President's Message | November 2024

From the desk of Katy Knight | UMA Board President [2025-2026]

As the incoming president of the Utah Museums Association, I’m excited to report that we had a successful board retreat a few weeks ago in Kanab. We enjoyed staying at the famous Parry Lodge, where main casts and crews stayed while filming old movies (think John Wayne). Across the street from this lodge is the Kanab Center where our 2025 conference will be held (September 23-26).

UMA Board at the Kanab Center for the 2024 Board Retreat

(front row left to right) Emily Johnsen, Diego Velasquez, Katy Knight, Diana Call, Jami Van Huss, Ashley Clouse, Paul Stavast, Nancy Stoaks, Kylin Cummings, Raelyn Embleton, Katy Corneli, Katherine Ross

(back row left to right) Landon Wilkey, Tracey Collins, Elizabeth Nagengast-Stevens, Emily Johnson, Alana Blumenthal, Emily Bentley, Marie Desrochers

(not pictured) Alicia Cunningham-Bryant, Riley Lewis

The board spent time reviewing UMA’s strategic plan and discussing ways we can better serve the museums and all of you in this great state of Utah. I was particularly excited to get a quick tour of the Kanab Museum, located right next to the Kanab Center. We hope you all mark your calendars and plan to attend the conference next fall. The Kanab Center has a gymnasium attached and some board members (mostly me) got excited about the potential for a fun and friendly pickleball tournament during the conference (stay tuned).

Incoming Executive Committee (left to right):

Jami Van Huss (VP Professional Development), Katy Knight (President), Alicia Cunningham-Bryant (VP Governance), Landon Wilkey (VP Communications), Nancy Stoaks (VP Fundraising), Paul Stavast (VP Advocacy), Sharon Johnson (At-Large, not pictured)