JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 13, 2026) — The Museum of Science & History announced today that VyStar Credit Union is further advancing its longstanding support of the Museum by loaning executive Lysa M. Barbano to serve as Executive Director during the Museum’s transition to Downtown Jacksonville's Northbank.

Barbano brings to the Museum a record of executive leadership as VyStar’s Senior Vice President of Partnerships and its former Florida Market President. In this project-focused role, she will guide the organization through critical planning milestones and into construction, serving as the central liaison between the Museum's board, staff, and key partners. She will also play an instrumental role in onboarding a permanent CEO as the project advances closer toward completion.

“Lysa is an accomplished executive whose expertise in partner alignment, operational strategy, and large‑scale project execution make her exceptionally well prepared for this assignment,” said Brian Wolfburg, President & CEO of VyStar Credit Union and the Museum’s Capital Campaign Co-Chair. “Her appointment reflects VyStar’s continued commitment to supporting the Museum and this transformative project for Downtown Jacksonville.”

Barbano’s appointment is the latest chapter in VyStar’s commitment to helping the Museum deliver a world-class cultural destination to Jacksonville. VyStar was the Museum’s first corporate donor, contributing $2.5 million, and its President & CEO Brian Wolfburg has served on the Museum’s board since 2020 and recently stepped into the role of Capital Campaign Co-Chair. The Museum’s team is also operating out of donated space in the VyStar Tower in Downtown Jacksonville.” 

“Serving as Executive Director during this project is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact for the Jacksonville community as the Museum moves from vision to reality,” said Barbano. “From strong leadership, an engaged board, dedicated staff, and committed partners to a donor community that has invested nearly $100 million, everything is in place to create something truly transformational for Jacksonville. I am honored to be part of it.”

In addition to her executive experience, Barbano brings to the Museum a long history of community leadership. She serves on the Orlando Economic Partnership Board and the Heart of Florida United Way Board, and leads VyStar's community partnership with the Orlando Magic. She will continue to honor these commitments on behalf of VyStar alongside her full-time role with the Museum.

With Barbano serving as Executive Director, the Museum's senior leadership team is fully in place as the project advances through pre-construction. Maureen Mercho now continues in her full-time role as Chief Development Officer, leading the execution of the fundraising strategy that has raised nearly $100 million, making it one of the largest cultural capital campaigns in Jacksonville’s history.

“This transition strengthens the Museum at a pivotal moment in the campaign,” said Mercho. "Between our board, staff, partners, donors, and now Lysa, we have extraordinary momentum, and this community is coming together in a remarkable way to create a cultural experience that Jacksonville will be proud of for generations to come."

“This marks an exciting new chapter for the Museum, guided by a leadership team whose strengths complement one another,” said Jill Davis, Board Chair of the Museum. “Maureen’s steady leadership ensured continuity during the transition and will continue to drive our fundraising and outreach efforts. Lysa brings strong strategic and project management expertise that will be instrumental in completing the Museum and shaping a forward-looking, sustainable institution. We are also grateful to VyStar, a foundational partner from the beginning, for helping bring the right leadership to this moment.”

Barbano’s appointment and the established leadership team build on a period of momentum for the Museum, which recently unveiled the first look at three of its 10 planned galleries, developed in collaboration with Ralph Appelbaum Associates, one of the world's most respected museum exhibition design firms. It also recently expanded its board leadership and appointed new trustees.