The Pratt Museum announced on Tuesday that executive director Diane Converse has resigned to focus on family obligations.

“It has been an honor to serve as the Pratt Museum’s director/CEO since the fall of 2009,” Converse said in a statement in the museum’s newsletter. “Balancing life and work can be a challenge. I have decided that for me the balance must tip to life and family.”

While Converse has been the Pratt’s executive director for the last six years, she has overseen major exhibits, development plans for a new building and initiated several community coalitions. 

“Converse has been a dedicated director with great passion for the Pratt and has maintained its stellar national reputation,” said board of directors secretary Maureen Sullivan.

The board has begun the search for a new director, Sullivan said.