California Museum Announces New Executive Board Leadership

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – Jan. 31, 2022: The California Museum announced five new executive board leadership appointments, extending a tradition of service to the community.

Anne-Marie Petrie has been elected chair of the nonprofit’s board of trustees, continuing her “retirement” after a career in media and entertainment. A member of the Museum board for nearly 15 years, she was most recently vice president/national political director for CBS Radio and has an extensive background in nonprofit fundraising and political public relations.

“I’m thrilled to continue my service to the California Museum and to our community in this new position,” Petrie said of her appointment.  “I look forward to bringing my years of experience on various nonprofit boards and my network of connections to the table to advance the mission of the Museum as its board chair.”

Petrie will lead an equally dynamic newly elected executive committee. Vice chairs are Kristen Soares, whose lengthy resume in education policy, administration, and governmental advocacy includes her current position as president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AICCU); and Chris Kahn, who brings decades of experience working with state and local governments to the Museum, including as legislative secretary and deputy chief of staff to former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and now as owner of Chris Kahn Consulting.

Michael Ueltzen, the Museum’s new treasurer, is a forensic accountant, a faculty member of the University of California at Davis – Graduate School of Management, and a member of the Board of Directors of General Produce Company. Newly elected secretary Jami Goldstene, co-founder of Solomon’s, brings her experience in strategic and crisis communications, branding, media relations, and public affairs to the Museum.

Longtime Museum board chair Richard Costigan, who is senior director of state & government affairs at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, will continue to support the Museum’s mission and assist with the transition of leadership in a new position as immediate past chair.

The appointments strengthen the pool of talent that helps inform the nonprofit’s direction. “Assuming their new positions just this month, Anne-Marie and the other new executive committee members already are decisively moving the Museum forward, guiding us through new pandemic protocols, and helping to ensure our sustainability,” said Amanda Meeker, the California Museum’s executive director. “With their guidance, I couldn’t be more optimistic about the future of the California Museum.”