Leadership and Staff

Todd A. Herman, PhD

Chief Executive Officer and President

Todd Herman joined The Mint Museum in August 2018 as its President and CEO after serving as the Executive Director at the Arkansas Arts Center (AAC) for seven years. While there, he brought the institution to fiscal stability, expanded its programming and outreach, and diversified the AAC’s exhibitions to reflect the broader community. He also launched a $100M renovation and expansion project with celebrated architect Jeanne Gang.

As President & CEO of the Mint, he oversees an operating budget of $10M and manages more than 50 full-time and 25 part-time employees. His vision for the Mint includes creating a collaborative atmosphere between arts organizations that positions the Mint as a sustained and integral part of the educational and creative fabric of the community. Through exhibitions and the Mint’s renowned collection, Todd intends to celebrate the diversity of voices expressed in art that will bring the World to the doorstep of this vibrant city.

Todd received his undergraduate degrees in art history and microbiology from James Madison University, an MA degree in art history from the University of South Carolina, and his PhD in art history from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland with a focus on Italian Renaissance painting. He has worked in the curatorial departments of the Columbia Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Art and taught art history at USC, Cleveland State, and for the University of Georgia in Cortona, Italy. He has written extensively on the art of Venice and for exhibitions and catalogs on Italian Renaissance Art, and organized the nationally traveling exhibition “Mark Rothko: The Decisive Decade, 1940-1950”.

Gary C. Blankemeyer

Chief Operating / Chief Financial Officer

M.B.A. Case Western Reserve University
B.B.A., University of Cincinnati

After more than 25 years in Financial and General Management Gary joined the Mint Museum the end of June 2015. Prior to joining the Mint, in his first endeavor in the non-profit world, Gary was Senior Vice President, Finance for Child Care Resources from January 2010 through June 2015. Prior to Child Care Resources, he held various senior general management and financial management positions over 23 years at Bosch Rexroth Corporation, a German based global manufacturing company.

Hillary Cooper

Chief Advancement Officer

Ebony House-Bradshaw

Director of Human Resources

Ebony House-Bradshaw serves as the Director of Human Resources at The Mint Museum, where she plays a key role in aligning the organization’s talent strategy with its long-term and financial objectives. With over 25 years of dedicated experience in human resources, her primary objective is to cultivate an environment that prioritizes diversity, transparency, employee development, and professionalism. She aims to establish partnerships that enhance organizational effectiveness and communication.

In her previous roles, Ebony held leadership positions in human resources at reputable organizations such as Time Warner Cable, Lowes, American Cancer Society, CFMA, and Merrill Lynch. She has actively contributed her expertise to various professional organizations, including SHRM, NAMIC, WICT, NBMBAA, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Diversity Officers Roundtable, and NAAAHR.

Ebony is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She is a Certified Diversity and Inclusion Facilitator, boasting additional certifications in leadership and human resources.

Ebony’s favorite piece in the permanent collection is “Conversation” by Leo Twiggs.

Michele Leopold

Sr. Director of Collections and Exhibitions

Cynthia Moreno

Sr. Director of Learning and Engagement

Clayton Sealey

Sr. Director of Marketing and Communications

Clayton Sealey joined The Mint Museum in 2022 and serves as the museum’s Senior Director of Marketing and Communications. His thirst for knowledge and new experiences has taken his career through many different industries, including fashion, publishing, news media, commercial real estate, architecture, and advertising — including traditional, out-of-home, transit, and experiential marketing. Clayton Sealey is a graduate of Savannah College of Art in Design, where he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Advertising, and also studied Art History, Architectural History, and Typography. His four years in Savannah and twelve years in Brooklyn, NY inspired his love of art, architecture, and urbanism. Clayton is a native Charlottean, and through the love of his hometown, volunteers his time and attention to make the city and region a better place for everyone. Clayton sits on the alumni governing board of Charlotte Latin School, was appointed as a Planning Commissioner for the city of Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, and serves on the NoDa Neighborhood Business Association. He also volunteers his time to Charlotte is Creative, The Charlotte Council of Creatives, and regularly contributes to numerous publications in Charlotte. During his free time, you will find Clayton tending his vegetable garden, brewing (and drinking) beer, and trying out new things in the kitchen. Clayton’s favorite piece in the collection is “Selma” by Barbara Pennington, it’s the one piece in the Mint’s collection that he cannot pass without stopping and taking some time to quietly reflect on the world.