Emily wonders if those strangers from the corporate world, who are now
heading museums, are interfering with their curators.

In my experience, a good CEO of any organization interferes as needed.  Some
well-educated, seasoned museum professionals occasionally need to be prodded
to get up to speed with the world "out there" and, when encouraged, may not
appreciate it.   The best CEOs see this as nurturing their staff, developing
them professionally in ways that are appropriate to this day and age, and
doing their best to create an organization that no longer needs direction
from the CEO.  When that time comes, the CEO can go about the business of
representing the institution in places where the goodwill and money can be
found.