Doug McDonald is a great cheerleader for our museums! When he describes visitors’ “aha!” moments, I can feel their excitement. I’ve witnessed this energy from Doug repeatedly, at Conner Prairie, Genesee Village and Cincinnati Museum Center. As a freelance journalist, I’ve continually found remarkable stories with his assistance. And I know there will always be more remarkable stories to come. His visionary outlook produces not just ideas but follow-through; he is a consummate director who not only inspires great ideas but also finds ways to bring them to fruition.

Doug is one of the most creative museum directors I have met. He is also extremely savvy in the politics of running a large non-profit in a major metro market. We worked together through a variety of government and civic affairs issues as well as on refining the overall positioning of the Cincinnati Museum Center in its community. I found Doug to have great instincts for brand management and a strong interest in developing audience through new channels. He was always looking a step ahead at the trends, opportunities and challenges and thinking, and acting, boldly around them.

I watched Doug through the merger with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and then for nine months when I led the Cultural Facilities Task Force, we worked together almost every day. What I observed was a very hard working, analytical person with a gift in finding new creative solutions. I learned a lot from Doug about setting a compelling but seemingly impossible vision, and then working relentlessly to realize it.