Arts Consulting Group Recruits COO for the Bruce
January 8, 2026 – Boston-based search firm Arts Consulting Group (ACG) has placed Nathan Smallwood as the new chief operating officer of the Bruce Museum (the Bruce) in Greenwich, Conn. Todd Ahrens and Josyanne Roche, vice presidents at the firm, led the assignment. “Nathan Smallwood’s background and expertise made him an obvious choice for the Bruce,” said Mary-Kate O’Hare, Susan E. Lynch executive director and CEO. “He brings both a steady, mission-driven approach and a genuine passion for the intersection of art, science, and community engagement that defines the Bruce. We are happy to welcome Nathan to our senior leadership team and look forward to collaborating with him to ensure the Bruce’s operational excellence and growing impact throughout Greenwich and the greater Tri-State region.”
Mr. Smallwood brings more than two decades of leadership experience, spearheading operations and strengthening visitor engagement at cultural, educational, and environmental organizations across the country, including at the Wild Bear Nature Center, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, and the Taft Museum of Art.
Mr. Smallwood comes to the Bruce from the Wild Bear Nature Center, where he served as CEO from 2023 through 2025. Under his leadership, the center underwent a $13-million capital expansion, creating a new, net-energy-positive campus that increased public engagement and institutional sustainability. In his position, Mr. Smallwood oversaw all finance, HR, and technology systems and implemented a mission-critical database integration to support fundraising, programs, and visitor engagement. Previously, Mr. Smallwood served as the president and chief executive officer at the Kalamazoo Nature Center.
In his new role at the Bruce, Mr. Smallwood will work closely with senior leadership to provide strategic, financial, and operational oversight and support interdepartmental collaboration. He will also serve as a key liaison with the Town of Greenwich and community partners.
“The Bruce Museum’s integration of art and science and its vibrant role as a civic and educational center resonate deeply with my career-long commitment to institutions that educate, connect, and inspire,” said Mr. Smallwood. “As an executive with deep experience leading organizations dedicated to art and nature and as a Yale graduate who has lived in and loves the region, I am looking forward to collaborating with Bruce leadership and staff to advance the Bruce’s mission, with innovation and community as core priorities.”
The Bruce is a community-based, world-class institution accredited by the American Alliance of Museums that offers a changing array of exceptional exhibitions and educational programs to promote the understanding and appreciation of art, science, and the intersections between the two disciplines. Now considered ahead of its time for taking this multidisciplinary approach over a century ago, the Bruce is at the heart of contemporary efforts to bring together art, science, technology, and creativity to generate moments of discovery and dialogue. The first exhibition at the Bruce took place in 1912 and featured works by local artists known as the Greenwich Society of Artists, several of whom were members of the Cos Cob Art Colony. Their works formed the nucleus of the Bruce’s art holdings and continue to be a strength of the collection, which has expanded to focus on global art from 1850 to the present.
Arts and Culture Recruiters
Arts Consulting Group provides interim management, executive search, revenue enhancement consulting, facilities and program planning, and organizational development services for the arts and culture industry. The firm has identified senior-level leaders for the Long Beach Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Chicago Opera, Stockton Symphony Association and Portland Baroque Orchestra, among others. The firm has offices in Boston; Calgary; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Halifax; Los Angeles; Nashville, TN; New York; Portland, OR; San Francisco; Tampa, FL; Toronto; and Washington, D.C.
Related: Arts Consulting Group Finds New Leader for the San Francisco Jazz Organization
Strategist, researcher, and award-winning storyteller Nagham Wehbe (she/her/hers) joined ACG in 2021, enriching the team with her multifaceted professional, academic, and cultural background. Prior to becoming President in 2025, she served as Senior Vice President, leading ACG’s Planning & Capacity Building practice, and playing a pivotal role in overseeing the firm’s Executive Search, Interim Management, and Revenue Enhancement practice areas.
Mr. Ahrens has 30 years of nonprofit experience in the arts, museums, and education sectors, including 15 years in senior-level management positions. In addition to his extensive experience organizing and leading capital and endowment campaigns, his areas of expertise include major and planned gifts, corporate sponsorship, memberships, and grants. He is experienced in revitalizing earned revenue streams, including subscriptions, retail sales, and facility rentals, as well as with marketing, communication, and branding strategies.
Ms. Roche has a wealth of experience in organizational development and talent cultivation, and recruitment. She has devoted her career to helping clients find senior leaders to meet their needs and in establishing strong, equitable, and diverse teams. Her areas of expertise include client engagement, project management, candidate development, and research spanning across higher education, non-profit, arts and culture, healthcare, and government sectors.
Related: Arts Consulting Recruits New Leader for Martha’s Vineyard Museum
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
