Ariel Waldman, Becoming a Museum Leader: Perspectives from Gen Z and Millennials, American Alliance of Museums, 8 February 2026
One of the chapters in this year’s TrendsWatch is on the Looming Leadership Crisis. If you haven’t read it yet (which I highly encourage you do!), Founding Director of the Center for the Future of Museums and Vice President of Strategic Foresight, Elizabeth Merritt discusses mounting challenges and expectations for museum directors, which can make leadership positions seem unappealing for Gen Z and Millennials. A survey from Ranstad, a human resources consulting firm, featured in Yahoo Finance found that 42% of American workers aren’t interested in moving up the career ladder. Another study from Robert Walters, a recruitment firm, found 52% of Gen Z professionals in the UK don’t want to be middle managers. As someone in the Gen Z/Millennial category (born 1981 – 2012) who worked in museums before joining AAM, I wondered if the friends and colleagues I’ve crossed paths with in the field would share these sentiments.