Management

The South Australian Museum is managed by a Board of eight people with a diverse range of business, arts, science and cultural expertise. They determine the strategic direction for the Museum, and are responsible for the obligations of the Museum as determined by the South Australian Museum Act 1976. The day-to-day operations of the Museum are the responsibility of the Executive team. The Executive team approves internal decisions relating to running the Museum and aid the Board in achieving the strategic objectives of the Museum.

Museum board

The Board of the South Australian Museum oversees the management of the Museum in accordance with the South Australian Museum Act 1976, and state and federal government regulations.

The Board consists of a maximum of seven members. Each member is appointed to a three year term. Board members are eligible for reappointment for a maximum of three consecutive terms. Board members are appointed by the Governor of South Australia.  

Chair

• Professor Robert Saint AM

Members

• Erma Ranieri

• Vicki Wilson

• Sue Edwards

• Marnie Hughes-Warrington

• Teri Whiting

• Chris Daniels

• Brett Miller

Executive team

The South Australian Museum Executive Team is led by David Gaimster, Chief Executive Officer. Who is responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the Museum.

The other members of the Leadership team are: 

Shakhlo Rasulova, Chief Financial Officer

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the provision of strategic financial advice to the CEO and the Museum Board and ensures high quality and efficient financial and management accounting services as well as efficient and timely financial and audit reporting are provided to the Museum. This role is also responsible for the leadership and management of the Museum’s facilities management, ICT and central administration functions.

Justine van Mourik, Director, Engagement

The Director, Engagement, is responsible for managing exhibitions and programs, both intrastate, interstate, and internationally, as well as managing the Museum’s overall visitor experience, communications and marketing and membership program. This includes increasing the connectivity between the Museum’s collections and research and their presentation to the public through engaging and informative exhibitions, community and outreach programs and education initiatives as well as the provision of retail and visitor services.

Adam Moriarty, Director, Collections & Research

The Director of Collections and Research is responsible for directing and leading the teams managing the Museum’s collections, including human history, natural sciences, and documentary heritage. As Chief Curator, the incumbent is also responsible for leading and enabling influential research, collection development, collection care and the contribution that the collections make to the Museum’s public engagement plans and programs. 

Position currently vacant, Head of Development

The Head of Development works closely with the Museum Foundation and is responsible for developing and administering the Museum’s fundraising programs. The role aims to strengthen the organisation's long-term financial sustainability through the cultivation of major gifts together with corporate and philanthropic support and, in addition, secure support and partnerships for major projects and programs.

Museum Foundation

The South Australian Museum Foundation exists to progress the work of the Museum in sharing its collections, stories and science with a worldwide audience. The Foundation Board is comprised of volunteer community leaders and philanthropists who work the Museum executive to raise much-needed funds to run special projects, and to build relationships that will be beneficial to Museum.

Members

• Andrew Carmichael (Chair)

• Tom Nguyen (Treasurer)

• Debra Sarre (Deputy Chair)

• Leko Novakovic

• Teri Whiting (Ex-Officio, Museum Board representative)