Virginia Anne Sharber holds a juris doctor degree from the University of Tennessee School of Law and practiced law for 25 years with Miller & Martin, PLLC before joining the Hunter Art Museum in 2015 as its sixth executive director. Her leadership has brought about changes such as admitting children and youth for free, partnering with community organizations on programs for youth and families, and helping design programs to better engage more diverse audiences.
She has also brought skills and experience from serving on numerous boards on the arts (such as Allied Arts, the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and Chattanooga Public Art), women’s issues (such as Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute and the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga), education (such as Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy) and other community centered issues (such as the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Memorial Health Care Foundation, Metropolitan YMCA, United Way and RiverCity Company). Sharber is currently serving as the 109th president of the Downtown Rotary Club, on the board of the Chattanooga Area Chamber and as a member of the Chattanooga Public Art Commission.
What is your best business habit?
Listening hard and trying to understand the audience’s perspectives and objectives, whether that audience is a client, a visitor, a supporter or a board member. Taking a customer-oriented approach yields invaluable insights and avenues for problem-solving and relationship-building. This habit served me well in my career as an attorney and continues to be invaluable as I lead the Hunter Museum.
How did you discover or develop it?