This working group, whose facilitators are drawn from the American Association for State and Local History’s (AASLH’s) 2024 History Leadership Institute cohort, will discuss the evolution of leadership skills and training in the public history field and how social movements, DEAI, and trauma-informed practices have shaped this revolution. Focusing on democratizing work cultures and empowering leaders at all levels, this group will imagine a more humane and inclusive future for our field that fosters sustainability and diversity. Perspectives from all types of sites will offer case studies on humane leadership at work, bringing our mission and values into action internally, and the possibilities of a nuanced and humanistic leadership paradigm.
Facilitators: Aja Bain, American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
Ann Bennett, Howard County Historical Society
Janna Bennett, Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County
Araceli Hernandez, Nebraska State Historical Society
Maria Quintero, JFK Presidential Library and Museum
Discussants: Kristen Baldwin Deathridge, Appalachian State University
Vincent Barraza, Xavier University of Louisiana
Kara Knight, Minnesota Historical Society
Jackie Peterson, Empathetic Museum
Deana Thomas, University of Kentucky