Kidspace Children’s Museum Appoints New Chief Operating Officer, Ralph Barnes

Kidspace Children’s Museum has appointed Ralph Barnes as the museum’s new Chief Operating Officer. Barnes will join the nonprofit’s Senior Leadership Team and apply his 20 years of business experience to help build the future of the museum.

As the former general manager of the Beverly Center and Los Angeles Union Station, Barnes has dedicated his career to honing his expertise in community economic development, business process improvement, operations and program management, and organizational leadership.

“Ralph comes to Kidspace with a true passion for achieving operational excellence,” said Lisa Clements, Kidspace CEO. “He is endlessly curious, solution-oriented, and fully dedicated to building a caring, inspirational, and well-run organization with the ability to create positive social impact.”

Barnes is a proven leader with a passion for supporting our local communities and future generations. He successfully spearheaded a major renovation and growth project for the Beverly Center and led Union Station safely through times of uncertainty during the pandemic. As a longtime resident of the community and a Kidspace member, Barnes also brings a passion for the mission of Kidspace.

“I have had the opportunity to lead exciting initiatives with some of the city’s most iconic organizations and I’m ready to bring my experience to another icon,” said Barnes. “This role at Kidspace is an intersection of my personal and professional passions. I am excited to join this talented team.”

As an active member of the community, Barnes serves on the Board of Directors and as Chair of the Programs & Strategy Committee for CAUSE – a community-based organization with a mission to advance the political and civic empowerment of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development. He has also served on the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and the West Hollywood Travel & Tourism Board of Directors.

Founded in 1979 to increase children’s access to the arts, humanities, and sciences, Kidspace is a premier Southern California cultural and educational destination, with over 380,000 annual guests. Kidspace’s mission is to nurture the potential of all children through kid-driven experiences, inspiring them to become joyful, active learners incorporating physical, social-emotional, sensory, cognitive, and communication skill-building activities which are critical to healthy child development.

Visit kidspacemuseum.org for more information.