Aine Leader-Nagy

Aine Leader-Nagy, a native of New England, came to New York’s Capital Region to pursue an Anthropology/World History undergraduate degree from the University at Albany and stayed to complete her graduate work in Public History. Motivated by her keen interest in people, museums, and community work, she has led oral history projects, managed volunteer corps, and developed education programs, while also researching and writing exhibition content, caring for and utilizing collections, and collaborating on special projects.

Her work consistently focuses on and reflects the “public” part of public history and museums, and she is always positioning herself to learn more about the field, audiences, and “best practices.” Until July 2022, she served as Director of Community Engagement at the Albany Institute of History & Art in downtown Albany, New York, where her areas of expertise included public relations and marketing, audience engagement, project management, and strategic initiatives. Beginning in August 2022, she will be the Historic Preservation Communications Specialist with the Natural Heritage Trust, working at the Division for Historic Preservation office of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in Waterford, New York. She is also an ambassador of the field, frequently participating in forums that explore the role of non-profits and cultural organizations.

In 2020, Aine returned to the History Department as an adjunct professor of Public History, and values the opportunity to work with students to develop their leadership style, explore current issues facing cultural nonprofit organizations, question assumptions about the field, and meet emerging colleagues.