TORONTO.- Sal Badali, Chair of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Board of Trustees, announced today the appointment of Janet Carding as the new Director and CEO effective September 2010. Carding will be responsible for furthering the Museum’s mission, advocating for its ongoing public and private sector support, promoting its research, programs, and collections, and overseeing the management of the Museum’s operations, which include exhibitions, programs, education, visitor services, administration and facilities management. Carding is the first woman appointed to the position of ROM Director and CEO.

Carding joins the ROM from the Australian Museum , Sydney , the country’s preeminent museum of nature and culture, where she has held the position of Assistant Director, Public Programs & Operations since 2004. In this role, Carding leads the Museum’s exhibitions, websites, and public programs in natural history, science and culture and has been a leading contributor to the Museum’s Revitalization Project.

“We are absolutely delighted that Janet Carding, a museum professional for over two decades, brings her wealth of experience to the ROM. She’ll provide inspired and strategic leadership to one of Canada’s most revered and preeminent educational, research and civic institutions,” said Sal Badali, Chair of the ROM Board of Trustees. “Janet’s extensive knowledge of museology is combined with her proven ability to provide inspirational leadership in a public sector context.

“Given the complementary nature of the ROM and the Australian Museum, Janet brings a strong understanding of the ROM’s unique dual mandate, as well as the global context in which it functions.”

“I’m delighted to accept this important position with the Royal Ontario Museum, and am looking forward to building on the momentum of Renaissance ROM, ensuring that its success endures and the Museum thrives,” said Ms. Carding. “I intend to strengthen, engage and deepen the ROM’s relationship with its many audiences, and its place at the heart of the community.

“I’m particularly interested in the potential of museums to help people explore the world around them - to challenge their perspectives, and to open new horizons.”

Janet Carding began her career as a curator at the Science Museum in London, England, prior to focusing on exhibition and programs development. Carding’s scope of work includes managing projects during construction of the Science Museum's Wellcome Wing extension, leading exhibition development teams, and coordination of a review of the National Museum of Science and Industry, London (NMSI), resulting in new strategic direction and organizational changes. Prior to joining the Australian Museum, Carding was Head of Planning and Development with NMSI, leading strategic planning and major projects for NMSI's three museums.

Carding currently teaches the Museums and Galleries Administration segment of the University of Sydney's Museum Studies program. She holds a degree from Cambridge University in History and Philosophy of Science and a Masters from the University of London in History of Science and Medicine.