Emma Hagler

Emma Hagler is Museum Store Manager at the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio, where she manages a 185-square-foot retail space offering a carefully curated selection of creative and art-inspired items. Her purchasing responsibilities include selecting a wide range of books, jewelry, handcrafted items, children’s products, and custom items that reflect the museum’s mission and aesthetic.

Since joining the museum in 2020, Emma has brought innovation, energy, and a refined sense of design to her role while becoming an active member of the Museum Store Association (MSA). She has participated in MSA FORWARD, the association’s annual conference and trade show, since 2022, and currently serves as Co-Chair of the MSA Next Gen Committee, a national initiative that supports and enhances new professionals in museum retail.

In this role, Emma led high-impact projects aimed at promoting accessibility and inclusion in museum retail spaces. She was instrumental in creating the Next Gen Pavilion during the 2024 edition of MSA Forward in Los Angeles-a dedicated space for first-time exhibitors with reduced participation fees-making vendors’ presence more accessible and helping to diversify the market. It also designed and launched a Virtual Town Hall webinar series, providing a platform for novice professionals to connect, share experiences and discover opportunities for growth in the industry.

With more than five years of experience in museum retail, Emma is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, her commitment to professional development, and her keen ability to identify products that combine aesthetic value, consistency with the museum’s mission, and commercial sustainability.