Press Room

Sonia Winner Named 2024 Women of Note Honoree

Women of note 2024

This year, Crain’s Cleveland Business named Sonia Winner, President & CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, one of its 2024 Women of Note.

This award recognizes noteworthy woman leaders in our region who are going above and beyond to lead Northeast Ohio to greater heights. The class of 2024 features an impressive representation of leaders from a broad range of fields, including finance, manufacturing, nonprofits, and the arts. In the words of Crain’s, these women “enrich our region with their professional talents and unique perspectives.” 

Since becoming the 10th director of the Museum in 2018, Sonia has played a pivotal role in spearheading the Museum’s $150 million transformation, set to be completed this December. Under Sonia’s leadership, the Museum redefined the scope of its transformation project, hiring new architectural and design partners. With a reimagined campus and completely redesigned exhibits, the transformed Museum will pioneer a new model that prioritizes inquiry-based learning and science literacy.

Sonia is passionate about using her influence to open doors for women in leadership positions and scientific careers. As a result, women are highly represented at all levels of the Museum, including its leadership team, curatorial staff, and more. In addition, Sonia is dedicated to making science more relevant and accessible to everyone in the community.

Under her stewardship, the Museum launched the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Community Days, offering free admission every Sunday to residents of Cleveland and East Cleveland. And in October 2023, the Museum opened its spectacular new Visitor Hall—a space that is free to all and a showcase for some of the Museum’s most iconic specimens.  

Sonia’s recognition as one of this year’s Women of Note is truly a testament to her commitment to our community and her dedicated leadership of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
We invite you to read more about this award and learn about Sonia’s nomination. 
Congratulations Sonia!

Media Contact

Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager
Cleveland Museum of Natural History 
216.403.4557 
sguenther@cmnh.org