Over the past year, Lisa Melandri has thought a lot about the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis’ past and future. While celebrating the museum’s 20th anniversary, Melandri was able to reflect on the Washington Avenue art space’s impact: It has shown more than 700 artists and welcomed more than 600,000 visitors over the past two decades. “Taking a moment to recognize this milestone in the organization and all of the people who have made it possible has been truly inspiring,” she says.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has been your or your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months? We have celebrated our 20th anniversary over the past year and have been thrilled to bring the past and the present of the museum together. We have been able to look at the accomplishments and total impact of CAM, having shown over 700 artists, welcomed more than 600,000 visitors, and provided meaningful programs for tens of thousands of young people. And over the past year, we have continued our legacy by presenting truly extraordinary contemporary artists from around the world in our galleries, alongside unique youth arts education programs around our region. Taking a moment to recognize this milestone in the organization, and all of the people who have made it possible, has been truly inspiring.
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? I am most excited at the ways in which CAM can provide a joyful and welcoming space in which people can have transformative experiences‚ free of charge. I think that we can be a place of respite for all different types of audiences, but also a space in which they can have shared encounters. Museums are places where people can come together, which is ever more important in all of our lives. We are privileged to be able to provide that kind of space.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? In an ideal world, there would be fewer rules. It is our responsibility to keep both the art and visitors safe, but I often wonder if there could be a way for people to have more unfettered access to artworks on view.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? Our toughest challenge is finding the resources we need to deliver on our mission. Ninety percent of our revenue is from contributed income. We offer free admission and all of our learning and engagement programs are free to participants, so our earned income sources are quite limited. We are, therefore, fundraising in a competitive environment for almost all of our budget, year over year.
MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? There is no one person. Instead, I lean on my excellent colleagues in St. Louis and equally on members of my stellar board of directors at CAM. I am surrounded by extremely talented business leaders and it is a very lucky place to be.
Do you have a business mentor? If so, who and why? No, but I would love one.
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? My previous boss, with whom I had worked for over a decade, told me that the most important thing about being a museum director was being able to deliver on the mission of the organization. In order to do that, there would always be skills you might not possess or questions for which there are not always answers, so self-awareness is key. You must admit what you do not know, and never be afraid to ask for help.
If you could have dinner with any two area business leaders, who would you choose and why? Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones, and Sue McCollum, CEO at Eagle Brands and Double Eagle Distributing. I admire these women because their extraordinary business acumen is matched only by their philanthropic spirit and desire to make positive change in the region, across all sectors.
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis and why? Leslie Gill, president and CEO of Rung for Women, because she has to have extraordinary business skills to make her organization work, but her business is about empowering women and doing good for our region. Rung for Women was conceived to fill a gap in the market of services for women from career development to access to healthcare and wellness.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? It would be wonderful if the St. Louis metro area business environment was even more involved in philanthropy and civic engagement.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Quincy, Massachusetts
What was your childhood aspiration? I remember being quite torn between becoming a doctor and becoming an artist.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first job was babysitting, but that was followed shortly thereafter by tutoring. In both, I learned patience and empathy, and how to try to understand another person’s point of view.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? BA, Harvard University and an MA, Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? In reality, a sports agent or PR representative, because I am a massive fan of many professional sports and would find it exciting. I love being in St. Louis because of our incredible Cardinals and Blues, and now CITY SC! In my dreams, an opera singer, because I love the art form and because it would be incredible to house your instrument in your body. Here too‚ how fabulous to have access to the world class talent at Opera Theatre!
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? Esca. It’s a new restaurant so I have only recently been going but plan on making it my go-to. I order everything because it is all so good, but I would say that the category is authentic Northern Italian.
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? The CAM 20th Anniversary Gala was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. Not only did we have record-breaking success with our fundraiser, but I was able to spend time with my two directorial predecessors at CAM, Betsy Wright Millard and Paul Ha, and the architect of the building, Brad Cloepfil. It is rare to be able to understand your own role in the context of those who have come before. The experience was unparalleled in professional satisfaction.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? Moby Dick. I could barely get through this novel when it was on my school reading list, but I now re-read it every five years or so. In spite of its age and the era in which Melville wrote it, it has some of the most searing portrayals of human empathy and tolerance on the one hand, and obsession and greed on the other. And there are pretty amazing thoughts on ecology, conservation, and the natural world that are way ahead of its time.
What’s your hobby/passion? Gardening, horticulture, and very amateur birding.
What is your most prized possession? Rather than describe one thing, I could speak to works of art that I have collected or that have been given to me. These works help me remember that I have had the enormous privilege of working with some of the most creative people of our time.
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? The depths of my sports fandom: Formula 1, basketball, hockey, football, baseball, soccer—I love it all!
What is your go-to karaoke song? Valerie by Amy Winehouse (the Mark Ronson version)!
