The Westchester Children’s Museum said on Monday that Jeremy Scalchunes has been named executive director following a national search. Scalchunes, a Rockland County resident, brings 18 years of nonprofit leadership experience. He is currently associate executive director of programs at The Nicholas Center, an agency with locations in Port Washington and Pleasantville that serves autistic individuals. Scalchunes brings to this new position an already established relationship with the Westchester Children’s Museum Board and staff through his initiation of an internship program for autistic adults at the Museum and the opening of an original art exhibit “Keep Our Sea Plastic Free,” created by participants at The Nicholas Center, now on view at the Museum.
Scalchunes steps into the position of museum executive director on January 5, 2026. He will take over from Interim Executive Director Suzanne LeBlanc who served in the role while the Museum board conducted its search.
Marvin N. Campbell, Westchester Children’s Museum board chair said “Our search for a new executive director was driven by our desire to select a visionary and collaborative leader, a strategic and proven fundraiser, a creative spirit, and a community ambassador to lead the Museum into its next era. Over the course of our search in which many impressive candidates from across the country both from within and outside the museum field were considered, it became clear that Jeremy stood out as the right leader for us. He has the vision, the enthusiasm, and a proven track record of leadership, accountability, and collaboration.”
“I am honored and excited to step into this leadership role at the Westchester Children’s Museum,” said Scalchunes. “Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to creating inclusive, community-driven programs for the neurodiverse community. I look forward to bringing that experience to further the Museum’s commitment to providing a welcoming, vibrant space for all children one that breaks down barriers such as language, socioeconomic factors, diverse learning styles, and physical abilities. We will ensure that all children can be part of the Museum. On a personal note, my family are longtime museum members and frequent visitors, and it is one of my favorite places to visit with my four-year-old daughter.”
Katie Vernace, vice president of the Westchester Children’s Museum and chair of the search committee said “I have gotten to know Jeremy over the last couple years through the joint programming between the museum and The Nicholas Center and I have been incredibly impressed and moved by his role in building an inclusive, optimistic, collaborative environment for both the autistic young adults at TNC and his staff alike. Jeremy has a mission-driven leadership style, and I have seen firsthand that he empowers and inspires his team. The museum is entering a period of enormous growth and change, and I am excited to see Jeremy take this opportunity to bring the museum to its full potential as a leading hub of learning and play for children with their parents, caregivers, and schools.”
Over the past 12 years at The Nicholas Center, Scalchunes helped grow the organization from a small team of five to over 90 employees across two locations. As Associate Executive Director of Programs at the organization, he oversaw support for more than 150 participants and over 50 community partnerships. He also served on the organization’s finance, development, compliance, incident review, senior directors, and strategic planning committees. He holds a Master’s degree in applied behavior analysis and autism and is a board certified behavior analyst. He has pioneered several social enterprises at The Nicholas Center—including The Nicholas Center Café, The Cruising Cantina Snack Cart, and consulting on The Nicholas Center Chocolate Lab and Candle Lab — which provide employment for a population facing an 85% unemployment rate.
