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The Value of Play

Leadership

"Play is essential to development as it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children and youth. Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children."
(American Academy of Pediatrics, Clinical Report on Play, October 9, 2006)

Since 1976, Please Touch Museum has embraced this belief. We encourage children to play and grow through the myriad of experiences we offer. We know that play provides the foundation for basic life skills such as building relationships, cooperation, negotiation and compromise as well as providing opportunities for children to find out who they are and what they enjoy doing. Our leaders are experts in the field of early childhood education and the value of play.


Nancy D. Kolb
President and CEO

For the past 18 years, Please Touch Museum has been led by President and Chief Executive Officer, Nancy D. Kolb, who has more than 30 years of museum management experience. Under Ms. Kolb’s leadership, the museum introduced its Community Partners Program and in 2002 she accepted the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ National Award for Museum Service by First Lady Laura Bush at a White House ceremony. Ms. Kolb led the expansion of the museum at 21st Street and its effort to move to Memorial Hall.

Ms. Kolb has served on the boards of Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Mayor’s Cabinet on Children and Families, School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Housing Authority, American Association of Museums and the Association of Children’s Museums. She has most recently been appointed to the Philadelphia Art Commission by Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street. Prior to joining the Museum, Ms. Kolb was the Director of Historic Sites and Museums and the Assistant Executive Director at the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and the Director of Pennsbury Manor, the country home of William Penn in Bucks County, PA. Ms. Kolb graduated with honors from Bucknell University with a BA in history and biology and is a graduate of The Getty Museum Management Institute.


Laura Foster
Executive Director

Laura has been with Please Touch Museum since 1991 and was appointed Executive Director in 2007. For seven years, Laura served as the Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff. Laura also currently serves as the President of the Association of Children’s Museums, a group of 341 children’s museums across 23 countries.

She works closely with the president on all aspects of the management of the museum and its staff. She coordinates and serves as a resource for the senior management team of vice presidents and department directors. Laura is part of the lead management team for planning the expansion and relocation of Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall. She is directly involved with creating the business plan, operations, communications plan and fundraising initiatives. Laura has her JD degree and over 20 years of management experience at non-profits and museums.

Prior to coming to Please Touch, Laura has held several prominent law –––positions including Executive Director of Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association and Associate Attorney at Abraham, Pressman and Tietz in Philadelphia. She is a graduate of The Getty Museum Management Institute.