The Skirball Cultural Center has announced that Sheri Bernstein, Reuben J. Sanchez and Pamela Kohanchi will serve in new leadership positions. (photos by Ramona Trent/courtesy of the Skirball Cultural Center)

The Skirball Cultural Center has appointed Sheri Bernstein as museum director effective July 1. A member of the senior leadership team for 20 years, Bernstein currently serves as vice president of education and visitor experience, and previously worked as project director of Noah’s Ark at the Skirball. Bernstein succeeds Robert Kirschner, who has served as museum director since 2008.

The Skirball has also hired two leaders in critical administrative roles. Reuben J. Sanchez has been named chief financial officer, responsible for developing and leading financial and investment management strategies for the Skirball, which has an annual operating budget of $25 million. Pamela Kohanchi has been named senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, overseeing and advancing the institution’s legal and governance framework, government relations, talent and culture.

Sanchez most recently served as regional vice president of finance at Live Nation’s North America Concerts Division. Kohanchi joins the Skirball after 12 years at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where she was deputy general counsel. Sanchez and Kohanchi began in their new positions on April 26.

“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary and look to the challenges and opportunities before us, I am thrilled to welcome brilliant talents to leadership roles focused on deepening our commitment to the community,” Skirball President and CEO Jessie Kornberg said. “With our galleries about to reopen and exhibition planning moving forward once again, Sheri Bernstein takes the helm of the Skirball Museum at an especially exciting time. We are also pleased to bring aboard Reuben Sanchez and Pamela Kohanchi, two outstanding professionals in their fields. Though they come from different industries, communities and professional backgrounds, each has a deep personal connection to our mission and are themselves a beautiful reflection of the breadth of the Skirball community.”

The Skirball Cultural Center is currently open to members for Noah’s Outdoor Explorers. On May 15, the exhibition “Ai Weiwei: Trace” will open to the general public, with member preview days running through May 14.

The Skirball Cultural Center is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. For information, including new ticketing guidelines and safety protocols, visit skirball.org.