TORONTO, December 11, 2019 – Josh Basseches, Director & CEO of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) announced today the appointment of Susan Fruchter as Deputy Director for Museum Operations & Chief Operating Officer. In this new role, Fruchter will manage the Museum’s operations as well as the implementation of the ROM’s new 10-year Strategic Plan.
“Susan is one of the most highly accomplished museum executives in North America,” says Basseches. “With almost two decades of experience leading the operations of two of the largest and most prestigious museums in the world, Susan brings a unique combination of skills to this position. She's that rarest of leaders, whose experience bridges culture and science and includes extensive work in government-supported institutions. As COO, Susan will play an instrumental role helping advance our Strategic Plan.”
In this position, Fruchter will be responsible for the organization’s operational strategy and execution. As Deputy Director & COO, Fruchter will manage much of the Museum’s administrative infrastructure, including directing the day-to-day implementation of the ROM’s Strategic Plan.
Most recently, Fruchter served as Deputy Director, and in 2018 as Interim Director, of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., leading the transformation of its facilities infrastructure and its exhibition and programming strategy. Prior to that, she was Associate Director of Operations at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, with oversight of operations and long-range planning. In this role, she successfully integrated public programming, exhibitions, collections and research, drove revenue-producing activities such as retail sales and food and beverage, and launched new education programs. Fruchter has also held senior positions at Washington’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) agencies.
“I'm delighted to be joining the ROM and am eager to work with an extraordinary senior leadership team to realize the Museum’s vision and transformation,” says Fruchter. “During my career, I've had the privilege to build stronger, more agile and thriving organizations, and I'm excited about the ROM’s future as a global cultural institution.”
Fruchter is joining the ROM at a dynamic time as the Museum charts a new course for the future, developing and delivering relevant and high-impact programs and exhibitions in art, culture and nature to audiences at home and around the world.
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