Susan Sivitz is stepping down from her role as executive director of Kids Discovery Museum at the end of the year, museum officials said Monday.
Sivitz has led the children’s museum as executive director since 2009.
“Susan has been at the center of the nonprofit world of Bainbridge Island for many years,” said Sonya Marinoni, the museum’s board president. “She has brought KiDiMu from a design on a drawing board to a well-established children’s museum, which draws from not only from Bainbridge but Kitsap County and Seattle as well.”
“She has been a great leader,” Marinoni said.
Sivitz said she was departing the organization due to an impending move to the East Coast.
“I’ve been working to complete my undergraduate degree and though it was very difficult to contemplate leaving KiDiMu, I am moving to Boston for the next six months to complete my coursework and to graduate,” Sivitz said.
“There is exceptional leadership in place at the museum to continue the great work being done for all children in our region,” she added. “The road from KiDiMu’s original home to our new location over two years ago has been filled with challenges and opportunities and together we’ve met them all and celebrated the successes as a community.
“I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done together during my time of leadership. The support of the board, staff, volunteers and community has been amazing and gratifying,” Sivitz said.
KiDiMu officials said Sivitz was instrumental in completing the capital campaign for the museum and managing the transition from its original, rented space to the construction and exhibits for the KiDiMu-owned building in the Island Gateway development.
Sivitz has worked with museum staff and the board of directors to expand the museum’s reach throughout the Puget Sound region and to fulfill KiDiMu’s mission of welcoming every child and family to explore and learn through interactive play.
“We are very sad to see Susan go,” Marinoni said. “We wish her well as she finishes her degree in Boston.”
The board is currently conducting a search for a new executive director and plans to fill the position before the end of the year.
