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Gwen Adams
LUDINGTON — The board of directors of Sandcastles Children’s Museum, 129 E. Ludington Ave., has announced the hiring of Gwen Adams as its new executive director. Adams is only the second executive director of the non-profit organization since its inception in 2012, replacing Kristin Korendyke, who retired Dec. 31, 2024.
Adams grew up spending her summers with her grandparents in Pentwater and has been a resident of west Michigan for nearly a decade. After graduating with a degree in history from Saginaw Valley State University, she was hired by the Lakeshore Museum Center of Muskegon to serve as the assistant program manager for its living history park. During her seven-year tenure with the museum, she developed and managed various initiatives (youth volunteers, safety teams, special camps, fundraisers, and other events), and served as the human relations specialist and volunteer manager.
Following her time with Lakeshore Museum Center, Adams relocated to Oceana County, working as the development assistant for the Community Foundation for Oceana County and later taking a position with the Oceana County Council on Aging serving as its program and volunteer services director. While there, she worked with a team of programmers to bring meaningful opportunities to Oceana County seniors and their families.
In addition to the wealth of nonprofit experience Adams brings to her new position, she also brings a passion for the mission of the children’s museum she now calls home.
“After visiting Sandcastles for the first time I knew if the opportunity came, I wanted to be part of its mission in providing a space for families and children to grow and learn,” said Adams. “My toddler is very curious, funny, engaging, and she also learns differently. As a parent it can feel like you’re doing something wrong when your child isn’t meeting the same milestones as other kids their age. What I love about Sandcastles is the emphasis on hands on learning through play and their partnerships. As a parent, I know I can bring my toddler here and there are hundreds of ways for her to learn- and resources for me as a parent to help her succeed.”
Adams resides in Oceana County with her family.
“I am a firm believer in ‘the sky’s the limit’, but you can’t reach the sky alone,” Adams said. “So, while I have big ideas and dreams for Sandcastles, my first goal is to really immerse myself in the Ludington and Mason County community. I’ve already felt very welcome by the residents here and I can’t wait to foster new friendships. West Michigan has a treasure trove of resources, but we also have a lot of barriers to access, so the more partnerships an organization has the more ability to reach those who need the resources and services. Kristin and the Board have cultivated a diverse circle of partners between local businesses, donors, and other non-profit organizations. I am looking forward to continuing those partnerships and starting new ones so we can expand our reach to more children and families.”
Adams said she looks forward to meeting the community during business hours at the museum and via other community events. She can be reached directly at discover@sandcastleschildrensmuseum.com.
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