.094 Michael Cirigliano

At any large institution, you’re bound to email back and forth with colleagues whom you’ve never actually met before. With Michael, it was a little over a year before we actually met in person at the museum, and when we did finally meet, everything clicked for me. The kindness, patience and human compassion that I had encountered over a computer screen were even more palpable in person. Michael’s unassuming empathy and respect toward everyone he interacts with stands out from the very first moment, in addition to his genuinely sweet demeanor and overall presence.

Michael and I communicated mostly because of my desperate need for his true expertise with websites, editing and strategy. His patience with me and all of my questions was topped only by his helpful teacher-like guidance as he instructed me through any issue or obstacle. I truly felt a sense of comfort and security when working with him because I knew that he would either help me directly, or help me solve the problem myself. His sheer intelligence shines through with each conversation and his knowledge and skills can be seen through any piece of work that he produces. As a colleague and a human being, Michael was (is) a wonderful example of how to be diligent, efficient and kind, all at the same time.

Michael, thank you for being such a refreshing source of joy during our time together at the museum. Thank you for assisting me through the terrifying jungle that was Sitecore (yuck) and for never failing to guide me through the process so that I actually learned something along the way. Thank you for your incredible eye and impact that you so clearly had on everything you touched while working there. Thank you for always being honest and for inspiring me to be the same. I’m so grateful that we crossed paths and even more appreciative that we are still able to connect. Thank you, Michael, for being you.

-BD