#Meetourmembers: Erin Amico - Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Often described as a "visionary leader", Erin Amico is the President and CEO of The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
Who is Erin Amico?
Erin Amico is the President and CEO of The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (“Nature Museum”).
Earlier in her career, Erin worked in marketing for luxury companies, focusing on connecting people with value, always thinking from the audience’s perspective. Often described as a “visionary leader”, Erin later served as the CMO at P33, a nonprofit driving inclusive growth for Chicago’s tech sector, just before joining the museum.
The Nature Museum
For 167 years, the Nature Museum has been connecting Chicagoans to nature and science. The museum’s mission is to create a positive relationship between people and nature to grow the region’s urban connection to the world of nature and science.
The Nature Museum delivers value for the Chicago region in three interconnected ways. First, through science, with on-staff biologists, researchers and scientists regionally focused. Secondly, the museum focuses on education with a lot of hands-on environmental education. For instance, most of their work happens outside of the museum, directly in the field, in different neighbourhoods and areas. Finally, the museum aspires to become a leader in nature and science and to spark that wonder you have when you are in the field.
These three priorities are interconnected, as science and conservation work inspire the experiences the museum offers; what they do out in the field inspires what they bring in the museum.
Making a difference
According to Erin, the world is facing a hugely important dual crisis: rapid loss of biodiversity and climate change. Through exhibits and actions, the museum hopes to make a difference by educating people so they can understand the changing natural world and feel empowered to make a difference. To demystify topics of climate change and biodiversity loss and connect people with these topics in a relatable way, the museum launched the Sustainability Center, an interactive gallery to learn about the components of sustainable living. The museum is also exploring ways to attract more visitors by tapping into the trend of green tourism, aiming to become a must-visit destination in Chicago. Concerning sustainability, Erin looks abroad for inspiration, particularly to countries like France, which she believes are leaders in consciousness and focus.
Overall, the museum’s mission is to create a positive connection between people of all ages and nature. Everything they do is fostering this connection and how to inspire nature champions.
Exhibitions & Events
The museum hosts many exhibitions, with the most popular being the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, where over 1,000 butterflies are flying around visitors. The exhibit is so popular that yoga classes are organised there, and some people even get engaged in the haven.
Another famous experience was the immersive exhibit with nature photographer Mike McDonald, where participants felt enveloped by the prairie through sounds and sights.
Butterfly Ball
Additionally, the annual highlight, the Butterfly Ball, will take place on May 2nd, 2025, offering fabulous cocktails and dinner where participants can explore all the exhibits and support the museum’s mission.
Moreover, the museum hosts social and wedding private events. They benefit from a perfect location with stunning views in the middle of nature. They also aim to create new experiences, so people can enjoy their time and connect with nature.
Future goals
The museum aims to reach a larger audience, not just children, as it is a museum for all ages. They are also looking to gain more support, awareness, and engagement in their conservation work and continue supporting communities.
Moreover, Erin is focused on innovating for the future and exploring how to connect new technology and digital experiences with nature to create a positive connection between people and nature. The museum needs to figure out how to exist and thrive in that reality.
Broadly, they want to transform the Nature Museum into a catalyst for nature champions.
Community
Erin has always been involved in the local community and sees great potential in Chicago. For instance, she is a member of the Midwest Board of UNICEF, the Board of Trustees of the Latin School of Chicago, and the FACC.
The Nature Museum is engaged with the local community and leads many programs. One of the museum’s community initiatives is the Chicago Conservation Corps, which trains people from all over the city on conservation topics such as water or energy waste management. These trained individuals later launched their own projects in their community, addressing local needs.
For Erin, it’s important to give back as you rise and to ensure you are pulling people up with you.
Inspiration
From the beginning, Erin is inspired by her parents, who instilled in her the value of learning as much as possible and the belief that she can do many things without having to choose just one.
Erin is also motivated by her children and young people, as they are the future, she wants to support them. She feels that it is for the younger generation that we must work on our planet, so our grandchildren can have a bright future.
Overall, Erin is inspired by learning from others, which is why connecting with people and being involved in communities is so important to her.
Involvement with the FACC
Erin has always been involved in business and economic development for Chicago and she loves the work the FACC is doing to connect French companies to Chicago, helping them thrive and be successful.
She has a personal affinity with France, which instilled in her the desire to create cross ocean relationships in an international kind of family. As a FACC board member, Erin wants to bring that cultural perspective and connect with the community.
Advice for young professionals
As a young professional, you have time ahead of you, and you should be true to yourself, knowing that your path will not be straight. Even if it takes time, be brave, follow your heart, and create your own path.
Thank you Erin for your time, insights and commitment!
