Please Touch Museum President & CEO Patricia D. Wellenbach today announced her decision to transition from leadership following more than nine years of service to Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia’s beloved, nationally recognized children’s museum.
As the Museum’s Board of Trustees begins the search for a new President & CEO, Wellenbach will continue in her role until new leadership is in place, ensuring seamless continuity of the Museum’s initiatives and mission to change a child’s life as they discover the power of learning through play. Isaacson, Miller has been retained by the Board of Trustees to lead the national search for the Museum’s new leader, and their search will begin immediately.
With an incredible reputation as a change agent and a gift for reimagining institutions, Wellenbach came to the Please Touch Museum in 2015 during a time of great peril for the institution as it exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Wellenbach led the organization towards recovery, as the Museum produced a comprehensive five-year strategic plan titled, “Please Touch Museum 2020: Reimagining Play to Empower 21st Century Learners,” which served as the foundation for the Museum’s transformation.
“When I arrived at the Please Touch Museum in 2015, I was focused on stabilizing this treasured Philadelphia institution and reinvigorating the Museum’s reputation of innovation, boldness, and excellence in our community,” said Wellenbach. “Please Touch Museum is stronger now than it has ever been, with a proven team who can execute on that vision and support the next chapter of growth for this magical institution. As my current contract concludes next year, I feel as though the time is right for a leadership transition.”
In addition to leading the Museum through the exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Wellenbach also navigated a 56-week closure due to the pandemic. Throughout her tenure, the Museum has raised over $32 million in philanthropic support.
Since Wellenbach took the reins, the Museum has also not only become a place to learn through play, but also a welcoming space for children in the community to share their hopes and dreams for themselves, their families, and for Philadelphia.
In 2023, the Please Touch Museum was awarded reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums through 2033, signifying excellence in the museum field and commitment to the highest professional standards.
Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, 1,103 are currently accredited and less than 1% are children’s or youth museums.
A perennial Top 10 Children’s Museum as recognized by USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards, the Museum routinely draws nearly 500,000 visitors per year with 30% of visitors attending for free or reduced admission.
“Trish has been a transformational leader for Please Touch Museum,” said Shawn Tuli, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Under Trish’s leadership, this Museum has proven its resilience and reimagined its purpose. She has ignited our imaginations, and inspired us to think bigger, curating high impact experiences relevant to the children and families of Philadelphia who trust Please Touch Museum as their third place of learning. We are deeply grateful to Trish for her stewardship of the Please Touch Museum over these past nine years and know she has set us on the path towards future growth and success.”
“Serving as President and CEO has been an honor,” Wellenbach shared. “I have immense gratitude for the children, families, donors, partners, community members, board, and staff — past and present — who have brought joy and laughter to the Museum and shared their creativity, compassion, confidence, and curiosity. But the job is not done yet! I remain fully committed to serving this iconic institution until the Board appoints a new leader and will support the transition with the same passion and enthusiasm as when I joined the Museum.”
“As we begin this search for a new leader of the Please Touch Museum, we do so with a firm commitment to build on the strong foundation that Trish has created during her tenure,” said Tracey Santilli, Chair of the Search Committee, Please Touch Museum. “The Museum has audacious plans to recognize children as changemakers during Philadelphia’s upcoming Semiquincentennial Celebration in addition to commemorating its 50th anniversary in 2026. By engaging the highly-respected Isaacson, Miller, the Board will focus on identifying outstanding, innovative candidates from across the country for this important civic role in the City of Philadelphia.”
Learn more about Wellenbach’s tenure and the upcoming transition here.