Program Description

Daniel Weiss is no stranger to leading institutions through very challenging times. But as the new Director and CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, he faces major headwinds. He has inherited significant financial issues, with the museum reporting a record $10 million operating deficit for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Weiss has described the situation as "substantial but solvable"—a perspective that reflects the steady optimism and calm leadership style that have defined his career.

During his tenure as President and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Weiss guided one of the world's largest museums through the COVID-19 pandemic, periods of social upheaval, and complex debates surrounding the Sackler family's philanthropy.

In this conversation, he will share what it takes to lead organizations through times of uncertainty and transformation. We'll also explore the evolving role of museums in public life and why art and culture remain essential to thriving communities.

Speaker Bio

Weiss brings decades of distinguished service in museum and educational leadership. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (“The Met”) from 2015 to 2023, where he oversaw one of the world's largest and most respected art museums. Prior to The Met, he served as President of Haverford College (2013-2015) and of Lafayette College (2005-2013). Weiss has spent the past two years as a Homewood Professor of the Humanities and Senior Advisor to the Provost for the Arts at Johns Hopkins University, where he received his Ph.D. and served as chair of the Art History department and Dean of the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences earlier in his career.