Lauren Kaye
Tucson
Summary
Dynamic museum professional with a strong background in exhibit development, early childhood education, project management, visitor experience, and facilities management. Proven ability to create engaging, educational exhibits that captivate diverse audiences and foster a love for learning. Committed to enhancing visitor experiences through innovative programming and effective project execution. Passionate about leveraging expertise to contribute to the growth and success of cultural institutions.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Children's Museum Tucson
Tucson, AZ
05.2025 - Current
- Direct project management efforts to ensure successful execution of capital campaign objectives.
- Lead strategic planning sessions to identify and prioritize long-term organizational goals.
- Manage complex projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints.
- Facilitate workshops for staff development, promoting a culture of innovation and collaboration.
- Champion organizational change management initiatives to support successful implementation of new strategic priorities.
Special Projects Manager
Children’s Museum Tucson
Tucson, Arizona
08.2023 - Current
- Directed comprehensive planning, design, and construction efforts for $15M capital campaign.
- Oversaw review and editing of capital grant applications to ensure compliance and clarity.
- Developed and executed strategic communications events to enhance donor engagement and support fundraising efforts.
- Facilitated strategic planning workshops for staff and board members.
- Contributed to strategic decision-making as a key member of museum leadership team.
- Engaged with education and operations teams to drive successful implementation of select programs and exhibit initiatives.
Independent Museum Consultant
Self-employeed
05.2023 - Current
- Consult on museum operations management, including human resources, finance, facilities, training and leadership.
Special Projects Officer
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Pasadena, California
07.2022 - 05.2023
- Continued primary responsibilities of CAOO position in a remote, part-time capacity
- Responsible for the search for the new COO, onboarding and initial training
Chief Administration and Operations Officer
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Pasadena, California
05.2021 - 07.2022
- Responsible for all financial accounting and reporting, including supervising outsourced accounting firm, approving payroll, oversight over A/P policies and procedures, reviewing monthly financials for the board, preparing for and leading annual audit process, budget planning and management
- Oversaw all HR matters, from hiring, onboard/offboard procedures to employee issues/concerns. Managed relationship with outside HR consultant. Streamlined hiring and onboarding procedures, created and implemented a management training program, maintained compliance with all CA labor laws and regulations as well as safety and security requirements for staff and facility
- Responsible for museum floor operations, including retail, customer service, and guest experience staff, directly supervising floor managers and leadership. Implemented new staffing structure post-COVID, worked with team to develop baseline expectations, and to create a career path for part time staff
- Continued to manage facilities maintenance of campus, promoting a new manager, growing the team and managing campus improvement projects
- Key member of the Senior Leadership Team, working closely with CEO and CXO (Chief Experience Officer) on vision planning, museum management as well as actively participating and presenting at all Board Meeting and Retreats
- Worked closely with Development team through various staff transitions, providing support for planning and execution of annual Benefit, working on grant applications and reporting, behind the scenes donor management support to set up new CEO for success
- Worked closely with Experience team on logistics and contractual aspects of new exhibits and installations
Chief Officer of Learning Environments
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Pasadena, California
07.2017 - 05.2021
- Coordinated all aspects of exhibit and capital projects, including outside contractors, staff, and other stakeholders, legal review and contract negotiation
- Developed exhibits and manage process from ideating to installation
- Served on Senior Leadership Team, lead strategic plan development and implementation
- Leveraged strategic partnerships with other museums, cultural organizations, and community stakeholders
- Budget management for Exhibits & Building Maintenance, including monitoring of expenses, preparation of expense reports, purchasing, reporting and contract negotiation
- Oversaw exhibit maintenance, repairs, and improvements; serving on board committees for current and future exhibit planning, including cultivating a strong team dedicated to the success of the museum
- Facility maintenance management of 3 acre campus including cultivating outside vendor relationships, on-site repairs, budget compliance, and scheduling of regular maintenance
Assistant Director of Exhibits
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Pasadena, California
01.2015 - 07.2017
- Project and budget management for capital projects, new exhibits, exhibit and facility maintenance projects with budgets ranging from $2,000- $2.2 million during $13 million campaign
- Supervised a staff of 3; manage assignment of duties, team issues, scheduling
- Oversaw exhibit, building, and grounds maintenance, repairs, and improvements for 3 acre campus
- Collaborated with other departments and divisions on programs and events as related to exhibits
Senior Manager, Exhibits & Facilities
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Pasadena, California
12.2013 - 12.2015
Senior Manager, Operations
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Pasadena, California
10.2009 - 12.2013
Operations Manager
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Pasadena, California
11.2007 - 10.2009
Education
Master of Arts - Art History
Syracuse University in Florence
Florence, ItalyBachelor of Arts - Art History with honors, Business Administration
University of Oregon
Eugene, ORSkills
- Organizational development
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Problem-solving
- Planning and coordination
- Strategic planning and execution
- Project planning and development
Websites
Affiliations
- MuseumLab for Museum Professionals Program Reviewer, 2024
- Committee Member, ACM Interactivity Programs Committee, 2017-2022
- Representative, Growing Together PASadena Network, City of Pasadena, 2017- 2022
- Board Member, Child Educational Center 2012- 2019
- Member of Experience Committee of Kidspace Children’s Museum Board 2010-2018
- Committee Chair, Child Educational Center Fundraising Benefit 2012
- IMLS Grant Reviewer (Museums for America) 2011, 2015, 2018
- Member of American Alliance of Museums 2008-2018
- Recipient of EMP Fellowship, AAM Annual Meeting 2009
Timeline
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Children's Museum Tucson
05.2025 - Current
Special Projects Manager
Children’s Museum Tucson
08.2023 - Current
Independent Museum Consultant
Self-employeed
05.2023 - Current
Special Projects Officer
Kidspace Children’s Museum
07.2022 - 05.2023
Chief Administration and Operations Officer
Kidspace Children’s Museum
05.2021 - 07.2022
Chief Officer of Learning Environments
Kidspace Children’s Museum
07.2017 - 05.2021
Assistant Director of Exhibits
Kidspace Children’s Museum
01.2015 - 07.2017
Senior Manager, Exhibits & Facilities
Kidspace Children’s Museum
12.2013 - 12.2015
Senior Manager, Operations
Kidspace Children’s Museum
10.2009 - 12.2013
Operations Manager
Kidspace Children’s Museum
11.2007 - 10.2009
Master of Arts - Art History
Syracuse University in Florence
Bachelor of Arts - Art History with honors, Business Administration
University of Oregon
Presentations and Publications
- Partner/Guest Lecturer, “Project Play: Pop-up Experiences” Design Matters Course, Art Center for Design, Fall 2019
- Expert Panelist, Designing For Kids, Art Center College of Design, February 2019
- “Keeping Our Spaces Safe and Secure”, Association of Children’s Museums Annual Conference, Raleigh, NC, May 2018
- Expert Panelist, EC STEM Conference, February 2018
- “Engaging Our Youngest Audience: Partnering for Success”, Dialogue Dinner, California Association of Museums, Palm Springs, CA, February 2018
- “Learning Environments”, Emerging Museums Pre-Conference, Association of Children’s Museums Annual Conference, Pasadena, CA 2017
- “Inspiring Wonder Through Design: Adults and children learning together in a new early childhood space”, California Association of the Education of Young Children Annual Meeting, Pasadena, CA 2016
- “Before Disaster Strikes: Preparing for the Worst”, Association of Children’s Museums Annual Conference, Norwalk, CT, 2016
- “All the Safety You Cannot See.” Hand to Hand. (Summer 2015)
- “Safety in Outdoor Science Parks”, Association of Science and Technology Museums Annual Conference, Albuquerque, NM 2013