About Us

CDM is a pioneering leader, igniting children's passion for learning through play. From Chattanooga to nationwide outreach, we engage the senses and inspire exploration.

Research has long proven that play is the work of childhood. Through play, children gain mental, physical, and social skills necessary to succeed in their adult lives. CDM is a nonprofit organization, prime tourist attraction, the region’s expert in experiential learning and a vital educational resource collaborating with community partners across our region.

Our Mission

To inspire all children to explore, innovate, create, and play.

Our Vision

To make our community the best place for a child to grow up.

Welcoming Message
We value the diversity, inclusivity, well-being, and education of our visitors, staff, and volunteers. We respect all backgrounds, beliefs, and diversity as it relates to age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socio-economics, and family structure.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
LEARN MORE

Our Museum History

The idea for CDM was born in 1989 as the board of the Hunter Museum of American Art evaluated the viability of developing a children’s wing. The board recommended a separate children’s museum be created as part of the revitalization of downtown. CDM was incorporated in 1992 and opened in 1995.

It quickly evolved into a multi-disciplinary, educational institution, utilizing interactive programs and exhibits to explore art, music, science and technology. In 2004, CDM acquired the NewsChannel9 Science Theater in Northgate Mall which has become a key component of its science education efforts. The Science Theater relocated to the Museum’s main campus in 2010. In 2005, the Museum completed a major renovation which included the installation of the RiverPlay exhibit, an outdoor rooftop exhibit focusing on simple machines, and Buzz Alley exploring the world of bees.

Today, CDM is one of Chattanooga’s most dynamic and innovative cultural resources earning accolades for innovation and quality including:

- Six national awards from the Institute of Museum and Library Science (IMLS)
- Best practices awards from the Association of Children’s Museums
- Best Children’s Museum rankings from Child Magazine (13th in 2002) and Trekaroo (7th in 2015)
- Best of the Best Museum, Chattanooga (2019)
- Pinnacle Award from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration for its distance learning programs (2016 and 2019)
- First museum in Tennessee to join the Museum for All initiative, in which a significantly reduced-price admission is offered to families in the EBT program
- Certified as a KultureCity® Sensory Inclusive™ organization, meaning the Museum is accessible to children with special needs on a daily basis (2019)
- One of six museums and/or science centers selected by the Association of Science and Technology Center’s to join the Cultural Competence Learning Institute (CCLI, 2019)

Community Impact

The Museum serves children in the surrounding community and in partnership with schools and other organizations.

Learn more about our values, commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion, and community partners HERE.

Sensory Night

A free and low-sensory event for children and families with sensory sensitivities to play in the Museum. Registration is required.

Club Discovery

Club Discovery is an inclusive after-school program for friends with a diagnosis and their typically developing peers to enjoy the Museum.

2019 • Chattanooga Times Free PRess

2019 • Finalist

2018 • Trip Advisor

Meet the Team

Our team is dedicated to making the Museum a place for all to learn and create.

Office of the executive director
Tim Sears
President and CEO
tsears@cdmfun.org
Randy Jestice
Business Administrator
rlj@cdmfun.org
Sherri Hinton
Assistant to the President
syj@cdmfun.org
Advancement Department
David Gibbens
Membership and Events Coordinator
Kendra Satterwhite
Digital Media Specialist
ksatterwhite@cdmfun.org
Brianna Daignault
Director of Membership and Events
bmd@cdmfun.org
Mackenzie Steele
Director of Marketing & Communications
msteele@cdmfun.org
Education Department
Lizzie Cheatham
School and Community Access Manager
echeatham@cdmfun.org
John Echols
Professional Development Coordinator
jechols@cdmfun.org
Glenn Gass
Making & Technology Coordinator
ggass@cdmfun.org
Caroline Ring
Art Studio Coordinator
cring@cdmfun.org
Mark Watlington
Volunteer Manager
mwatlington@cdmfun.org
Kate Polickoski
Museum Experience Facilitator
kpolickoski@cdmfun.org
José Castillo
Museum Experience Manager
jgc@cdmfun.org
Sheila Woody
Reservations Manager
ssw@cdmfun.org
Amanda Ward
Director of Museum Experience and Volunteers
alw3@cdmfun.org
Erin Townley
Early Childhood Specialist
eet@cdmfun.org
Whittney Hendren
Director of Outreach & Schools
wah@cdmfun.org
Christie Haggard
Early Childhood Coordinator
cfh@cdmfun.org
Liza Blair
Arts Specialist
llb@cdmfun.org
Claire Stockman
Vice President of Education
cstockman@cdmfun.org
Operations Department
Jessalyn Beasley
Exhibit Props and Projects Coordinator
jbeasley@cdmfun.org
Andy Fuller
Director of Maintenance and Facilities
afuller@cdmfun.org
Denee Stewart Freeman
Evaluation & Audience Specialist
dstewartfreeman@cdmfun.org
Gabe Taylor
Exhibits Specialist
gtaylor@cdmfun.org
Ronnie Hanson
Guest Relations Manager
vhanson@cdmfun.org
April Burk
Director of Guest Relations
akb@cdmfun.org
Shannon Johnson
Vice President of Operations
srj@cdmfun.org

Meet the Board

The Museum board is committed to improving education for all children in the community.

Executive Committee
Taylor Vinson
Board Chair
Christie Burbank
Secretary
Trey White
Treasurer
Board of Trustees
Bailey Howard
Betsy Cake
Caitlin Studer
Chris Reneau
Dori Waller
Jay Hill
Kristin Watts
Lisa Montelongo-Connor
Mario Duarte
Michael Walton
Mickey Cloud
Patrick Keegan
Patrick Stowe
Thomas Barnes
Wayne Brown
Honorary Life Board Members
Joseph H. Davenport, III
Ex-Officio Board Members
Keith Sanford

Financial Transparency