ROCHESTER, NY— The Rochester Museum & Science Center announces a leadership transition that positions the organization to significantly improve its public engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM). Kate Bennett, who has served as President and CEO for more than 20 years, will retain the title of CEO. Daniel Menelly, who has served as the Museum’s Chief Science Officer for 2 years, has added the role of President.
This transition started early in 2015, when Kate Bennett, in partnership with a search committee of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, recruited Daniel Menelly as Chief Science Officer to oversee and coordinate the Museum’s unique programs and overall guest experiences. Ms. Bennett, in partnership with Mr. Menelly, has guided the RMSC’s alignment of operations and programs to enhance services to the community with a clearer emphasis on public engagement in STEM, carefully integrating the Museum’s collection.
Following this period of deliberate organizational change and planned program evolution, Ms. Bennett in concert with the Board of Trustees has conferred the title of Museum President and Chief Science Officer to Mr. Menelly, who will continue his oversight of the Museum’s programs and exhibitions, with additional responsibility for the day to day operations of the Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center.
Ms. Bennett will concentrate on leading the planning and strategic advancement of the RMSC.
Ms. Bennett and Mr. Menelly will share the challenge of ensuring that the RMSC continues to support the region’s economic and cultural renewal, and look forward to partnering with the RMSC’s Board in building on the next phases of their collaboration on behalf of the community we serve.
For high-resolution images and additional information, contact Pamela Jackson, VP, Advancement, RMSC at 585.697.1936 or pjackson@rmsc.org.
Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits, Planetarium with a 65-foot dome and Nature Center on 900 acres, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past including its rich history of innovation and invention. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is one of the top three most visited attractions serving children and families. For more information about RMSC, visit www.rmsc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
