Leadership

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Ryan Spencer 2025

Ryan Spencer

Vice President, Chief Programs Officer

Ryan Spencer is the Vice President and Chief Programs Officer at Conner Prairie. He has the privilege of working with the talented teams that bring Conner Prairie to life, including Agriculture, Camp, Collections, Curatorial, Education, Exhibits, Historical Clothing, Historic Interpretation, Historic Trades, Guest Relations, and Program Production. Ryan has twenty years of experience in the Museum Field. He has a Master of Letters in Museum Studies from the School of Art History at The University of St. Andrews, Scotland where he interned at The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. He spent the first thirteen years of his career at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, where he served as General Manager of Greenfield Village. He spent several years in the Southeastern United States working for historic sites through the Smithfield-Preston Foundation and the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation. He is an active presenter and committee member for the American Association for State and Local History, the National Council for Public History, and the American Alliance of Museums. 
An early mentor told Ryan two things that have stuck with him, “museums should be safe places for unsafe ideas,” and “when the heart sees, the mind understands (a Māori proverb).”  At their best, museums like Conner Prairie can help people see beyond themselves, gain tremendous perspective, and strengthen the communities they serve by building empathy.  What an amazing opportunity! 

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Extended Leadership Team

Directors

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