UPDATE: Just hours after being terminated “for cause” from her position as CEO of the Philadelphia Art Museum (PhAM), Alexandra “Sasha” Suda has filed a lawsuit today, November 10, 2023, alleging unlawful termination and breaches of her employment agreement. This urgent legal action comes amidst a developing scandal following the museum’s executive committee’s external investigation that reportedly recommended her dismissal.
Suda’s lawsuit reveals alarming accusations against a “small, corrupt faction” within the museum’s board, claiming they orchestrated a “sham investigation” to force her resignation. She asserts that her termination was unjustified and occurred while she was negotiating her exit terms, as she resisted signing an agreement that would allow the museum’s officials to disparage her publicly while restricting her from defending her reputation.
The suit highlights a critical issue: Suda, a Canadian citizen, faces dire immigration consequences due to her severance package’s timing. The lawsuit alleges that the museum proposed only six months of severance pay instead of the two years outlined in her five-year contract. This puts her at risk of losing her Green Card eligibility, with only 60 days to leave the United States, where her family resides.
In an official statement to Hyperallergic, a PhAM spokesperson claimed they are aware of the lawsuit but believe it is “without merit.” Meanwhile, Suda’s legal team has not yet responded to further inquiries.
The lawsuit also paints a picture of Suda’s tumultuous tenure, stating that since taking charge in 2022, she has fought against board resistance while striving to transform the museum’s culture and financial situation. Despite her efforts, including reducing the museum’s deficit by two-thirds and generating nearly $17 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2025, she encountered severe pushback from board members like Leslie Anne Miller and current chair Ellen Caplan.
Suda’s allegations include claims of “verbal abuse” from Miller and being sidelined in key decisions. After Miller stepped down, Caplan’s leadership reportedly worsened the situation, with claims of bias against Suda surfacing. Caplan allegedly held a secret meeting with trustees to undermine Suda’s position, despite an initial 8-2 vote of confidence in her leadership.
The lawsuit argues that a subsequent biased review ultimately contributed to her termination, with Suda being characterized as financially irresponsible despite no findings of misconduct from an external investigation.
As Suda seeks a jury trial to recover her full severance and damages, the museum’s future and the integrity of its board are now under scrutiny. The unfolding saga raises questions about governance at major cultural institutions and the treatment of leaders striving for change.
As this story develops, more details are expected to emerge regarding both the lawsuit and the museum’s internal dynamics. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation.
