April 21, 2026—The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) announced today that President & CEO Hillary Olson will be departing the organization in June 2026 to become CEO of Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware.
Olson joined the RMSC in 2018 as its seventh President and has since led the organization through a period of significant transformation. She guided the RMSC through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and a strong recovery that returned attendance to pre-2019 levels. She also led a collaborative effort across staff, board, volunteers, and community stakeholders to develop a comprehensive Master Plan and strategic vision, positioning the RMSC for long-term sustainability and continued regional impact.
“I am leaving at a time when the organization is strong, and the future is incredibly bright,” Olson said. “I have full confidence in this team, this Board, and in the continued impact of RMSC for all of the people we serve, currently and into the future.”
The RMSC Board of Trustees and senior leadership team are actively developing a transition plan to ensure strong continuity and a seamless leadership transition.
“The next leader will inherit a strong foundation and an organization set up for success,” said Jackie Lee, Chair of the RMSC Board of Trustees. “We are grateful for Hillary’s leadership and confident in the institution’s future.”
For 113 years, the RMSC has served as a cornerstone of the Rochester community, and it remains focused on continuing that legacy for generations to come.
Press contact: Lyndsay Compitello, VP of Marketing & Guest Experience, RMSC
Phone: 585.697.1944
Email: lc*********@**sc.org
The mission of the RMSC is to inspire a better future for all through curiosity, exploration, and participation in science, culture, and the natural world. The RMSC includes the RMSC Museum & Science Center, the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium, and the RMSC Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum & Science Center with more than 120 interactive exhibits, the Planetarium with a 65-foot dome screen and several hands-on exhibits, and the Nature Center on 900 acres of land and 12 miles of trails, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of the Rochester Region’s past and present, including its rich history of social and technological innovation. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is one of the top five most visited attractions serving children and families.
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