The Board of Directors of the SD Discovery Center in Pierre has appointed Dr. Rhea Waldman to the position of executive director to fill the role recently vacated by Kristie Maher. Waldman has been serving as Interim Executive Director since Maher’s departure and served as the Education Director for the SD Discovery Center since 2016.

Before moving to South Dakota, Waldman was a Curriculum Developer and Science Communication Instructor at Reiman Gardens in Ames, IA. She completed her PhD in Biology at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany, and was a post-doctoral research associate at Brown University and Iowa State University.

“I am very excited for this chance to lead the SD Discovery Center.” says Waldman. “It is not going to be an easy task taking over for Kristie Maher, but I am determined to continue her legacy and look forward to building on the great programs already in place.”

Board President Zach Parsons says they were impressed with the passion, knowledge and experience Waldman brought to her previous role and are excited to see where she helps take the SD Discovery Center in the future.