Stacey-Leigh Dolan

With over 18 years of experience in strategic management, community engagement, and cultural programming, Stacey-Leigh Dolan is a proven leader in driving impactful, inclusive initiatives. Her career spans roles such as Programme Manager at Drive Forward Foundation and CEO & Founder of BreakAway, a social enterprise focused on offender rehabilitation.

After 17 years in London and 3.5 years at London Transport Museum, where she rose to Interim Head of Learning, Stacey-Leigh moved on to an exciting role as Head of Learning and Participation at the National Football Museum in Manchester. She now loves to bring football’s rich cultural heritage to life for diverse audiences, fostering greater inclusion and community involvement through innovative programmes and carefully curated events.

As Chair of Trustees at the Vagina Museum Stacey-Leigh leverages her governance, leadership, and community-driven experience to support the museum’s mission of challenging taboos and promoting understanding of gynecological anatomy. Passionate about inclusivity, she aims to help the museum grow its reach and impact, ensuring it remains a vibrant, welcoming, accessibility and educational space for all.

Stacey-Leigh Dolan will be speaking at the Creative Museums Summit 2026 :

The Giant Scarf Project

What happens when a football museum invites older women to knit a giant scarf? The National Football Museum’s Joint Scarf Project challenged assumptions about who engages with football heritage and revealed powerful personal stories, memories and connections to our collections. Through a simple creative activity, participants who might not have seen themselves reflected in a football museum became active contributors to interpreting and sharing football history. This session explores how creative making can transform participation, uncover unexpected perspectives, and help museums engage communities who may not initially identify with their subject matter.