New Faces on Board at the Illinois State Museum Society

Press Releases – Friday, May 1, 2020

ISM Location: Springfield

For Immediate Release:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois State Museum Society (ISMS) is pleased to announce its recent hires, Jamila Wicks as the advancement director and Stephanie Smith as the retail manager.

With these new roles, the Society is positioning itself to restart retail operations and enhance development and marketing efforts in support of the Illinois State Museum (ISM).

"The Illinois State Museum Society is delighted to welcome Jamila Wicks and Stephanie Smith to our staff. These two creative professionals have key roles in our plans for the future; in fact, they are helping us to refine those plans and put them into action," said Society Board Chairperson Mark Pence. "Despite the current closure of ISM facilities, they are working from home to prepare for our reopening. Our visitors, members, and supporters will all benefit from their efforts as the Society and the Illinois State Museum move forward in the coming months."

Wicks comes to the Society with 17 years of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors. Most recently, Wicks worked as a senior development officer at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. There, she oversaw their annual campaign and worked with corporate and government partners to secure funding for the Museum’s public programming. Additionally, Wicks has extensive experience leading strategies, programs, and processes that increase visibility, improve governance and maximize funding at previous nonprofits, including Points of Light and Books from Birth, an affiliate of the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. A Georgia native, Wicks received both her master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia.

Smith comes to the Society having most recently worked as the Retail Inventory Control Coordinator for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. She has worked within the museum retail field for over eight years, most notably at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites (ISMHS). During her time at ISMHS, Smith served on the voting jury of the Indiana Artisans Program and the Museum Store Association Midwest Chapter board. She has given several lectures to local artists on marketing their handmade products to museum stores. Smith received her bachelor's degree in music from Indiana State University.

"I'm incredibly excited to have Jamila and Stephanie join the team," said Illinois State Museum Director, Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko. "The Society's support through the years was critical, and as the ISM and the Society move into this new phase of growth, it's thrilling to know that we have top-flight talent helping us reach our goals."

About the Illinois State Museum

Established in 1877, the Illinois State Museum is a dynamic institution that promotes discovery, lifelong learning, and stewardship of the natural and cultural heritage of Illinois. Headquartered in Springfield, the Museum also has branch facilities in Lewistown and Lockport. To learn more, visit www.illinoisstatemuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Illinois State Museum Society

Founded in 1952, the Illinois State Museum Society is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization that plays a vital role in supporting the Illinois State Museum. The Society promotes the programs and welfare of the Museum by offering the citizens of Illinois the opportunity to work with the Museum and its staff to assist in furthering ongoing research, collection and curation efforts.

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Contact Person: Jamila Wicks

Contact Email: jamila.wicks@ismsociety.org

Contact Phone: (706) 207-7836