Beverly Morgan-Welch

Beverly Morgan-Welch was appointed Senior Deputy Director for External Affairs at The Museum of Modern Art in 2021. She directs the Museum's global strategic vision for development and fundraising, special programming and events, membership, marketing and creative strategy, and communications and public affairs. From 2015-2021, she was Associate Director for External Affairs for the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), the nation's most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting, and showcasing the African American story and its impact on US and world history. Beverly guided the completion of its capital campaign, directed the development of signature education and public programs, and built the visitor and guest services, special events, and communications and public affairs departments for the opening and operation of one of the world's most visible and celebrated museums. Prior to the Smithsonian, she was the executive director of the Museum of African American History (MAAH) in Boston and Nantucket, where she oversaw the management of three National Historic Landmarks-including the restoration of the African Meeting House, built in 1806 on Boston's Beacon Hill. At MAAH, she created the museum's first continuous programming for children and adults , and collectively leveraged its collections, exhibitions, educator institutes, lectures, and concerts to present the powerful history of New England's 18th and 19th centuries black abolitionist and entrepreneurial communities. Beverly has served as executive director of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, providing critical financial and organizational resources to support the arts and cultural sector, and helping people connect with the arts in their community. As Director of Development at the Wadsworth Atheneum, she secured a collection of some 7,000 objects and started a museum within a museum, the Amistad Center for Art & Culture. Beverly also previously held the positions of manager of community relations at Raytheon and Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, and Assistant Dean of Admission at Amherst College. In 2007 and 2011, Morgan-Welch co-chaired the Inaugurations of Massachusetts' Governor Deval Patrick and served on Transition Committees for former Governors Paul Cellucci and Jane Swift (1999-2000). A graduate of Smith College, her most recent awards include the Smith Medal (2009), an Honorary Doctorate for Public Service from Suffolk University (2014), the President's Distinguished Service Award from Bunker Hill Community College (2014), as well as awards from Roxbury Community College (2014), the Massachusetts Cultural Council (2015) and the Museum of African American History (2015).