Very few nonprofit leadership roles in Talbot County can match the extraordinary duties and responsibilities of the Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. And very few of these institutions have had more curiosity about their new leader coming to town than CBMM’s newly-appointed Kristen Greenaway.
The Spy found out pretty quickly during our chat last week in Ms. Greenaway’s office why this kiwi buzz was circulating through the Mid-Shore.
A native New Zealander, Kristen Greenaway comes to the Eastern Shore in an almost story book way. With nonprofit executive positions with the likes of Cambridge University, the Sally Ride Foundation, and Duke University, CBMM’s new leader found exceptional executive opportunities in remarkably different landscapes in the world, but the glue keeping this sojourn together was her love and passion for boats.
In her first Spy interview, Kristen links the past with her recent appointment at the museum, and offers a “hit the ground running” priority list that seems like a locomotive leaving the station.
Spy Columnist and CBMM Board Member Howard Freedlander agreed to make the introduction:
In a matter of slightly more than three months, Kristen Greenaway, the new president of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM), has brought tremendous enthusiasm, intelligence and vision to the leadership of one of the Eastern Shore’s preeminent cultural and historical institutions.
Do I sound maybe a bit too impressed with this New Zealand-born museum professional? If so, I plead guilty.
I served on the search committee that had the wisdom to select Kristen as the museum president to succeed Langley Shook. An emeritus member of the board of governors, I also have served on a transition committee to provide the means for Kristen to meet a diverse group of people. She has exceeded our expectations in her ability to connect easily and comfortably with so many people in our community, enabling them to renew their ties to CBMM.
As the maritime museum plans its 50th drive, Kristen Greenaway has established a detailed, business-like plan to upgrade a museum already considered one of the best of its genre. She is dead set on strengthening exhibits, programs, marketing, visitor experience and the financial underpinning. She has created an unmistakable excitement.
Kristen Greenaway formerly was deputy director of external affairs at Duke University’s well-respected Nasher Museum. She left a first-class university to bring her skills and talent to another top-flight institution. We are very fortunate.
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