Description

The Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity (Orlando, FL) is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to steward the organization’s strong legacy, mission, and values while providing visionary operational leadership through a pivotal period of growth and transformation. 

Built by the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Educational Center, the new Holocaust Museum represents the organization’s next stage of growth. With demand for its programs exceeding capacity, the Center will relocate to a significantly larger space in downtown Orlando. Having already raised over 70% of its comprehensive campaign goal, the organization anticipates breaking ground in late 2026. As construction begins, the organization will formally adopt its new name: the Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity.

OVERVIEW

Since 1982, the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida (HMREC) has served as a vital educational nonprofit committed to using the lessons of the Holocaust to fight all forms of prejudice and bigotry. By 1986 the Center opened as the first Holocaust museum in the Southeast, predating the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. As one of the oldest facilities of its kind in the nation, HMREC offers free public access to permanent and special exhibits, hosts school field trips, and provides off-site educational resources promoting empathy and social responsibility. In 1994, Florida mandated Holocaust education in public schools, and the Center has since provided resources across a 13-county area, reaching over 25,000 students annually. In addition, through its Take Action Institute, HMREC creates curricula and conducts training programs to engage students and professionals in skill development and personal growth. One of the Center’s key initiatives, UpStanders: Stand Up to Bullying, launched in 2010 and has positively impacted over 34,000 students. The Center also has trained thousands of teachers and community leaders through its annual multi-day Teachers Institute, its innovative CitizenU law enforcement training, and related programs.

HOLOCAUST MUSEUM FOR HOPE & HUMANITY

HMREC is relocating to a larger, purposedesigned museum in downtown Orlando. With official groundbreaking anticipated in November 2026, the organization is entering a highly anticipated period of transformation as it expands its physical footprint, programming capacity, and community reach. As construction advances, HMREC will adopt its new name—the Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity. 

The City of Orlando has granted HMREC (through a 99-year lease) a downtown site overlooking Lake Ivanhoe, where an existing building will be redeveloped and expanded. The project is supported by an ongoing comprehensive capital campaign, for which over 70% has already been secured in cash and pledges.

VISION & VALUES

In 2025, a joint task force of HMREC staff and board members reviewed the organization’s mission and values to align on guiding principles during this period of growth.  This collective work of the Board and staff, and ratified by the Board, confirmed the organization’s mission to “use the history and lessons of the Holocaust to build a just and caring community free of antisemitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry” will remain constant as the organization migrates its brand from HMREC to the Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity.  

Moreover, this work confirmed the organization’s core identity and purpose: “We are Educators - Our work bridges history and humanity. We create spaces where learning and reflection cultivate empathy, deepen understanding, and strengthen moral courage. We teach not only what happened, but why it matters so that each person can carry these lessons into their own choices and communities.”  

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The next Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) will steward the organization’s strong legacy, mission, and values while providing visionary leadership through a pivotal period of growth and transformation. This leader will advance progress through the final stages of the capital campaign, ensuring strong donor engagement and financial momentum as the organization begins construction of the new museum. The CEO will shepherd the construction process and manage timelines, budgets, and key milestones. The CEO, through staff, will also oversee ongoing operations of HMREC’s robust educational programs and will continue to build the internal infrastructure needed for growth and longterm sustainability. The CEO will provide inspired, peoplecentered leadership to a talented and growing team and will build strong working relationships with a dedicated group of Board volunteers and donors. As a public-facing ambassador of the organization, the CEO will serve as a compelling external spokesperson to champion HMREC’s mission, strengthen community and partner relationships, and advance the campaign.

For a complete copy of the Position Profile and CEO responsibilities, please email Michele Counter at mcounter@dhrglobal.com.  

Requirements

The CEO will be an experienced museum leader and an inspiring, forward-thinking executive with the strategic insight and managerial strength to advance the Museum’s vision while honoring and elevating the organization’s legacy, unique assets, and community support.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 

• Significant senior-level leadership experience within a museum, history-related cultural institution, attendance-driven educational nonprofit, or comparable mission-driven institution.
• A record of success managing people, complex operating budgets, operations, and facilities, characterized by strong personal integrity, clear priority-setting, and a results-oriented approach to achieving organizational goals.
• Specific experience planning for and implementing periods of growth and change.
• Demonstrated fundraising success in cultivating and soliciting large gifts (6-7 figures) from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government partners. Capital campaign experience is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong working relationships with and support the work of a nonprofit Board.
• Excellent management skills and team-oriented approach; skilled in organizing, directing, motivating, evaluating, and supporting staff. Demonstrated ability to recruit, guide, and empower a talented staff team and serve as an effective internal collaborator.
• Keen business acumen and ability to clearly and accurately communicate financial information to leadership volunteers and donors. 
• Experience stewarding and building upon external partnerships (e.g. schools, libraries, cultural organizations, etc.) locally, regionally, and nationally to understand and respond to community needs and create opportunities for growth and impact.  
• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred.

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES 

• Authentic commitment to confronting bigotry and prejudice in all its forms, and belief in the power of Holocaust education to drive understanding, empathy, and change.
• Visionary leader; inspiring, entrepreneurial, and experienced. 
• Highly developed leadership skills and high emotional intelligence. Commitment to servant leadership model and behaviors.  Leadership style that celebrates and champions the success of others. 
• Resolute focus on implementing against goals and timelines, supported by a collaborative, solutions-driven  approach and sound judgement. Ability to thoughtfully and respectfully support stakeholder alignment around shared priorities and outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills with a broad range of constituents. Ability to make persuasive written and spoken presentations to assist in the development of relationships and the reputation of HMREC. 
• Active listener with the ability to create safe spaces for dialogue and disagreement; ability to understand and appreciate the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of audiences and community partners.
• Self-awareness and empathy; a healthy combination of confidence and humility, political savvy, and a sense of humor.