Who We Are

For more than 50 years, we at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) has been a trusted resource for families and caregivers, filling gaps in educational services for children in New York City and beyond. Through research-based programming at our museum and throughout all five boroughs, we support the social, emotional, and cognitive growth of children during their most critical years of development.

Located on West 83rd Street in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, we design and present hands-on exhibits and activities that help children become lifelong learners. We are dedicated to being accessible to all families, including those in need, and we proudly partner with New York City agencies, Head Start facilities, shelters, and more to provide transformative learning experiences through exploration and play.

In 2024, we launched the final phase of our $300 million campaign to build our new home on West 96th Street and Central Park West. Scheduled to open in 2028, our new museum will double our visitor capacity and allow us to develop exciting new exhibits and programs that will serve children from birth through age 10.

Mission & Values

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is a steward of early childhood, helping all children grow and develop into their best selves.

Through our programs on-site, online, and around the five boroughs, CMOM nurtures the next generation of creative global citizens as they learn through exploration and play. CMOM encourages empathy across difference by elevating and providing insight into diverse perspectives and inviting visitors of all backgrounds to join our intentionally welcoming community and create and learn alongside each other. The museum’s program reflects the rich cultural diversity, energy, and resilience of New York City itself and has a special focus on ensuring that its program is available to those families who might not otherwise have access.

Our History

Founded in 1973 as a neighborhood organization, CMOM has grown over the years into a beloved destination and resource for children, families, and educators from across the five boroughs and from around the world. The museum welcomes 350,000 visitors each year to its Upper West Side location and engages hundreds of thousands more through its outreach programs in partnership with schools, libraries, shelters, and Head Start centers throughout New York City; its touring exhibitions; and its online tools and curricula.

Board of Trustees

BOARD LEADERSHIP

Laurie M. Tisch
Founding Board Chair
The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund

Matthew Messinger
Chair
President and CEO
Matthew L. Messinger Holdings

Miyoung E. Lee
Vice Chair

Julia Arnhold
Vice Chair
Managing Partner
Overview Capital

Andrew Kahn
Treasurer
Senior Vice President and Director
Kahn Brothers Group

John Bessonette
Secretary
Partner
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Judith Hannan
Past Chair

CMOM BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Will Blodgett
Founder and CEO
Tredway

Michael J. Boublik
Chairman of Mergers and Acquisitions
Morgan Stanley

Sarah D. Cascante, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, NYU Langone Health

Amy Liu Chen

Sara Friedlander
Deputy Chairman, Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, New York
Christie’s

Julien Ghesquieres
Managing Director and Senior Partner,
Boston Consulting Group

Michael Grad
Global Head of Business Development
BlueCrest Capital Management

Tiffany M. Hall
General Counsel
Mastercard

Nicole Kaye Evans
Director of Development, Warner Brothers/Discovery

Brittany Kurz
Lawyer and Senior Vice President
Morgan Properties

Nessia Sloane Kushner
Director of Strategy
Heckscher Foundation for Children

Joshua Lafer
Managing Director
Blackstone Credit

Marisa Leister

Mary Stewart Malone
Principal and Co-founder
Addison Partners

Alexandra Traber McNamara

Maddy Moelis
Principal
209 Capital

Renny Ostrover Lewis

Deepen Parikh
Partner
Courtside Ventures

Sarah Riegert

Stephen Rosenthal
Business Lead, People Strategy and Experience
Meta Platforms, Inc.

Ben Schenkman
Senior Associate, Prospect Capital Management

Stephanie Sharp

Andrew Shore
Managing Director, Real Estate Investments
Davidson Kempner Capital Management

Sarika Singh
Co-Founder and CEO, The Boroughs Golf Club

Jean Margaret Smith
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Administration
Nickelodeon/Paramount Kids & Family Group

Stephanie Stuchin

Lita Tandon
Vice President, Head of Sesame Ventures
Sesame Workshop

Sewit Teckie, MD
System Chief of Radiation Oncology
NYC Health + Hospitals

Deborah Willis, Ph.D
University Professor
Tisch School of the Arts at NYU

Yuting Zeng
Director, Principal Investments
Willett Advisors

Laurie Zucker Lederman
Vice Chairwoman
Donald Zucker Company/Manhattan Skyline Management Corp.

Our People

At CMOM, our mission comes to life through the passion, creativity, and dedication of our team. From educators and program designers to operations and communications staff, every person at CMOM plays a role in inspiring curiosity, learning, and joy for children and families across New York City and beyond.

If you have questions or would like to connect with us:

Our senior leadership team drives CMOM’s vision, ensuring we continue to expand access to creativity, learning, and play for all children. Their leadership shapes our programs, partnerships, and the future of the museum.

Meet Our Senior Leaders →