Jul
27

Participants named for 2021 Palmer Leadership Program

Targeted at the GS/IS 13 and 14 levels, this program is designed to enhance participants’ professional development and to create a pan-institutional team that can assist the Smithsonian in implementing our strategic initiatives.

Graphic template showing various leadership qualities

The Smithsonian Leadership Development Program was created in 2007 to cultivate the next generation of leaders at the Smithsonian. The program provides professional development, training and mentoring designed to create a pan-Institutional team ready to face the Smithsonian’s future challenges and opportunities. The program was renamed in 2012 to honor National Board Member Russell E. Palmer’s continued support and guidance of this important initiative.

This years’ participants were announced July 26 by Antonio Guzman, director of the Office of Human Resources:

Amaral, Bryan National Zoological Park
Barker, Katharine B. National Museum of Natural History
Beck, Kimberley Smithsonian Office of Protection Services
Chinen, Junko National Museum of Natural History
Dikow, Rebecca Office of the Chief Information Officer
Green, Allison Office of Advancement
Hartigan, Eileen M. Smithsonian Facilities
Kelley, Marybeth Smithsonian Associates Program
Kline, David Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Lewis, Cathleen National Air ＆ Space Museum
Lione, Brian M. Museum Conservation Institute
Marsh, Joanna Smithsonian American Art Museum
McCunney, Lauren Smithsonian Facilities
Montez, Rodolfo Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Murray, Grace Freer-Sackler Galleries
Pitty, Jimena J. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Pobiner, Briana National Museum of Natural History
Prabhu, Allison National Museum of African American History ＆ Culture
Rausch, Jeremy Office of Contracting & Personal Property Management
Robinson Simms, Denise National Museum of African American History ＆ Culture
Smith, Monica National Museum of American History
Wallace, Shannon Smithsonian Office of Protection Services
Williams, Doretha K. National Museum of African American History ＆ Culture
Wilson, Terrell Smithsonian Office of Protection Services
You, Yao-Fen Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

This year’s Selection Board spent hours reviewing applications and coming to consensus on the participants. Special thanks are due its members for lending their time and expertise to the selection process:

  • Dr. Wystan Benbow, Astrophysicist andDirector of VERITAS, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
  • Bonnie Campbell Lilienfeld, Assistant Director for Curatorial Affairs, National Museum of American History
  • Teng Chamchumrus, Executive Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Education
  • Charlotte Gaither, Director of Constituent Engagement, Office of Advancement
  • Dr. Rebecca Johnson, Associate Director for Science and Chief Scientist, National Museum of Natural History
  • Dr. Cynthia Chavez Lamar, Acting Associate Director for Collections and Operations, National Museum of the American Indian
  • Aviva Rosenthal, Director, Office of International Relations.
  • Dr. Brandie Smith, Acting Director, National Zoological Park

Information about the program, its eligibility requirements, and the application and selection processes can be found on the PLDP main page. If you are interested in the program, you are encouraged to check the site regularly for updates.

Related posts:

Animated gif of Greenaway drawingDon’t burst our bubble–It’s almost spring, isn’t it? A tropical rainforest with a waterfallEvery drop of water in the world has flowed through the tropics at some point. Museum facade lit with colored lightsICYMI: Highlights from the week that was June 2 – June 8, 2019 Baseball stampICYMI: Highlights from the week of April 4 – April 8, 2022

Posted: 27 July 2021
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.