EdVenture Children’s Museum Names New President and CEO
November 24, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – After a national search, EdVenture Children’s Museum is pleased to announce that Karen Coltrane has been named EdVenture’s new President and CEO.
Coltrane comes to EdVenture from the Children’s Museum of Richmond where she has served as President and CEO for 10 years.
“Karen’s background and history with the Children’s Museum of Richmond give her a unique set of skills which are ideally suited for the future growth of EdVenture,” said Chip Amaker, Chairman of EdVenture’s Board of Directors. “We have a wonderful and dynamic staff, and with Karen’s leadership, we anticipate continued growth and success in the years to come.”
Coltrane brings a great deal of expertise to EdVenture, especially in the areas of fundraising and new business development. At Children’s Museum of Richmond, Coltrane led the efforts to successfully open multiple satellite locations of that museum, significantly increasing museum attendance and revenue.
“The search committee was extremely thoughtful and thorough in our search for a candidate that could take EdVenture to the next level,” said James Becker, Chairman of EdVenture’s Search Committee. “We are confident that Karen will extend EdVenture’s national reputation for excellence.”
Catherine Wilson Horne, longtime director of EdVenture, accepted the CEO position at Discovery Place last November. K. Wayne Thornley, EdVenture’s Vice President of Marketing and Museum Experiences has served as interim CEO since that time.
Coltrane will relocate to Columbia and assume her new position in early 2015.
About EdVentureChildren’s Museum
The mission of EdVenture is to inspire children to experience the joy of learning. EdVenture is a locally-managed, not-for-profit informal educational institution dedicated to lifelong learning through its 92,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor interactive exhibit space and in its educational outreach programs and after school programs. The museum has welcomed visitors from all 50 states and 18 foreign countries, creating shared experiences and memories for families learning together. For more information about EdVenture, visit www.edventure.org or call (803) 779-3100.
