Angeline Howell, the Chief Executive Officer of Great Explorations Children’s Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, brings a unique blend of expertise in mental health and family sciences to her role. Under her leadership, the museum has transformed into a welcoming space where families of all backgrounds can learn and play together, regardless of their abilities or socioeconomic status. Angeline’s ability to listen attentively to members, employees, and community partners has allowed Great Explorations to identify and address the needs of the community effectively.
Angeline’s journey to her current position is marked by a diverse array of experiences. Born in Dallas, Texas, she traversed four different states during her childhood, each move offering valuable life lessons and shaping her into the well-rounded individual she is today. After graduating from high school in Southlake, Texas, Angeline pursued her passion for family and child sciences at Florida State University, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the field. She continued her studies at FSU, obtaining additional degrees in School/Guidance Counseling and Mental Health Counseling.
Following graduate school, Angeline embarked on a career as a mental health therapist in St. Petersburg, where she met her husband and began building her family. After a decade of dedicated service in the mental health field, Angeline transitioned to her current role as CEO of Great Explorations Children’s Museum.
Throughout her career, Angeline has remained committed to strengthening family systems and improving the lives of children. Prior to joining Great Explorations, she worked as a Licensed Mental Health Therapist at Suncoast Center, providing essential services to families impacted by mental illness, substance abuse, and child welfare issues. Her subsequent roles as Program Manager and Director of Clinical Services further solidified her leadership capabilities and her dedication to making a positive impact on the community.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Angeline is deeply involved in volunteer work, contributing over 100 hours each year to organizations serving children and families in the Tampa Bay area. She volunteers with the Jr. League of St. Petersburg, supports her Latin heritage through Pan American Women’s University, and raises funds for CASA with the Kappa Alpha Theta Alumni Chapter of Tampa.
Angeline’s commitment to community service, coupled with her passion for creating inclusive and enriching experiences for families, drives her work at Great Explorations Children’s Museum. Through strategic partnerships and advocacy efforts, she ensures that the museum continues to have a meaningful and lasting impact on families across the region. With Angeline at the helm, Great Explorations is poised to lead the way in redefining the role of children’s museums in fostering learning, creativity, and connection for all.
A Community Hub
Great Explorations Children’s Museum stands as a beacon of learning, creativity, and inclusivity in the vibrant community of St. Petersburg, Florida. Nestled in a city brimming with arts, culture, and outdoor activities, Great Explorations offers an immersive experience for children and families alike, transcending traditional boundaries to create a welcoming atmosphere for all.
For over 37 years, Great Explorations has been a cornerstone of the Tampa Bay area, providing a space where children of varying abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds can come together to learn and play. Guided by a mission to stimulate learning through creativity, play, and exploration, the museum offers hands-on interactive exhibits and educational programming that foster informal, creative, and fun learning environments.
Every exhibit is meticulously designed to enhance children’s skill sets, incorporating STEAM educational concepts to inspire curiosity and innovation. Beyond being a hands-on Children’s Museum, Great Explorations offers an array of educational services, including an award-winning preschool, school out camps, summer camps, afterschool care, and outreach programs.
In February 2014, Great Explorations made history as the first mid-size children’s museum in the United States to earn accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). This prestigious recognition was recently reaffirmed with reaccreditation status, signifying the museum’s ongoing commitment to national standards and best practices. This elite accreditation places Great Explorations in the esteemed company of institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, and the Dali Museum.
Notably, the recognition of Great Explorations’ preschool as a national model underscores the museum’s dedication to meeting the needs of its community. The exemplary curriculum and quality of services provided are a testament to the dedication of the staff, the generosity of donors, and the support of the community at large.
As Great Explorations Children’s Museum continues to evolve and grow, it remains steadfast in its mission to ignite the spark of curiosity, creativity, and discovery in children of all ages, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to explore, learn, and thrive.
Transformative Leadership
Angeline’s remarkable journey to becoming the youngest CEO at Great Explorations Children’s Museum is a testament to her unwavering commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of its community. With a background in mental health and school guidance counseling, Angeline brings a unique perspective to her role, leveraging her experiences to advocate for increased accessibility and inclusivity in museum programming.
Drawing upon her decade-long experience working with at-risk children, Angeline is dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment where all children, regardless of their circumstances, can explore, learn, and grow. She understands the transformative power of interactive exhibits and programs in fostering emotional growth and strengthening family relationships, particularly for those facing medical, developmental, or socioeconomic challenges.
Under Angeline’s leadership, Great Explorations has undergone a remarkable transformation, with a renewed focus on increasing access and enhancing the quality of the museum experience. Through her involvement as an AAM Peer Mentor and Peer Reviewer for accreditation, Angeline shares her expertise with museums across the country, guiding them towards excellence and promoting best practices in museum accessibility and programming.
With a keen ability to listen to the needs of members, employees, and community partners, Angeline has cultivated a culture of collaboration and innovation at Great Explorations. Together with her dedicated leadership team, she remains committed to identifying and addressing the needs of the Tampa Bay community, ensuring that the museum continues to serve as a beacon of learning and play for all.
As Angeline celebrates her milestone anniversary at Great Explorations, her passion for the power of play remains unwavering. Through her leadership and dedication, she continues to advocate for the essential role of play in childhood development, affirming that play is not a luxury but a necessity for all children to thrive.
Training Initiatives
Angeline’s leadership philosophy centers on the strength of the team and the collective pursuit of excellence at Great Explorations Children’s Museum. With a dynamic leadership team consisting of Laurel Ginn, Chief Administrative Officer, and Alan Kahle, Chief Operating Officer, Angeline recognizes that success is a collaborative effort that requires the dedication and talents of each team member.
Understanding that a leader is only as strong as the team alongside her, Angeline prioritizes opportunities for professional development and growth for all staff members. Through trainings and conferences, the leadership team has invested in enhancing their skills and aligning their goals with the mission and vision of the organization. A recent multi-year training initiative focused on establishing a common language, identifying organizational goals, and charting a path for progress has proven invaluable, particularly during the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This comprehensive training not only equipped the leadership team with the tools needed to navigate uncertain times but also fostered a culture of clarity and alignment throughout the organization. By embedding this model into board meetings, department meetings, and staff meetings, Great Explorations now operates with a clear vision of its accomplishments, current initiatives, and long-term goals.
Through shared experiences and mutual empowerment, Angeline and her leadership team have cultivated an environment where every team member is encouraged to grow and lead. By attending opportunities for professional development together, the team not only advances the organization but also lays the foundation for future leadership success. With Angeline’s leadership at the helm, Great Explorations Children’s Museum is poised for continued growth and impact in the community.
Board Engagement
As the CEO of Great Explorations Children’s Museum, Angeline bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the organization’s impact and performance align with its mission and goals. In partnership with the leadership team, Angeline plays a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the museum and shaping its future direction and strategy.
One of Angeline’s key responsibilities is to effectively communicate the organization’s impact and performance to the board of directors. This involves providing regular updates on key metrics, financial performance, program outcomes, and any challenges or opportunities facing the organization. By presenting a comprehensive picture of the museum’s operations and achievements, Angeline enables the board to make informed decisions and provide strategic guidance.
While overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operations, Angeline collaborates closely with the leadership team to ensure that all aspects of the organization are aligned with its mission and goals. This includes evaluating how various processes and initiatives impact factors such as retention, service delivery, and fundraising efforts. By fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, Angeline and her leadership team empower staff members at all levels to contribute to the organization’s success.
Cultivating a Cohesive Workforce
For Angeline, hiring new team members at Great Explorations Children’s Museum involves aligning candidates with the organization’s core values. These values serve as guiding principles to ensure that new hires not only possess the necessary skills and qualifications but also embody the ethos and culture of the museum.
Here’s a breakdown of the key traits Angeline looks for in potential team members:
- Dream big, work hard, stay humble
- Inspire and be inspired, have fun, be creative
- Work smarter, not harder
- Act with integrity and honesty
- Dress to impress, don’t be afraid to take risks
- Continuous improvement
- Playful learning
By selecting candidates who embody these core values, Angeline ensures that new team members at Great Explorations Children’s Museum are not only skilled and capable but also aligned with the organization’s mission and vision.
Overcame Pandemic Challenges
Angeline acknowledges the significant impact of COVID-19 on Great Explorations Children’s Museum, emphasizing the unprecedented challenges faced by the organization. Despite these obstacles, Angeline highlights the resilience and determination of the leadership team in navigating through the crisis and emerging stronger than ever.
During the challenging times brought on by the pandemic, Great Explorations took proactive measures to secure funding, reaching out to donors and applying for grants to support its operations. Additionally, the organization remained a valuable resource to the community, providing STEAM boxes to entertain children at home and offering support during a time of uncertainty.
Angeline expresses pride in the organization’s current state of thriving, highlighting the successful rebuilding efforts and the establishment of sustainable plans for the future. With a renewed sense of purpose and commitment, Great Explorations is poised for continued growth and expansion.
Beyond being a hands-on children’s museum, Great Explorations offers a year-round preschool program and school-age programming, demonstrating its dedication to bridging the gap between formal education and informal learning experiences. The organization’s outreach services have made a significant impact on the community, donating over $500,000 worth of in-kind services.
Looking ahead, Great Explorations aims to expand its reach to include middle school-aged children, offering science and STEAM educational opportunities to a broader demographic. Angeline is committed to realizing the organization’s vision of bringing science back to St. Pete, supporting its dreams and aspirations as a leader.
Through determination, innovation, and a focus on community impact, Angeline and the leadership team at Great Explorations Children’s Museum are driving positive change and making dreams a reality for children and families in the St. Petersburg area.
Learning from Diverse Mentors
Angeline credits her parents as her first and most influential mentors, shaping her values and leadership style through their guidance, discipline, and example. They instilled in her fundamental principles such as treating others with respect, being honest and authentic in communication, and pursuing her beliefs with conviction and courage, regardless of others’ opinions. Angeline describes her parents as charismatic leaders who have inspired her throughout her life.
Throughout her career, Angeline has had the privilege of learning from various mentors who have contributed to her growth and development. Some mentors have imparted new skills and encouraged her to explore different paths, while others have provided valuable lessons by showing her what not to do or how not to manage others. With the guidance and support of these mentors, Angeline has continuously strived to excel in her professional endeavors.
Today, Angeline sees the staff at Great Explorations Children’s Museum as her mentors. They support, teach, encourage, and challenge her to continuously improve, contributing significantly to the organization’s success. Their collective mentorship plays a crucial role in Angeline’s leadership journey, empowering her to lead with confidence and effectiveness.
Finding Fulfillment
Angeline’s advice to someone stepping into a leadership role for the first time would be to prioritize passion and purpose in their career journey. She emphasizes the importance of finding a profession that aligns with one’s passions and brings a sense of fulfillment each day.
Angeline considers herself fortunate to have discovered her true calling and encourages others to seek out opportunities that resonate with their interests and values. Rather than viewing work as a mundane obligation, she encourages aspiring leaders to find something that ignites their passion and feels more like an enjoyable pursuit than a job.
By pursuing a career that sparks genuine enthusiasm, individuals are more likely to thrive in their leadership roles and make a meaningful impact in their respective fields. Angeline’s advice underscores the significance of aligning personal interests with professional pursuits, ultimately leading to greater fulfillment and success in leadership positions.
