The Adler Planetarium Appoints Elizabeth Babcock as President and Chief Executive Officer

Header image: Headshot of Elizabeth C. Babcock

The Adler Planetarium announced today the appointment of Elizabeth C. Babcock, PhD as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Babcock’s appointment follows a comprehensive six-month global search led by a committee of Adler’s trustees, made up of prominent business and civic leaders, in partnership with Russell Reynolds Associates. The committee’s recommendation was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees.

“On behalf of the Board, it is my pleasure to welcome Elizabeth back to Chicago to lead the Adler,” said Nancy Gerrie, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Elizabeth is a non-profit leader of national distinction, an accomplished fundraiser, and a dedicated scientific educator. We are confident her expertise and vision will profoundly shape the Adler’s future. I look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of the Adler in our community under her leadership.”

Babcock joins the Adler with extensive experience in a wide array of leadership roles. Most recently, she served as the Founding Director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum in Washington D.C., where she laid the groundwork for a landmark multimillion dollar campaign. Prior to her time at the Smithsonian, Babcock was President and CEO of Forever Balboa, the city of San Diego’s private partner stewarding a 1,200-acre urban park. She also held the key senior role at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco as the Chief Public Engagement Officer and Roberts-Wilson Dean of Education.  There, she directed the Morrison Planetarium and Science Visualization Studio and public-facing programs that reached over 20 million learners worldwide and secured significant philanthropic support for science education. In Chicago, Babcock previously served as Vice President of Education and Library Collections at the Field Museum of Natural History.

“I am honored to join the Adler Planetarium as its next President and CEO,” said Babcock. “This is an extraordinary moment to lead an historic institution, one that inspires us with daily discoveries about the cosmos and the universe we inhabit together. I aim to build upon the Adler’s exceptional record in space science education, community engagement, and collaboration as we prepare to celebrate our centennial in 2030, and beyond.”

Gerrie continued, “We are also deeply grateful to Audris Wong, who has provided steady leadership as Interim CEO over the past several months. Audris will return to her role as Vice President of Finance and Administration following Elizabeth’s arrival on October 6th. With such a strong leadership team and dedicated staff, the Adler is well-prepared for the exciting years ahead.”

Support America’s First Planetarium

Located on Chicago’s lakeshore, the museum typically hosts more than half a million visitors each year and reaches millions more through youth STEAM programs, neighborhood skywatching events, people-powered research, and other outreach efforts. Today, the Adler is bringing our unique approach—scientific exploration rooted in community and connection—to guests from around the world who can enjoy the digital Adler from their own homes, libraries, schools or offices.

Donate today and help us continue to bring educational space programming to everyone, everywhere as we embark on this new chapter!