Betsy May-Salazar has been appointed executive director of the McLean Community Center (MCC). Her appointment was approved by the MCC Board of Directors at their meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14. She succeeds MCC Acting Director Evan Braff.
Most recently, May-Salazar served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of the National Building Museum. She has worked for the National Building Museum in various capacities since 1995.
In her role as senior vice president and COO of the National Building Museum, May-Salazar was directly responsible for all operations and financial oversight, managing an annual budget of more than $8 million and serving as chief of staff. She was integral in all aspects of leading the museum, including strategic planning, budget development and management, board relations, program management, human resources and staff oversight. She was key in all museum planning including shaping the museum’s programmatic direction, ensuring fiscal stability, and developing strategy for increased visibility, attendance and financial growth. She directly supervised finance, human resources, administration, museum shop, great hall rental and IT services and worked in tandem with the programming, marketing and fundraising teams.
“On behalf of the McLean Community Center Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Betsy as our new executive director. Her extensive experience managing operations, strategic planning and development of compelling programs for the public, along with her longstanding ties to McLean, position her well,” said MCC Board Chair Barbara Zamora-Appel. “I look forward to working with Betsy to expand our reach, cultivate partnerships and make the McLean Community Center the best it can be for our community.”
Prior to her work at the National Building Museum, May-Salazar was program director of the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, where she was responsible for planning programs including community outreach and educational programs, publications, exhibitions, annual design awards and lecture series.
The McLean Community Center was built and is funded by residents of Greater McLean through a real estate tax surcharge. MCC offers activities for adults, teens and children, including a wide range of classes, lectures, study tours, camps, art exhibits, theater performances and specialty shows. The center also sponsors community activities and events and includes the 383-seat Alden Theatre, McLean Project for the Arts galleries, studios, meeting and conference space, classrooms and a commercial kitchen. MCC also operates the award-winning Old Firehouse Center, the first-of-its-kind space for teens in Fairfax County.
May-Salazar has a bachelor’s in philosophy in interdisciplinary studies from Miami University and a master’s in arts in American studies from George Washington University. She and her family are longtime residents of McLean. Her appointment is effective Tuesday, Jan. 3.