News
March 8, 2024
Honouring Women’s History Month
We hope you’ve had a wonderful month filled with stories of women and their accomplishments. But before Women’s History Month comes to a close, we’d love to share these fantastic women we’ve been deeply honoured to work with. These exceptional nominees were put forth when we asked our team: “Who is making the world a better place through culture?” As a woman-led firm, we will continue talking about the contributions and leadership of women in the cultural sector all year long!
Now on to our nominees…
Grace Wong
Board Chair, Chinese Canadian Museum
“My nominee for Women’s History Month is Grace Wong, a driving force for establishing the Chinese Canadian Museum, which opened last summer in Vancouver, British Columbia. The museum serves as a testament to Chinese Canadian experiences, contributions and heritage while elevating and engaging with voices and communities across the country.
Grace’s pioneering efforts working with government and community in establishing CCM mark a significant milestone in preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Chinese Canadians. With unwavering dedication, Grace has championed the recognition of the invaluable contributions of Chinese Canadians to the country's social, economic, and cultural tapestry.
Grace has brought to light untold stories, fostering understanding and unity. Her vision transcends boundaries and bridges generations. Her leadership is profoundly deserving of recognition.”
- Kathleen Brown, Senior Practice Leader
At Lord, we have been honoured to work with the CCM since 2018, when we were first engaged to develop a plan for implementation of the museum. In 2020, we were reengaged to develop a business and facility plan for the Vancouver site in the renovated Wing Sang building, and in 2022 we were retained again to support interpretive and operational strategies.
Vickery Bowles
City Librarian, Toronto Public Library
“My nominee is Vickery Bowles. Under her guidance, the Toronto Public Library has evolved into a vibrant hub of learning and inclusivity, offering a wide range of programs and services to meet the diverse needs of its patrons. Vickery has been instrumental in expanding access to digital resources, ensuring that all members of the community have the opportunity to learn and grow regardless of their socio-economic background. Beyond her role as a librarian, Vickery has been actively involved in promoting literacy initiatives and supporting marginalized communities.
Most recently, Vickery shepherded the library through a malicious ransomware attack that affected the city’s estimated 1.2 million users, including the city’s most vulnerable. (Always a librarian, she even took the opportunity to offer information and help educate others on how to avoid similar attacks.)
It's been an honour to work with Vickery, and incredible to see the impact of her advocacy on the lives of countless individuals throughout Toronto.”
- Dov Goldstein, Vice President
Lord Cultural Resources worked collaboratively with the Toronto Public Library to develop a Cultural Plan for the Research and Reference (R&R) Tier and Special Collections.
Honorable Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson
Chair, National Endowment for the Arts. Washington D.C.
“I’d love to nominate the incredible Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson for her exemplary contributions to the fields of arts, culture, and community development. For decades, Jackson has championed equitable access to the arts, advocating for under-served communities' representation and participation. Her expertise in cultural policy and urban planning has shaped numerous initiatives, fostering vibrant cultural landscapes that celebrate diversity and heritage. Jackson's leadership roles in government and academia underscore her commitment to social justice and civic engagement.”
- Jamie Bennett, Thought Leader and Associate Consultant
Through the support of the Barr Foundation, LCR helped plan and produce “Healing, Bridging, Thriving,” an unprecedented national summit co-hosted by The White House Domestic Policy Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. You may read the Administration’s readout of the event here.
Stacy Coon
Director of the Oneida Nation Museum. Oneida, Wisconsin
“We are nominating Stacy Coon for working tirelessly to safeguard the Oneida Nation’s collection and communicating the Nation’s history and culture to Tribal members and visitors of all backgrounds.
With an emphasis on community engagement and collaboration, Stacy has revitalized the museum as a beacon of cultural pride and understanding, showcasing the heritage and traditions of the Oneida people authentically and inclusively.”
- Katherine Molineux and Lisa Wright, Principal Consultants
We are so honoured to be working alongside Stacy and the team to re-envision the new museum which will include more space to house and care for a growing collection, as well as exhibitions, programming and events.
Valeda Dent, PhD,
Emory University’s first Vice Provost for Libraries and the Michael C. Carlos Museum
Atlanta, Georgia
“I am pleased to nominate Dr. Valeda Dent for her extraordinary work. In her position at Emory University, she and her team play a pivotal role in shaping research and programming support for a variety of institutional initiatives including student flourishing, AI.Humanity, and inclusive museum practices.
Dr. Dent’s academic research includes studying the impact of chronic poverty on rural development, rural libraries in Africa and related literacy and reading habits, ethnographic approaches to understanding the user experience and pervasive technologies. Her dedication to fostering diverse perspectives and enhancing accessibility to resources has empowered countless scholars and learners. It was an absolute honour to work with her and learn from her. Read more about Dr. Dent.
- Brad King, vice president, Lord Cultural Resources
Dr. Dent was a valued contributor to Brad's recently published book, New Directions for University Museums, sharing her expertise in a chapter called ‘The University Perspective: Defining Value to the Institution."
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