The Louisiana Art & Science Museum announced today that its Board of Trustees has unanimously appointed Karen M. Soniat to be the museum’s fourth president and executive director since 1962.
She will begin on May 1.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Soniat to the LASM team and are confident that her leadership will help transform LASM from good to great,” said Scott Gaudin, chair of the search committee. “She brings with her an impressive track record of success and a unique breadth of experiences from her previous roles including leadership positions at The National WW II Museum, the LSU Law Center, the Louisiana Department of Education and as a public-school art teacher. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to education, arts and culture in the great state of Louisiana.”
Soniat currently serves as the associate vice president for Institutional Advancement/Annual Giving and Membership for The National WW II Museum in New Orleans. In this role, she and her team of 14 professionals manage a membership base of over 150,000 members that generates millions of dollars per year to support museum initiatives.
Soniat is a member of the executive leadership team of The National WWII Museum, which is one of the top museums in the nation and is the top-rated attraction in New Orleans.
“I am grateful to the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a storied institution,” Soniat said. “The work of the staff and my predecessors — including Adalié Brent and Carol Gikas, who both had long tenures leading the Museum — set a high standard that I will aim to continue. I am honored to join the talented team at the LASM and Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, an anchoring cultural institution for my home city and the region.”
In her previous roles, Soniat has developed extensive skills in management, fundraising, communication, education administration and board relations. She has served as the chief development officer and director of the Office of Communications and External Relations for the LSU Law Center, the special assistant to the president for Southeastern University with responsibilities for public information and external relations, and senior consultant and special assistant for the Louisiana Department of Education.
A Baton Rouge native, Soniat earned three degrees from LSU: a doctorate's degree in educational leadership and research; a master's degree in educational technology; and a bachelor of science degree in art education with coursework in art history.
She began her professional career as a public-school art teacher in East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parish Schools.
“The Museum’s impressive collection and focus on interdisciplinary teaching and learning present extraordinary opportunities to impact our students, teachers, and audiences of all backgrounds and ages," Soniat said. "With our strong leadership and dedicated staff, I know that the potential for the Museum is unlimited."
The Search Committee included Chair Scott Gaudin; Elizabeth Canfield, Board Chair 2023-2024; Drew Tessier, Board Chair 2024-2025; Eric Dexter, Suzanne Turner, and Kathy Victorian, Advisory Council members; and Frances Lee, staff representative.
“In her new leadership role at LASM, Dr. Soniat will be a tremendous asset to the entire Louisiana educational and cultural community,” states Drew Tessier, current LASM Board Chair. “We are eager for everyone to meet her, especially during LASM’s 39th Annual Gala: Party in the Valley of the Kings on Friday, Oct. 4. I look forward to partnering with her to expand the reach of the Louisiana Art & Science Museum.”