Tricia Edwards is Interim Director for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations (SITES | SA), where she provides executive leadership for SITES | SA’s work to inspire people by connecting the Smithsonian with communities nationwide through programs, exhibitions, and other educational activities. Prior to this role, she served in various capacities at SITES | SA, including Deputy Director. Before joining SITES | SA, Edwards spent 12 years as the Head of Education for the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History, where she developed Spark!Lab, a hands-on invention workspace for children. She also oversaw installations of Spark!Labs in cities across the U.S. and abroad. Prior to coming to the Smithsonian, Edwards directed education activities at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and Delaware Museum of Natural History, and began her career as a pre-school teacher.