New executive director named for Mennonite Heritage Village

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This article was published 29/11/2024 (224 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new executive director has been named to head Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach.

Robert Goertzen, who since the spring has been interim-executive director, was officially given the leadership role on Wednesday.

“It wasn’t something I was looking for, but given the need for an interim executive director over the summer, I was willing to do that and as the team worked together through all our programs, activities, and events, it just seemed like it was a good progression,” said Goertzen.

One of the qualities that got Goertzen his new role was his leadership skills, according to board president Willie Peters.

“He did a good job as (interim executive director) since May and showed his leadership and we’re thrilled that he accepted this,” said Peters.

Goerzen feels a good leader is only as good as the team around him or her.

“I really value the skills and abilities and insights that come from the team members on our staff and also for all of the contributions that our volunteers provide. With over 200 volunteers each summer, we really get to meet a lot of people and they bring their ideas as well as their own stories so we learn about each other and it makes the museum stronger and more relevant to each other.”

Goerzten is a co-founder of Main Bread and Butter and he left that position to work at the museum after studying history at the University of Winnipeg. Not only was he interested in history but Mennonite history and when the position of program manager came up in 2018 he leapt at the chance to work at MHV.

“I’m interested in history and Mennonite history in particular and in the business world you’re working with people all the time and the museum is central to the community. So, working with people and staff and volunteers and meeting many people in the public is something that is a critical for this organization. I thought it was a good opportunity and I’ve been learning along the way.”

Since then, he has been able to use his business knowledge at the museum with much success.

“I believe that some of the things that we learned (at Main Bread and Butter) was first of all that local is very important…I also believe that we gave many young people – both young people and adults – to learn skills about interacting with customers and developing skills. I think those skills are something that we continue to develop at the museum…over the summer.”

The museum will look for a new program manager in the new year.