Qm² Roundtables for Executives

Roundtables are peer learning groups in which leaders from diverse organizations meet regularly to support, challenge, and learn from one another. Currently more than 80 leaders from around the nation participate in one of 8 roundtables, six for museum directors, one for development directors, and one for senior museum professionals.

Dialogue with other leaders helps clarify issues and convert concern into practical action. An experienced Qm² facilitator chairs the roundtable to produce the maximum benefit for each participant. The chairperson keeps the agenda on target and fast paced. The chair has extensive experience in organizational coaching, exceptional interpersonal skills, and contributes practical concepts and tools at each session.

The strength of a roundtable lies in the support, fresh perspective and challenges you receive from your peers, as well as the structure, tools, and innovation provided by Qm².

"I feel that the process has been central to our Strategic Planinng effort amoung other things. We've gotten to the heart of a new mission through Qm2 leadership."

Kathy Fleming, Executive Director of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum.

“I have been a roundtable member for 9+ years. I do not imagine leaving the group as long as I am in the field. If I were to leave my present position, my roundtable membership would be one of the items in my new package.”

Ralph Calhoun Executive Director of Biedenharn Museum & Gardens

In the picture above, Ralph takes in the view from atop the St. Augustine Lighthouse, along with fellow roundtable member David Donath, President of the Woodstock Foundation/Billings Farm & Museum.

“I have found [the roundtable] an enormous help, not only with managing the daily issues of running a museum, but as a professional, confidential support group. I would not have been able to weather the 50% cut by the city so well without them.”

Sunnee Spencer, Executive Director of the Arizona Museum for Youth

Here Sunnee is getting a little R&R at one of the roundtable meetings in St. Louis. Sunnee became director of her museum just before the City of Mesa announced a massive budget cut.

“I consider [the roundtable] the best investment I have made for my growth as a leader as well as the growth and improvement of the organization!”

Sharon Bradham Executive Director of Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mt. Vernon, Illinois

In this photo Sharon is discussing the six million dollar capital campaign she is leading.

"I can honestly say that this concept has been one of the most important drivers of our recent successes.”

Amy Lent, Executive Director of the Maine Maritime Museum,

Amy is refering to one of the key concepts discussed in the roundtable, “civic leadership,” in which the museum director steps up to being a civic leader, using the museum’s resources to help achieve a vision for the entire community.

Here she appears with Deborah Schwartz, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Historical Society, at a roundtable meeting in Baltimore.

"It was a great meeting last week.  Thanks for organizing our issues and, as always, making sure that we address all of the burning issues.  I always admire how you manage to encourage us to solve our own problems.  Thanks for being a friend, counselor and much more."

Catherine Wilson Horne, President/CEO

EdVenture Children's Museum

“Stimulating, fun, thought-provoking, challenging, sometimes gut wrenching and always supportive conversations”

Nan Miller, former Executive Director

Children's Museum of Richmond

"This roundtable is a real highlight for me—both in my professional and personal life. My employees always look forward to my "newest tricks" and have come to appreciate the value of the many rich benefits we all receive.

Each meeting of the Roundtable is rejuvenation.  The very welcome and much needed regular opportunity to listen to and talk with other EDs helps me put the demands of my job in perspective, inspires important new insights, and provides very practical advice as well.  Mary is an amazingly gifted facilitator and that's really what makes the Roundtable work so well."                                            

Janice O’Donnell

Executive Director

Providence, RI

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