Museum of Ventura County

Elena Brokaw
The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director
Museum of Ventura County

Elena Brokaw has devoted her career to creating stronger communities. 
Elena earned her bachelor’s degree in art history at Harvard University. She has worked extensively as a cultural consultant, for communities as well as organizations. As a lead consultant for the firm Jerry Allen and Associates, she completed Cultural Plans for the cities of Reno, Nevada; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Capitola, California. She has also facilitated public art planning processes for San Diego, California; Reno; and Minneapolis.
In her professional career, she has served as fundraising and development director for multiple organizations including the American Film Institute, was the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department in Ventura California for over a decade, and currently serves as The Barbara Barnard Smith Chief Executive Officer at the Museum of Ventura County. At the Museum, her goal is to spark curiosity, instill compassion, and foster connection, and she works to ensure that everyone’s story and history is preserved for generations to come. 
Elena has served on many regional boards, including Women’s Economic Ventures, Ventura County Social Justice Fund, the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, and the Ventura College Community Foundation. She is a member of the Harvard Selection Committee.
Elena grew up in Ventura County, and lives with her husband and son in Santa Paula.