New Leadership Team at Qatar Museums
By Camilla Alvarez-Chow
Clockwise from top left: Mohammed Al-Rumaihi, Julia Gonnella, Sheikh Abdulaziz H. Al Thani, and Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr. Courtesy Qatar Museums.
Qatar Museums (QM), which oversees a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programs in the Gulf emirate, announced five new leadership promotions on February 20. Mohammed Al-Rumaihi was named QM’s chief executive officer; Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz Al Thani as chief of museum and heritage development; Julia Gonnella as director of the Lusail Museum in Al Maha Island; Sheikh Abdulaziz H. Al Thani as director of the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) in Doha; and Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr as director of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha.
Mohammed Al-Rumaihi is charged with leading QM, establishing its priorities, and executing its mission. He served as acting CEO since July of 2023, during which time he has managed the organization’s various activities while assessing structure and capabilities across all of QM’s institutions and increasing platforms.
Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz Al Thani was previously the deputy CEO of museums, collections, and heritage protection at QM. Now, as chief of museum and heritage development, she is tasked with overseeing the realization, strategic planning, and operational management of upcoming venues that include Lusail Museum, Doha’s Art Mill Museum (slated to open in 2030), Qatar Auto Museum, and Dadu Children’s Museum, as well as future endeavors undertaken by QM.
Julia Gonnella has led the MIA since 2017, during which time she has been responsible for the overall management and full programming of the museum, taking the lead on its recent relaunch. Gonnella will transfer her expertise to the Lusail Museum, a new kind of institution that aims to be “part global think tank and part art museum.”
Sheikh Abdulaziz H. Al Thani led the sponsorships program for QM and also oversaw QM’s communications throughout the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. He is now the director of the NMoQ, in the capital of Qatar.
Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr oversaw the MIA’s relaunch in 2022 as deputy director of curatorial affairs and has been at the museum since 2007. She will take over Gonnella’s current position as director of the MIA in Doha.
The chairperson of QM is Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the sister of Qatar’s ruling emir.
Camilla Alvarez-Chow is an editorial assistant at ArtAsiaPacific.
