Beth Ziebarth selected as Deputy Head Diversity Officer

Secretary Bunch announced Ziebarth’s appointment as part of the Smithsonian’s efforts to expand its accessibility and outreach efforts as part of our overall commitment to workplace diversity.

Currently serving as the Interim Head Diversity Officer and director of Access Smithsonian, Ziebarth will assume her new role as the Deputy Head Diversity Officer Monday, April 4. 

Over the last year, Ziebarth has played a critical role assessing and generating recommendations regarding the Institution’s diversity, equity, access and inclusion (DEAI) efforts, leading working groups that responded to Executive Orders on these topics. During Ziebarth’s 20-year tenure with Access Smithsonian (formerly known as the Smithsonian Accessibility program), the office broadened its work to include five signature programs designed to meet the diverse needs of audience members and staff. These programs include Morning at the Museum, a sensory-friendly program for families of children with disabilities, and See Me at the Museum, an interactive program for adults with dementia and their care partners; both developed in collaboration with Smithsonian museum educators. 

Ziebarth began her association with the Smithsonian as a volunteer. She worked for seven years as a Social Science Analyst in the former Institutional Studies Office (now SOAR), conducting visitor studies; co-edited the 2020 eBook Inclusive Digital Interactives: Best Practices and Research, and founded the Smithsonian Disability Employee Resource Group in 2021. She also is a frequent public speaker who presents internationally on disability, diversity, and accessibility topics. 

“In her role as Deputy HDO, Beth will maintain her Access Smithsonian portfolio, while also moving forward the Smithsonian’s internal DEAI efforts as we continue to search for a permanent HDO,” said Secretary Bunch. “Beth will work to bring together DEAI cohorts around the Smithsonian to build a community, serve as a lead advisor and participant in the implementation of our strategic initiatives, and develop opportunities to bring DEAI resources into the Institution,” he continued.

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