nurturing future innovators as a path to prosperity

Sudip Parikh is the CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and executive publisher of the Science family of journals in January 2020. Parikh has spent over two decades at the intersection of science, policy, and business as a Senate staffer, life science business leader, and in the policy community. He was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship while earning his Ph.D. in macromolecular structure and chemistry from the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California and earned his BS in Applied Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kiryn Hoffman is President and CEO of National Children’s Museum, a one-of-a-kind hybrid science center and children’s museum dedicated to sparking curiosity through playful, hands-on STEAM experiences for children ages 12 and younger. Located in Washington, DC, it serves more than 225,000 visitors annually from all 50 U.S. states and over 75 countries.

With 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit organizations focused on scientific research and education, Kiryn has developed educational programs, led fundraising campaigns, and built community partnerships. Before coming to DC to lead the Museum, she spent a decade at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) as Chief Advancement Officer. She also served as Vice President and Chief Development Officer at the New York Academy of Sciences and Director of Major Giving and Capital Campaign at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Kiryn is trained as a physical chemist and holds a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and a master’s from New York University. Between her undergraduate and graduate studies, she assisted Nobel laureate James D. Watson in writing and editing his book, DNA: The Secret of Life, and curated an international touring exhibit about his writing career. She is also a published science writer, with articles in Scientific American Mind, The National Academies Press, and Nature Nanotechnology, among others. She has two young children, 7 and 12.

Ruthie Ousley is a science educator, teacher educator, and product strategist dedicated to the design and implementation of learning experiences that build confidence and creativity. As Head of Product, Science for LEGO® Education, Ruthie leads development of the company’s global product portfolio for K-8 science educational solutions. Her current work follows more than 15 years of experience designing and delivering programs and products for PK-12 in-school science and STEAM education, pre-service, and in-service teacher education, specifically with a lens to educational equity.

Arthur G. Affleck, III, M.Ed., JD, President and CEO of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), brings a passion for children, education and equity and a proven record of accomplishment in the nonprofit sector. As the organization's leader, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations, from strategic planning and fundraising to advocacy, program development and community engagement.

Committed to elevating children’s museums and enriching the lives of children and families, Mr. Affleck has led ACM to new levels of activity, visibility, and impact. Under his leadership, the organization has developed a new compelling strategic plan, increased funding, expanded programs, established new partnerships, and facilitated improved outcomes for member museums through enhanced engagement and new resources.

Prior to the ACM appointment, Mr. Affleck served as VP for Development and then Executive Vice President at the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). In addition to building a culture of philanthropy, he was engaged with efforts to expand museums’ growing role in the P-12 education ecosystem. He is also an author and serves on several nonprofit boards, including: The International Council of Museums (ICOM-US), where he serves as Co-Chair of the Board, Crystal Bridges American Art Museum-Windgate Advisory Board, the Board of Playful Learning Landscapes and the National Education Association Foundation Board.

Affleck is a recognized thought leader in the nonprofit sector. He is passionate about early childhood education and believes in the power of children’s museums and other cultural organizations to make a positive difference in the lives of children, teens, parents, and caregivers.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Tuskegee University, a master’s degree in administration & supervision of higher education from Auburn University, a Juris Doctor degree from the American University-Washington College of Law, and a certificate from the Institute for Educational Management at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Michelle serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), leading a dynamic community of nearly 55,000 members dedicated to advancing high-quality early learning for all children. Her deep business expertise and genuine passion for educational advocacy drive her efforts to support educators, enhance quality standards, influence policy, and elevate the early childhood education profession.

Before her tenure as CEO, Michelle was NAEYC’s first Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, overseeing operations across Membership, Early Learning Program Accreditation, Publications, Conferences, Market Solutions, and Global Engagement. Her experience at NAEYC was preceded by leadership roles at Bright Horizons, an international provider of early education. Over 16 years, she successfully built strategic partnerships with global employers to develop integrated child care solutions, including back-up care and educational advising, showcasing her ability to blend corporate strategy with supportive family services.

Michelle's background as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrants has shaped her understanding of the varied needs within the education sector, enriching her approach to leadership and her advocacy for holistic education policies. This perspective, combined with her own experiences as a mother, informs her contributions as a respected voice in the media and as a speaker at national conferences. Her dedication to fostering leadership and mentorship is evident in her active participation on various boards and initiatives that promote workforce development in education.

Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, a Master of Education in Leadership and Policy from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Science in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children, continually inspired to advocate for the transformative power of early childhood education.