CHICAGO — The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI) is pleased to announce that Crystal Bowyer will join Griffin MSI as Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer. In this position, Bowyer will play a critical role as Griffin MSI moves forward on an ambitious plan to reimagine the Museum to meet changing guest expectations, tell emerging stories of industrial innovation, and redefine meaningful relationships with the community.

Bowyer returns to Griffin MSI after serving as the Museum's Director of External Affairs and Director of Individual and Major Gifts from 2013 to 2017. In this role, she managed individual philanthropy and membership during Griffin MSI's $380 million capital campaign for building preservation, endowment, special exhibits and programs, as well as supported Board development and strategic planning.

"We are thrilled to welcome Crystal Bowyer to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry team to lead our strategy, philanthropic giving and fundraising efforts as Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer," said <link press media-requests meet-our-experts dr-chevy-humphrey>Dr. Chevy Humphrey, President and CEO of Griffin MSI. "Her passion for our Chicagoland community and the Museum will help propel us in successfully realizing our ambitious plans for the future. We are so fortunate to have her innovative and strong leadership."

Most recently, Bowyer led the National Children's Museum in its historic reopening in Washington DC as a next generation science center and children's museum focused entirely on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) education and experiences for children. As President and CEO, she oversaw all aspects of redevelopment and planning for the Congressionally-designated museum, including the business plan, vision, strategic direction and capital campaign. Previously, she held leadership roles for the Chicago Children's Choir and the Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, where she was awarded the Employee of the Year Award for Outstanding Innovation.

"So many people have shared with me how their lives were changed as a result of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry," said Bowyer. "Initial sparks ignited in the exhibits resulted in inventions that have impacted the world - and I am honored to return to Griffin MSI to help keep those flames lit for the next generation of innovators."

A Missouri native, Bowyer received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Missouri and a Master of Nonprofit Administration from University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, earning the Dean Woo Fellowship for Leadership.

She is Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the Association of Children's Museums and has served as adjunct faculty at North Park University. Bowyer also previously served on the boards of The Cradle Adoption Agency and The Driskill Foundation. In 2020, she was named "40 Under 40" by the Washington Business Journal, and she was appointed to the Coalition for Women's Appointments in Arts and Humanities for the Biden-Harris Administration.

Bowyer will assume her responsibilities as Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry on April 22, 2024.

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry engaged Kittleman & Associates to conduct a search for its Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities and philanthropic organizations. Kittleman recruits leaders for the entire nonprofit sector including museums and science centers, foundations, and human services and advocacy organizations. For more information, visit https://www.kittlemansearch.com/