dcsimg Steven Hellman | National Conference on Cultural Property Protection Skip to main content
Toggle

2025

Speakers

Steven Hellman

Associate Chief Security Officer, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Steven Hellman, Associate Chief Security Officer, is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in law enforcement. He joined the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2022, after a distinguished career with the New York City Police Department. With a strong background as an executive in the police department for over a decade, Steven brings a wealth of expertise and exceptional leadership skills to his role. Currently, Steven is entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing and establishing the Museum’s Special Operations Division. His primary objective is to guide his team in effectively managing the Security Operations Center, as well as the newly created Intelligence Division. He plays a crucial role in developing comprehensive responses and deployment protocols, enabling the Museum to handle all security incidents with utmost efficiency. Steven has committed himself to the implementation of the Museum’s new security matrix, which includes the integration of incident response managers and critical response procedures. His keen insight and strategic approach contribute to the creation of a robust security infrastructure within the Museum, ensuring the safety and well-being of visitors, staff, and the valuable art collection. Steven’s contributions and commitment to excellence continue to elevate the Museum’s security standards and reinforce its reputation as a world-class institution.

EVENTS

8:45 – 9 a.m.

Welcome Mark E. Wallace Vernon Rapley Ron Cortez

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

May Day! Wet Books Workshop Robert (Bob) Combs Sam Snell Melissa Miller Andrew Robb

All Conference

Conference Moderators Sgt. Alia Davis Sgt. Ronald Gaskins Adam Bartelt

8:50 a.m. – 8:55 a.m.

Welcome Mark Wallace

Day 2

Meet Your Moderators Nikkia Morgan Bertha Ellis Terrell Wilson

Day 1

Meet Your Moderators Alia Davis Ronald Gaskins Terrell Wilson

8:50 a.m. – 8:55 a.m.

Welcome Mark Wallace
Photos + Videos

8:45 – 9:00 a.m.

Welcome Joanne Heyler Jason Heberlein Mark E. Wallace
Photos

Track 1

Track 1: LACMA, Petersen Automotive Museum, and Academy Museum

9 – 9:45 a.m.

Cultural Property Protection: The Year in Review Bob Combs

8:55 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Introduction Ron Cortez

9 – 9:30 a.m.

Protests in Museums, an Age-Old Problem! Vernon Rapley Remigiusz Plath

11 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.

Welcome

Track 2

Track 2: Norton Simon Museum , The Huntington, and the Autry Museum of the American West

11 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.

Welcome

8:55 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Introduction Meroë Park
Recordings

All Conference

Official Conference Photographers Charlotta Magruder Sgt. Will Palenscar Theodore Ellis Angie Kerns

10:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Emergency Operating Procedures (EOP) Workshop Darielle Pasquito Mark Gonzales

9:00 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.

Cultural Heritage Anti-trafficking Training for Federal Law Enforcement Dawn V. Rogala
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024

9:35 – 10:20 a.m.

Climate Activism – The Aftermath, Response, and Recovery Genia Reaves Frank W. Sulzer Steven Hellman

9:50 – 10:15 a.m.

Emerging Threats in Cultural Property Protection Tess Davis

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Keynote: Why the Museum Matters Daniel H. Weiss

Track 3

Track 3: Museum of Tolerance, The Grammy Museum, and MOCA

11:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

The Museum: A Short History of Crisis and Resilience Samuel J. Redman

On-site

Library of Congress Collection Safeguarding and the Site Assistance Visit Program Megan Keister

8:50 – 9:00 a.m.

Welcome Mark Wallace

8:50 – 9:00 a.m.

Welcome Mark E. Wallace Jeffrey Anoka

11:05 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.

Introduction by Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie G. Bunch III

10:35 – 11:35 a.m.

Heritage Site Protection and Global Access: Case Studies of Kenya and Saudi Arabia Joyce Kabacho-Kinyanjui Joseph Trindal

11:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

The Fire at Notre Dame: A Chronicle of the Restoration Process Francesco Bandarin

10:15 – 10:50 a.m.

Identity War in Ukraine: Culture and Heritage on the Battlefield Ihor Poshyvailo

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Masterpieces & Misdeeds: The Hidden World of Art Crime Tim Carpenter Dylan Garon

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Keynote Meroë Park
Track 1

9:40 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.

HSI’s Role in Protecting Cultural Property Michelle Bednar

10:05 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.

FBI Art Crime Team’s Update Kristin Koch

12:25 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.

Preparedness and Response in Collections Emergencies (PRICE): The Smithsonian’s First Central Collections Emergency Response Team

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Getty Security and Visitor Services Training Team: Supporting Team Success Through Onboarding and Refresher Training Isabel Yao Evelyn Chicas Deanna Arisdakessian

11:45 – 12:45 p.m.

Security Meets Hospitality: Crime Prevention Through Collaboration With Staff and Visitors Jennefer Vargas Darryl Bell Kim Covent Kevin Hull Gilbert A. Luna

1:10 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.

Vulnerability Assessment Results and Risk Management Resources Daniel (Dan) Genua Michael Stewart

9:30 – 10:20 a.m.

A Museum of the Moment: Case Studies from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art Chase F. Robinson

10:10 – 10:55 a.m.

Security of Art in Transit Jenn Donato Tony Barthel Steven Hellman

11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

Cultural Property Protection Structure and Fundamentals Glenn Dowd Breh Franky

12:25 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.

Crime Deterrence and Forensic Traceable Liquids: Impacting Illicit Antiquities Trade Alesia Koush

10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.

Assistance to Ukraine – Response and Rescue Katelynn Averyt Katharyn Hanson

1:25 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.

Locked Up With Art. How to Keep Your Visitors, Staff, and Collection Safe During a Lockdown Kim Covent Wesley De Smet

12:05 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.

Local, Federal, and International Crimes Against Art: Resources and Response Allen Grove

11:05 – 11:50 a.m.

Interconnectivity of Global Events: When International Incidents Have Local Impacts Laura Searson Henning Snyman Andy Davis

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

The Year in Review: A Survey of Incidents at Museums and Other Cultural Properties Robert (Bob) Combs

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Activists and Art: Protecting Our Cultural Heritage Genia Reaves Steven Hellman Christopher Singh Lambert Fernando Lance Chwan LJ Hartman John Carter Michael Thornton

11:25 a.m. – 12:40 p.m.

Panel Discussion: Emergency Communications Coordination Les Borsay Ramon Davis Melinda Machado Linda St. Thomas

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

Beyond the Vault: Technical Security Strategies for Protecting Cultural Assets Jonathan Silva Dan Bailey Jenn Stringer

2:10 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.

Working With a Barrier Model in Our Fight Against Art Crime Ibrahim Bulut Wesley De Smet

2:10 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.

Lightning Round: Technology, Machine Learning, Evolv, and Employee Screening Adrienne Jordan Kevin Roby Charlotte Whitacre Patrick Blasiol Steven Fischer

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Conservation and Exhibit of Stolen Willem de Kooning’s “Woman-Ochre” Olivia Miller Ulrich Birkmaier

3:20 – 3:50 p.m.

Preventing Insider Threat Through Access Control and Employee Screening Kevin Roby

3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Video Analytics Panel Dan Bailey Mario Piccolino

2 – 2:30 p.m.

Leading, Growing, and Enhancing the Visitor Experience Michael Donnelly

4:00 – 4:30 p.m.

PANOPTIKUM – Safe, Green, and Cost-effective Answer to Storage and Conservation Challenges of Polish Museums & Much More Paulina Florjanowicz

4:35 p.m.– 5:20 p.m.

Year in Review Robert (Bob) Combs

3:45 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.

Case Study: The MoMA Incident and Staff Wellness and Safety Michelle Reugebrink Amanda Jones Tunji Adeniji Danny Platt

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

New Directions in Fish and Wildlife Service Cultural Site Monitoring and Protection Carla D. Burnside Kimberly L. Fondren

2:35 – 3:05 p.m.

International Travel Risk Management Marie Morse Frank W. Sulzer

1:00 – 1:45 p.m.

Preparedness for Demonstrations and Protests Darielle Pasquito Cory D. Smalls

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

The 2025 LA Fires: Public Sector Response Chad Augustin Richard Pope Keith Roberts Oscar Vargas

4:35-5:05  p.m.

The Museum at the Frontier: The Challenges of Armenian Border Museums in Post-War Nzhdeh Yeranyan

6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Reception Anthea M. Hartig Mark Wallace

4:25 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.

Year in Review

2:40 – 3:40 p.m.

Planning & Recovery of Big Events Laura Searson Angelique Loffredo

1:45 – 2:25 p.m.

Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage at the Smithsonian and Beyond Samantha Snell Stacy Bowe

3:20 – 3:50 p.m.

TIEM @ 20: Assessing After 20 Years the Innovative Framework of the First Teamwork for Integrated Emergency Management for Asia Pacific Heritage Conservators, Organized by the Getty, ICOM, and ICCROM Ana Maria Theresa Labrador

4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Building a Culture of Care at the National Gallery of Art: New Approaches to Engaging Front-Facing Staff Mikka Gee Conway Haywood Turnipseed Jr. David Lee Jeannette Ibarra Shindell Eric Bruce

5:10 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Closing

3:40 – 4:40 p.m.

Partnering for Protection: Collaborative Strategies in Museum Security Scott Rubin Brian Collupy Catie Anchin

2:35 – 3:15 p.m.

The SiLK network for CPP in Germany – a multi-disciplinary approach Almut Siegel Alke Dohrmann

5:10 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Closing

5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Virtual Networking

5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Virtual Networking

3:15 – 3:55 p.m.

Two Approaches, One Mission: Balancing Safety and Warmth Through Cross-Departmental Training Deanna Arisdakessian

4:50 – 5:30 p.m.

The Insider Threat: Applying Structured Analytic Techniques to Museum Security Kim Covent Ibrahim Bulut

3:55 – 4:35 p.m.

Converged Security Metrics – Cultural Property Edition Jim McConnell

4:05-4:45 p.m.

Security Risk Assessments for Museums Wes Walser Paula Ratliff

5:45 p.m.

Private Access to Galleries

4:45 – 5:25 p.m.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Craft a Scalable Security Program Mario Piccolino Zebadiah Rabsatt Samuel Koenig

5:45-8:30 p.m.

Reception

5:30 p.m.

Private Access to Galleries

Stay Connected

Sign up to receive news and updates directly to your inbox

Sign Up