American Association Of Museums

Arlington, VA · Founded 1937

National membership organization advancing excellence and equity in museums and cultural institutions

Primary audience
Museums and professionals
Work area
Professional association
Topic
Museum excellence
Contact
Marilyn Jackson

About Organization

The American Alliance of Museums serves as the professional association for museums across the United States. Based in Arlington, VA, the organization supports over 35,000 museum professionals through accreditation, professional development, and advocacy. With annual revenue of $10.9 million and a staff of 44 employees, it maintains standards and provides resources for museums of all types and sizes.

What They Focus On

Professional Standards

Maintains accreditation programs and ethical guidelines that define excellence in museum practice across all disciplines

Sector Advancement

Strengthens the museum field through research, data collection, and dissemination of innovative practices and trends

Museum Advocacy

Champions federal and state policies supporting museums as essential educational and cultural resources for communities

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$10.9M

+0% vs 2024

Assets (2024)

$15.5M

+0% vs 2024

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024
2024 $10,908,160 $10,717,931 $15,496,524 44
2022
2022 $10,152,689 $9,313,433 $15,937,363 42
2021
2021 $9,674,597 $7,925,867 $11,405,115 39
2020
2020 $6,706,612 $7,765,169 $10,353,160 43
2019 $9,789,665 $10,327,353 $10,810,598 45
2018 $12,931,702 $8,963,439 $10,370,320 46

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Standards Setting

    Establishes professional benchmarks and accreditation criteria for museums through collaborative peer review processes

  • 02

    Member Support

    Provides resources, training programs, and technical assistance to museum professionals across the country

  • 03

    Policy Advocacy

    Engages with federal and state policymakers to advance legislation and funding supporting museum sector

  • 04

    Community Building

    Convenes museum professionals through conferences and networks to share best practices and innovations

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Association Of Museums

Museum Accreditation

Sets and maintains professional standards through peer review and certification process for museums nationwide

Professional Development

Provides training, conferences, and educational resources for museum staff and leadership at all career levels

Advocacy and Policy

Represents museum interests in federal policy and advocates for funding and legislative support for cultural institutions

Excellence Programs

Delivers specialized initiatives and resources to help museums achieve operational excellence and community impact

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Association Of Museums.

Marilyn Jackson

Marilyn Jackson

President & CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $301,001
Julie Hart

Julie Hart

Senior Director, Practice Management & Institutional Learning
Full-time
Compensation: $116,488
Dean Phelus

Dean Phelus

Associate Vice President, Learning & Programs
Full-time
Compensation: $116,438
Natanya E Khashan

Natanya E Khashan

Associate Vice President, Marketing & Digital Experience
Full-time
Compensation: $113,128
Eileen Goldspiel

Eileen Goldspiel

Director, President's Office
Megan Lantz

Megan Lantz

Director, Connection & Belonging
Brianne Roth

Brianne Roth

Manager of Community Engagement
Susan Zwerling

Susan Zwerling

Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships
Danyelle Rickard

Danyelle Rickard

Assistant Director, Accreditation
Martha Sharma

Martha Sharma

Assistant Director, Accreditation
Diya Nagaraj

Diya Nagaraj

Manager of Institutional Learning
Nichole Westin

Nichole Westin

Senior Director, Government & Field Relations
Brandy Dillingham

Brandy Dillingham

Director, Advocacy
Cecelia Walls

Cecelia Walls

Assistant Director, Learning Content & Operations
Elizabeth Merritt

Elizabeth Merritt

Vice President, Strategic Foresight & Founding Director, Center for the Future of Museums
Ariel Waldman

Ariel Waldman

Learning Project Manager
Joseph O'Neill

Joseph O'Neill

Manager, Communications
Rachel Lee

Rachel Lee

Director of Marketing
Haydn Corrodus

Haydn Corrodus

Senior Manager, Social Media and Paid Ads
Carys Kunze

Carys Kunze

Research & Data Manager
BL

Brooke Leonard

Interim CEO Thru 4/22/24
Full-time
Compensation: $137,981
KW

Karol Wight

Director Thru 2/29/24
2 hrs/week
NR

Nathan Richie

Director Thru 5/31/24
2 hrs/week
MJ

Marilyn Jackson

President & CEO
JC

Jennifer Calvert Hall

VP, Advancement
Full-time
Compensation: $160,745
CC

Carol Constantine

Sr Dir.finance & Admin Thru 10/31/24
Full-time
Compensation: $130,248
RB

Ryan Bourke

Sr Dir. Mem & Rev Thru 12/31/24
Full-time
Compensation: $122,833
CF

Carlos Fabian Arroyo Rodriguez

Sr. Web Developer
Full-time
Compensation: $118,199
AK

Amy Kampf

Avp, Finance & Admin From 10/31/24
Full-time
Compensation: $107,688
AR

Alison Rempel Brown

Director
AF

Ann Friedman

Director
CC

Carole Charnow

Director
CR

Carrie Rebora Barratt

Director
CL

Charles L Katzenmeyer

Director
DB

Dina Bailey

Director
EF

Ellen Ferguson

Director
FB

Frederic Bertley

Director
HN

Hassan Najjar

Director
JX

Jay Xu

Director
JO

Jennifer Ortiz

Director
JC

Jessica Chavez

Director
LD

Larry Dubinski

Director
LF

Lori Fogarty

Director
MD

Marcia Dewitt

Director
PP

Patsy Phillips

Director
RB

Rebekah Beaulieu

Director

Milestones

1937

Organization Founded

1937

Established as the American Association of Museums to serve the growing museum profession

2018

Peak Revenue Year

2018

Achieved highest annual revenue of $12.9 million through expanded programs and membership growth

2020

Pandemic Response

2020

Adapted programming and advocacy during COVID-19 crisis affecting museums nationwide

2024

New Leadership

2024

Marilyn Jackson appointed as President and CEO marking new strategic direction

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Alison Rempel Brown
Alison Rempel Brown Director 2.00 hrs/week
AF
Ann Friedman Director 2.00 hrs/week
Carole Charnow
Carole Charnow Director 2.00 hrs/week
Carrie Rebora Barratt
Carrie Rebora Barratt Director 2.00 hrs/week
Charles L Katzenmeyer
Charles L Katzenmeyer Director 2.00 hrs/week
CH
Chevy Humphrey Immediate Past Chair 2.00 hrs/week
Devon Akmon
Devon Akmon Vice Chair 2.00 hrs/week
Dina Bailey
Dina Bailey Director 2.00 hrs/week
Ellen Ferguson
Ellen Ferguson Director 2.00 hrs/week
FB
Frederic Bertley Director 2.00 hrs/week
Hassan Najjar
Hassan Najjar Director 2.00 hrs/week
Jay Xu
Jay Xu Director 2.00 hrs/week
Jennifer Ortiz
Jennifer Ortiz Director 2.00 hrs/week
Jessica Chavez
Jessica Chavez Director 2.00 hrs/week
Jorge Zamanillo
Jorge Zamanillo Chair 2.00 hrs/week
Larry Dubinski
Larry Dubinski Director 2.00 hrs/week
LH
Linda Harrison Treasurer 2.00 hrs/week
Lori Fogarty
Lori Fogarty Director 2.00 hrs/week
Marcia Dewitt
Marcia Dewitt Director 2.00 hrs/week
Patsy Phillips
Patsy Phillips Director 2.00 hrs/week
Rebekah Beaulieu
Rebekah Beaulieu Director 2.00 hrs/week
Amy Bartow-Melia
Amy Bartow-Melia Executive Director, South Carolina State Museum (2025-2028)
Lori Bettison-Varga
Lori Bettison-Varga President/CEO, Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (2025-2028)
Le Monte G. Booker
Le Monte G. Booker President & CEO, Newfields (2025-2028)
AJ Goehle
AJ Goehle CEO & Principal, Luci Creative (2025-2028)
Charles Melcher
Charles Melcher Founder and CEO, Future Of Storytelling (2025-2028)
Nikki DeJesus Sertsu
Nikki DeJesus Sertsu Executive Director, Planet Word (2025-2028)
Dana Whitelaw
Dana Whitelaw Executive Director, High Desert Museum (2025-2028)

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$1.6M

Highest Paid

$342K

Marilyn Jackson

Compensated Officers

10

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Marilyn Jackson President & CEO From 4/22/24 $301,001 $40,970 $341,971 40
Jennifer Calvert Hall VP, Advancement $160,745 $8,542 $169,287 40
Carol Constantine SR DIR.Finance & Admin Thru 10/31/24 $130,248 $28,680 $158,928 40
Brooke Leonard Interim CEO Thru 4/22/24 $137,981 $16,012 $153,993 40
Dean Phelus SR.Director Of Special Projects $116,438 $29,867 $146,305 40
Julie Hart SR.Director Of Excellence $116,488 $22,310 $138,798 40
Ryan Bourke SR DIR. Mem & Rev Thru 12/31/24 $122,833 $6,854 $129,687 40
Carlos Fabian Arroyo Rodriguez SR. Web Developer $118,199 $6,000 $124,199 40
Amy Kampf AVP, Finance & Admin From 10/31/24 $107,688 $14,597 $122,285 40
Natanya E Khashan AVP, Marketing & Digital $113,128 $7,053 $120,181 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$1.5M

Total Forgiven

$1.5M

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

80

Loan Details 2 loans

$767,091
Forgiven
Forgiven: $772,828 100%
Approved Apr 11, 2020
Lender Bank of America, National Association
Jobs Reported 44
Forgiven On Jan 14, 2021
$742,752
Forgiven
Forgiven: $750,973 100%
Approved Feb 9, 2021
Lender Bank of America, National Association
Jobs Reported 36
Forgiven On Mar 24, 2022

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying
111 Registrations
76 Clients
Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 76 total

American Association For Justice
8 filings
Self
American Association Of Airport Executives
4 filings
Self
American Association Of Colleges Of Osteopathic Medicine
4 filings
Self
American Association Of Consumer Credit Professionals
4 filings
Self
American Association Of Nurse Anesthetists
4 filings
Self
American Association Of Colleges Of Nursing
3 filings
Self
American Association Of Nurse Practitioners
3 filings
Self
American Association For Homecare
2 filings
Self
American Association For Homecare (Aahomecare)
2 filings
Self
American Association For Marriage And Family Therapy
2 filings
Self
American Association Of Colleges For Teacher Education
2 filings
Self
American Association Of Community Colleges
2 filings
Self
American Association Of Crop Insurers (Aaci)
2 filings
Self
American Association Of Nurse Anesthesiology
2 filings
Self
American Association Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons
2 filings
Self
American Association Of Orthodontists
2 filings
Self
American Association Of Port Authorities
2 filings
Self
American Association Of School Administrators
2 filings
Self
American Association Of Teaching Health Centers
2 filings
Self
American Association Of Museums
1 filing
Self
Aanem American Association Of Neuromuscular And Electrodiagnostic Medicine
1 filing
Self
Acg Advocacy On Behalf Of American Association Of Publishers
1 filing
Self
American Association For Cancer Research
1 filing
Self
American Association For Clinical Chemistry
1 filing
Self
American Association For Dental Oral & Craniofacial Research
1 filing
Self
American Association For Dental, Oral, And Craniofacial Research
1 filing
Self
American Association For Homeopathic Products
1 filing
Self
American Association For Laboratory Accreditation (A2La)
1 filing
Self
American Association For Respiratory Care
1 filing
Self
American Association For The Advancement Of Science
1 filing
Self
American Association For The Treatment Of Opioid Dependence
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Advertising Agencies
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Bioanalysts
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Birth Centers
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Birth Centers (Aabc)
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Blood Banks, Dba Association For The Advancement Of Bloo
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Rehabilitation
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Colleges Of Osteopathic Medicine (Aacom)
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Colleges Of Pharmacy
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Collegiate Registrars And Admissions Officers
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Cosmetology Schools
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Exporters And Importers
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Healthcare Administrative Management
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Hip And Knee Surgeons (Aahks)
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Homecare
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Independent Music
1 filing
Self
American Association Of International Healthcare Recruitment
1 filing
Self
American Association Of Law Libraries
1 filing
Self

+ 26 more clients

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with American Association Of Museums

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2451 Crystal Drive 1005 Arlington, VA 22202