By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Discovery Center Museum‘s board of directors has chosen a successor for Sarah Wolf, who helped found the children’s museum and has led it for more than four decades.
Lana Paris, the Discovery Center’s development director, will take over the top role on Feb. 1. Wolf is retiring after 43 years as executive director on Jan. 31.
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The Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., welcomes nearly 150,000 guests each year to interact with its hands-on exhibits centered around playful science education.
“Lana cares deeply about the mission and vision of Discovery Center,” Wolf said Tuesday in a news release. “She has done a tremendous job in her role as director of development, and I am confident she will lead the museum to continued growth and success.”
Paris was responsible for the museum’s fundraising and grant-writing efforts as its development director.
“It’s a great privilege to be selected by the board of directors to lead Discovery Center Museum,” Paris said. “I’m excited about the future of the museum and the opportunity to work with our incredible staff and community partners to ensure the museum thrives for decades to come.”
Paris has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including prior roles as the executive director of the Rock Valley College Foundation, chief advancement officer at Wesley Willows and vice president of United Way of Rock River Valley. She also serves on the board of Keith Country Day School.
“We were seeking a candidate with a vision that would build upon the museum’s legacy of success and lead the organization on a path of sustainable growth,” Jim DiVerde, the Discovery Center’s board president, said in a news release. “Lana’s experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, coupled with her collaborative leadership style, will be vital as the museum and its fantastic staff members continue their work to build strong education programs and exhibits, cultivate community partnerships, and increase accessibility.”
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Paris will be tasked with leading the organization as it develops new programs, exhibits and galleries.
The Discovery Center has had nearly 6.5 million people benefit from both its on-site exhibits and outreach programs since its founding in 1981.
Compiled by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas