June 14, 2022 – After a successful nationwide search prompted by the previous director, Rikki Parker has been named Executive Director at the Children’s Museum of Illinois (CMIL).
Parker is an Arthur, Illinois native with ties to central Illinois. Parker will relocate with her husband, Jordan, to Decatur from New Orleans in late June 2022 and are delighted to have purchased a home on Millikin Place. Parker plans to invest her time and talents not only in the Children’s Museum, but also in the city of Decatur, Macon County, and the surrounding region.
Parker graduated from the University of Evansville in 2009 and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University in 2013. Parker practiced law for 2 years following law school, representing clients in federal court. In 2016, Parker began her career in non-profit organizations and public policy.
She previously served as Senior Program Director at the Coastal Conservation League, where she has worked since 2016. At the Coastal Conservation League, Parker advocated for policies addressing climate change, plastic pollution, land protection, urban sprawl, and energy efficiency.
Parker plans to bring her talents in policy development, fundraising, event management, and community relations to the Children’s Museum of Illinois. Parker sees an immense opportunity to pair conservation and sustainability efforts with the Children’s Museum.
Rachel Strode, Chair of the Museum’s Board of Directors, is excited about the depth and breadth of experiences that Parker brings to CMIL. “We were seeking a candidate who would be able to position the museum strongly in the post-pandemic landscape and bring strategy and business acumen to our planning and execution of projects. Parker definitely fits these needs.”
Over the next year, the Children’s Museum of Illinois plans to develop a new strategic plan and install several new exhibits including a new, long-awaited central climber and water table feature. Parker has some innovative and creative plans of her own.
“The Children’s Museum is already an important fixture in Decatur with a strong reputation. I’m eager to work together with residents, institutions and businesses to ensure the Museum thrives for decades to come. As an avid gardener, I hope to expand exhibits beyond the Museum walls, exploring the possibility of planting a pollinator garden, restoring native prairie grasses, and allowing visitors greater opportunities to interact with nature. With community buy in, the possibilities are endless. I can’t wait to get started.”
