• Mara Manus is departing from her role as CEO of Pioneer Works after approximately two years.
• Gabriel Florenz, the founding artistic director, will now serve as executive director, focusing on fundraising and donor relations.
• Manus's departure marks a shift back to Pioneer Works' original vision of being an artist-scientist-led institution.

Mara Manus's departure from her role as CEO of Pioneer Works marks the end of a significant period of institutional development. During her time, Manus finalized a $30 million capital campaign and strengthened the organization's financial infrastructure. Gabriel Florenz, who has been with Pioneer Works since its inception, will now lead the organization as executive director, emphasizing its core mission of integrating art and science. This leadership transition comes after the completion of a $12 million renovation project aimed at enhancing accessibility and expanding programming.

• What: Mara Manus is leaving her position as CEO of Pioneer Works, and Gabriel Florenz is taking over as executive director.
• Who: Mara Manus, Gabriel Florenz, Dustin Yellin, Janna Levin, Stephanie Hemshrot, Laurie Cumbo.
• When: Manus began her role in September 2023 and announced her departure in March 2025. Florenz's new role took effect in March 2025. The $12 million renovation was completed a month before Manus's exit. Pioneer Works launched its $30 million campaign in 2019.
• Where: Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, New York.

The departure of Mara Manus and the appointment of Gabriel Florenz as executive director represents a strategic shift for Pioneer Works. Manus focused on strengthening the organization's financial and operational infrastructure, while Florenz's leadership signals a return to the institution's artistic and scientific roots. The completion of the capital campaign and the recent renovations position Pioneer Works for continued growth and community engagement. The emphasis on an artist-scientist-led model reflects a desire to maintain the organization's unique identity and mission.

"The plan was for Mara to come in build the infrastructure and finish the campaign. We don’t want to be a single-point institution. We like collectivity; we want to be an artist-scientist-led organization. She helped us get through a lot of intense institutional frameworks that we built in a short amount of time."

"This new leadership chapter speaks to the DNA of Pioneer Works, responding to a divided world and bringing siloed systems of knowledge together to make art and science accessible to everyone."

"establishing a robust internal Finance department, rebuilding our Development team and implementing a comprehensive CRM system" as well as deepening engagement with local schools and community. "All of this presents a natural transition point for leadership progression"

The transition of leadership at Pioneer Works, with Gabriel Florenz succeeding Mara Manus, marks a new chapter for the institution. While Manus focused on strengthening the organization's financial and operational foundations, Florenz's leadership is expected to reinforce Pioneer Works' commitment to its unique blend of art and science. The completed capital campaign and recent renovations provide a solid base for future growth and community engagement, aligning with the institution's mission to make art and science accessible to all.