Page 60 - LIN May-June-July_All1

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WELCOMES NEW STAFF LEADER

he Golisano Children’s Museum of Children and the Shelter for Abused Women & Children. And we
Naples marks its 10th anniversary are continuing our Exceptional Nights, which offer a safe space for
Tinspiring children. It also welcomes children with sensory and developmental disabilities to explore the
a new CEO, Jonathan Foerster. Jeff Lytle museum.
interviews him for Life in Naples. 3. CMON has prided itself on strong collaboration with
1. How do your past jobs prepare you for schools. Will that continue and/or expand?
your new role at CMON? The COVID-19 pandemic put much of that on hold. We are
I think each professional experience I’ve excited about rebooting our field trip program. We also know that
by Jeff Lytle
had since moving to Southwest Florida in not every student can get to the museum; that’s why we’re thrilled
2003 has been a steppingstone. Working as a journalist, first at the to start offering in-school experiences. But it isn't as simple as
Naples Daily News and then at Gulfshore Life, not only helped me flipping a switch. Organizations that provided funding for some of
to become intimately aware of the community and its needs, but these programs shifted their focus or their resources to other areas,
also the role philanthropy plays in responding to our community or simply didn't have funds available.
challenges. We’re blessed to be beneficiaries of that at CMON. We know that collaboration with schools and other educational
My journalism career also taught me how to ask the right institutions is of paramount importance and we look forward to
questions, diagnose problems and think outside the box for growing opportunities in the future.
solutions. 4. What did officials at CMON learn from the pandemic?
I’ve been lucky to have amazing mentors throughout my time I think the lessons we learned are similar to those of other
in the nonprofit sector. I learned what a best-in-class non-profit non-profits. We need to be nimble and be ready to pivot when the
looks like from Kathleen van Bergen and the team at Artis-Naples. situation requires. While CMON has operating reserves, like many
During my tenure at Humane Society Naples, I not only gained other non-profits we learned that we need to build our capacity for
a wealth of fundraising experience, but also had a tremendous resiliency. We are lucky to operate in a very generous community,
mentor in Executive Director Sarah Baeckler Davis. I really which made weathering 2020, and into 2021, possible. We also
wouldn't have felt ready to take this step without her. have learned, as the pandemic has eased, that families really rely on
Finally, my five months as chief operating officer at CMON CMON. The past six months have been tremendous in terms of
allowed me to better understand the organization before taking admissions and memberships. We are bouncing back and hoping
over as CEO. I'm grateful to the board and former CEO to build on that for the future.
Dena Rae Hancock for their faith in me. 5. CMON certainly ranks alongside other first-class local
2. Is there anything new on the horizon in terms of exhibits or facilities such as Artis-Naples, Naples Botanical Gardens and
programs at the museum? Naples Zoo. What does that say about the power and depth of
One of the things that sets CMON apart from many other local philanthropy?
children's museums throughout the country is our fine art I think it’s clear that Collier County residents have a certain
collection and we’re going to really highlight that. Art experiences expectation for what it takes to be a well-rounded community and
provide a gateway to imagination and creativity that children are we believe that CMON plays a meaningful role in that ecosystem.
excited to step through and use as a passage to the greater world Those other organizations are part of that, too. I would add a host
around them. of other cultural organizations, from Gulfshore Playhouse and
We’re also using this 10th anniversary as an opportunity to Naples Players to Opera Naples to Naples Art and many, many
rededicate ourselves to the idea that CMON is a community more. While we need philanthropy to help feed the body and
amenity that should be available to all children and families. We’ve care for those in our community who are struggling, there is also
introduced special $2 tickets for families who are eligible for the a need for organizations that inspire the mind and nourish the
EBT program and are looking at ways to increase access to Title soul. We need that at all stages of life. CMON is just one of many
I elementary students. We’re looking forward to bringing back organizations in the community carving out our niche to make the
special nights for children who are using services of organizations whole a better place.
like Youth Haven, St. Matthew's House, Friends of Foster
60 Life in Naples | May, June, July 2022