A Few of My Favorite Things: Kelly Beam

Smithsonian staff and volunteers work countless hours in the halls of our museums and research centers, in the field, at the Zoo, in our gardens and facilities. We are privileged to spend time with some of the nation’s most cherished treasures as we go about our duties. Sometimes, these unique experiences find a special place in our own personal stories.  Amy Kehs introduces Kelly Beam and a few of her favorite Smithsonian things.

Kelly Beam’s career has always been about building something new with style. While studying engineering at UVA, she immersed herself in theater, eventually discovering stage management—a perfect blend of her passions. Her work on an off-Broadway production earned her a spot in the Actors’ Equity Union, launching her professional stage management career in Washington, D.C., where she also worked as an adjunct professor at American University.

Kelly Beam in her office with a view of the National Museum of the American Indian. Photo courtesy Kelly Beam.

In 1997, Kelly transitioned to digital innovation, joining Disney Online during the internet boom. She later took on e-commerce roles at the Wedding Channel, Discovery, Match.com and National Geographic, combining her technical problem-solving skills with creative thinking. Along the way, she earned a master’s in public administration from Harvard.

In 2020, Kelly joined Smithsonian Enterprises as SVP of E-Commerce, where she has been transforming digital commerce and enhancing customer experiences. At the Smithsonian, she has worked to expand the Institution’s e-commerce offering, launching a new SmithsonianStore.com website and reworking internal systems to support future growth. She also adopted forward-thinking marketing, spearheading limited-time merchandise drops centered around events or themes, such as the pandas, the solar eclipse and cherry blossom season. She appreciates the Institution for its unparalleled community of experts across countless fields. Planning a cicada-themed merchandise line? There’s an expert for that. Creating a Mars Rover collection? There’s an expert for that, too! The e-commerce website just recently started taking museum donations at checkout, and her team is currently working on enhancing the shop-by-museum experience in preparation for the nation’s 250th in 2026.

The record-setting Lockheed SR71 Blackbird at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Photo Credit: Dane Penland, Smithsonian

Kelly’s connection to the Smithsonian extends beyond her work. Her first favorite artifact is the SR-71 Blackbird at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Her grandfather, Wendell Roy Mangis, worked on the Blackbird, and his name is honored on the museum’s Wall of Honor. The SR-71, renowned as the world’s fastest jet-propelled aircraft, performed reconnaissance missions in some of the world’s most dangerous airspaces during the Cold War. Its unparalleled speed, groundbreaking technology and mission success have cemented its place in aviation history. Interestingly, her other grandfather, Harold Martin, also helped develop an innovative item in the Smithsonian collection—the CorningWare Casserole Dish at the National Museum of American History.

Wall of Honor Panel that contains the name Wendell Roy Mangis. (Smithsonian photo by Mark Avino)

Another favorite of Kelly’s is the building that houses the National Museum of the American Indian. Designed by Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal, its curved, flowing lines and textured limestone exterior evoke natural rock formations shaped by wind and water. Native plants and a tranquil water feature surround the building, symbolizing the deep connection between Native peoples and the environment. Kelly loves how its design reflects the natural world and stands out on the National Mall. She can see the building from her office and feels inspired by it while she works.

East entrance of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., with wetlands in the foreground.
Photo credit: ©Judy Davis/Hoachlander Davis Photography

Kelly’s third favorite is Places of Invention, an exhibition by the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History that was open from 2015 to 2023. The exhibit explored hotspots of innovation across U.S. history, highlighting how communities like Silicon Valley and the Bronx fostered groundbreaking ideas and technologies. Through interactive displays, multimedia features and historical artifacts, visitors explored the blend of people, resources and circumstances that fueled innovation in these dynamic places. She remembers taking her kids to see it and how they also loved how hands-on the exhibit was. Because whether it’s managing stages, pioneering digital strategies or connecting family to the future, Kelly knows that there’s value in something functional, but there’s fun in something with flair.

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