Charlayne Murrell-Smith

Since joining the Museum in 1996, Ms. Murrell-Smith has maintained and managed the corporate, civic, government and community relationships of the Museum to advance its mission, programs, public profile, and financial health. She also shares oversight for stewarding the Museum’s many outreach initiatives that directly benefit the children and families of Boston and beyond.

Prior to joining the Museum, Charlayne was Director of Client Services and Strategic Planning for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, where she was responsible for the coordination and delivery of programs and services to Chamber members and served as chief operating officer. She has also served as Project Vice President and General Manager of the Wishnow Group, Inc., a public affairs consulting company specializing in local and national social issues campaigns; Community Affairs Director of WHDH-AM and WZOU-FM; and was a guidance counselor in the Cambridge and Newton Public Schools.

A native of Denver, Colorado, Charlayne holds degrees from Wellesley College and Northeastern University. Her current affiliations include the Boards of Directors of the Boston Children’s Chorus, The Boston Harbor Association, The Lenny Zakim Fund and the YMCA of Greater Boston. She also serves on the advisory board of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network and is a member of the American Association of Museums and the Association of Children’s Museums.

Charlayne received a 2002 Pinnacle Award for achievement in non-profit management from the Women’s Network of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as one of the Leading Women 2000 by Patriots’ Trail Girl Scout Council.