Amy Weaver’s nonprofit leadership plays a key role in Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum’s success

For a small team to be successful, its members must truly believe in the mission and meaning of their work. Amy Weaver certainly believes in her team’s mission, even when her role cannot be simply defined. 

One thing is definite, however: Weaver’s adaptability and work behind the scenes are key to her team’s success. 

As the human resources director for the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum (MPDM), Weaver handles internal personnel functions but also orchestrates many of the MPDM’s external functions. With a role that is broader than would be expected at face value, Weaver balances her responsibilities to help keep operations running smoothly. Despite the challenges that may arise from having a multifaceted role, Weaver’s dedication to the mission remains steadfast.

“I enjoy working [at the MPDM] because the work is meaningful. Everything we do is focused on creating fun, educational experiences that spark curiosity in children and families,” says Weaver of the factors that keep her motivated. “I am proud of the work I do to support the staff and volunteers. By keeping things moving behind the scenes, I contribute to making the museum a great experience for the community.”

One such way that Weaver works behind the scenes is to coordinate the network of volunteers that assist with museum operations and events. While volunteers can sometimes prove difficult to come by, Weaver speaks highly of the Mt. Pleasant community’s ability to give back. 

“The number of organizations and nonprofits seems high for a community of our size,” she says. “I think that shows how much people in our area care about helping each other and contributing to the community.”

Weaver has found ways to channel the community’s ethos of compassion in a way that helps the MPDM and its visitors. 

“CMU medical students volunteer at the museum by running a Teddy Bear Clinic,” Weaver shares. “The program helps reduce anxiety around doctors’ visits by giving kids a fun hands-on experience in a setting that feels safe. It also gives the medical students an opportunity to connect and be involved in the community in a meaningful way.”

As Weaver works to coordinate volunteers, she works in a similar manner to ensure her fellow MPDM employees have the support they need. When teams are small, support can often be at a premium due to the large burden of responsibilities that fall on each individual. 

Weaver serves as the glue for the MPDM in times of high workloads.

“I appreciate knowing that the work I do supports others and has a meaningful impact,” she explains. “In HR, I get to help staff thrive, which allows them to create experiences at the museum that foster curiosity and a love of learning.”

In addition to supporting staff and organizing volunteers, Weaver also has a hand in determining the direction of the MPDM as it relates to the content of the exhibits. Planning the exhibits is a difficult task in a world that is increasingly overstimulating for museum visitors, and where attention spans are under siege from many sources. 

This makes Weaver’s work all the more important. 

“One of the ongoing challenges is working with limited resources to create engaging experiences for children,” Weaver says. “In my role, that means continuing to learn new ways to keep the exhibit floor active, welcoming, and engaging for visitors.”

It is Weaver’s hope that the MPDM can continue to support the Mt. Pleasant community in the long term. 

She points out the mutualistic relationship between the community and the museum, stating, “I think continued support for local organizations and professionals [within the Mt. Pleasant community] will be important. Having strong networks of supporters helps organizations like the museum grow and better serve the community.” 

As she continues to be a key aspect of the bridge between the community and the MPDM, she says she’s looking forward to the future.

“I am excited to continue to watch the museum grow and find new ways to make it a place where families can connect.”