MIAMI — February 24, 2026 — Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is thrilled to announce the appointment of María Carla Chicuén as Associate Executive Director and Chief Strategy & Collaboration Officer, a newly established leadership role designed to strengthen institutional strategy, cross-sector collaboration and community engagement during a period of major transformation and institutional growth.
A nationally recognized arts and civic leader, Chicuén brings more than 15 years of visionary experience overseeing complex multidisciplinary projects and programs, raising significant funding and building durable partnerships across the public, private and philanthropic sectors. She joins Vizcaya at a pivotal moment as the National Historic Landmark advances major preservation projects, revitalizes Vizcaya Village, and deepens its role as a civic and cultural anchor for Miami.
“María Carla brings a rare combination of strategic rigor, cultural fluency and deep community credibility,” said Joel Hoffman, Vizcaya’s Executive Director and CEO. “Her leadership experience at the intersection of community engagement and institutional growth will be invaluable as Vizcaya continues to advance its mission and values throughout an expanded campus including the Vizcaya Village.”
Chicuén has gained deep knowledge of Vizcaya through her service as an Honorary Board member for the past two years. In her new role, she will work in close partnership with Vizcaya’s senior leadership and the Board of Directors to advance institutional strategy and strengthen external relationships in support of Vizcaya’s vision to be “A Home for Miami and an Inspiration for All.”
“Vizcaya is a living testament to the rich history and resilient spirit of Miami,” said Chicuén. “As a proud Miamian, I am honored to help steward this beloved National Historic Landmark into its next chapter—working alongside our exemplary team, Board and partners to realize Vizcaya’s full potential as a vibrant destination for all. Together, we will transform Vizcaya Village into a premier cultural hub where art, culture, nature and education thrive, sparking a renewed connection across our community.”
Chicuén most recently served as Executive Director of Cultural Affairs at Miami Dade College, where she oversaw a portfolio of five cultural entities, including the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, Museum of Art & Design, Live Arts Miami and the Koubek Center. In that role, she led multidisciplinary teams and strengthened cross-institutional collaboration while expanding public access and recognition and modernizing operational models.
A defining achievement of her tenure was co-leading the reopening of the Freedom Tower and its multi-year renovation, which reestablished the National Historic Landmark as a vital civic and cultural anchor in celebration of its centennial anniversary. Chicuén played a central role in translating preservation goals into public-facing impact—overseeing exhibition development, integrating historical interpretation with contemporary technology and shaping a visitor experience rooted in accessibility and lived experience. She also helped launch a major oral history initiative that gathered more than 400 community testimonies and led a capital campaign that secured more than $20 million in funding to support the Tower’s long-term sustainability.
Previously, Chicuén served as the founding Executive Director of FIU’s CasaCuba, where she led the creation of a new cultural space dedicated to Cuban heritage. She defined its mission, built its organizational infrastructure and managed a multi-year fundraising campaign that raised more than $26 million, including significant philanthropic and federal support.
Chicuén currently serves on the Board of the Arts & Business Council and the Celia Cruz Foundation. She is an Ascend Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with High Honors in History from Harvard University and a Master of Science in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
ABOUT VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark in Miami, originally built between 1914 and 1922 as the winter estate of James Deering. Open as a public museum since 1953, this European-inspired estate welcomes 400,000 visitors annually and includes a Main House filled with decorative arts, 10 acres of formal gardens, native forests and mangrove shores.
The Vizcaya campus includes the historic Vizcaya Village on the west side of South Miami Avenue. Here, Vizcaya offers a Sunday farmers market, community programs on urban agriculture, wellness and other topics, and a charming Café in the restored Superintendent’s House that is open on weekends.
Located at 3251 South Miami Avenue (with the Village across the street at 3250 South Miami Avenue), Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is open daily, except Tuesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information, visit www.vizcaya.org.
MEDIA CONTACT | For general media inquiries, please email marketing@vizcaya.org.
