FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY & DISCOVERY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JILL MIRANDA BAKER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH
ISLAMORADA, FL – After more than eight years serving as Executive Director of the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation (FKHDF), bringing the Foundation’s idea for a bricks-and-mortar museum to realization, Jill Miranda Baker has announced that she will be departing from her role as Executive Director at the end of this year to pursue other opportunities. She is credited for developing and leading a thriving not-for-profit and the world class museum, the Keys History & Discovery Center.
During her time with the FKHDF, she worked tirelessly to grow the organization and ensure its success into the future. Under her tenure, the FKHDF has:
- Secured $1 million donation from Ken Meeks and his late wife Dee, that allowed for the establishment of a long-term endowment to fund the future of the organization.
- Introduced and grew a successful annual membership program and created the well-attended ‘Keys History & Discovery Center Presents’ annual lecture series, offering educational and engaging content for attendees through inviting historians, professors, authors and scientists as presenters.
- Developed strong partnerships with other not-for-profits and government agencies, including Mote Marine Laboratory and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, which ultimately led to the addition of permanent exhibits reflective of the area’s unique ecosystem and flats fisheries.
- Introduced an annual signature event, A Night at the Museum, including a virtual event in 2020, raising more than $300,000 over the last four years.
“Serving as the inaugural ED is a role of a lifetime,” said Miranda Baker. “I worked with the most passionate staff of Brad Bertelli and Erin Muir as well as the Board, comprised of community leaders, to turn blank blue walls into something spectacular for which our volunteers, members, community and general visitors are amazed by at every turn.”
“Jill’s leadership was critical in navigating unique challenges including being a start-up organization, post-Hurricane Irma recovery and a global pandemic,” said Foundation Board Vice Chair, Bob Lodge. “She will be greatly missed by the staff, board, volunteers, and partners who had the opportunity to work with her in furthering the FKHDF’s mission to support a world-class history and discovery center that accurately reflects our Florida Keys in a multi-faceted and interactive environment.”
The Board has launched a national search for a new Executive Director who will help lead the organization to even greater visibility and impact in the Florida Keys community and beyond.
“The board of the FKHDF will be forever grateful to Jill for the talent, dedication, and expertise she brought to her role as Executive Director,” said Founding Board Chair, Rich Russell. “We also look forward to a seamless transition to the next chapter in the FKHDF’s continuing evolution in providing residents and visitors alike with enhanced opportunities to understand and appreciate the unique history, culture and environment of the Florida Keys.”
About the Keys History & Discovery Center:
The Keys History & Discovery Center is a world-class museum that preserves and shares the incredible history of our Upper Keys community and explores the unique ecology of the region. In addition to permanent exhibits on subjects such as Henry Flagler’s Over-Sea Railway, Legends of the Line, First People, Indian Key circa 1840, Keys flats fishery, and Coral Reef Exploration, the Discovery Center offers a lecture series educating the public through presentations from a variety of expert speakers. The museum’s second floor features a state-of-the-art theater showing documentaries on topics like the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and the building of Flagler’s Railway, as well as traveling exhibits, and the Jerry Wilkinson Research Library. The Center, located on the property of the Islander Resort, is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10:00am to 5:00pm.
About the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation:
The Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation formed in 2013 to develop and operate the Keys History & Discovery Center. The non-for-profit organization’s board of directors is comprised of community-minded volunteers with a passion for the mission of preserving and sharing the unique history and environment of the Florida Keys, particularly that of the Upper Keys. More information can be found at www.keysdiscovery.com or by calling (305) 922-2237.
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