Marguerite Gong

A native of Palo Alto and a lifelong champion of art, culture, and community, Marguerite brings a rare blend of vision, intellect, and heart. She was recently appointed as the inaugural President and CEO of the Palo Alto Museum, where she is leading the historic opening of the beautifully restored Roth Building in Spring 2026. Marguerite’s career spans 25+ years at the intersection of innovation, education, and storytelling—including founding the Exponential Center at the Computer History Museum and shaping global research initiatives at Stanford University. Her commitment to community runs even deeper.

Marguerite serves as co-founder and co-chair of the annual Christmas Crèche Exhibit, now in its 38th year— the longest-running community-led nativity exhibit in the United States. Featuring a rotating collection of more than 300 artworks from 25+ countries, this beloved Palo Alto tradition brings together over 600 volunteers and 7,000 visitors annually in just five days—through concerts, storytelling, artist demos, marionette shows, and more.

Marguerite’s curatorial eye, community spirit, and ability to elevate diverse voices through art make her an ideal juror for California Dreaming. We’re excited to see how her unique perspective will shape this celebration of the California imagination—from its coastlines and cities to its cultural currents and creative future.