Dianne Krizan to Retire as President of Minnesota Children’s Museum

Minnesota Children’s Museum President Dianne Krizan will retire in June 2027 after guiding the state’s most playful organization since 2010.

Krizan led the museum through an era of extraordinary change: A $30 million fundraising campaign, a major expansion in downtown St. Paul and a challenging rebound from a global pandemic that threatened the organization’s very existence.

She will leave the organization in a strong position to continue delivering on its mission of sparking children’s learning through play.

“Leading Minnesota Children’s Museum has been the greatest privilege of my life,” Krizan said. “As a first-generation college graduate, I experienced firsthand how education can open doors and expand what’s possible.”

“When I made a mid-career shift to pursue work that better aligned with my purpose, I knew I wanted to help children build strong foundations for life,” Krizan said. “The more I learned about early brain development, the more convinced I became that play is the most powerful way children learn, grow and reach their full potential. It has been an incredible honor to help create a place where children and families can experience that every day.”

Krizan joined the museum as president in April 2010. During her tenure, Krizan has transformed Minnesota Children’s Museum into a stronger, more accessible and more resilient organization while expanding its impact across the state and beyond. The museum has served more than six million visitors during her tenure.

Krizan led the successful $30 million expansion of the museum’s flagship location in downtown St. Paul, helping cement it as one of the nation’s premier children’s museum destinations. She also broadened the museum’s reach by opening a satellite location in Rochester and bringing literacy-based exhibits to libraries throughout Minnesota.

Committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn and grow through play, Krizan expanded the museum’s Play for All access program, which eases financial barriers for thousands of families. Today, more than 25% of the museum’s visitors attend through free or reduced-price access programs.

Krizan also grew the museum’s traveling exhibits business into a major source of earned revenue, positioning Minnesota Children’s Museum as the nation’s leading developer of children’s museum exhibits.

Having served millions of children and families and raised millions of dollars in support of the museum’s mission during her tenure, Krizan leaves the organization well positioned for continued success as it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2031 and embarks on its next chapter of cultivating children’s development through play. In 2025, Krizan played a pivotal role in helping the museum secure a $2.5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to create exhibits, programs and resources to foster positive character traits in children.

Adrian Chiu, chair of the Minnesota Children’s Museum board of directors, hailed Krizan’s accomplishments.

“Dianne has been a transformational leader whose vision and passion have shaped Minnesota Children’s Museum into the thriving organization it is today,” Chiu said. “Dianne’s collaborative leadership helped guide the museum through periods of tremendous growth and unprecedented challenges, always keeping children and families at the heart of every decision. She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy and a museum that is well positioned for an exciting future.”

When she retires, Krizan will have held the position for more than 17 years. Prior to joining the museum, she led fundraising efforts as managing director of development at Minnesota Public Radio and its national affiliates. Previously, she was director of development for Way to Grow, an early childhood development program providing school readiness and family support services to low-income families in Minneapolis. She focused the first 18 years of her career on research and development, including as director of innovation at General Mills. She has also chaired multiple boards of directors, including Visit Saint Paul.

Chiu said that the board will begin a national search for the museum’s next president in the coming months.