Project Manager, Gallery Systems
With more than 20 years of hands-on experience in collections management, Renee brings a practitioner’s perspective to her work at Gallery Systems. Since joining the team in June 2022 as a Project Manager, she has drawn on a career shaped by roles at institutions including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Barnes Foundation, the National Museum of American Jewish History, and the National Society for the Daughters of the American Revolution. With academic training in historic preservation, museum studies, and American studies, Renee has led data migrations, inventories, collection moves, and data standards initiatives which now inform her collaborative, detail-driven approach to supporting museums.
Please can you tell us a bit about your museum background before coming to Gallery Systems?
Prior to joining Gallery Systems, I worked in the museum profession for more than 20 years. My career in collections management began at the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I then moved to the National Museum of American History, where I worked on a collections management data migration project. After that, I joined The Barnes Foundation, where I completed the institution’s first comprehensive inventory and created object records in TMS. My final museum role was at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where I served as Data Standards Administrator and later as Collections Information Manager. I also have experience working with a fine art shipping company.
What drew you to work at Gallery Systems?
I was looking for a way to return to working closely with collections information, and the Professional Services Project Manager role felt like a natural fit. It was also appealing to work alongside people I had previously collaborated with as a client.
What does a typical day look like for you as a Project Manager?
My role is similar to that of a registrar, as I am juggling multiple projects at various stages. A typical day includes following up with clients to ensure they have the materials they need, while also confirming that projects are progressing as planned. I work closely with my colleagues to make sure they have all the necessary details for the projects they are supporting.
What’s one part of your role you find particularly rewarding or challenging?
I particularly enjoy working with people all over the world and learning about their unique collections.
What do you love most about Gallery Systems’ company culture, and how does it influence the work you do?
Gallery Systems employees not only care deeply about their work but also have a genuine interest in our clients. Over time, strong relationships have developed, which supports more effective day-to-day communication. These connections carry through to our project work, where staff consistently go above and beyond to resolve issues as they arise, because our clients are never just an anonymous name.
What do you believe sets Gallery Systems apart in the field of museum technology?
Gallery Systems stands apart because its software is developed in close partnership with museums and informed by decades of collections management experience. This focus on long-term relationships and practical museum needs results in software that supports both day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives.
How do you approach gathering feedback and incorporating it into future client projects?
I am constantly learning from our clients, as they all work with unique collections, particularly when I am conducting training classes. After each project, I reflect on whether there are processes that could be approached differently. Receiving constructive feedback is valuable, as it allows me to consider new perspectives and improve future projects.
What’s one fun or unexpected fact about you that might surprise people?
I’ve had the opportunity to ride both an Olympic luge and a bobsled.
Renée taking a well-earned break in the Azores.
Renee’s career reflects the value of deep institutional knowledge and thoughtful project management in advancing collections work. Her experience navigating data migrations, standards development, and large-scale collections initiatives enables her to guide clients toward practical, sustainable solutions. At Gallery Systems, Renee brings an informed, collaborative perspective shaped by years of museum experience and a commitment to helping institutions achieve lasting success.
If you would like to learn more about how Gallery Systems can support your collections management goals, contact us to connect with an expert.
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