Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh has named Gretchen Baker the new Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Director of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Baker takes over for Stephen Tonsor, who had been serving as interim director. She is currently the managing director for museum experience at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles and will join the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh on April 1.

Baker previously served as vice president of exhibitions for the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County which includes the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park and La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park. She began her career as a member of the scientific research staff at the Field Museum in Chicago.

“This is my dream job and I’m thrilled to be joining Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, such a beloved institution of both art and science that matters so much to Pittsburgh and the world,” said Baker.

“Gretchen Baker brings to this key role an impressive range of experiences and interests that embrace art as well as science - an excellent qualification for leading a museum of natural history that shares its splendid facility with a distinguished museum of art,” said Carnegie Museums President and CEO Steven Knapp.

“Under her guidance, this great institution will make new strides toward its goal of becoming the world’s most relevant natural history museum.”

At the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County Baker led a 40-person team that created and managed exhibitions, gardens, a live-animal program, and the indoor and outdoor exhibitions at La Brea Tar Pits. She also introduced science storytelling experiences using virtual reality and augmented reality.

“My passion is connecting people to the stories of our planet. The story may be that of dinosaurs, of an ancient civilization, or the living nature of city parks,” Baker said. “The story is also the urgency of creating a sustainable future together, and I am energized by Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s aspiration to be the most relevant natural history museum in the world,”

Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County president Lori Bettison-Varga called Baker a collaborative and inclusive leader. “This kind of leadership is what makes museums relevant and Gretchen helped strengthen our museums’ connections to L.A.’s diverse communities,” she said.

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