Brianna Kosowitz will be the new executive director of the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, the museum’s board of directors announced Wednesday.

Kosowitz replaces Hank Helm, who is retiring after heading the museum for 10 years.

She will take her new post on April 16.

Kosowitz’s hiring was the result of an extensive search process, officials said.

“We had many excellent candidates for this position, but Brianna stood out with the combination of her museum experience, passion for history and innovative leadership,” said board president Joan Walters.

Kosowitz has been employed by the Smithsonian Museum of American History for the past five years, currently as visitor experience manager, and has a master’s degree in public history from American University in Washington, D.C.

“I have been responsible for managing the overall museum experience for nearly 4 million visitors annually and look forward to applying my five years at a Smithsonian museum to a leadership role within a local museum setting,” she said.