Michael Shanklin is a native of Southern California and has been an integral part of kidSTREAM even before joining us full-time, previously serving as an Advisor and champion of kidSTREAM. Prior to taking the helm as kidSTREAM’s inaugural Executive Director, Michael served the Explore! Children’s Museum as Project Advisor in October of 2019.  Shanklin was previously the CEO of Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena, CA where he led his team on a $13M capital campaign to rejuvenate the museum, significantly increasing attendance, earned revenue, and access for low to moderate income families. 

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He held leadership positions with The Discovery Science Place and was on the senior leadership team for the $29M expansion of the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum.  Michael involves himself deeply in local and national causes, having served on the Association of Children’s Museum Board, the California Association of Museums, amongst others.  He is also a committed local volunteer and currently the president of the Camarillo Rotary Club Sunrise as well as an alumni of the Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA).