Retirement of Executive Director Marilee Jennings

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose Announces Retirement of Executive Director Marilee Jennings After 38 Years of Transformational Leadership

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose today announced the retirement of Executive Director Marilee Jennings, who will step down after an extraordinary 38-year career with the institution. Jennings, who joined the Museum in 1987 and became Executive Director in 2008, has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and leaves behind a powerful legacy defined by her commitment to putting children first, supporting families, and fostering a deep sense of community and belonging for all visitors. She is retiring to spend more time with her family.

Throughout her tenure, Jennings helped shape the Museum into a nationally-recognized leader in early education, family engagement, and community partnership. She championed innovative, play-based experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young learners. Her steadfast commitment to accessible, culturally-responsive programming expanded the Museum’s reach and ensured that families across the Bay Area – regardless of background, language, or ability – felt welcomed, supported, and celebrated. One of her proudest moments came in 2001, when the Museum received the National Award for Museum Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for its extraordinary service to the community.

Jennings also led one of the most significant expansions in the Museum’s history: the creation and growth of its award-winning outdoor spaces, including Bill’s Backyard: Bridge to Nature, Exploration Portal and most recently Bubbling Up, the new interactive bubble exhibit. She envisioned the outdoors as a transformative learning environment where children could explore science, connect with nature, and build healthy habits through active play. She was also integral to fostering a relationship with Zoom which led to the creation of the Children’s Discovery Museum Zoom Zone at the San Jose Airport.

“Marilee’s leadership has shaped every aspect of this Museum’s identity,” said former Board Chair, Alan Marks. “Her vision, compassion, and unwavering belief in the power of play have transformed the lives of countless children and families. We are profoundly grateful for her decades of service.”

Marilee professes,“Serving this Museum and our community has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. From the very beginning, I believed in creating a place where every child could feel a sense of wonder and every family would feel welcomed. I’m so proud of what we’ve built together – indoors, outdoors, and in the hearts of the families we serve. As I retire to spend more time with my loved ones, I leave with immense gratitude and confidence in the Museum’s bright future.”

A national search for Jennings’ successor is underway, and she will support the Museum through its transition period. In honor of Marilee’s visionary leadership and the museum’s 35th anniversary, the Marilee Jennings Future 35 Fund has been established to give friends and supporters a meaningful way to help secure the museum’s future and ensure its impact endures for years to come. If you would like to give to this extraordinary cause, visit www.cdm.org/Future35Fund

About Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

Kids lead the way at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, exploring and discovering through open-ended, play-based learning. More than 150 hands-on exhibits and programs in sciences, humanities, arts, nature, and health spark curiosity and ignite family fun where children build life skills in creative and critical thinking, problem solving, and confidence. The nonprofit celebrates people and diverse cultures, creates authentic connections, and builds global understanding.

Since 1990, this award-winning children’s museum has inspired creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning inside the stunning 50,000 square foot purple building designed by the late world renowned Mexico City architect Ricardo Legoretta, and outside in the half-acre nature space. For more information about the museum, visit www.cdm.org.