Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Shelley Wilson Lauten will be the interim chief executive officer at the Holocaust Center. Lauten has a long track record of distinguished leadership in our community and is ideally suited for this role at this time. She began this past Monday, Sept. 27.

Lauten is a pillar of the Orlando philanthropic and business communities and an innovative thinker and strategist who has played an important role in developing Orlando as the center of business, culture and tourism it has become. Her experience and expertise will be invaluable as the Center works toward its next stage as the Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity to Downtown Orlando.

The Holocaust Center has formed a CEO Search Committee and has engaged an executive search firm to lead a national effort to find a CEO with experience in building, curating, and opening institutions similar in size and scope of the new museum. 

Lauten's appointment fits in with this considered process, as she is not a candidate for the permanent CEO role, and is here to bring her unique skills to help the museum navigate the next stage of its evolution into a world-class center for Holocaust education in one of the top global travel destinations, welcoming more than 75 million visitors a year. Furthermore, Lauten's specific experience and community ties make her an ideal person to assume this role at this pivotal time, with transformational Executive Director Pam Kancher transitioning out of her current role by the end of the year.