Margie Johnson Reese has recently returned to the US where she is proud to have founded MJR Partners, a consulting firm based in Dallas, Texas. Dedicated to strengthing leadership, operations and programs for cultural institutions, her clients include local, national and international cultural organizations. She completed a three year appointment with the Foundation Office for West Africa as the Program Officer for Media, Arts and Culture where she led the ongoing efforts of the Foundation to support the cultural resources of the diverse West African region. Her most notable work during her post in West Africa focused on heritage preservation, museum education and planning.
Prior to this position, Margie served as General Manager for the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and as Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Dallas. During her 30 year career as an arts management professional, she has contributed to public policy development throughout the United States in areas of community development, arts education, and cultural planning. Margie is a long time member of the Board of Directors of Americans for the Arts and continues her work mentoring emerging arts management professionals throughout the world.