Sasha Suda files a lawsuit against the Philadelphia Art Museum.

Sasha Suda, the former director of the Philadelphia Art Museum, has filed a lawsuit against the institution following her dismissal last week. The suit asserts that Suda was brought on board to revitalize the museum, which had been facing significant challenges, only to be terminated when her modernization efforts conflicted with a faction of the museum’s board that allegedly aimed to maintain existing practices.

The legal complaint outlines her conflicts with board members over the extent of her authority regarding decision-making processes. Tensions escalated in the final weeks of her tenure, particularly as a probe into her financial management practices led to unsuccessful negotiations for a termination agreement between Suda and the museum’s leadership.

According to her lawsuit, Suda’s dismissal on November 4 occurred without a legitimate basis. The Philadelphia Art Museum has not publicly commented on the matter since the filing of the lawsuit.

Suda, aged 45, was reportedly terminated for “cause,” following an independent investigation authorized by the museum’s board. This investigation, conducted by an external law firm, prompted recommendations for her employment termination. One aspect of this investigation examined a recent salary increase for Suda, which, according to a source familiar with the matter, was framed as an authorized cost-of-living adjustment. The increase totaled approximately ,000 over two years and was purportedly included in the museum’s budget.

In the suit, Suda’s attorney, Luke Nikas, contends that a small group of trustees initiated a flawed investigation to fabricate justifications for her termination. He argues that Suda was initially promised significant authority to implement necessary changes within the museum, including the support for modifications to staffing and programming that would restore clarity between governance and management responsibilities. However, the lawsuit claims that these assurances were ultimately misleading.

Suda and museum leadership had explored potential terms for her exit, including a buyout of her remaining two-year contract. Allegedly, the museum’s offer fell short, proposing only six months of severance despite her entitlement to a full two years per her agreement.

In her lawsuit, Suda seeks two years’ salary, alongside significant damages for what she describes as the museum’s repeated violations of non-disparagement and confidentiality clauses outlined in her employment contract. In 2023, Suda’s compensation package totaled 8,945, with an additional ,306 in other benefits, as reported in the museum’s tax filings.

This situation continues to develop, and additional updates are anticipated regarding the legal proceedings and their implications for governance at the Philadelphia Art Museum.

Media News Source