Susan Marenoff-Zausner: The Woman at the Helm of the Intrepid Museum 

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, the Museum highlights an inspirational woman who has broken barriers: Intrepid Museum President Susan Marenoff-Zausner.  

As the first woman to hold this role at the Museum, she exemplifies how women are redefining leadership in spaces once reserved for men. 

Steering the Museum into New Waters 
The centerpiece of the Intrepid Museum is the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, a key part of U.S. military operations at sea during multiple conflicts. During its years of active service (1943-1974), more than 50,000 men served aboard—while women were excluded from serving on carriers until 1994.  

Today, under Marenoff-Zausner’s stewardship, this historic vessel is guided by a woman for the first time, transformed into a globally recognized cultural and educational institution.  

Commandeering Resilience 
Marenoff-Zausner has led the Museum through some of its most defining moments.

The Enterprise arriving at the Museum. Credit: The Intrepid Museum 

In 2012, she secured the acquisition of NASA's space shuttle orbiter Enterprise, a landmark achievement connecting the Museum to its space heritage as a recovery vessel for Mercury and Gemini missions. Later that year, when Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage to the institution, she spearheaded recovery efforts that reopened the Museum in just eight weeks. 

More recently, Marenoff-Zausner successfully guided the Museum through multiple pandemic-related closures by expanding virtual programming to stay engaged with and provide outlets for the community. She also secured a 30-year lease agreement with Hudson River Park Trust, ensuring the Museum’s continued impact on New York City’s cultural landscape. 

President Susan Marenoff-Zausner posing in front of Concorde during the plane's arrival to the Museum. Credit: The Intrepid Museum. 

Advancing Education, Accessibility and Innovation
Under Marenoff-Zausner’s leadership, the Museum has evolved beyond a historic site into a hub for learning, accessibility and groundbreaking initiatives. 

1. Empowering the Next Generation: The Museum now impacts more than 100,000 young people annually through its award-winning STEM programs, inspiring and equipping them with skills for the future. Professional development opportunities for educators extend the Museum’s reach, indirectly benefiting another tens of thousands of students each year.
2. Setting the Standard for Accessibility: Committed to making history accessible to all, the Museum has become one of New York City’s most inclusive institutions, with programs designed for individuals with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities. More than that, its accessibility toolkit is a model for institutions nationwide.
3. Always Moving Forward: In her more than two decades with the institution, Marenoff-Zausner has pledged to honor and perpetuate Intrepid’s legacy while ensuring the Museum always has an eye on the future. This year is no exception and a prime example of that leadership philosophy. On March 21, the Museum will open a new and important exhibition. For the first time since 2008, the Museum is introducing never-before-seen artifacts from its collection that tell the story of Intrepid, as well as displaying its newest aircraft, a World War II Corsair. The 10,500 square foot space will include more than 50 of these never-before-seen artifacts in addition to oral history videos from former crew members, photos on display for the first time and hands-on experiences. And in July in the space shuttle pavilion, we go from the far reaches of space to the deep depths of the sea for a new exhibition on the fascinating world of underwater archeology. 

President Susan Marenoff-Zausner speaking to crowd at the 75th Anniversary of the commissioning of the USS Intrepid ceremony. Credit: Intrepid Museum. 
 
Through these initiatives, the Intrepid Museum continues to educate, engage and inspire, educate audiences of all ages, genders and backgrounds. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we recognize not only Susan Marenoff-Zausner’s leadership but also the lasting impact of the institution she has helped shape. 

To experience these transformative programs firsthand, visit the Museum or explore more here.


President Susan Marenoff-Zausner with guest speakers and moderator from Unstoppable Women Gala. Credit: The Intrepid Museum. 

Cover photo: The Intrepid Museum 

FG-1D Corsair: The Intrepid Museum's newest aircraft, a World War II Corsair, is on loan courtesy of: the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida. 

Tickets can be purchased here. Explore our collections at intrepid.emuseum and our digital guide.