National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library Reconfigures Staff, Prepares for the Future
The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) recently announced four new hires and one promotion. The changes precede a massive effort to move, elevate and expand the iconic cultural museum and library in Czech Village.
“The museum staff is being reconfigured to meet our organization’s ambition -- to be more relevant, efficient and impactful than ever,” said Vice President for Development, Jason Wright. We are pleased to have these passionate, talented people on board as we move forward with our rebuilding plans.”
The NCSML promoted Janet Stoffer to a newly created position as director of operations. Stoffer was with NCSML as a tour guide from 1992 – 1994, and returned in 2000. She has served in numerous capacities, most recently as director of programs and education. Under Stoffer’s leadership, the NCSML saw tremendous growth in the number and quality of educational programs and public events.
Andrea Jilovec is the new director of education and programs. Jilovec is currently developing public programs and educational curricula to accompany the new exhibition, Rising Above: The Story of a People and the Flood, opening this spring. Prior to joining the NCSML staff, Jilovec was the education coordinator at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.
Rosamund “Rosie” Johnston joined our staff as the oral history project coordinator. This new position was funded by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Johnston will coordinate efforts to record the personal stories, family sagas and community histories of émigrés from Czechoslovakia who settled in Washington DC, Cleveland and Chicago. Johnston hails from Scotland, but spent the last few years working as a reporter for Czech Radio in Prague before moving to Cedar Rapids to join the NCSML.
Douglas Smith came on board as the director of retail and business development. Smith has over 27 years of business experience. He managed retail development at The Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the Indianapolis Museum of Art in Indiana. He has expertise in product development and packaging, for which he won several national awards. Smith is in charge of developing the NCSML Museum Store, including the online store.
Lindsey Buchheit joined the NCSML administrative team as database manager. This position is responsible for the management and implementation of the fundraising database and prospect management system. Buchheit began her career in fundraising at RuffaloCODY, where she was top fundraiser for the Museum of Science in Boston as well as the National Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati. She also served as the development director for KRFC 88.9 FM Community Public Radio in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is the nation’s foremost institution preserving and interpreting Czech and Slovak history and culture.