At ICOM Dubai 2025, mentorship takes centre stage. A group of distinguished cultural leaders will guide emerging museum professionals through dialogue, reflection, and exchange. Drawing on decades of experience across heritage, education, and innovation, these mentors will help shape the conversations that define the museum field’s future.
From 11–17 November 2025, they will share their insights in dedicated mentoring sessions, spaces designed to inspire creative thinking and nurture the next generation of museum leaders.
Dr. Anne Marie Gillis
Cultural Advisor, Academic, and Board Member, ICOM-INTERCOM
A leading voice in cultural innovation and strategy, Dr. Anne Marie Gillis brings a deep understanding of creative leadership within the UAE and beyond. As a cultural advisor and academic, she lectures internationally and mentors young professionals in developing creative start-ups and museum initiatives. Her work bridges policy, practice, and education—empowering new generations to rethink the role of culture in contemporary society.
Luciana Menezes de Carvalho
Museologist and Vice-President, ICOM Brasil
Based at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Luciana Menezes de Carvalho combines academic rigour with hands-on museological practice. Her work explores both the theoretical and applied dimensions of museology, with a particular focus on territory-based approaches that connect museums to the communities and landscapes they represent. As Vice-President of ICOM Brasil, she champions inclusive narratives and local engagement across the museum sector.
Gail Lord
Co-founder and Partner, Lord Cultural Resources
A global authority in museum planning, Gail Lord has spent her career transforming how cultural institutions connect with communities. As co-founder of Lord Cultural Resources, the world’s leading museum consultancy, her visionary work has influenced institutions such as the Louvre, Tate, Smithsonian, Etihad Museum, and the Abrahamic Family House. A prolific author and speaker, Lord continues to shape the dialogue around museums as catalysts for social and cultural change.
At ICOM Dubai 2025, these mentors embody the conference’s spirit of collaboration, creativity, and shared learning. Join us in Dubai and be part of the conversations shaping the museums of tomorrow.
Be part of the conversation shaping the future of museums. Join thousands of professionals, experts, and innovators at the ICOM General Conference in Dubai — a global gathering where ideas meet action. Register now to secure your place!
