Kelley Szany
Kelley Szany is the Senior Vice President of Education and Exhibitions at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie, Illinois. With more than two decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit and museum sectors, she is recognized for advancing innovative approaches to historical education and museum engagement. Szany specializes in Holocaust and genocide education, exhibition development, and the integration of emerging technologies—such as virtual reality and interactive testimony—to create powerful, immersive learning experiences that connect audiences with survivor stories and historical events. Over the course of nearly 25 years at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, Szany has progressed from intern to senior executive leadership. She oversees the museum’s educational initiatives, public programming, professional training, and exhibition strategy, while guiding long-term institutional vision and growth. Her work includes executive producing several virtual reality films that allow visitors to experience sites of survival alongside Holocaust survivors, as well as development of interactive experiences that use non-generative AI technology to enable future generations to engage in conversations with survivors’ recorded testimony. In 2023, she also helped launch an online platform designed to expand global access to these interactive survivor testimonies. Originally from Syracuse, New York, Szany earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Canisius University and a Master of Arts in Public History from Loyola University Chicago. She serves in several leadership and advisory roles, including co-chair of the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission and vice president of the board for the Educators Institute for Human Rights. Throughout her career, Szany has remained committed to preserving the lessons of Holocaust and genocide history, emphasizing empathy, resilience, and the importance of combating hatred and dehumanization through education.
• Loyola University Chicago - M.A.
• Canisius College - B.A.
• Griffs 40 Under 40
• Damen Award
• Carl Wilkens Fellowship, i-ACT, 2014
• Samuel Goldsmith Award
• Educators Institute for Human Rights
• Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my professional trajectory to a long-term dedication to the museum’s core mission and the transformative experience of collaborating with Survivors. Supported by high-level mentorship and a belief in organic growth, I’ve learned that lasting impact comes from both persistent passion and a trust in the long-term process
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve found that the best career guidance isn't told—it’s shown. Watching seasoned leaders in action and allowing my growth to happen naturally has been far more impactful than any one-off tip.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
In a world of "hustle culture," it’s easy to feel behind. However, some of the most profound career milestones come from staying the course and allowing your expertise to deepen over time.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Our work today is a direct response to a climate of divisiveness, antisemitism, and hatred. In my field, the greatest opportunities for impact currently move along two distinct paths. First is the integration of immersive technologies—such as XR and VR—to extend our storytelling and access far beyond the museum’s physical walls. Second, and equally vital, is the evolution of the museum itself into a transformative place for community dialogue. By designing exhibitions and programming that leave room for difficult conversations, we can address hard histories head-on.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
At the core of my professional and personal life is a commitment to humanization and empathy. I believe that by grounding our work in hope, resilience, and courage, we can fulfill the museum’s educational mission and do the vital work of preventing hatred. For me, history is not just a study of the past, but a tool for building a more compassionate and courageous future.