After seven months of searching, the Walters Art Museum on Monday announced its next CEO and executive director.

Kate Burgin, a Baltimore resident who worked at the Walters from 2016-2022, including as its deputy director, will succeed Julia Marciari-Alexander as the museum’s CEO and executive director. Burgin will start in late January 2025.

“A key focus for the Walters is going to be becoming a community destination and a hub in Mount Vernon,” Burgin told The Banner.

That includes continuing community outreach and expanding accessibility to art, by making the museum a center for gathering, innovation and learning through art, she said.

In Burgin’s previous work with the museum, she led a $10 million capital fundraising project and implemented a diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion plan, according to the release. She was previously a member of the Walters Board of Trustees but recused herself as it was overseeing the search for a new executive director.

Burgin is rejoining the museum after leaving in 2022 for a position at Catalyte, a Baltimore-based workforce company, where she works as president of the company’s Talent Stream, its apprenticeship and workforce division. Burgin said she hopes to focus on workforce development in her new role as well.

“One of the things that I’m actively thinking about is how we continue to expand opportunities for Maryland’s youth at the museum and think about training and career pathways as part of the work that we do at the Walters,” she said.

Though she doesn’t see artificial intelligence replacing the creative or artistic process, she is excited to have conversations with her team about developing new tools to enhance visitors’ experience and collection research.

The search for an executive director began in April and was led by outside search firm Russell Reynolds Associates. Seven Walters trustees also served on a search committee.

Members of the Walters board said Burgin’s passion for the arts and commitment to Baltimore made her stand out.

“It is truly extraordinary that among the remarkable pool of candidates — distinguished by their exceptional quality, diverse experiences, and impressive expertise from across the nation — the ideal choice for this vital role was right here in Baltimore,” Peter L. Bain, the Walters board president, said in the release.

Burgin will be the second woman to lead the Walters Art Museum after Marciari-Alexander led the cultural hub for 11 years.

The Walters Art Museum in Mount Vernon has 36,000 objects from across the world that span more than 7,000 years. Built on the mission of bringing art and people together, admission to the museum is free.