Pacific Asia Museum appoints interim executive director

Pacific Asia Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine Murray-Morse as Interim Executive Director.

Ms. Murray-Morse was recently a Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo and has over 30 years of professional banking experience. She also served as Vice Chair of the Museum’s Board of Trustees and has served on the Board for the last three years.

“I’ve always loved Pacific Asia Museum and its mission. It’s great to step in at this important moment to continue the Museum’s incredible momentum.” In taking the Interim Executive Director position, Ms. Murray-Morse will take a leave of absence from the Board of Trustees. Current Board Chair Margaret Leong Checca commented, “Katherine has the experience and credentials we need at this important time. She will keep the Museum moving forward and brings wonderful depth and leadership to the job.”

Katherine was born in Bronxville, New York and raised in White Plains, New York. She lived a number of years in Boston, Massachusetts where she received a degree in Philosophy from Wheaton College and an MBA from Northeastern University. Ms. Murray-Morse has been a resident of Pasadena since 1981. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Private Bank, she was a Private Banking Manager at Union Bank of California’s Private Bank.

Ms. Murray-Morse replaces Joan Marshall, who has been appointed Executive Director of the Texas State History Museum after serving as the Executive Director of Pacific Asia Museum for seven years. In that period, the Museum completed a $4.2 million fundraising effort and achieved accreditation from the American Association of Museums.

Looking forward, Pacific Asia Museum has an exciting array of programs and exhibitions planned through 2012. In addition, the Museum will be opening a new Orientation Gallery later this year and will celebrate its 40th Anniversary next year. A Search Committee has been formed and is headed by past Board Chair Bruce Blomstrom to embark in a national search to permanently fill the position within the next six months.

Pacific Asia Museum is one of only four institutions in the United States dedicated exclusively to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The museum serves a broad and expanding audience of students, families, adults, and scholars through its education and outreach programs. The museum presents a mix of contemporary and historic exhibitions in its galleries and has a permanent collection of 15,000 objects spanning 4,000 years. Pacific Asia Museum is located at 46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, California, 91101. The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is $9 general, $7 students/seniors, and free for children ages 11 and younger. Admission is free every 4th Friday of the month.