I’m Lisa Grove. Here’s A little more about me.
I am an art museum director with over 20 years of experience in a range of institutions. In 2023, I joined the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco (comprised of the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor, with a $60 million budget and staff of 500) for a newly-created role of Chief Program & Strategy Officer. I oversee all of the programmatic departments of the museum — curatorial, conservation, education, library & archives, public programs & community engagement, publications, and web & digital strategy. I am leading cross-departmental planning for the Legion of Honor’s centennial (2024-2025), including a campaign for 100 transformational Gifts of Art, a $100 million endowment campaign, and a forthcoming capital project estimated at $250 million. I’m also leading the creation of the museums next long-range strategic plan.
I’ve led a wide range of award-winning programs.
I spent the last five years leading strategic and operational planning for an ambitious new museum project, the Obama Presidential Center, opening in Chicago in 2026. A highlight of my work was the creation and launch of a multi-million dollar Inaugural Arts Plan, including several major commissions by a diverse lineup of contemporary artists, designed to bring this exciting new cultural institution to life.
Previously, I was Director and CEO of Telfair Museums, the oldest art museum in the South, located in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. I oversaw three distinct museum sites, including two historic museum properties and a new contemporary building. During my seven year tenure, I proudly led a bold strategic transformation centered on the reinterpretation of the museum’s largest collection item — its historic slave quarters. In parallel, I launched an ongoing contemporary art exhibition series with world-renowned artists whose work explores the legacy of slavery in our country today. This multi-year project garnered national recognition and brought a renewed energy to the museum, while also making important scholarly contributions to the field.
Before the Telfair, I helped launch the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis to national recognition in its first few years. As the founding Deputy Director, I worked hard to build this brand-new museum from scratch by leading fundraising, marketing, and operational activities. We produced dozens of exhibitions featuring hundreds of artists, and expanded the educational reach of the museum through innovative programming.
I’m a fearless fundraiser and savvy financial leader.
In my career, I’ve raised over $250 million in some challenging economic environments. I’ve launched and completed two endowment campaigns ahead of schedule by personally securing several six- and seven-figure gifts.
I’ve also led two dramatic financial turnarounds, and produced 17 consecutive years of budget surpluses. I am proud to have generated record-breaking financial results for my institutions, including a 25% increase in contributed income, 50% increase in attendance, and 75% increase in membership.
I’m an entrepreneurial leader with a background in strategy consulting and a bias for action.
Before my museum career, I led strategic planning for a number of Fortune 100 clients as a senior consultant at The Monitor Group, a global consulting firm. I have an MBA in strategic management from the University of London’s Imperial College Business School, and a master's degree in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art. I had the honor of studying in the UK as a Marshall Scholar. I also have an undergraduate degree in American Studies from Stanford, with honors and distinction.
With this powerful right-brain / left-brain combo, I’m as comfortable with a spreadsheet as I am speaking with collectors and the community about my institution’s exciting exhibitions and community programs. I’m excited to tell you more!