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New director joins Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, on April 5

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Hollis J. Gillespie has joined the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, as its new director. Gillespie, who worked in finance before pursuing a career in the cultural sector, will begin her new position April 5. She replaces Dennis McBride, who retired last year.

“Ms. Gillespie’s extensive, multi-disciplinary experience make her uniquely suited to lead the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas,” Myron Freedman, acting administrator of the Nevada Division of Museums and History, said. “We are excited that she is joining the museum family.”

Gillespie is a graduate of the Getty Leadership Institute in Museum Management, and she is a member of the American Alliance of Museums, Western Museums Association and the National Association of Interpretation. She has worked at museums in Florida, California, Alaska and New Mexico. In 2012, Gillespie founded Cultural Assets Consulting, a museum management practice in Henderson.

Before working in the cultural sector, Gillespie was an international management consultant focusing on financial and market analysis. She holds a master’s degree in geography, geomorphology and biogeography from the University of California, Los Angeles; and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan. She is fluent in Spanish. Gillespie is a member of Rotary International.

“I look forward to this new opportunity,” Gillespie said. “Museums are a fundamental part of a community, and the Nevada State Museum has been instrumental in sharing the natural and cultural history of our region. I’m glad to be working with a great team, and we hope to continue interpreting and communicating the larger story of southern Nevada for residents and visitors.”

Gillespie enjoys such outdoor activities as snorkeling, fishing, gardening and hiking. She is an avid fan of the performing arts, including opera, dance, theater and music. She plays the guitar, Brazilian bandolim, ukulele and cello. In her spare time, she likes to read biographies, mysteries and historical fiction. Her family includes a goddaughter and son-in-law, as well as three English Setters.

EDITORS: For a headshot of Hollis J. Gillespie, click here.

The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, inspires and educates a diverse public about the history and natural history of Nevada. The museum collects, preserves, exhibits, and disseminates material that contributes to an understanding and appreciation of the state. It is one of seven state museums that make up the Nevada Division of Museums and History.