It’s a big month for Victoria’s Royal BC Museum (RBCM).
Starting February 28th, Alicia Dubois will be taking over as CEO — more than a year after the person previously holding the position stepped down.
Dubois has “extensive experience” and a “seasoned resume,” the RBCM says, as it points to her previous senior executive roles within companies like Scotiabank and CIBC.
She became an honorary trustee with the Royal Ontario Museum in 2020 and more recently served as the CEO for the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation.
“Museums are powerful contributors to communities and must be welcoming and inclusive in order to thrive,” said Dubois.
“I started my career with a background in science and law, and hold a deep appreciation for how cultural diversity adds resiliency to our communities and institutions.“
In fact, Dubois holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Lethbridge and a law degree from the University of Toronto.
BC’s Tourism Minister Melanie Mark says she’s “confident” Dubois will provide “insightful leadership” while helping to forge “a path towards a dynamic museum that reflects the voices and stories of our history.”
Mark is also thanking board chairman Daniel Muzyka for stepping up as acting CEO during the recruitment process, noting he’s been a “tremendous support to the museum over the last year.”
Last winter, the Royal BC Museum announced that its longtime CEO, Jack Lohman, would be resigning effective February 12th, 2021 — in a move amid repeated allegations of discrimination and racism at the museum.
The previous December, Troy Sebastian, curator of the Indigenous collection, slammed the museum’s senior leadership for failing to take action.
However, the museum’s board wrote that Lohman’s departure was in response to “internal issues” and went on to thank the outgoing CEO for his “nine years of vision and service.”
In an effort to decolonize their exhibits, the RBCM has since closed down its First Peoples and Becoming BC galleries through a phased approach.
SEE ALSO: Royal BC Museum will phase out their First Peoples and Becoming BC galleries
