New president of Sullenberger Aviation Museum takes the reins

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A world-class aviation destination, a national cultural asset, and the premier aviation museum of the southeast has a new president. 

The Sullenberger Aviation Museum has welcomed over 100,000 visitors since it opened its doors a little over a year ago on the campus of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. On Tuesday, it welcomed a new leader to guide the museum to its next chapter.    

Filling the shoes of outgoing president Stephen Saucier won’t be easy, but non-profit and innovation leader Stephanie Hathaway is ready to take the reins. She assumes the role, effective immediately, following the retirement of Saucier, who guided the museum through its transformative capital campaign and grand reopening in 2024.

The Sullenberger is now in Hathaway’s capable hands. As a longtime Charlotte-area education leader and museum executive, Hathaway brings two decades of experience at institutions including Discovery Place. The chair of Sullenberger’s board of directors says her passion for education and aviation, proven ability to build inclusive learning environments, and enterprising drive make her the right leader at the right time for the museum.

“The museum is poised for success, and I look forward to expanding our education reach, moving out into the community a little further than we’ve gone before, bringing in audiences that have never experienced the museum,” Hathaway said. “Building upon our educational initiatives that we’ve started and expanding those, expanding the reach of those. And then, of course, you know, expanding our community partnerships throughout the state of North Carolina and into South Carolina.”

Captain C.B. Sully Sullenberger, whose iconic landing of US Airways flight 15-49 “Miracle on the Hudson” inspired the museum’s renaming and expanded mission from the former Carolinas Aviation Museum, endorsed Hathaway’s appointment. Saucier, who worked closely with Captain Sully, will serve as a strategic advisor to Hathaway.   

The museum’s mission is to motivate and equip the next generation to pursue careers in STEM, aerospace, and aviation.

In partnership with Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, the Sullenberger Aviation Museum generates an estimated 8.4 million dollars in economic impact for the region.