Philadelphia Museum of Art leadership continues to undergo significant change as two more senior staffers announced their departures this week, adding to a period of institutional turmoil that began late last year. Maggie Fairs, currently chief of staff, will leave at the end of the month, while Chief Financial Officer Valarie McDuffie’s last day is this Friday.
The departures follow that of Paul Dien, the museum’s marketing chief, who left on February 1st. These changes occurred shortly after the museum reversed its recent decision to rename itself, opting to retain the Philadelphia Museum of Art moniker while keeping the new logo unveiled as part of a broader rebranding effort four months prior.
Fairs was promoted to chief of staff in May 2025 by former director and CEO Sasha Suda, having initially joined the museum in 2023 as vice president of communications. McDuffie also arrived in 2023, with Suda stating at the time that both colleagues “reflect the future of the institution.” McDuffie previously held senior financial positions in secondary education.
The museum is restructuring the director’s office and will not be seeking a replacement for Fairs, according to a spokesperson. This comes as the museum undertakes an “organizational review,” which could lead to further changes.
The upheaval at the museum began in November when Suda was dismissed. She subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the dismissal was “without a valid basis,” a matter that is now headed to arbitration. According to filings related to the suit, the museum’s board launched an investigation into alleged “unauthorized” salary increases following Suda’s termination, accusing her of misappropriating funds by approving her own pay raises.
The financial oversight during that period reportedly fell under McDuffie’s purview, suggesting her departure may be linked to the board’s desire for a “clean break” from the previous financial governance. Fairs, as a key lieutenant to Suda, was often the public face of the administration’s initiatives, including the controversial rebranding campaign.
Daniel H. Weiss, who took over as director and CEO in December, stated in January that the museum’s staff was “the heart and soul of the place and they need to be treasured and supported and also held accountable.” He also indicated a need for a senior management team that is “available to them and transparent in its processes and also accountable.”
Despite the ongoing departures, Weiss indicated that a careful review of the organization was underway to ensure it served the needs of the moment. The museum also announced the appointment of Katherine Anne Paul as the new curator of Indian and Himalayan art on Monday. Paul was previously curator of Asian Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art and holds a Ph.D. In languages and cultures of Asia from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Weiss highlighted Paul’s scholarship and extensive knowledge of the museum’s collection, noting her previous role as assistant and associate curator of Indian and Himalayan art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 2002 to 2008.
