Stephanie Bailes is stepping down after six years as Cade Museum’s president and chief executive officer.
Bailes decided she wants to pursue other opportunities that will allow her to spend time with her family.
“We’re very grateful for Stephanie’s leadership during a pivotal time for the museum,” said Cade Museum co-founder Phoebe Cade Miles in a press release. “She not only turned the vision into reality, but over the last six years has built up an incredible team. Stephanie is irreplaceable and we will miss her greatly, but I know that the team she created will continue to reflect her legacy for years to come.”
Under Bailes’ leadership, Cade experienced substantial growth. Since it opened in May 2018, Cade has welcomed over 150,000 visitors. The Cade Prize for Innovation, once a modest cash award previously open to Florida-based early-stage inventors only, is now a national competition with a cash purse of over $100,000.
Through her hard work and dedication, Bailes was named a top 50 International Museum Influencer in 2021 by Blooloop Magazine and a Florida Trend Florida 500 Influential in 2022. She was also named a “Person to Know in the Area of Technology” by Florida Trend.
Since her resignation, Bailes has worked closely with Miles and Jay Fant, the Cade’s Governance Committee chair, to develop a transition plan.
The plan provides stability and is focused on continued contributions to Cade’s mission.
The Cade Board of Directors will form a CEO search committee to identify the next visionary to fulfill the role. In the meantime, Miles assumes the role of interim CEO, while Bailes transitions to the role of Senior Advisor beginning on March 1.
“Building up the Cade has been the opportunity of a lifetime and I am grateful to Richard and Phoebe Miles, and the Cade’s Board of Directors, for their constant support and confidence,” Bailes said. “Working alongside the Cade’s incredible team of employees and the community supporting its mission has also been an immense honor and privilege. I will continue to support the Cade, albeit from the sidelines, and I look forward to a new season of personal and professional engagement in our growing city.”