Christine McGuire

Executive Director, Diefenbunker

Christine McGuire

Executive Director, Diefenbunker

In today’s dynamic landscape, women are playing pivotal roles across industries, driving transformative change and breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated domains. From technology and finance to government and cultural institutions, women leaders are at the forefront of innovation and progress. Among these influential figures is Christine McGuire, the accomplished Executive Director of Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum. McGuire exemplifies exceptional leadership, steering the museum with confidence and vision. As one of The Most Influential Women Leaders to Watch in 2024, she stands as a testament to the remarkable contributions of women, proving that their impact extends far beyond boundaries, reshaping narratives, and inspiring future generations.

Forging a Legacy of Leadership

From a young age, Christine McGuire drew inspiration from her parents’ strong work ethic. Her mother, who raised five children and ran a daycare, and her father, who established a metal manufacturing business in Ottawa, instilled in her the values of hard work and ambition. Influenced by her three sisters’ drive, her little brother’s kindness, and encouragement from her high school sweetheart, now her husband of nearly 20 years, Christine’s upbringing shaped her as an individual with a strong sense of purpose.

When her father died from leukemia when she was just 18 years old, she learnt about the value of life and chasing one’s dreams. It was a very important juncture that brought to an end one journey and commenced another journey. Also, from her early childhood, Christine thought of museums as wonders of curiosity and learning, and her drive for this passion led her to obtain an MA in Public history from Carleton University with emphasis on the historical representation and public memory of the 1973 Chilean coup d’état.

Her academic journey exposed her to the profound impact of museums as spaces where traumatic memories materialize and communities share their narratives. Working with refugees during her degree, Christine learned the significance of consultation and representation, understanding that histories are best told through the perspectives and experiences of those who lived them. Now serving as the Executive Director at the Diefenbunker, Christine considers community consultation crucial, providing a platform for underrepresented groups to share their Cold War stories. She believes in the transformative power of sharing stories to shape a better present and future collectively.

From Museums to History’s Frontiers

Over the course of the past 18 years, Christine McGuire has had the privilege of contributing to various facets of the museum sector, showcasing her expertise in executive leadership, visitor experience, exhibition content and development, digital initiatives, marketing and communications, education, community outreach, interpretation, and evaluation. Throughout her distinguished career, she has consistently brought creativity, drive, and passion to redefine exhibitions and elevate audience engagement. Renowned for pushing the boundaries of experiential exhibitions with a foundation in innovation, public engagement, and social responsibility, Christine has provided leadership to organizations seeking transformation and growth. Her advocacy for change management, strategic planning, and strong leadership has been instrumental in driving success and growth within the museum realm.

In 2018, Christine McGuire humbly assumed the role of Executive Director at the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum. Intrigued by its uniqueness, the Diefenbunker stands out globally as the only underground bunker of its scale recognized as a national historic site and operating as a public museum year-round. Recognizing the immense potential of this organization, Christine, along with the exceptional team, aims to expand its reach and share the significant Cold War history with local, national, and international audiences.

As the Executive Director

In her capacity as the Executive Director, Christine McGuire takes on the crucial responsibility of safeguarding and stewarding the Diefenbunker organization, offering strategic leadership for the creative implementation of the museum’s mandate, vision, and overall direction. This involves the adept utilization of the facility’s unique resources and extensive collections, employing fundraising and marketing strategies to deliver a comprehensive and integrated visitor experience, along with a successful public engagement program.

Given the independent charitable status of the Diefenbunker, a significant aspect of Christine’s role revolves around securing funds for site preservation and museum growth. With a reliance on revenue generated by award-winning programs and exhibitions, Christine actively pursues and secures grants to enhance the organization. Over the past three years, she has successfully obtained grants exceeding $3 million for various initiatives, including visitor experience renewal projects and capital upgrades. Positioned as leaders in the museum field, the Diefenbunker team, under Christine’s guidance, is pioneering site preservation efforts, fostering an immersive educational platform, diversifying revenue streams, and fostering community collaborations, ensuring a promising future.

The Diefenbunker holds a dual mandate, proudly contributing to Canada’s heritage landscape by preserving the site as a national historic site while operating as a Cold War museum. Embracing their role in fostering interest and a critical understanding of the Cold War for future generations, the organization values both the history encapsulated within its walls and the individuals, past and present, dedicated to preserving and interpreting it.

Navigating Challenges

Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Christine McGuire, at the helm of the Diefenbunker, witnessed the transformative impact on the museum landscape in Canada. With the visitors contributing three-quarters of the operating revenue, the pandemic necessitated a significant shift in the organization’s direction. Despite the hurdles, the Diefenbunker emerged as a beacon of resilience, agility, and creativity, navigating through the storm and leading with a poignant narrative of a nation confronting isolation, fear, and global tension during the Cold War.

Christine’s leadership during these trying times underscored the importance of engagement, connection, collaboration, and communication. Her satisfaction lies in guiding an exceptional team that prioritizes iterative learning, innovation, and best practices. Fostering an environment that encourages experimentation and learning from failures, the team embodies a culture of “dreaming big,” perpetually seeking improvement and elevation.

The vision under Christine’s guidance is for the Diefenbunker to become the world’s foremost experiential Cold War learning environment. This involves expanding the national profile and visibility of the Diefenbunker as Canada’s Cold War Museum, leading visitors through a compelling journey of Canada’s Cold War story. Financial sustainability is targeted through diversifying revenue sources and growing fundraising capacity, alongside a commitment to establishing a long-term sustainability and preservation plan.

Beyond its role as a museum, the Diefenbunker envisions itself as a testament to resilience and sustainability, a cultural, heritage, and tourism attraction in rural Ottawa, sharing stories of national and international significance. Serving as a safe haven for learning from the past, the Diefenbunker holds a central place in the community, inviting reflection, appreciation, and remembrance—a beacon illustrating how international diplomacy can defuse conflicts and how collective effort can overcome differences.

On a Personal Note

Christine McGuire, residing on a spacious 3-acre lot in the countryside, passionately indulges in her love for gardening. The expansive garden reflects her commitment and dedication, traits she seamlessly applies to cultivate it with ease, focus, and a clear vision. In contemplating her work at the museum, Christine frequently draws inspiration from the energy and mindfulness she invests in her gardening pursuits, aiming to infuse that same passion into her professional endeavors.

Company
Diefenbunker

Management

Christine McGuire
Executive Director

Description

The Diefenbunker was commissioned by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1959, as part of his government’s reaction to escalating tensions in the Cold War. The purpose of the bunker was to house key members of the government and military in the event of a nuclear attack on Canada.