Kimberly Kay, MBA

I lead the Retail and Guest Services departments with a focus on creating an unforgettable, mission-aligned experience for every guest who walks through our doors. I oversee front-of-house operations including admissions, the museum store, and the overall lobby experience—ensuring they all feel seamless, welcoming, and full of curiosity. In this role, I directly supervise the Guest Services Manager and Store Manager, support the professional growth of our frontline teams, and collaborate across departments to enhance the guest journey from start to finish. As the museum’s primary retail buyer and merchant, I manage product curation, vendor relationships, financial planning, and storytelling through our store offerings—making sure every item reflects our mission to spark creativity and play. I utilize tools like Tessitura to track attendance, revenue, and guest satisfaction data, using insights to drive continuous improvement. From optimizing staffing plans for peak seasons to refining daily operations, my work bridges operations, business strategy, and a heart for community engagement. The Amazeum is a nonprofit children’s museum that believes learning should be active, hands-on, and joyful. I’m proud to contribute to that vision every day by leading teams who deliver curiosity-driven experiences and inspire lifelong learning through play.

I managed daily operations for the museum store and online shop, leading a dynamic retail strategy that was both mission-driven and financially sustainable. I oversaw merchandising, vendor partnerships, inventory, and team development—while also launching unique collaborations that extended the guest experience beyond the walls of the museum. One of my proudest accomplishments was creating and growing the Youth Maker Program, which taught over 300 youth annually how to turn their curiosity into real-world skills—designing, prototyping, and selling their own products in a professional retail setting.

I supported the day-to-day operational needs of the museum store, with a focus on visual merchandising, inventory flow, and guest experience. I helped build and train the retail associate team, ensuring consistent service and strong alignment with the museum’s mission. This role laid the foundation for scaling up retail operations, streamlining back-of-house systems, and elevating the visual storytelling within our store environment.

• Developed and trained exhibit hall facilitators on guest experiences and facilitation techniques. • Created educational experiences aligning with Amazeum's educational philosophy and goals. • Coordinated work schedules for a team of 20+ exhibit hall facilitators.

• Led front line staff in the exhibit hall to ensure guests have a safe and positive experience at Scott Family Amazeum. • Coached team on creating educational activities to enhance guest engagement. • Implemented new safety protocols resulting in a 20% decrease in incidents and a 15% increase in guest satisfaction.

• Inspired fun and curiosity through positive, playful interactions with guests at Scott Family Amazeum. • Collaborated with a team to animate play ideas, foster family exploration, and provide excellent customer service. • Ensured a safe and hygienic space for guests while evaluating and improving guest experiences.

I lead the company’s efforts to strengthen its public presence, foster meaningful stakeholder relationships, and advocate for our mission of advancing biomimicry innovation. My role encompasses: • Strategic Communication: Crafting and delivering impactful messaging that effectively conveys Humimic’s vision, mission, and groundbreaking work to diverse audiences. • Website Management & Digital Presence: Overseeing the company’s website to ensure it serves as an engaging and informative resource for partners, customers, and the public, while also driving visibility through content optimization and updates. • Social Media Strategy: Managing Humimic’s social media platforms to build brand awareness, foster engagement, and highlight our innovations, partnerships, and milestones. • Stakeholder Engagement: Developing strong relationships with community partners, government agencies, and industry leaders to promote collaboration and support for biomimicry solutions. • Advocacy & Policy: Leading initiatives to influence policies that align with our sustainability and innovation goals, positioning Humimic as a leader in ethical biomimicry practices. In this role, I combine digital communication expertise with strategic advocacy to enhance Humimic Biosystems’ reputation, expand its reach, and position it as a leader in sustainable innovation and biomimicry advancements.

• Led a team of 14-18 staff members at Smashburger, creating weekly schedules and overseeing hiring and training processes. • Developed and executed performance evaluations, completed financial paperwork, and managed inventories. • Spearheaded marketing and advertisement efforts to drive company growth and increase brand awareness.

• Managed the EMPACTS lab at NorthWest Arkansas Community College, overseeing training and scheduling of lab facilitators. • Responsible for maintaining and managing the tech equipment in the lab, including 3-D printers, plotters, and desktops.

Assisted EMPACTS students in learning and utilizing tools and technology.