Philadelphia Art Museum director fired after Board claims she was too focused on DEI

Per Philadelphia Magazine, Suda was emailed just after 9 am on Tuesday informing her that she was being terminated for "cause" and that the board wished her "every success" on her future.

In August, the Philadelphia Citizen reported, citing several people, that "longtime board members are displeased with Suda for focusing — too much, they say — on inclusion, for what they consider a narrow focus when it comes to exhibitions, and for a slow start to fundraising."

The museum confirmed Suda’s departure in a statement to the Daily Mail, adding that the current Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and Conservation, Louis Marchesano, will be leading day-to-day operations until a new CEO is found.

Suda became the museum’s CEO in 2022, and shortly after joining, she released an equity agenda that included goals to reach by 2025 such as $5 million raised for African American art, 35 percent supplier diversity, and 40 percent of employees being from diverse backgrounds. Suda had said that the goals had been discussed before she began her tenure.

Suda debuted an exhibition titled The Time is Always Now in 2025, which features pieces from African American artists, and also launched the Brind Center for African and African Diaspora Art.

Suda also headed the museum as it underwent a rebranding that was widely criticized. The museum was renamed from the Chiladelphia Museum of Art to the Philadelphia Art Museum. The newest name raised concerns among board members, who noted that name has been shortened among those on social media to read "PhArt."

Museum trustee Yoram (Jerry) Wind told the Philadelphia Inquirer of the rebrand, "Basically the board never approved it. We had expected to see it after the board gave feedback and expected to see the final version so we could approve it or at least see what they were planning to do. And it was launched, so we were as surprised as everyone else."