Corporate Office

Joan Kanigan

Joan has more than 20 years of experience as a senior manager in non-profit organizations and has been with the Western Development Museum since August 2016.  At the WDM, Joan and her staff have begun working on decolonizing initiatives to increase diversity and inclusivity in the Museum.

Prior to this, Joan was the Executive Director for the Museum of Ontario Archaeology (MOA).  At MOA, Joan re-focused the museum through community lead mission development as well as rebranding the organization and build a stronger community profile. Joan also served as the Executive Director for the Brant Historical Society (BHS).  At the BHS, Joan worked to establish stronger relationships with community organizations, increase programming and partnerships, and strengthen operational accountabilities.

Joan is the Course Director for the Ontario Museum Association’s Organization and Management of Museums course and has facilitated planning and community engagement discussions for municipal and provincial organizations.  Joan has also worked with the Museums Association of Saskatchewan on the 2016 updates to the Management Standards section of the Standards for Saskatchewan Museum (5th Edition) as well as the curriculum updates for the Organization and Management of Museums course.