Speaker Biography

Jorge Zamanillo is the Founding Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, established by Congress in 2020 to highlight U.S. history through Latino contributions to art, history, and culture. He oversees the museum’s development, including strategic planning, exhibitions, programming, and community engagement, as the Smithsonian advances plans for a permanent museum on or near the National Mall.

Under Zamanillo’s leadership, the museum delivers a wide range of public programs and exhibitions. It operates the Molina Family Latino Gallery, a 4,500-square-foot space within the National Museum of American History. The gallery opened in 2022 with the landmark exhibition “¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States.” The museum’s next major exhibition, “¡Puro Ritmo: The Musical Journey of Salsa,” is slated to open in spring 2026.

He also leads efforts to build a world-class collection and foster a national network rooted in community. Zamanillo drives national awareness and fundraising campaigns, including a charter membership program and outreach initiatives that amplify Latino stories.

Born in New York City and raised in Miami, he holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Florida State University and a master’s in museum studies from the University of Leicester in England.