kiryn hoffman

Kiryn Hoffman is President and CEO of National Children’s Museum, a one-of-a-kind hybrid science center and children’s museum dedicated to sparking curiosity through playful, hands-on STEAM experiences for children ages 12 and younger. Located in Washington, DC, it serves more than 225,000 visitors annually from all 50 U.S. states and over 75 countries.

With 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit organizations focused on scientific research and education, Kiryn has developed educational programs, led fundraising campaigns, and built community partnerships. Before coming to DC to lead the Museum, she spent a decade at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) as Chief Advancement Officer. She also served as Vice President and Chief Development Officer at the New York Academy of Sciences and Director of Major Giving and Capital Campaign at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Kiryn is trained as a physical chemist and holds a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and a master’s from New York University. Between her undergraduate and graduate studies, she assisted Nobel laureate James D. Watson in writing and editing his book, DNA: The Secret of Life, and curated an international touring exhibit about his writing career. She is also a published science writer, with articles in Scientific American Mind, The National Academies Press, and Nature Nanotechnology, among others. She has two young children, 7 and 12.

president + ceo, national children's museum