About Us

CMEC provides a safe, inclusive environment for children to learn and play with others their age. With interactive exhibits, kids can grow not only socially but also academically while having fun!

2000

It All Started

3,500 +

Family Members Served

37 +

Staff & Volunteers

Meet our talented crew

Dreamed of Being
Firefighter
Michael McHorney
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Graduated UWEC in 2007, Michael is from Eau Claire, WI and has been at the Museum since 2015.

Dreamed of Being
Police Officer
Mike Lee
Chief Learning Officer (CLO)

Graduated from UW-Stout with an Ed.D. in Career and Technical Education in 2018, Mike is from Eau Claire, WI and joined in the team in 2023.

Dreamed of Being
Veterinarian
Jenny Nustad
Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Graduated from UW-La Crosse in 2010, Jenny is from La Crosse, WI and joined the museum team in 2022.

Dreamed of Being
Teacher
Liz Stingl
Development Manager

Board of Directors

Past President

Marianne Klinkhammer

Gator Garb Promotions
Retired Educator + Community Volunteer

President

Jason Munz

TrustPoint
Vice President, Eau Claire Office

Secretary

Becky Seelen

Security Financial Bank
Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications

Treasurer

Tanner Thompson

Nohre
CPA | Account Manager

Blythe Rinaldi

Mayo Clinic Health System
Retired HR Executive

Grant Beardsley

Royal Credit Union
EVP – Chief Legal Officer

Jennifer Phillips

US Bank
Wealth Management Trust Advisor

Jerry Kuehl

Northwestern Bank
SVP – Sales + Marketing

Justin Harings

CCF Bank
Commercial Banker

Kasey Lemke

Market & Johnson
Director of Pre-Construction

Kirstin Rossi

University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Assistant Professor of Special Education

Linda Dunham

Premier Group of the Chippewa Valley, LLC, Coldwell Banker Brenizer
Exclusive Buyers Agent

Pa Thao

Eau Claire Hmong Mutual Association
Executive Director

Tony Benedict

Benedict Refrigeration
Owner

Our History

CMEC’s first year of operations was a great success with more than 53,000 visitors – a full 25% over expectations. Family memberships were also more popular than expected with more than 1,200 family memberships sold! It didn't start out with such expectations, but we have been fortunate to be a part of a great community of supporters.

2006

2007

2013

2015

And Beyond...

Volunteer With Us

Inspire Our Tomorrow's Leaders

Apply Now

"Our volunteers are what makes our work possible, and they are indeed our unsung heroes. They tend to be selfless and engaging, which is crucial to what we do here. Day in and day out, the volunteers at CMEC inspire our children through the world of educational play thereby ensuring our future is in good hands."

Michael McHorney
CEO | Children's Museum of Eau Claire

“Volunteering at the Children's Museum of Eau Claire was one of the highlights of my college career at UWEC. The staff were wonderful and welcoming. I enjoyed being creative and resourceful as I prepped daily activities for the children and assisted with special events. I had the opportunity to interact with and watch children thrive in a safe, clean, and uplifting environment. They could let their imaginations run wild. I highly recommend volunteering at the Children's Museum. You’ll feel like a kid again!”

Caroline Hehir