Anna Altschwager Email & Phone Number

Eagle, Wi

Focused on envisioning and executing visitor-focused exhibits and programs that encourage wonder, connection, and engagement while delivering sustainable, fiscally sound, world-class experiences. Assumed an additional Interim Assistant Director role leading PK-12 Education for the Wisconsin Historical Society, successfully coordinating, creating and executing a comprehensive 12-month organizational launch plan. • Foster agency, critical thinking, and stronger communities by placing stories into the hands citizens and fostering immersive engagement within a large, dynamic living history environment. • Build, retain standout teams by recruiting top talent, providing individualized training, and fitting leaders into vital roles; directly managing and supporting 40+ permanent, project, and seasonal staff.• Developed innovative interpretive approaches to achieve targeted outcomes by evaluating and re-conceptualization daily operating models, schedules, budgets, and program offerings.• Streamlined and expedited the hiring and onboarding of 75+ full and part-time seasonal staff and volunteers by designing a strategic training program focused on accessibility, storytelling, service recovery, and emergency communications. • Drive investment and mission-driven achievements through foundational funding and support from local / regional partnerships • Increased attendance and net revenue by 50%+ in 24 months by developing a diverse slate of seasonal programs.• Successfully designed and supported multi-track programs by creatively allocating limited budgets, staffing, and resources. • Foster diversity, equity, and inclusion by centering universal design and accessibility, including dementia friendly initiatives. • Drive innovation and creativity by actively piloting new interpretive approaches with formative and summative evaluation. • Optimize operations and standardize processes by instituting program planning, reporting, and evaluation systems.

Columbus, Ohio

Recruited to fill two distinct roles focused on realizing the mission of the Ohio History Connection across separate interpretive sites through the leadership of large, creative teams of education specialists, historic interpreters, event managers, and customer service representatives. • Drove the launch of a new museum project through actively managing interpretive planning and program development for museum galleries and pilot projects. • Established sustainable program support by forging new partnerships and collaborations with key corporate / non-profit partners, including Whole Foods Market, Columbus City Schools, PBS Kids, and VSA Ohio. • Realized sustained attendance growth and increased visitor satisfaction through proactive leadership to cast vision, drive buy-in, and establish a culture of holistic guest service excellence. • Facilitated the complete organizational rebrand to maximize the promotion of annual slate of mission-based programs by partnering with Collaborated with Marketing and Communications teams• Harmonized programs with organizational initiatives through close cross-functional collaboration with key external stakeholders, internal teams, and organizational leaders to facilitate strategic planning and alignment sessions.• Managed 18 staff people and robust volunteer corps, overseeing hiring, training, and assessment

Led the concept, planning, and creation of a diverse spectrum of award-winning natural history exhibition experiences by leading innovative, production-focused project teams consisting of researchers, designers, media producers, educators, and writers. Key projects included Tang Hall of China, Abbott Hall of Restoring Earth, Lascaux, Grainger Hall of Gems, Gary Comer Gallery, Crown Family PlayLab, Evolving Planet. • Protected core funding and stability by acting as a critical liaison for events and programs and prioritizing strong donor and corporate sponsor relations in partnership with Institutional Advancement. • Secured innovative and engaging projects / initiatives by negotiating and securing exhibit agreements internationally.• Facilitated collaboration between internal teams, museum-wide community, contractors, organizations, and stakeholders. • Maximized allocation of project budgets ranging from $5k to $3.5M to produce exhibits within tight resource parameters. • Expanded organizational profile / reputation by professionally representing institution with local, regional, and national media. • Selected by Executive Director for participation and representation within mission planning committee and board relations.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Cooperstown Graduate Program, History Museum Studies, Graduated With Honors

Ba, Art History And Material Culture