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Women's History Month Highlight: Maggie Leak

For Women’s History Month, the BYU MOA wanted to highlight the incredible women who work inside the museum. Let us introduce you to Maggie Leak, Executive Assistant.

  1. How long have you worked at the MOA?

Coming up on 3 years

  1. What is your favorite part about your job?

Attending our planning meetings and learning about all the exciting opportunities coming to the MOA

  1. What has been your favorite exhibit at the MOA?

A recent favorite was

A Visual Testimony: Minerva Teichert’s Book of Mormon Paintings. It enriched my reading of the Book of Mormon during that time. I couldn’t wait to go see what I had just read the night before. Minerva’s imaginative use of color brought the stories to life. Her life and career inspire me greatly.

  1. What’s one challenging aspect of your job?

Working to keep our staff organized and communicating information effectively

  1. What did you want to be when you grew up?

Since a 6th grade field trip to my city’s art museum, I knew I wanted to work in a museum and with art.

  1. What types of cool opportunities has the MOA given you?

Working here as a student prepared me to work at the Smithsonian Institution following graduation. Since then, It’s given me the opportunity to continue to learn about amazing art and attend some of the best events in Provo.

  1. Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled?

Paris!

  1. What women do you most look up to/ are inspired by in your life?

Most that I can think of right now are fictional characters in books: Denise Baudu from my favorite book

The Ladies' Paradise, Anne from

Anne of Green Gables, Marmee from

Little Women.

  1. What’s a typical day like for you?

A typical day involves responding to email and phone calls from the public as well as MOA staff, meeting with the director to go over his tasks and schedule, attending meetings with MOA staff and taking notes, managing the work load of two student assistants, reconciling expenses for the executive office, and assisting staff with upcoming projects. I also work with curators and the director to put on exhibition opening events to honor donors and everyone who makes new exhibitions possible at the MOA.

  1. How do you stay motivated?

I like to read blogs, articles, and books about best practices in museum work. When I need a pick-me-up, I go into the galleries and remember why we’re doing the work we do. A visit to the MOA store is a major bonus as well!

  1. What are some of your hobbies?

I love traveling and seeing and experiencing new places. I also love decorating, reading, hiking, swimming laps, and going to restaurants with friends.

  1. What advice would you give students?

Study what you love and get as involved as possible in that world on campus. Put yourself out there for opportunities. Say yes when they come and ask for feedback when they don’t. Take advantage of professor office hours, apply for internships, and look for options to reduce or aschew student loans.

  1. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

Chocolate chip cookies

  1. Who is your favorite artist/what is your favorite artwork?

One of my favorites is Helen Frankenthaler

  1. If you weren’t at your current job, what would you want to do?

I think it would be grand to be a blogger and get vacations paid for by sponsors.