CLEVELAND, OH—October 28, 2026—On Thursday, October 22, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History hosted a special chairing ceremony recognizing Kaitlyn Nader, Senior Director of Learning and Engagement, as the Museum's Gertrude Haskell Britton Endowed Chair of Education. Established in 2001 to honor the legacy of the late Gertrude Haskell Britton, who served as a longtime Museum Trustee and dedicated supporter for decades, the endowment provides permanent funding by The Britton Fund for an education director position, ensuring that education remains central to the Museum's mission for generations to come.
An endowed chair represents both a lasting investment in an institution's future and a recognition of the important work carried out by the individual who holds the position. As Senior Director of Learning and Engagement and the Gertrude Haskell Britton Endowed Chair of Education, Nader will continue to advance the Museum's commitment to making science accessible, engaging, and meaningful for learners of all ages.
“Education has been central to our Museum's mission for more than a century,” said Meenakshi Sharma, the Museum’s Acting President & CEO. “Kaitlyn's passion and dedication to making science accessible and engaging embody that commitment. We are proud to recognize her leadership through an endowed chair that honors Mrs. Britton's remarkable legacy and ensures that science education continues to inspire future generations.”
The endowment honors a woman whose leadership and dedication helped shape the Cleveland Museum of Natural History over five decades. Gertrude Haskell Britton served as a Museum Trustee from 1942 until her death in 1992 and held the position of Vice President from 1952 to 1965. She was also one of the 12 founding members of the Museum's Women's Committee, serving as its Chairman from 1941 to 1943. Today, the Women's Committee has transformed into the Friends of CMNH and has contributed nearly $2 million in support of a wide range of Museum projects.
The Gertrude Haskell Britton Endowed Chair of Education builds upon the Museum's longstanding tradition of leadership in science education. Established in 1922, just two years after the Museum's founding, its Education Division was the second formal museum education program in the United States. More than a century later, the Division continues to offer innovative educational experiences in the natural sciences for schools, Museum members, and the general public.
The Education Department inspires curiosity, strengthens science literacy, and encourages discovery through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. From school field trips and Science-to-Go classroom programs to summer camps, teen programs, and award-winning virtual learning opportunities, the Museum brings science to life for learners of all ages. Signature initiatives such as Inspire: Reach Every Child, which provides Cleveland Metropolitan School District second graders with experiential learning, and SLAM Dunk, which connects science, literacy, and math through Museum collections, demonstrate the Museum’s commitment to accessible science education. Together, these programs reach local communities and students around the world, fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the role of science in everyday life.
By permanently funding an education director position, the endowment honors Mrs. Britton’s extraordinary service while helping sustain the Museum’s ability to deliver high-quality educational experiences to the community for generations to come.
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
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