DALLAS, TEXAS —The George W. Bush Presidential Center announced today that Teresa Lenling has joined the organization as the Director of the George W. Bush Presidential Museum. In this role, Lenling will drive all facets of the Bush Museum’s programs and lines of business.
“We are delighted to welcome Teresa Lenling as the Director of the Bush Museum to help us advance our goal of being a place that promotes greater understanding of the American presidency and our Nation’s continued pursuit of freedom,” said Ken Hersh, President and CEO of the Bush Center. “Teresa has extensive knowledge of museum leadership and operations, which will allow her to expand our impact in the community and around the country.”
Lenling most recently served as the CEO for the Frontiers of Flight Museum, a premier aerospace museum in Dallas. While there, she worked to reenergize and modernize the community’s awareness of the museum. From 2010 to 2020, Lenling worked at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, where she rose from Assistant Director of Education to Vice President of School and Community Engagement. During her time at the Perot Museum, she spearheaded community engagement campaigns, including school and public programs, that brought thousands of visitors to the museum.
“I’m honored to join the George W. Bush Presidential Center,” Lenling said. “Dallas has such a vibrant landscape of cultural institutions and museums, and the Bush Museum serves as a unique piece to that puzzle by bringing the U.S. presidency and American history to life. I’m excited to join my new colleagues in working to further the Bush Center’s nonpartisan mission.”
From 2020 to 2021, Lenling led the Dallas-based nonprofit, Hope Cottage, as their CEO. Prior to her time at the Perot Museum, Lenling served as the Programs Manager and Coordinator and later as the Director of Public Engagement for the Science Center of Iowa from 2003 to 2010. Lenling received two bachelor’s degrees in psychology and biology from the University of South Dakota, and a Master of Business Administration from Baylor University.
Under her leadership, the George W. Bush Presidential Museum will continue to showcase the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion through a permanent exhibit that takes visitors through President and Mrs. Bush’s time in office and a yearly special exhibit. The current special exhibit, Freedom Matters, open through Dec. 31, uses rare historical artifacts, interactive activities, and personal perspectives to examine the concept of freedom.
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About the George W. Bush Presidential Center
Located on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is a nonpartisan institution advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. The Bush Center comprises the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and the George W. Bush Institute, a solution-oriented policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies through policy solutions and public engagement. The Bush Center also houses the George W. Bush Presidential Library, operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, which provides access to official documents and artifacts from the George W. Bush Administration. Learn more about the Bush Center at bushcenter.org.
