Leadership

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Executive Leadership

Extended Leadership Team

Ryan Jay Shank

Ryan Jay Shank

Director of Historical and Digital Resources

Ryan Jay Shank, the Director of Historical and Digital Resources, is an Emmy-award-winning documentary filmmaker and museum professional with a passion for American history. Cutting his proverbial museum teeth in Washington, DC, where he got an MA in Museum Studies from George Washington University, Ryan worked for the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum before moving back to his home state of Indiana in 2022.

He is an avid traveller, often visiting as many museums as he can along the way. He believes that local museums have the power to unite the community over a shared history and identity. Ryan is a part of the national Youth250 Bureau with Made By Us, where he helps the country's cultural institutions prepare for the 2026 semiquincentennial with Gen-Z-centered programming. Recognizing this audience will steward museums in the future, America’s 250th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to share stories that resonate and make their voices heard. 

At Conner Prairie, he produces digital educational content in tandem with the talented teams across the museum, whether it is with collection, our animals, our trails, or our historic skills. He recently released an hour-long documentary on the history of Prairietown, which was shown at the 2025 Heartland International Film Festival.

The Department of Historical and Digital Resources also combines the Curatorial and Research team, the Archive and Research Library, and Conner Prairie’s collection of nearly 27,000 everyday objects that help tell the story of life in Indiana.

Ryan is a firm believer that a thorough understanding of our shared history is crucial for making informed decisions about the future. When we look to the past, there will always be more questions than we have answers. This means that history will continue to grow, along with our understanding of one another, as long as we stay curious – and it is Conner Prairie’s role to spark that curiosity.

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Board of Directors

Lifelong learning requires real leadership

At Conner Prairie, every guest has the opportunity to pursue knowledge and fun in a way that is tailored to them. This pursuit requires strong, dedicated leadership. Our Board of Directors oversees operations and engages community members in supporting the museum. Conner Prairie thanks these individuals who contribute their time and expertise.

Conner Prairie Foundation

The Conner Prairie Foundation board of directors oversees the management of the museum's endowment and the land and structures of the museum, including the William Conner House.

Directors Emeriti