April 10, 2008--After playing a key role in bringing the new Science Center of Iowa (SCI) and Blank IMAX Dome Theater from vision to reality, SCI President and Chief Executive Officer Mary Sellers will be stepping down this summer after nine years leading the organization. Sellers will be returning to Florida to be near her family. A specific departure date has not been determined.

“After everything Mary has meant to the SCI family and to this community, accepting her resignation was difficult, but not as difficult as it will be to actually have her leave later this year,” said Karen Shaff, Chair of the Science Center’s Board of Directors. “Mary has a unique ability to inspire vision in others and then strategically lead implementation of that vision. The Science Center of Iowa built for this community, by this community, will forever stand as a tribute to the people she brought together through shared passion.”

In 1999, Sellers and her husband, Sean, left family in Florida to come to Iowa and participate in the building of a new science center, one that would not only be a leading resource for Des Moines but also for the state of Iowa and the nation. By facilitating dialogue with key stakeholders and taking every opportunity to listen to the needs of SCI’s future constituents, Sellers successfully led the planning and oversight of the $62 million capital project to build the new SCI. She built a team that secured genuine commitment from individuals, corporations, foundations and all levels of government who would be future users and supporters.

“By gaining broad-based engagement in so many ways, her leadership has resulted in a flexible museum, built to respond for generations to the changing needs of Iowans,” said Shaff. “Mary has established a passionate team of strong and capable individuals who are well-positioned to continue this momentum for the future.”

The innovative perspective Sellers brought to the planning process led to the successful launch of the new 110,000-square-foot Science Center of Iowa and Blank IMAX Dome Theater in May 2005. Within two years of operating, more than one million participants had engaged in SCI’s hands-on programs and exhibits, a milestone reached one full year sooner than projected. Also under her leadership, the Science Center of Iowa became a governing member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and was accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM), the only facility in Des Moines to be awarded this distinction.

“It is truly awe-inspiring for me to look back over my nine years with SCI and recount the incredible successes we have accomplished together,” said Sellers. “I will always hold the team of people that I have had the good fortune to work with, and for, in the highest regard, and the memories I carry forward will be a highlight of my life.”

“I am proud of our collective accomplishments and take great solace in knowing the institution is well positioned for continued growth,” Sellers commented. “I will remain at SCI to assist with a smooth transition in any way possible and will leave confident that this organization is in the best of hands.”

The Board of Directors will conduct a national search for a new president in order to ensure that SCI continues to build on the foundation of success set to date.

“The Science Center’s core ideology is ‘to engage and inspire,’ and no one could have better personified that ideal than Mary,” concluded Shaff. “Her passion and motivation for the organization and for the team was contagious and the fact that she has passed that on to so many is how this institution will continue to thrive. All of us at the Science Center will miss Mary but wish her the very best as she returns to Florida.”