Philadelphia Museum of Art Names Lavita McMath Turner as the new Miller Worley Chief People Officer

Lavita McMath Turner_Miller Worley Chief People Officer_ Philadelphia Museum of Art.

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Philadelphia, PA (April 21, 2026) — The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lavita McMath Turner as the new Miller Worley Chief People Officer. In this role, McMath Turner will report to Daniel Weiss, George D. Widener Director and CEO, to oversee all aspects of the museum’s Human Resources Department and lead the institution’s DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access) strategies.

McMath Turner is a dedicated public servant with more than 25 years of experience as a catalyst for change across museums and higher education. Her key duties will include overseeing, planning, and managing all human resource functions; providing strong leadership for the human resources team; and being a champion of the PMA’s core values and commitment to attract, retain, advance, and support the institution’s diverse workforce.

Most recently, McMath Turner served as The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s (The Met) first Chief Diversity Officer since 2021. While there, she was the driving force behind integrating DEIA into the museum’s strategy, culture, governance, and operations.

“I am thrilled to welcome Lavita and her expertise to the PMA,” said Daniel Weiss. “Our museum has a great team, and we are looking forward to making it even stronger. We are continually striving to be a more inclusive and equitable institution, and I am extremely confident that Lavita will make a meaningful impact on our executive team. I have had the pleasure of working with her during my previous role at The Met and I know she will be an invaluable addition to our leadership.”

Previously, McMath Turner served as the Assistant Dean for Equity, Inclusion, and Experiential Learning at Stella & Charles Guttman Community College, City University of New York (CUNY), where she led strategies to shape the college’s equity, diversity, and inclusion plans, and provided solutions to equity gaps for students from diverse backgrounds. She was also the first Director of Government Relations at CUNY’s Kingsborough Community College where she spearheaded civic engagement efforts and was a tireless advocate for more equitable access to education. McMath Turner’s background also includes managing the Brooklyn Museum’s government relations department for six years, securing millions in public funding for capital projects, and enhancing the museum’s efforts to engage more deeply with the Brooklyn community.

“I am honored that the museum has entrusted me with this role,” McMath Turner said. “The PMA’s staff includes some of the best art professionals in the world. I am making a commitment to foster a collaborative, efficient, and respectful working environment, and I look forward to beginning this new chapter.”

In addition to her professional work, McMath Turner serves as a board member of ArtTable, a professional organization dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive arts community, where she advocates for leadership opportunities for women and nonbinary professionals in the visual arts.

McMath Turner holds a Ph.D. in Urban Education from The Graduate Center, CUNY; a Master of Science in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from the New School for Social Research; and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley.

McMath Turner will begin her new role at the PMA on July 1, 2026.

Media Contact
Philadelphia Museum of Art | Laura Coogan | laura.coogan@philamuseum.org

About the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a national and international destination for art, but first, we are Philadelphia’s art museum—for all of the many diverse communities of the city. Through our collections, exhibitions, events, educational activities, celebrations, and more, the museum is a storyteller, and we welcome everyone to be part of the story—our doors are wide open. To learn more, visit www.philamuseum.org