Rhonda Sewell
Inaugural Director of Advocacy and External Affairs @Toledo Museum of Art
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WORK HISTORY
Inaugural Director of Advocacy and External Affairs @Toledo Museum of Art
Toledo, OH, US
Lead advocacy and external relations strategy to strengthen government support, secure public funding, and drive infrastructure investment for the Museum’s historic 1912 campus. Oversee legislative engagement in partnership with institutional goals, lobbying and legal counsel, ensuring alignment of public policy priorities with institutional goals. Cultivate relationships with elected officials, policymakers, and community partners to enhance the Museum’s visibility, belonging, and impact. Provide strategic leadership for the Museum’s four employee resource groups and 17-member Belonging Committee, advancing internal culture and institutional equity goals. Co-led the inaugural Belonging Symposium (April 2025)—a three-day convening featuring 200 attendees and 18 national and international speakers.
EDUCATION
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
The City University of London
International/Global Studies
Ray Vogue College of Design
Fashion/Apparel Design
ABOUT RHONDA SEWELL
I lead at the intersection of advocacy, public policy, and cultural leadership, advancing strategies that strengthen institutions and deepen community impact.With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, government relations, advocacy, and public policy, I am committed to advancing equity and meaningful community engagement. As Director of Advocacy and External Affairs at the Toledo Museum of Art, I lead efforts to strengthen government support, secure public funding, and build partnerships with policymakers, business leaders, and community stakeholders. My work centers on fostering connection and elevating the Museum’s visibility in ways that align with its commitment to quality and a strong sense of belonging.I bring more than 30 years of journalism experience, beginning at a student-run newspaper and continuing as an award-winning reporter at the Lansing State Journal. I later spent 18 years at The Blade as a lead journalist, where I honed my ability to use storytelling as a tool for connection, accountability, and change. That foundation continues to inform my work in advocacy, where narrative and policy intersect.At the Toledo Museum of Art, I oversee legislative engagement, public policy strategy, and external affairs. I co-led the Museum’s inaugural Belonging Symposium in April 2025, selecting 18 national and global speakers to advance dialogue around equity, access, and inclusion. My experience in advocacy, lobbying, and communications supports partnerships that drive institutional growth and community relevance.I am deeply committed to servant leadership and civic engagement. I serve as Public Policy Chair for CreativeOhio, helping shape statewide advocacy efforts. I am a mayoral-appointed board member of The Arts Commission and past Board President, leading initiatives in public art and creative placemaking. I also serve in an advisory role on the Executive Director’s Leadership Development Committee with Lake Erie West, formerly TMACOG.I believe strong communities are built through connection, informed advocacy, and shared purpose. I am committed to advancing work that ensures arts and culture remain central to how communities grow, thrive, and see themselves reflected.
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