Please read the Whistle-blowing policies below and fill out the form at the end to submit.
Cincinnati Museum Center
“Whistle-Blowing” Policy
Cincinnati Museum Center (“Museum Center”) is committed to honest and ethical practices.
The Museum Center encourages anyone aware of conduct inconsistent with these standards to
report this conduct as outlined by this policy. This document outlines the process to bring
concerns to the attention of appropriate Museum Center officials. It is preferred that any acts
inconsistent with these standards be brought to the attention of the designated Museum Center
staff members. If a person is uncomfortable with reporting a situation to a staff member, that
person is encouraged to directly contact the Board of Trustees Governance Committee Chair.
Cincinnati Museum Center “Whistle-Blowing” Policy
Museum Center requires employees and volunteers to be honest and ethical in their conduct,
comply with applicable policies, laws and regulations, deal fairly with other employees, visitors,
Volunteers and business associates, and protect and ensure the proper use of Museum Center
assets. These expectations are more specifically defined in Museum Center’s personnel and
volunteer handbooks.
This Policy is intended to encourage and enable employees and volunteers to make good faith
disclosures about any misconduct or suspected misconduct internally, before seeking resolution
outside of Museum Center. These concerns may include, but are not limited to:
- Financial impropriety or fraud
- Failure to comply with a legal obligation
- Dangers to heath & safety or the environment
- Criminal activity
- Improper conduct or unethical behavior
- Harassment or discrimination
- Violations of civil rights
- Attempts to conceal any of these
This policy is not intended to cover questions about financial or business decisions taken by
Museum Center, nor should it be used to reconsider any matters which have already been
addressed under harassment, complaint, disciplinary or other procedures.
No employee or volunteer who in good faith reports real or perceived misconduct shall suffer
harassment, retaliation, or any other adverse consequence as a result of filing the report.
Retaliatory actions by any manager, employee or agent of Museum Center are prohibited.
Anyone who violates this anti-retaliation policy is subject to disciplinary action up to and
including termination..
Reports of misconduct or suspected violations will be kept confidential, to the extent possible,
consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation. Reports may be submitted
anonymously. Museum Center encourages anyone reporting misconduct to put their name to
any disclosures they make to facilitate the Museum Center’s ability to investigate the complaint.
Anyone filing a complaint concerning Museum Center related misconduct or suspected
misconduct must be acting in good faith. Any employee or volunteer who reports allegations
that prove to have been made maliciously, or with a knowing disregard for the facts, may be
subject to appropriate action including dismissal.
Anyone with a good faith concern about Museum Center related misconduct should raise the
concern with the Director of Human Resources.
In instances where a person is not satisfied with the response of the Director of Human
Resources, or feels uncomfortable about to raising the matter with the Director of Human
Resources for any reason, that person should raise it with the Vice President of Administration,
CFO.
In instances where a person is not satisfied with the response of the Vice President of
Administration, CFO or feels uncomfortable about raising the matter with the Vice President of
Administration, CFO for any reason, that person should raise it with the Board of Trustees
Governance Committee Chair.
The policy document and the names of these staff members and office holders will be kept current on the Museum Center’s intranet site and posted in the first floor north and second floor south staff lounges also.
Incumbents as of January 1, 2026
Abijita Debata | 513-287-7046 | adebata@cincymuseum.org
Head of HR
Jill Berkemeier | 513-455-7123 | jberkemeier@cincymuseum.org
Head of Administration and CFO
Susan Zaunbrecher | 513-604-0668 | susan.zaunbrecher@icloud.com
Chair, Governance Committee
This may be done in person or in writing. Individuals are encouraged to provide as much
specific information as possible, including names, dates, places; events took place, their
perception of why the incident(s) may be a violation, and what action they recommend be taken.
Once a concern is reported, it will be looked into carefully to assess what action, if any, should
be taken. Depending on the nature of the concern, this may mean an internal inquiry or a more
formal investigation. The person making the report can remain anonymous or if interested, a point of contact will be assigned for the person making the report and
that person will be informed of any need to provide further assistance. Cincinnati Museum
Center may ask the person making the report how that person thinks his or her concern should
best be dealt with. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action
will be taken if warranted by the investigation.
Any questions about the Whistle-blowing policy should be referred to any of the above named
individuals, with preference to the Director of Human Resources.
Approved by the Board of Trustees of Cincinnati Museum Center, May 21, 2009