B.A. degree from Susquehanna University and an M.A. degree from the SUNY Oneonta Cooperstown Graduate Program.

“I grew up exploring museums and know firsthand that we have so many wonderful organizations in our region. I’m very much looking forward to working closely with the diverse museum professionals that MAAM serves, to support and strengthen this vast community of museums,” reflects Ms. DeSmit about her new position.

“The MAAM board is thrilled to welcome Kahla DeSmit as our new director,” commented Board President, Sorin. “She brings an ideal background in education, leadership, and museum practice to the position. Her enthusiasm for what museums can be, and how they can serve their communities is infectious and we look forward to working closely with her, with our membership, and with our business partners to support the museums and public audiences of our region.”

DeSmit succeeds Caroline Brown, who recently took a position as Director of Development, Schenectady
County Historical Society.