The Britannia Mine Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Cheryl Hendrickson as its new Executive Director, effective December 7, 2020. The appointment follows the planned departure of Kirstin Clausen, who has been at the Museum’s helm for the past 20 years.

Cheryl has been the Retail and Visitor Services Manager at the Britannia Mine Museum since 2016. She has more than 25 years of experience developing, managing and implementing sales and marketing strategies and programs for tourist attractions, service programs and destination retail. Prior to working at the Museum, she worked at Vancouver International Airport as the Director of Airport Butler, a first-of-its-kind VIP concierge program in Canada.

Cheryl has extensive management experience working with non-profit organizations including the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, Abreast In A Boat Regatta and was Board Chair of YVR for Kids, helping fundraise close to $2 million through sponsorships and donations.

“Cheryl brings a strong business acumen from working in the travel and tourism industry and as a successful entrepreneur, as well as excellent leadership and familiarity with the Museum,” says Leonie Tomlinson, Board Chair of the Britannia Mine Museum. “I have no doubt she will take the Museum in an exciting direction to meet and exceed the demands in a new COVID environment and beyond.”

“I am excited for the opportunity to lead the Museum towards this new chapter and deliver fresh ideas to our public programming, operations and revenue opportunities especially in this challenging COVID world,” says Cheryl Hendrickson.

Kirstin is best known for her compassionate leadership, dedication, commitment and deep passion to the continued success and growth of the Museum as a vibrant and relevant landmark in the community, and province. With more than 35 years of experience in museums as a curator, educator and administrator, she has combined her love of history with culture, arts, education and heritage to promote the Museum, and provide operational leadership and insight.

One of Kirstin’s greatest achievements was leading the Museum through its $14.7 million transformation project in 2010 to build a new visitor centre, rehabilitate heritage buildings including the historic Mill building, improve amenities, infrastructure, and rebrand the Museum.

“We are incredibly grateful to Kirstin for leading the Museum through an extraordinary 20 years of growth and evolution including our landmark restoration and rehabilitation of the Museum in 2010 and most recently, the successful 2019 launch of the BOOM! show,” notes Leonie Tomlinson. “We wish her continued success as she embarks on her new endeavours.”

“It has truly been an honour and privilege to work side-by-side amazing staff and Board members in our collective effort to build a great museum throughout the years,” says Kirstin Clausen. “I am incredibly optimistic for the future of the Museum and excited for Cheryl to take on a leadership role and wish her much success. I look forward to remaining a friend of the Museum and watching the new days and new strengths that are yet to come.”

Kirstin will assist Cheryl and the Board in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.  Kirstin has also written a short summary reflecting on her twenty years milestone, which you can read here.