Albright-Knox Hires Dr. Callie Johnson as Director of Communications and Community Engagement

Buffalo, NY - Today the Albright-Knox announced the appointment of Dr. Callie Johnson as the museum's first Director of Communications and Community Engagement, a new department that will play a key role in shaping the museum's identity locally, nationally, and globally. Dr. Johnson is an award-winning marketing, communications, and nonprofit leadership executive with more than fifteen years of experience.

'The heart and soul of any museum is its team,' said Dr. Janne Sirén, Peggy Pierce Elfvin Director. 'Inspiring programs and objects, including the world-renowned masterpieces that abound in our collection, are also important, but their significance pales in comparison to the human element. Dr. Johnson's impeccable credentials and outstanding scholarship, combined with her extensive experience as a leader and a communicator, will enable us to be more innovative than ever before and reach new audiences in Western New York and across the nation and the world. Callie is articulate, passionate in her pursuit of excellence, a true leader, and a team player, and we will thank her for many touchdowns in the years to come.'

'I am thrilled to be joining the Albright-Knox team during this incredibly important time in the institution's history,' said Dr. Johnson. 'I look forward to reimagining the ways in which the museum interacts with its community as a cultural cornerstone and a source of inspiration, while spreading the word around the world about the wonderful work that the museum does.'

At the Albright-Knox, Dr. Johnson will serve in an executive role as a member of the Leadership Team. Working in close collaboration with all departments, she will steward the rebranding of America's sixth oldest art museum, which is in the process of becoming the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, a transformation resulting from a $168 million campus development and expansion project scheduled for completion in the fall of 2022. Dr. Johnson will lead the Buffalo AKG's regional, national, and international communications and community engagement efforts with the objective of connecting people from all walks of life with the matrix of extraordinary arts and cultural experiences the museum offers through its programs and world-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art.

Dr. Johnson is the former Executive Vice President of Marketing for Girl Scouts of Western New York and a current member of the Forbes Communications Council, an invitation-only community for executives in communications, marketing, and public relations. Dr. Johnson will lead the development and implementation of a fully integrated marketing, communications, and community engagement plan to grow and fulfill the museum's mission by engaging and empowering audiences and encouraging lifelong learning and discovery.

Dr. Johnson, a Buffalo native, resides in East Amherst, New York. She is a graduate of Niagara University, Lewiston, New York, where she earned her PhD in Leadership and Policy (2018). She received a Master of Science in Global Business and Marketing from Daemen College, Amherst, New York (2010), and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with a minor in Sociology, from the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York (2007). Dr. Johnson has received numerous awards and recognitions during her career:

• She is the winner of two Buffalo Business First awards-40 Under 40 (2019) and 30 Under 30 (2013)-for making a difference both on the job and in the community.
• She is a Buffalo Niagara 360 Spotlight Professional (2014) for her career success and her commitment to strengthening the Buffalo Niagara region.
• She was awarded three Girl Scouts of Western New York Finance Certificates of Accomplishment-Budget (2021, 2020, and 2019) and a Commitment to Excellence Award-Marketing Subject Matter Expert (2018).

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