CLEVELAND, OH—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is proud to share two exciting updates that reflect the impact of its leadership—both on its Board of Directors and on its executive team.
This spring, the Museum welcomed Wendy Esposito to its Board of Directors. Esposito serves as Director & Senior Counsel for Innovation, Technology, and Global Business at Eaton Corporation, where she provides strategic legal counsel to accelerate and scale Eaton’s businesses. She also serves as Eaton’s in-house legal expert for commercialization of digital offerings and emerging technologies. Prior to joining Eaton, Esposito spent 15 years leading business-critical technology transactions and global outsourcing deals for a highly regulated Big Four accounting firm and global Fortune 500 companies.
Esposito’s decision to join the Board was motivated by the Museum’s focus on science-based research and education, its connection to the past, and its focus on the future. “As misinformation and disinformation about critical environmental issues proliferate, the Museum serves an increasingly important role in bringing science and facts to the public in a relatable and experiential way,” she said.
In addition to this exciting Board appointment, the Museum celebrates a significant honor received by a member of its executive team. Melissa Santee, the Museum’s Chief Philanthropy Officer, has been named one of Crain’s Cleveland Business’s Women of Influence for 2025. This award recognizes the dedication and achievements of Northeast Ohio's top female business leaders, highlighting those who enrich our region with their professional talents and unique perspectives.
Since joining the Museum in 2018, Santee has played a pivotal role in its ongoing transformation, leading the successful $150 million Transforming the World of Discovery campaign—the largest campaign in the Museum’s history. Her leadership has not only supported the Museum’s bold capital improvements but also expanded access through initiatives like the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Community Days, Museums for All, and the Museum’s new Visitor Hall—a space that is always free to the public.
“This recognition is a testament to Melissa’s leadership and her unwavering dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible Museum,” said Sonia Winner, President & CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. “Together with new leaders such as Wendy Esposito, we’re building a team that is deeply committed to our mission and to the region we serve.”
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass millions of artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,500 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
Media Contact
Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager, Marketing & Communications
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Office: 216.231.4600 x3432
Mobile: 440.429.2902
sguenther@cmnh.org
