South Carolina State Museum Foundation welcomes Mary Kathryne Wadford as executive director
October 2, 2025
Wadford set to lead $75 million Reimagine the Experience campaign to transform exhibitions and enrich visitor engagement
The South Carolina State Museum announced the appointment of Mary Kathryne Wadford as the new executive director of the South Carolina State Museum Foundation. She assumes this leadership role during a transformative time for the museum as it advances its $75 million Reimagine the Experience campaign, a bold initiative to renew exhibitions, enhance educational programming and expand engagement across South Carolina.
“It is an honor to join the South Carolina State Museum Foundation at such an exciting moment in its history,” Wadford said. “The Reimagine the Experience campaign represents a visionary opportunity to elevate the museum’s impact and deepen its connection with the people of South Carolina. I look forward to working with our generous supporters to make this vision a reality.”
As executive director of the Foundation, Wadford will lead strategic fundraising efforts for the campaign, working closely with donors, stakeholders and museum leadership to bring this ambitious vision to life.
“Mary Kathryne’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the State Museum and the Foundation,” said State Museum Executive Director Amy Bartow-Melia. “Her fundraising experience, combined with her passion for educational impact across our state, makes her the ideal leader to guide our Foundation and spearhead this campaign.”
Prior to joining the State Museum Foundation, Wadford served as assistant vice president for Institutional Advancement at Newberry College, where she focused on donor engagement and alumni relations. She previously held fundraising leadership roles at Columbia College, the District Five Foundation and the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics. In these roles, she led capital campaigns, cultivated major gifts and built strong community partnerships.
“Mary Kathryne brings a heartfelt commitment to the mission of the Museum and the Foundation,” said State Museum Foundation Board Chairman Geoffrey Hardee. “Her leadership will be instrumental in building the philanthropic partnerships necessary to realize the full potential of this vital fundraising effort. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team as we move from reimagining the experience, to making it a reality.”
Wadford was selected following a national executive search led by Michele Counter, partner in the Nonprofit Practice at DHR Global.
About the South Carolina State Museum
Since opening in 1988, the South Carolina State Museum has been committed to collecting, preserving and showcasing the rich culture, art, natural history, technology and innovation of the Palmetto State. Through a comprehensive collection of over 1.1 million objects and four floors of stimulating exhibitions and displays housed within the historic Columbia Mills Building, the State Museum provides educational environments that entertain, inspire and enrich the lives of millions of visitors and students from across South Carolina. For more information about the museum, visit scmuseum.org.
About the South Carolina State Museum Foundation
The South Carolina State Museum Foundation supports the Museum’s educational mission and vision through philanthropic activities and stewardship. Its initiatives give people in South Carolina an opportunity to become involved in supporting the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs and digital initiatives statewide.
