Karen Kincaid Brady has been appointed as the new executive director of the New Mexico Museum of Space History, starting her role on October 27, 2025. The announcement was made by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and the museum's commission.
Debra Garcia y Griego, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, expressed enthusiasm about Brady's appointment. "We are thrilled to welcome Karen to the New Mexico Museum of Space History," she said. "Her combined expertise in history, preservation, and museum leadership, paired with her lifelong passion for space history, will help inspire future generations through the remarkable story of New Mexico’s role in space exploration."
Brady has over ten years of experience in museum management and historic preservation. She previously worked as business and programming director at the Neill-Cochran House Museum in Austin, Texas. Her responsibilities included overseeing operations and managing staff and volunteers. Before that role, she was a project manager at R&K Solutions, Inc., where she led preservation projects resulting in exhibitions such as one at the Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville, Florida.
Reflecting on her new position, Brady said: "My love for space history began during my childhood visits to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Joining the New Mexico Museum of Space History feels like coming full circle. I’m excited to continue advancing the museum’s mission to share the stories of innovation, exploration, and discovery that define both New Mexico and our journey into space."
As executive director, Brady will manage various aspects of the museum's operations including exhibitions and educational programs. The museum is located in Alamogordo and is part of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. It focuses on preserving New Mexico's contributions to space exploration.
Brady holds master’s degrees from both the University of Texas at Austin and San Antonio in historic preservation and history respectively. Her academic work includes a study titled Preservation Moon: Defining and Preserving the Cultural Landscape of Tranquility Base.
The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate showcasing New Mexico's significant contributions to U.S. space development with features like the International Space Hall of Fame.
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