#208: Sonia Winner (Cleveland Museum of Natural History) - $150m Centennial Transformation

Sonia Winner is the CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. In July 2018, she became the 10th director of the Museum in its more than 100-year history, dating back to 1920. Since then, she has spearheaded a $150 million reinvention of the institution—reimagining its campus and exhibits to highlight the interconnectedness of life on Earth. Under her leadership, the Museum continues its century-long legacy as one of the nation’s top natural history institutions, stewarding over 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems and housing more than 5 million artifacts and specimens. It is supported by a nearly 60-member Board of Directors, 140 staff members, and approximately $282 million in assets. Before joining CMNH, Sonia built an impressive career in higher education and philanthropy. At Columbia University, she led record-breaking fundraising efforts, helping to secure $6.1 billion for the university. Prior to that, she held leadership roles at Case Western Reserve University, serving as associate dean of both the Weatherhead School of Management and the School of Law. A lawyer by training, she also served as Director of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. This was an amazing conversation! Sonia’s passion for this work shines through as we explore the transformative power of museums, cultivating childhood curiosity, the Museum’s rich history and legacy, her personal journey to leading a major cultural institution, the ambitious centennial project aimed at revitalizing the museum experience, the overall business of museums, and so much more. 00:00:00 – The Magic of Museums and Childhood Curiosity   00:06:59 – Personal Reflections on Museums and Nature   00:09:07 – Sonia's Journey to the Museum Leadership   00:16:42 – Understanding the Cleveland Museum of Natural History   00:17:02 – The Museum's Legacy and Community Impact   00:19:56 – Honoring History While Embracing Change   00:25:50 – The Centennial Project and Its Vision   00:31:52 – The Business of Museums: Challenges and Opportunities   00:35:15 – Balancing Accessibility and Sustainability in Museums   00:36:28 – Creating Memorable Visitor Experiences   00:37:38 – Dinosaurs: The Gateway to Natural History   00:40:45 – The Role of Museums in Scientific Literacy   00:45:22 – Trust in Museums: A Reflection of Society   00:47:41 – Understanding the Value of Local Museums   00:50:04 – Personal Stories and the Impact of Museums   00:52:03 – The Future of Museums: Programming and Community Engagement   00:53:13 – Leadership Lessons in the Museum Sector   00:56:43 – Women in Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities   00:57:27 – Hidden Gem  ----- LINKS: https://www.cmnh.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-winner-2699123/ ----- SPONSOR: Roundstone Insurance Roundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership. Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland. ----- Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here. Past guests include Justin Bibb (Mayor of Cleveland), Pat Conway (Great Lakes Brewing), Steve Potash (OverDrive), Umberto P. Fedeli (The Fedeli Group), Lila Mills (Signal Cleveland), Stewart Kohl (The Riverside Company), Mitch Kroll (Findaway — Acquired by Spotify), and over 200 other Cleveland Entrepreneurs. Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/ Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland https://www.jeffreys.page/