The Children’s Museum of Richmond (CMOR) has named Shannon L. Venable its next president and CEO. Venable, a graduate of Michigan State University, has forged a successful career with Dominion Resources over the last thirty years, most recently as vice president of staffing and diversity. During her tenure at Dominion, Venable successfully led business efforts in the company’s financial, IT, generation, planning, and human resources departments. She has a life-long interest in early childhood education and serves on the Boards of 
Smart Beginnings RVA, the Woman’s Educational Organization and the United Way. In addition, she was also instrumental in the workings of the Lieutenant Governor’s Commonwealth Committee for Childhood Success.
“We are thrilled that Shannon will be leading the Children’s Museum into the future,” said Greg Robertson, chair of the museum’s board of trustees. “Her successful business experience combined with her passion for early childhood education and CMOR’s tremendous staff will enable the museum to better serve the families of Central Virginia and further demonstrate that early childhood learning is the key to success for children later in life,” said Robertson. “CMOR’s board couldn’t have been more impressed with Shannon’s leadership skills, knowledge of its mission and goals, as well as her ability to connect with our existing museum leadership and staff,” added Robertson.
Venable will replace Karen Coltrane, who resigned at the end of 2014 to become president and CEO of EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia, South Carolina.
Venable expects to complete her service with Dominion Resources at the end of January and will begin her duties at the Children’s Museum on February 1, 2016.
The Children’s Museum of Richmond has four locations, CMoR Central at 2626 W. Broad Street in Richmond; CMoR Short Pump located in Short Pump Town Center at 11800 W. Broad Street in Richmond; CMoR Chesterfield in Winterpock Crossing Shopping Center at 6629 Lake Harbour Drive in Midlothian; and 1275 Jefferson Davis Highway in Fredericksburg. The Children’s Museum has been serving the community since 1981 with the mission to create innovative learning experiences for all children and those who support them that inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers.
