EsT. 2023

museum operations, security & Safety professionals

The formation of the Cultural Safeguard Alliance emerged through regular monthly dialogues centered on the safeguarding of Cultural Properties, which saw the participation of security and safety experts from across the world. This endeavor was focused on the exchange of expertise and mutual support regarding significant matters in the field. Adam Raffone from Yale University took the initiative to advance these discussions by instituting our monthly call, an effort that was bolstered by Stephanie McKenna from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and James MacSkimming of The Museum of Flight. Together, they laid the foundation for this co-op, with the goal to cultivate cooperative efforts and tackle the modern-day challenges faced in the realm of cultural security and safety.

While the Cultural Safeguard Alliance maintains independence from other organizations, the majority of our leadership comprises a blend of international cultural property protection experts from esteemed international organizations. Acknowledging the need for inter-organizational networking and the financial challenges faced by institutions, our network is dedicated to guiding and supporting institutions towards the most suitable groups and organizations that can effectively meet their needs.  Our aim is to facilitate professionals' access to cutting-edge technology advancements, security risk assessments, and shared resources and databases, as well as to identify contractors and vendors specializing in the cultural properties industry. Our approach emphasizes efficiency by leveraging existing expertise and resources rather than reinventing the wheel.

est 2023

Cultural Safeguard Alliance

Founding Contributors

Stephanie (McKenna) Gardner

Senior Manager, Protection Services

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Adam Raffone

Head of Security Training & Development

Yale University - Museums & Libraries

James MacSkimming

Head of Security & Safety

Museum of Flight

leadership committee

Ascanio Odorico

VP, Security & Risk Management 

Royal Ontario Museum

Lori Flor

Director of Security & Safety

University of California - San Diego Libraries

Ilan Levine

Security Manager

Frye Art Museum

Ricardo "Rick" St. Hilaire

Attorney

Former Presidential Appointee, US Cultural Property Advisory Committee

organization liaisons

Justin Hitt

IFMA Museum/Cultural Institutions Council

Chris Singh

Senior Security Manager

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

ASIS Cultural Properties Steering Committee

Robert Carotenuto

AAM Security Professional Network

Bill Powers

IFCPP