Deborah Frieden has over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, organizational development, project planning and implementation of major capital projects, principally for museums and cultural organizations. Her experience includes in-depth knowledge of cultural organization leadership and advancement as well as extensive experience with community and civic outreach, stakeholder engagement and investment in capital projects, and broader cultural planning initiatives.
With her extensive experience in the museum and cultural sector, Deborah brings exceptional skills, knowledge and sensitivity to each of the clients she advises or the projects she leads. Deborah’s passionate interest in the role that arts and culture play in urban development, social cohesion and building community provides her clients with a perspective that uniquely enhances their institutional and facility planning.
Through her work, Deborah has engaged in extensive community dialogue about the role cultural organizations play in their communities, the public expectation for experience and education as well as the planning challenges that project sponsors and municipalities must address.
Consulting for museums and cultural organizations grew out of her experience as a senior manager and Project Director for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco where for 15 years she was in charge of all aspects of planning and building two of San Francisco’s most important museums, the Legion of Honor and the de Young. Deborah’s extensive experience with renovation, expansion and new facility development includes the preservation and repurposing of historic landmarks as well as improving sustainability and environmental stewardship. As a project executive, Deborah is known for her rigorous project management best practices and dedicated commitment to her clients.
In 2006, Deborah was awarded the prestigious Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design in recognition of her work in San Francisco. The fellowship is a competitive international fellowship awarded to ten mid-career professionals with a focus on fostering leadership and social responsibility in the built and natural environments. http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/professional/loeb_fellowship/ As a fellow, Deborah counsels students, mentors young professionals and is an active member of an extensive network of Harvard fellows, professors, and alumni.
Deborah is a regular speaker at universities, professional organizations and conferences and sits on juries, architectural selection panels and advisory councils.