Heidi Jõks and ministry settle museum leadership dispute

Heidi Jõks and Estonia’s Climate Ministry have settled a court dispute over the selection of the director of the Estonian Natural History Museum, ERR reported. Under the agreement, Jõks’s third term as director will end on October 1, 2026, instead of November 30.

From October 2, the museum will be led by Egle Hecht, its deputy director for environmental education and exhibitions, until the permanent exhibition opens. Riina Roosipuu, who was selected in the director’s competition, will then take over.

Jõks said she brought the case not to remain in the role herself, but to ensure that someone from within the museum could lead it until the opening and that the existing team could continue its work.

Climate Ministry Secretary General Marten Kokk said the parties wanted to protect the team’s ability to work and focus on opening the new museum building and exhibition rather than continuing the court dispute.

Hecht said she was ready to take on the responsibility and complete the work with the team. She also thanked Jõks for leading the museum’s work on its development.