Location
MFAH 
Glassell School of Art
Favrot Auditorium
5101 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
Keynote Speakers 
We are excited to invite you to a special event featuring keynote speakers from prominent organizations in Houston and distinguished guests from the Rijksmuseum. Join us for this inspiring occasion that promises to spark engaging conversations and provide insightful perspectives.
Cathelijne Denekamp
Manager accessibility/Inclusion-  Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands dedicated to art and history. The forefront of making this institution truly accessible is Cathelijne, who is committed to ensuring that all visitors and employees experience the museum on equal footing, feeling welcome and recognized. Her work spans physical, social, and digital accessibility, focusing on creating an environment where everyone can participate and feel a sense of belonging. Her efforts include making the museum a more accessible employer and ensuring diverse representation within the collection. This holistic approach aims to build a solid foundation for the Rijksmuseum to be a museum for everyone. Her philosophy is simple yet profound: an accessible museum is a better museum for all. 
Jiska Ogier
Inclusion/Accessibility

Jiska Ogier is a genuine connector. With a background in law, she integrates her understanding of legal frameworks with her personal experience of living with a physical disability. She fosters connections in her workshops, keynote speeches, and coaching sessions that promote mutual understanding and collaboration. Jiska is dedicated to bringing the right people together to help us move forward collectively and create a more inclusive society. What drives Jiska is creating fair opportunities for everyone.
Amanda Cachia, PhD
Assistant Professor of Arts Leadership-UH


Amanda Cachia (she/her) has an established career profile as a curator, consultant, writer, and art historian who specializes in disability art activism across intersectional axes of difference, including gender, race, and sexuality. She is the tenure-track Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of the Masters of Arts in Arts Leadership Graduate Program at the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts at the University of Houston.
Leeza Erfesoglou
Senior Manager, IDEA- MFAH
Leeza Erfesoglou (she/her) is the first Senior Manager of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. As a Certified DEI Practitioner, she develops and implements strategies that intentionally foster a sense of belonging and accessibility for a dynamic and ever-changing workforce. In addition to her work in the United States, Leeza has experience working in the Netherlands and has taught and lived in Cologne, Germany. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Women's Studies from the University of Houston, as well as a Master of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development.
Matti Wallin
Accessibility Programs Manager-HMNS
Matti Wallin (she/her) specializes in accessibility work and programming within museums and has a passion for connecting with the disability community and creating inclusive educational environments. She has experience working in art and science institutions, libraries, and historical museums and has worked at the Houston Museum of Natural Science for over 12 years. She is the first Accessibility Programs Manager at HMNS where she’s initiated Sensory Friendly Events and Touch Tours with the blind community and has had the opportunity to present at conferences and consult with institutions both locally and around the country.
Jamie Paul Weiner, LCSW
Manager, Disability Services & Alexander Institute for Inclusion- JFS
 Jamie Paul Weiner (she/her) is a 20-plus-year veteran of working with people with disabilities. She has been with Alexander JFS since 2012. Jamie graduated with her master's in social work from Yeshiva University's Wurzweiler School of Social Work in 2001. Jamie tirelessly supports adults with disabilities in their vocational journeys while advocating for disability rights on the local, state, and national levels.
MFAH Senior Leadership & Event Sponsors 
Gary Tinterow
Director and Margaret Alkek Williams Chair
Gary Tinterow has been the director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, since 2012, after a 30-year curatorial career at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. A well-known figure in the museum community, he has organized numerous acclaimed exhibitions globally and authored significant publications. At MFAH, Tinterow has enhanced international initiatives through key curatorial appointments and collaborations while also strengthening ties with local institutions like Rice University, the University of Houston, and the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Originally from Houston, Tinterow earned his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and a graduate degree in art history from Harvard University. 
Larry Stokes, SPHR, SHRM - SCP
Chief Human Resources and Diversity Officer
Larry Stokes serves as the Chief Human Resources and Diversity Officer at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). In this role, he provides strategic leadership across key organizational areas, including talent acquisition, staff engagement, organizational and individual development, staff communications, compensation, and benefits.
Larry also oversees the museum's dynamic volunteer organization, fostering a culture of collaboration and commitment. A champion of diversity and inclusion, he guides initiatives that promote a welcoming environment and a sense of belonging for staff and visitors. His work is guided by the overarching goal of ensuring that the MFAH remains a vibrant, inclusive institution dedicated to excellence and recognized as a place for all people.
Don't miss out!
Register by January 3, 2024. We look forward to seeing you there.
Schedule
|      1:00 PM
Welcome to the MFAH
|      1:15 PM
Keynote Speakers & Presentations
The Importance of Accessibility in Museum and Cultural Spaces - Cathelijne Denekamp and Jiska Ogier
Nothing About Us Without Us- Jamie Paul Weiner and Abbie Markowitz 
Fostering Access For The Blind Community - Matti Wallin 
The Agency of Access: Contemporary Disability Art and Institutional Critique - Amanda Cachia, PhD

Panel Q&A 
|      3:45 PM 
Networking Opportunity
Conference Location
MFAH 
Glassell School of Art
Favrot Auditorium
5101 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
Organizational Partners 
The MFAH is excited to invite our respected colleagues and partners to an important conversation about improving accessibility in museums and cultural spaces. Together, we can explore innovative ideas and share experiences that will enhance our understanding of this crucial issue. We look forward to creating valuable networking opportunities that inspire collaboration and drive meaningful change. Let’s work together to make a difference!

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