Fiscal and Intitutional Management: Successfully executed the organization’s 70th anniversary celebrations in 2019 and its institutional rebranding, new website and CI, which encompassed the final synthesis of several historical institutions into an integrated whole, with a new name and holistic identity, along with necessary legal re-incorporation. After having been recruited from the U.S. to Germany in 2017, have subsequently managed the institution’s nation-specific and complex funding and budgeting structures, which depend equally on institutional support from City, State and Federal governments, and active fundraising, as well as earned income. Created a new Strategic Development department, which facilitates the acquisition of half of DFF’s project and related staffing costs via grant applications (average: €5-6 million euros per year) to regional, national and international funding bodies, including public and private foundations. Revamped all internal personnel policies and contracting procedures, for enhanced communication and professionalization of employment environment. Established a new Visitor Services department for improved guest experience. Modernized and digitzed all business operations (implemented electronic ticketing systems, income report generation, accounting, software and IT improvements) for improved efficiency, cost savings, and the necessary pivot to mobile working during the Pandemic. Then balanced the post-COVID return to both in-office and in-museum operations for both employees and the public.

Crisis Management: Planned and allocated €10-12 million euro annual budget, while actively navigating the enhanced financial pressures from two years of Pandemic-related closing of facilities, and its’ impacts on staff and public access. Leveraged national and regional emergency Covid funding, and managed to retain 100% of staff positions, acquired deficit relief funds to balance the 2020, 2021 and 2022 budgets. Gained investment funding for in-cinema and mobile film projection equipment, and other necessary improvements to the facilities. Continued successful crisis management through the more recent years, with such challenges as the severe German energy crisis and spike in prices, the Ukranian war impacts, and severe inflation in the German economy. Most recently drastic arts funding cuts have impacted the institution and the sector in general. Against this backdrop, also attracted a new Board Chairman, a new head of the DFF Patrons Circle fundraising group, and a new gastronomy partner, who invested substantially in a redesign of the café, kitchen facilities and Filmmuseum foyer.

Facility Improvements: Substantial facility investment and improvements have been completed in all DFF locations, including the aforementioned establishment of a new Collections and Study center, the renovation of the Filmmuseum foyer and public spaces, and activation of underused areas with digital and interactive exhibits. Completed overdue repairs, and updated cinema projection equipment with new 4K digital laser projector, obtained new office funiture (with sponsorship), and other enhancements. A new roof café for the Filmmuseum entered the design and private fundraising process; a proposal for the construction of a new state-of-the-art Film Archive facility with digital restoration workflows is the subject of a completed Feasibility Study, supported by institutional funders at the Kulturamt of Stadt Wiesbaden, the historic home of the DFF. Have obtained funding for a three-year renovation and modernization of the DFF’s Permanent Exhibition Galleries, with a focus on accessibility, sustainability, relevance to a contemporary audience and the inclusion of diverse voices.