Doneeca Thurston-Chavez ’12

Doneeca Thurston-Chavez is the Executive Director of Lynn Museum & Arts Center (LMAC) and has served as the organization’s first director of color since late 2019. In her role, Doneeca focuses on mission fulfillment, financial management, education and programming, and day-to-day operations, emphasizing community-centered initiatives committed to making their cultural campus more inclusive, accessible, and visible to all. Previous to LMAC, Doneeca was a Creative Engagement Producer at the Peabody Essex Museum, where she spent five years creating engaging intergenerational programs for a variety of audiences, often inspired by exhibitions and current events, and featuring local artists, creatives, and musicians. She also served as co-chair of the Equity & Inclusion Task Force, which focused on internal and external DEIAJ initiatives. In addition to her work with LMAC, she serves as a board member for the New England Museum Association, Essex National Heritage Area, Essex County Community Foundation, and MASSCreative. Outside her commitments, Doneeca enjoys cooking, perfecting her candlepin bowling skills, and spending time with her husband, their 8-month old daughter, and two rescue pups.

How has having a major in the Humanities at Bucknell influenced your career path and experiences?
Majoring in Humanities at Bucknell opened my eyes to personal interests and potential career paths I didn’t know about. My time as a History major led me down a path that laid the foundation for my career, and I am so grateful to the department and specifically, Dr. Leslie Patrick, for the experiences and learning.