J. Michael Nauman on Leading the Museum of Discovery Through Innovation & Change

Nauman is a certified public accountant and a chartered global management accountant. (Mark Friedman)

What is different about executive leadership in an interim capacity versus a permanent role?

Regardless of the status, any CEO needs to keep moving the organization forward. The main difference is the need to decide if an action is critical or would it be better addressed by my successor. I want to leave no doubt that the Museum of Discovery is moving forward and that it is an amazing place with our new galleries and our outstanding staff.

What do you see as the biggest challenges for the museum in the next few years?

Technology continues to advance rapidly. Our next generation will expect more dynamic, hands-on exhibits that include advancements in the areas of interconnectivity and artificial intelligence. The museum’s challenge will be to stay ahead of this curve.

Have there been any permanent changes in the museum industry since the pandemic?

Guests’ expectations have increased in regard to a return on their investment when they visit — not to mention that costs have increased. All museums have had to figure out how to provide a better experience for our guests in a cost-effective manner. This was happening anyway, but the pandemic accelerated this process.

What’s an average workday like for you at the museum?

The Museum of Discovery is a dynamic place and every day is different. I make sure that I am in the galleries for an extended period visiting with our guest families. The reason we are here is for the children of our state, and feedback from our guests and visitors is most important. I also interact with our team informally. I am not a big fan of meetings, although we meet periodically. I find that better feedback comes from one-on-one opportunities. Many of my days also include connecting  with our donors, many of the other important organizations in our community and our city officials.

Why attracted you to science?

My father was a professor of chemical engineering and many of my friends are engineers. I have always loved creativity and have been privileged to be named on several key patented products that helped my businesses advance and thrive. I understand the value of innovation, and as I look for ways to provide more opportunities for the children of our state, I remain focused on science, technology, engineering and math.

What are you working on now at the museum?

We just opened two new amazing galleries created for children from newborns to age 12 and are integrating them into the flow of the museum. At the same time, we have been simplifying our structure to make it easier for our team to accomplish our goals. As for the future, we are working on a new, more interactive experience in one of our galleries that will excite guests between the ages of 12 and 15 about their future opportunities. I can’t wait to bring this to the public.