Crystal Bridges hires Makele Ndessokia as chief people officer; Bakker and Carroll promoted
by March 4, 2019 9:19 am 2,633 views
Clay Bakker, from left, Diane Carroll and Makele Ndessokia.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has hired Makele Ndessokia to fill the newly-formed role of chief people officer.
The Bentonville museum also promoted Diane Carroll from director of communications to chief communications and marketing officer and Clay Bakker from trails and grounds manager to trails and grounds director.
Ndessokia will lead the human resource division of the museum. She comes to the museum with 14 years of human resource and employee development experience, most recently at the University of Missouri, where she also served as an adjunct professor, leading a professional development program.
“In our eighth year of operations, Crystal Bridges has grown with a sharpened focus on the mission to welcome all,” Crystal Bridges Executive Director and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Rod Bigelow said in a statement. “Makele brings the energy and experience to work with staff, volunteers, and board members to drive the vision of the organization forward. She will be instrumental in helping us deepen our commitment to creating positive and inclusive experiences.”
Carroll will continue to direct the museum’s creative services, digital media, public relations, and publications teams, with an increased focus on audience outreach and marketing campaigns. She joined Crystal Bridges in 2012 and has directed in-house teams during a time period in which the museum has welcomed more than 4.2 million visitors.
Ndessokia will join Carroll and other division leaders on the museum’s Strategy Team, which oversees the museum’s vision and initiatives. Searches are underway for additional Strategy Team roles, including chief curator and chief education officer, and a newly created chief operations officer position.
Bakker is responsible for all aspects of the museum’s natural surroundings as well as management of the trails and grounds team. He joined Crystal Bridges in 2011 and has overseen the development of the museum’s 120-acre campus, guiding the department in increasing accessibility and activating new areas. Recently, Bakker managed the development of 40 acres of the museum’s North Lawn, North Forest and the North Forest Trail for art installations, exhibitions, and public programs.