Lavita McMath Turner is Chief Diversity Officer of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In this role, McMath Turner leads the Museum’s enterprise-wide strategic efforts to become more inclusive, equitable, fair, and welcoming. She collaborates with departments across the institution on initiatives, including employee relations and engagement, recruitment, programming, and audience development.

Previously, McMath Turner served as Assistant Dean for Equity, Inclusion, and Experiential Learning at CUNY’s Stella & Charles Guttman Community College. She provided strategic leadership in shaping the college’s equity, diversity, and inclusion plans. Prior, Lavita was the first Director of Government Relations at CUNY’s Kingsborough Community College, leading significant civic engagement efforts. She also worked at the Brooklyn Museum, managing their government relations department, and supporting the Museum’s efforts to engage more deeply with the Brooklyn Community. McMath Turner holds a Ph.D in Urban Education from the Graduate Center, CUNY; a Master of Science in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from the New School for Social Research; and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley.