Michele Y. Smith

Michele Y. Smith, currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP).

Smith is a mission-focused leader with extensive experience in business development, operations, and finance in the nonprofit industry.

Her people-centered leadership approach is the driving force behind her work at MoPOP which emphasizes a steadfast dedication to the democratization of philanthropy, the universal language of pop culture, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and mentorship of emerging leaders.

Prior to her role at MoPOP, Michele served as the Chief Business & Financial Officer at the award-winning cultural institution, the Woodland Park Zoo, where she played a pivotal role in navigating the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her dynamic, mission-focused approach resulted in unprecedented growth across various facets of the institution, including revenue, events, guest services, admissions, automation, and finance.

Michele Y. Smith will be speaking at the Digital Exhibitions Summit 2024:

Beyond the Walls: Using Digital Tools to Make Exhibitions Inclusive and Accessible 

Join Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), as she shares how digital tools are transforming museum exhibitions by making them accessible to a broader and more diverse audience. Learn how MoPOP integrates sensory-friendly programming, remote learning, and virtual tours to engage visitors beyond traditional museum spaces. Michele will dive into the strategies MoPOP uses to break down barriers, ensuring that anyone—from neurodiverse individuals to students in underserved areas—can experience the power of pop culture. Discover how digital innovation is shaping the future of museum inclusivity.