STAMFORD – The Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s (SM&NC) Board of Directors has appointed William “Bill” Brucker as its new executive director. He replaced Melissa Mulrooney, who retired after 20 years as CEO.
Over two decades, Mulrooney guided the SM&NC’s growth into one of the region’s premier cultural, agricultural, and environmental education institutions.
Under Mulrooney, the 2010 Master Plan for the SM&NC culminated in two major capital projects: the Knobloch Family Farmhouse opened in 2018, and the new Planetarium & Astronomy Center unveiled in November 2025. During her tenure, annual participation doubled to more than 200,000 visitors, education programs expanded to serve 140 regional schools, and adult programming and events have more than quadrupled.
Brucker, a respected nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning, fundraising, communications and organizational leadership, most recently served as chief advancement officer at Family Centers — one of Fairfield County’s largest nonprofit providers of health, education and human services.
During his time at Family Centers, Brucker raised more than $7 million annually in private philanthropic support, cultivated key stakeholder relationships, and secured more than $4 million in reserve funding to strengthen the organization’s long-term financial sustainability. He also led the organization’s strategic planning initiatives, redefined its vision and values, expanded community partnerships, and grew its brand awareness throughout Fairfield County.
Douglas L. York, Ph.D., president of SM&NC’s board, expressed his confidence and enthusiasm regarding Brucker’s appointment.
“After a national search, yielding multiple highly qualified applicants from throughout the region, we are thrilled to have found a leader of Bill’s caliber with deep ties to and knowledge of the Stamford community,” York said.
As executive director, Brucker will oversee all aspects of the SM&NC’s operations, strategic vision and financial sustainability while deepening community engagement and expanding philanthropic support.
“It is truly an honor to join the Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s team,” said Brucker. “Melissa’s (Mulrooney) leadership has left an indelible mark on this organization and throughout our community. I look forward to working with the board, staff, volunteers and supporters to build on this strong foundation to ensure the SM&NC’s continued growth so that the wonder and discovery this place offers continues for generations.”
Brucker lives in Stamford with his wife and two teenage sons. He earned both a B.A. in mass communications and an M.S. in organizational leadership from Quinnipiac University.
A cultural and educational resource since 1936, the Stamford museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of art and pop culture, the natural and agricultural sciences, astronomy, and history.
