Cecilia Garnier is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Children’s Museum of Montgomery, a position she has held since January 2022. In her role, she leads the museum in its mission to inspire innovation, foster creativity and ignite a love of learning through play. Her work blends strategic planning, advocacy and hands-on involvement, focusing on creating dynamic, play-based STEM learning experiences for children and families in the community. One of Garnier’s most significant accomplishments is founding and running an independent children’s museum in her hometown, drawing on her background as an educator and PR intern. Beyond her work at the museum, she is deeply involved in her community, teaching French and English as a second language in secondary schools and dedicating over 4,000 hours to offering hands-on learning opportunities for children.

• Key to Success: Creativity and resilience. Achieving meaningful goals is never easy, but creativity enables me to find innovative solutions to challenges, and resilience has helped me overcome obstacles along the way.
• Guilty Pleasure: The Real Housewives TV series—there’s something about the drama that’s just too good to resist.
• High School Superlative: Most Likely to Be in Hollywood
• Childhood Aspirations: I dreamed of becoming a kindergarten teacher—a profession that aligns closely with my passion for childhood education and early learning.
• First Job: At 15, I became the first female to work as Big Mo, the mascot for the Montgomery Biscuits. It paid $20/hour and involved weekend community appearances. It was an unforgettable experience that sparked my love for community engagement.
• Best Advice: “The only way to find what you love is to try the things you don’t.” – Dr. Robert Lewis IV. This advice has stayed with me throughout my career and life.
• Biggest Influence Personally & Professionally: My grandfather, Lionel Lawrence Garnier Sr., who was the first Black Assistant Superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools. When I was 16 and unsure of my path, he encouraged me to go to college and simply “pick something.” He taught me that education is the key to overcoming adversity, and his words have inspired me to believe that anything is possible, no matter your background.