Alice M. Greenwald
Memorial Museum Leader & Strategic Advisor
Recognized internationally for her leadership in memorial museums and commemorative practice, Alice Greenwald brings decades of executive experience guiding institutions and communities through the ethical, emotional, and operational challenges of addressing traumatic history.
Her work is grounded in judgment, restraint, and long-term vision—qualities essential to navigating contested narratives, public scrutiny, and the responsibilities inherent in public remembrance.
Learn more about Alice’s current advisory work through AMG Services.
Leadership in Memorial Museums and Commemorative Practice
Alice has led organizations through periods of complexity and controversy, working with boards, senior leaders, and community stakeholders to address difficult questions with empathy and pragmatism. Her approach emphasizes careful listening, principled decision-making, and the identification of actionable paths forward—supporting consensus where possible and meaningful resolution where necessary.
Reflections on Leadership
“Alice was there, welcoming four presidents, a Pope, and a prince. She set the highest standards with style and grace. She’s been an incredibly creative and thoughtful leader and partner.”
Patricia E. Harris, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Founding Trustee, National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Professional Experience
President & CEO, National September 11 Memorial & Museum (2017–2022)
From January 2017 to September 2022, Ms. Greenwald served as President & CEO of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, with responsibility for the institution’s overall vision, financial well-being, management, and long-term sustainability and relevance.
Executive Vice President for Exhibitions, Collections, and Education, and Director of the Memorial Museum (2006 - 2016)
From April 2006 to December 2016, Ms. Greenwald served as Executive Vice President for Exhibitions, Collections, and Education, and Director of the Memorial Museum. In this role, she oversaw the articulation and implementation of the Museum’s founding vision, including its programming, collections, exhibitions, and educational initiatives.
Associate Museum Director for Museum Programs at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (1987 - 2006)
Ms. Greenwald served as Associate Museum Director for Museum Programs at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in Washington, D.C., from September 2001 to February 2006. Her 19-year affiliation with USHMM began in 1987 as a member of the Design Team for the Permanent Exhibition and continued through her work as an expert advisor, contributing to collections strategy, exhibition development, educational programming, institutional publications, and development initiatives.
Principal of Alice M. Greenwald/Museum Services (1986 - 2001)
From 1986-2001, Ms. Greenwald was the principal of Alice M. Greenwald/Museum Services, providing expertise to various clients including, in addition to USHMM, the Baltimore Museum of Industry, the Pew Charitable trusts, and the Historical Society of Princeton.
Executive Director of the National Museum of American Jewish History (1974 - 1986)
Ms. Greenwald has served as Executive Director of the National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia (1981-86); Acting Director (1980), Curator (1978-81) and Assistant Curator (1975-78) of the Hebrew Union College Skirball Museum, Los Angeles, and Curatorial Assistant at the Spertus Museum of Judaica, Chicago (1974-75).
Reflections on Leadership
“Alice Greenwald is to commemorative culture what Barack Obama is to U.S. politics,’ I was later told by an American researcher.”
– Jørgen Watne Frydnes, No Man is an Island
Publications, Boards, and Affiliations
Alice Greenwald - Portrait by Timur York
Ms. Greenwald is the author of several articles on museum practice, Jewish ritual art, and various historical topics. Her book, The Stories They Tell: Artifacts from the National September 11 Memorial Museum, co-edited with Clifford Chanin and published by SkiraRizzoli, was cited by The New York Times as one of the notable books about New York City published in 2013.
She is also the executive editor and primary contributing author of No Day Shall Erase You: The Story of 9/11 as Told at the National September 11 Memorial Museum, the official companion volume to the 9/11 Memorial Museum, published by SkiraRizzoli in August 2016. This book was awarded the bronze prize in the 2016 Foreword INDIES Awards in the category of History (Adult Nonfiction).
Greenwald has served on the Board of the International Council of Museums-U.S. and is currently a Board Member of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and Central Synagogue in New York City. She is also First Vice-President of The Lotos Club in New York City, which honored her with its Award of Distinction in 2020.
She holds an M.A. in the History of Religions from the University of Chicago Divinity School, and a B.A. with concentrations in English Literature and Anthropology from Sarah Lawrence College, where she delivered the commencement address to the class of 2007.