Meet Sabrina Wurf, the Membership Manager in our Development department. Sabrina has been with us for twenty years and sat down with us to discuss some of her interests and tell us stories about her time here. 

Q: Tell us about a past or present exhibition that you enjoyed and why. 

A: The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited was wonderful. It appealed to all ages and generations. The exhibition—and Henson's creations—evoked joy, play, fun, and fantasy, while simultaneously offering us messages of inclusion and acceptance across all cultures and abilities. People were so happy to attend this exhibition. It just hit all the right notes.

Q: Describe a Skirball event you had the opportunity to attend. What made it special for you?  

A: We have countless incredible events. A unique one which I remember from 2016 was a theater performance by Touretteshero, Backstage in Biscuit Land, performed by Jess Thom and Jess Mabel Jones. It was presented as "relaxed performance" and was an important step forward in accessibility and inclusiveness. Guests were able to move around freely during the program, as not everyone is able to follow traditional theater etiquette. This neurotypical performance made accessible to all, was groundbreaking for our public programs team.

Q: What's one activity you prioritize outside of the Skirball? How does it interact with the work you do here? 

A: Occasionally—on Instagram—I run auctions to raise money for artists (often silversmiths) who are undergoing a challenging time in life and cannot work (due to illness and/or family catastrophes). It is very labor and time intensive but utilizes the same types of skills I use in my membership position (including customer service, fundraising, social media, technology, compassion and service). The auctions have given me opportunities to help others. In most cases those I helped were able to return to their artist careers and I was so happy to have given them hope and help during a hard time.

Q: Tell us about a coworker who has gone above and beyond to represent the Skirball in their work. 

A: Dan Matthews is the Skirball's longtime IT Director. I value him highly as a mentor and friend. He always has the Skirball's best interests in mind. He approaches his work not only from a technical perspective, but from a human perspective. He is an incredible teacher. He is level-headed, calm, caring, and incredibly smart and talented. I think every department may consider him an honorary member because his work touches all departments. From his vantage point he knows what is happening across the Skirball and can dial in projects with that big picture in mind. He focuses on technology growth and improvements at a sustainable and reasonable rate so that we have a strong foundation for continued growth and success.

Q: What are you looking forward to learning more about yourself in the following year? 

A: Having been at the Skirball for 20 years I am used to times of institutional change and we have been going through some of that recently. That does not always make it easy but it does make it very interesting. I have been able to utilize a wider array of skills during times like this which always leads to growth. I have a tendency to work long hours. I'm hoping to learn how to find more of a work-life balance in the years ahead while simultaneously growing my skills as we forge into new territories. We soon will be implementing and launching digital membership cards as well as growing the prospect management side of our database. I love technology, in addition to interacting with our Members, and I am excited to work on these projects.

Q: Do you have any additional thoughts you'd like to share on what makes working at the Skirball special? 

A: We have a great culture and community at the Skirball. Our Human Resources team led by Stephanie Hammerwold, our Director of Talent and Culture, is terrific. Stephanie created an employee council last year, called the 96'ers, which I am on. We are sort of like an advisory group, sharing ideas with Stephanie to help strengthen employee benefits and offerings. It's a fun group and it is great to make a difference for my colleagues.

Our institution is more than just a workplace—it's a community where each team member plays a vital role in bringing the Skirball's mission and values to life, and creating memorable experiences for all who walk through our doors. As a loving tribute to our original benefactors, Jack and Audrey Skirball, and because of the Skirballs' dedication to education and cultural exchange, we proudly call ourselves "Skirballers."

We regularly spotlight one of these Skirballers, showcasing their unique talents, passions, and contributions to our community. Through these introductions, we invite you to get to know the people who make working here truly something special.