The BC Museums Association Council is pleased to announce Leia Patterson as Executive Director.
After a recent leadership transition, the BCMA Council has taken steps to maintain stability and support the long‑term organizational goals of the BCMA. After serving as Interim Executive Director since March, we are excited to announce that Leia Patterson will step into the Executive Director role permanently, effective August 1, 2026. Leia is well‑versed in our programs, partnerships, and strategic direction. This knowledge has helped the BCMA maintain momentum in recent months.
Leia has a degree in Anthropology from Trent University (Peterborough, Ontario) and a Museum and Gallery Studies Post-Graduate Certificate from Georgian College (Barrie, Ontario). Leia moved from Ontario to British Columbia in 2015 to immerse herself in repatriation work with Indigenous Communities at Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre and later, at Klahoose First Nation. Leia was privileged to have been led and mentored by cultural leaders and change makers about Indigenous perspectives on museum practices and the responsibilities of stewarding cultural material. She has been actively trying to utilize these perspectives to work towards positive change in the sector.
Members will know Leia from her various roles at the BCMA since December of 2020. She has been actively engaged in our programs, publications, conferences, membership systems, grants, advocacy and reconciliation work throughout her employment. Mentored by Ryan Hunt before his departure, we are excited to see Leia elevated into the Executive Director position and look forward to supporting her as she grows into the role and builds on the work of the BCMA.
-c̓ris Jordan Coble, BCMA President
