Boston Children’s Museum CEO Carole Charnow to Retire from Next Year After Transformative Leadership in Education, Growth and Community Impact

President & CEO of the Boston Children’s Museum Carole Charnow has announced she will be retiring in August 2026 after an incredible fifteen years in office. At the time of her retirement, Charnow will receive the designation of President Emerita, making her the second-longest tenure president in the Museum’s 112-year history. Her leadership has had a profound influence on the Museum, both in the breadth of its educational impact and its financial development, to leave a lasting legacy in early childhood education.

Under Charnow’s guidance, the Boston Children’s Museum has become a leading institution in informal, early childhood education, gaining recognition both nationally and internationally. She championed the Museum’s mission to provide educational resources and experiences to children, families, and communities, working with schools, libraries, museums, homeless shelters, and community centers across Massachusetts and the United States. Charnow’s commitment to enriching children’s learning experiences has positioned the Museum as a model for other institutions in the field of informal education.

Throughout her tenure, Charnow oversaw several key improvements to the Museum’s historic 135-year-old building. This included the renovation of three permanent exhibitions and numerous other upgrades to enhance the visitor experience. These changes ensured that the Museum continued to serve its mission as a vibrant, interactive destination for more than 450,000 visitors annually, providing opportunities for children and families to engage with learning in creative, hands-on ways.

Charnow’s leadership has been instrumental in bringing the strongest financial period in the Museum’s history. During her 15 years as CEO, the Museum raised more than $75 million through two major fundraising campaigns, helping to fund both programmatic initiatives and capital improvements. One of the standout achievements during her time at the Museum was securing $10 million for flood resilience, which will protect the Museum from the impacts of climate change and safeguard its future as a community resource.

Additionally, Charnow’s leadership helped the Museum retire two-thirds of its debt and double its endowment, providing a more secure financial foundation for the institution’s ongoing work and ensuring its ability to serve future generations.

During Charnow’s leadership, the Boston Children’s Museum not only enhanced its educational programs but also cemented its place as a vital cultural institution. Her work focused on financial sustainability, community outreach, and educational excellence, ensuring that the Museum remained a dynamic force in early childhood education. With innovative exhibits and community-centered programs, the Museum has been able to serve children and families in a meaningful way, providing a space where creativity, learning, and fun come together.

As Charnow prepares for her retirement, the Museum is set to continue its legacy under new leadership, ensuring that its mission of early childhood education and community engagement remains at the forefront. The success of the campaigns and initiatives started under Charnow’s guidance will provide a strong foundation for the future of the Boston Children’s Museum. With the financial health of the institution secure, the Museum is well-positioned to adapt and evolve in the years to come.

Carole Charnow’s achievements for the Boston Children’s Museum during the last fifteen years demonstrate her visionary direction and unshakeable commitment to delivering high-quality education for children. As she retires in 2026, Charnow’s reputation will be hailed not just for financial and organizational achievements but also for her dedication to ensuring creativity, education, and development for generations to come. With her at the helm, the Boston Children’s Museum has been a cornerstone of the community and symbol of learning excellence, well-positioned to keep shaping children’s lives and the lives of families worldwide.