Meet Judith Edele, the Museum’s go-to expert for facility rentals! Whether she’s coordinating an exhibit premiere party, ensuring a seamless gala, or spending the night at the Museum for a Scout Sleepover, she’s making magic happen behind the scenes. With a background in event planning, a master’s degree in Business and Organizational Leadership, and a lifelong love of nature, she’s passionate about creating memorable experiences for every guest who walks through our doors.
Read more about her journey and how she’s connecting people to conservation in unexpected ways in our latest Staff Spotlight!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR MDWFP’S MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE?
I started working at the Museum in November of 2024.
WHAT’S YOUR WORKDAY LIKE?
Each day is a bit different! I work with anyone who wants to rent a space in the Museum and I serve as the Chair of the Events Committee.
Depending on the day, I can be found staring at a spreadsheet, collecting plates from tables, or painting a backdrop!
On days (or nights!) when we have a rental, I make sure that the customers’ needs are met throughout their time. I help plan our Exhibit Premiere Parties, as well as some other pop-up events.
I love working to give our guests the best experience we can, whether during their rental or while attending an event!
ANY FUNNY WORK STORIES?
Another part of my role is sleeping over at the museum with our Scout Sleepovers!
I feel so blessed to be able to put the museum to sleep on a Saturday night and wake it up on Sunday morning.
But, it also leads to some interesting stories, like the heating system making a loud noise and waking everyone up in the middle of the night!
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
Growing up in Connecticut, Quebec, and Vermont, my parents took my sisters and I on many adventures!
I remember going on hikes in all parts of the Northeast in the sun, rain, or snow! My favorite family tradition is our Christmas afternoon hike. One year, my sister was on crutches from a hockey accident but that didn’t stop us! We bundled her up, dragged our little red wagon out of the barn, and pulled her around the block. Our summer vacations involved camping and eating hot dogs roasted over a fire. Now, my fiancé and I love to go hiking, camping, and adventuring in the woods.
My family also spent a lot of time at institutes that pair education and experiences. My favorites were our trip to the New York City museums (complete with a behind-the-scenes-tour of the collections at the Museum of Natural History), and our detour to Kent State University to see the original art from the Henry and Mudge and Mr. Putter and Tabby books (a favorite in our house)! Because of these and many more adventures, I have always had a love of all things nature and a passion for learning!
I went to college for Sports Medicine: Exercise Science and, after graduation, worked in the Admission office at my alma mater for almost five years. In my role, I scheduled and planned all the campus visits and recruiting events for the Admission office. I also worked on and graduated with a master’s degree in Business and Organizational Leadership. The only thing missing was the opportunity to interact with nature on a daily basis!
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER?
This position gives me the opportunity to use my background in scheduling and planning, while helping with conservation education in the way that I can.
Judith with the Museum staff at the Mindbender Mansion Exhibit Premiere Party which she helped plan and coordinate.
HOW DOES YOUR JOB CONTRIBUTE TO CONSERVATION?
Museum rentals are a way for the public to interact with the Museum in a new and different way.
I love having the opportunity to get more people through the door so that they can be introduced to all the amazing work that the team does here!
Maybe someone who never thinks about conservation will attend a gala or a reception here and their eyes will be opened to the opportunities in their own backyard!
ANY ADVICE FOR A STUDENT INTERESTED IN A BIOLOGY OR MUSEUM CAREER?
It is easy to think that you need to have a strictly biology or museum studies degree to work in those fields, but there are so many different avenues that students can take. For example, you can study theatre or art and work at a museum creating realistic dioramas and exhibits!
Practically: volunteer, shadow, and attend events to learn as much as you can!