Folsom museum director Rita Mukherjee named CEO of Chabot Space & Science Center

The executive director of Folsom’s history museum has been named the chief executive officer of Oakland’s Chabot Space & Science Center.

Rita Mukherjee will join the nonprofit institution on June 1, Chabot said Saturday in a press release.

As CEO, Mukherjee will be responsible for shaping and executing the organization’s overall strategy, culture and growth. Chabot has an annual budget of $6.4 million and a full-time staff of 46, according to its website.

In five years at Folsom History, Mukherjee launched a $3 million fundraising campaign and increased the operational budget by 50% in three years, Chabot said. 

She previously served as deputy director at Powerhouse Science Center, now Sacramento’s Museum of Science and Curiosity, and held positions at the DoSeum children’s museum in San Antonio and The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

Mukerjee succeeds Adam Tobin, who stepped down as CEO in November after 10 years.