Marisa Bourgoin, Candidate for Nominating Committee

Professional Experience: Richard Manoogian Chief of Reference Services, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 2007-present. Archivist, Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1994-2007.

Education: BA, History of Art, Bryn Mawr College, 1988. MLS, University of Maryland, College Park, 1995.   

Professional Activities: Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference: Co-Chair, Program Committee, Spring Meeting, 2004. Parliamentarian, 2002-2004. Arline Custer Memorial Award Committee, 2001-2003. Meetings Coordinating Committee, 1999-2004. Steering Committee Member-at-Large, 1999-2001. Co-Chair, Local Arrangements Committee, Fall Meeting, 1998. Program Committee, Fall Meeting, 1995. Society of American Archivists: Program Committee, Annual Meeting, 2006. Vice-Chair/Chair, Museum Section, 2005-2007. Chair, Host Committee, Annual Meeting, 2001. Task Force on Intellectual Property Issues, 1996. Public Information Committee, 1995-1998. Host Committee, Annual Meeting, 1995. Smithsonian Institution Research Resources Grant Program Review Committee, 1997-1999. Art Libraries Society/North America, DC-MD-VA Chapter: Vice-Chair/Chair, 1999-2000. Secretary, 1995-1996.

Publications: “Outreach Programs,” Museum Archives: An Introduction, edited by Deborah Wythe, 2004. TV Weddings: An Illustrated Guide to Prime-Time Nuptials, with Mike Mashon, 1999. “Checklist,” The Corcoran Collects: 1907-1998. “Oak Hill Celebrates Its 150th Anniversary,” Washington History, 1999. “William Wilson Corcoran and the Encouragement of the American Genius,” Museum Archivist, 1999.

Question posed by the Nominating Committee: As SAA celebrates its 75th Anniversary, what does it mean to be a SAA leader in the 21st century?

Leadership in any group or organization requires some special qualities—knowledge of the issues at hand, commitment, willingness to listen to constituencies and learn from them, as well as enthusiasm. But although there may be some who are thought of as “natural leaders,” we all have the capacity if we are encouraged to pitch in.  AA’s 21st century leaders will, I believe, have great opportunities to contribute to the profession and our organization and are probably already doing so by leveraging resources, recruiting new members, and delving into the legislative, legal, and cultural issues of our time. While the tools have changed a bit, the essence of good leadership hasn’t and I’d hope to recruit candidates who have shown they understand the challenges and opportunities facing all of us.