JoAnn Newman

President & CEO

Orlando Science Center President & CEO JoAnn Newman is dedicated to guiding the Science Center as a strong community partner for informal science education, family engagement and workforce development. 

During JoAnn’s tenure, Orlando Science Center has grown to engage more than 670,000 people annually, approximately doubling in attendance, revenue and staff. National recognition has followed, including prestigious grants from NASA and the Office of Naval Research, and awards such as Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders Award and two nominations for the Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal. JoAnn was selected as one of 2017’s Top CEOs of the Year by Orlando Business Journal. She also leads the Unlock Science Campaign, a $35 million fundraising effort dedicated to creating new experiences, renovating exhibits and increasing access at Orlando Science Center.

JoAnn has a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University and a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. She began her career as a development engineer with AT&T Microelectronics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and was transferred to Orlando in 1989 to work as senior engineer. JoAnn came to the Orlando Science Center in 2003 as Director of Operations and held several executive leadership positions before being named President & CEO in 2009.