Mary Nita Bondurant has been a pillar of Discovery Park of America since its earliest days, even before the park officially opened. As the current director of development, and having previously served as the director of marketing, she has devoted countless hours to helping shape the park into what it is today, ensuring it fulfills its mission of inspiring both children and adults to see beyond.

Her journey at 830 Everett Blvd. began in a trailer behind Discovery Park as she watched the construction of the museum from her window. Most recently, she embraced the challenge of starting the development department and learning to write grants.

You can hear Mary Nita get emotional when talking about retirement on one of the early episodes of Discovery Park’s Reelfoot Forward podcast in 2019. It is with great sadness that we now face the moment when she steps into this next chapter of her life.

Her leadership and vision were instrumental in raising money for programs like the Kirkland Scholarship Fund and other ways to give to Discovery Park of America. As she steps into retirement, her absence between these walls will undoubtedly be felt. Her legacy, however, will continue to thrive in the programs she helped build and in the countless lives she touched.

We wish her the best in her next adventure and express our deepest gratitude for her years of dedicated service to Discovery Park. Her passion and dedication have been truly inspiring.