Chief executive leading America’s first planetarium with agile, inclusive vision and an unwavering determination to leverage any challenge into opportunity. Finding my way to the Adler Planetarium was unanticipated, but a welcome turn since I attribute my career path to looking up, literally. Growing up in Alaska I enjoyed the beauty of the Northern Lights, and became further captivated by astronomy in my 20s when I pointed a pair of binoculars at the Moon. The stunning details visible on its craggy surface were a complete surprise, and the experience left me eager to explore what other secrets the cosmos had to offer. Now, as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, I lead a talented team that connects people to the Universe and each other under the sky we all share. Since I joined the Adler Planetarium in 2013, our team has found new and innovative ways to meet people wherever they are and welcome them into the scientific community. The museum has expanded astronomy programming and partnerships in neighborhoods across Chicago; developed online experiences that engage people around the world through virtual field trips, sky observing hangouts, and even a space comedy show; and the Adler remains home to Earth’s largest platform for citizen science, the Zooniverse—an online tool that connects researchers with millions of volunteers around the globe. I earned my PhD in physics from Montana State University, and serve on several national and Chicago-area advisory boards. I live just outside Chicago with my husband—who is also an astrophysicist—our daughter, and two cats.

Collaborating with faculty across USU's nine-campus system to bring attention to cutting edge research and creative endeavors. Mentor to students majoring in physics, or considering physics as a major, particularly students from underrepresented groups.

Central university administrator working collaboratively across all academic colleges and regional campuses on system-wide initiatives in service of the land-grant mission of progress for the benefit of society.

Deputy Director for the National Science Foundation’s Physics Frontier Center for Gravitational Wave Physics. Provided cross-departmental leadership on funding, operations, frontier-science communication, and student mentoring.

Provided tactical, state-wide leadership for NASA’s Montana Space Grant Consortium and EPSCoR program, including building relationships and partnerships with Montana’s tribal colleges.

Project manager in the Kellogg Radiation Laboratory for a high energy cosmic ray experiment deployed on school rooftops across the LA basin. Reported directly to the Lab Director, and led a diverse team of undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, public school admin/teachers and students.

Scientist at the Space Sciences Laboratory responsible for working with NASA mission PIs to communicate with the public and engage students in the science of their respective missions.