Collective Conversations with Stephanie Leverock

Professional Services & Operations Manager, Gallery Systems

With over 25 years of experience in museums and museum technology, Stephanie brings a deep understanding of collections, systems, and the human connections that power them. Beginning her career at the Brooklyn Museum, she quickly developed a passion for collections management and became a TMS Administrator, an early step in what would become a long-standing relationship with Gallery Systems. Now serving as Professional Services & Operations Manager, Stephanie shares insights into her career evolution, the growth of the Professional Services team, and how collaboration and care remain central to her approach. Along the way, she reflects on client successes, product innovations, and the importance of adaptability in a fast-changing sector.

Please can you tell us a bit about your museum background?

I started my career at the Brooklyn Museum in 1999 where I remained until 2006. My first position was in the American Art Department. Next, I transferred to Registration where I quickly learned about the TMS Suite and was promoted to be the TMS Administrator.

Stephanie has a passion for museums and frequently visits the latest exhibitions.

How long have you worked at Gallery Systems and what made you want to work there?

I joined Gallery Systems in January 2007 because I was eager to learn and work with the TMS Suite. I had communicated quite a lot with the Gallery Systems Client Care team and others within the organization and had a feeling that they’d be great co-workers. I was right! It was an exciting time with new product developments and projects underway. I remember fondly working on projects with clients and Gallery Systems team members who are still with us.

What does a typical day look like for you as a Professional Services & Operations Manager?

My day is filled with many client and team meetings which I very much enjoy. I’m continuously reviewing schedules, project statuses and who/what is needed to progress our Professional Services team project work. Several monitors, several Teams chats…the communications are fast paced and all day. I’m always wanting to support our team and identify ways to help. Our Professional Services team spans from Europe to the US west coast, and our clients are across the world. This makes for a busy day filled with trainings, installations, all types of project work and engagement with other Gallery Systems teams.

What’s one part of your role you find particularly rewarding or challenging?

While some days feel challenging because it often doesn’t feel like there are enough hours in a day to do all the work that is needed, every day we gain more knowledge about how our products can meet the needs of our clients. We continue to discover things that can be improved and resolved. It is rewarding to see these items implemented in our products and work processes. Having worked with Gallery Systems products for over 26 years on the customer side and in my current role, I feel positioned to help on all aspects and enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences with our Professional Services team and our customers, as well as being part of this Gallery Systems Community.

What do you love most about Gallery Systems’ company culture, and how does it influence the work you do?

Gallery Systems culture is welcoming and inclusive. I have felt part of this organization from the very beginning. We are a diverse team representing many nationalities and cultures and live in many regions. We are very flexible to support each other in our work given time differences; there’s a lot of planning. I feel very supported by our teams and our common desire to achieve the best outcome in our execution of work for our customers.

Stephanie and the team attending a Collective Imagination event.

How has the professional services team evolved since you joined the team?

When I first joined Gallery Systems, nearly 18.5 years ago, there wasn’t a ‘Professional Services Team’. There were many less team members, and everyone seemed to work on a little bit of everything. The Professional Services team formed approximately 7 years ago with about 4 members. I was promoted to Manager of Professional Services 4 years ago. In that time our team has quadrupled. I am extremely grateful and proud to work alongside this talented team of specialists.

Is there a recent project or client success story you’re especially proud to have contributed to?

The first large project I worked on was with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. So many new features were introduced into TMS for Exhibitions, Loans, Shipping and Object Locations. In the mid 2010s. I worked with the Royal Ontario Museum, which was my first comprehensive experience with Natural History Collections. Projects with the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, and the U.S. Department of the Interior also have made me feel proud. All the projects I’ve collaborated on over the past 18+ years have given me much satisfaction in knowing I am helping to preserve and share the history of our world.

Can you share a memorable challenge you’ve helped a client solve, and what you learned from it?

There have been many. I really enjoy when clients and team members present perceived obstacles. For example, how to catalogue data in TMS Collections to support workflow. I like exploring possibilities and considering whether improvements can be made to our products.

In your view, what sets Gallery Systems apart in the museum technology space, especially when it comes to professional services and customer care?

Our teams are constantly communicating to help each other and share our knowledge and experiences, in effort to serve our clients better. We are committed and very much enjoy working with our customers.

Stephanie and the Gallery Systems team during their visit to New York.

How do you gather and use client feedback to improve our services and support?

Our Professional Services team conducts regular meetings with other teams such as Client Care and Product Management. We share our feedback and contribute ideas for future product enhancements based on our direct experiences working with our clients.

What advice would you give to a museum professional just starting to use the TMS Suite or working with our services team for the first time?

Try to attend trainings for our products and services. See our TMS course offerings. Attend our webinars and other events as much as possible so the Gallery Systems team and other clients can get to know you. Ask questions and present your challenges.

How do you see professional services changing over the next year or two?

I’d like us to become even more engaged with other Gallery Systems teams and our clients to share our nearly two centuries with of experience working with our products and clients. Most of our Professional Services team members have spent many years working at museums and other cultural heritage organizations, therefore we are positioned to add amazing contributions!

What’s one fun or unexpected fact about you that might surprise people?

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, therefore consider myself a city girl, but I also absolutely love the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York.

Stephanie’s journey from museum practitioner to operations leader illustrates the power of lived experience in shaping thoughtful, responsive professional services. Her commitment to collaboration, team development, and client-centered problem-solving underscores what makes Gallery Systems’ support so impactful. As museums face rapid technological shifts and increasing demands, Stephanie’s message is clear: build strong relationships, stay engaged, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. With her guidance and the support of the broader Gallery Systems team, clients can confidently navigate change and create lasting impact in their collections work.

If you’re ready to optimize your collections management strategy or have questions about how Gallery Systems can support your institution, contact us today to speak with an expert.