Brandy Dillingham joined AAM as Director of Advocacy in 2024, managing AAM’s overall grassroots and advocate-mobilization strategy and campaigns. Brandy is a policy and advocacy professional with over 17 years of experience. During her seven years working for a member of Congress, she handled policy areas of relevance to AAM including arts, humanities, historic preservation, among others. She most recently spent over ten years working for a scientific professional membership society organizing grassroots advocacy efforts such as Congressional Visits Days, providing advocacy trainings, and program management. Outside of the office, she is an avid hiker and camper, who volunteers her time to maintaining and repairing hiking trails on public lands.

Nichole Westin joined AAM in 2025 as Senior Director, Government & Field Relations. She leads the new coalition-based advocacy model that draws on the full strength of the museum ecosystem to reassert the essential role of museums in national policy conversations. She has worked in policy, government relations, and advocacy for over 25 years and over the course of her career,  she has spearheaded successful policy efforts at both national and state levels. Nichole holds a Masters in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University and a BA in History from the University of Vermont. Outside of work, Nichole enjoys reading, music, and raising her daughter along with her husband.