NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Scutt, caroline.scutt@nulldavincisciencecenter.org

ALLENTOWN, PA.— Maureen Michael, Da Vinci Science Center Chief Administrative Officer and CFO, has been named a 2021 Women of Influence Honoree by the Lehigh Valley Business Journal as part of the annual Lehigh Valley Business Women of Influence Awards. The honorees were selected based on professional experience, community involvement and a commitment to mentoring. 

“I am thrilled that our colleague and friend, Maureen Michael has been selected as a Woman of Influence Honoree for her achievements and the strong expertise she brings to the Da Vinci Science Center and to our community,” said Lin Erickson, Executive Director and CEO of the Da Vinci Science Center. “Maureen is the glue that bonds together the functional departments, ensuring that people connect with and support one another and that work gets done across the organization.  Her hard work, energy, and positive attitude are contagious.”

Michael joined the Da Vinci Science Center in August 2015 as the Chief Financial Officer.  Fifteen months later, she added Chief Administrative Officer to her scope of responsibilities. Since 2015, Maureen has transformed a small, business office responsible for day-to-day accounting to a finance and administration department with streamlined processes for tracking and reporting business activity.

She played a pivotal role in ensuring  the organization successfully navigated through the pandemic, including leading scenario planning, prepared numerous financial reports to secure public and private funding, and supporting staff with changing responsibilities to be able to transition to virtual programming and offer exhibit experiences designed to keep people safe.  Michael is also part of the leadership team implementing plans for a major new science center in downtown Allentown.

 “On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I would like to extend warm congratulations to Maureen for this well-deserved honor,” said James McLean, Chairman of the Board at Da Vinci Science Center and Senior Vice President, Investments at Steel Valley Investment Group. “Her attention to administrative details and ensuring that the organization is on solid financial footing is essential to the wellbeing and successful growth of the Da Vinci Science Center.”

Prior to joining the DSC, Michael was the controller for a $4B division of Air Products.  An expert in her field, she had several options for her second career.  She chose the Science Center.  Her commitment and dedication to the Science Center and its mission to bring science to life and lives to science serve as an incredible example for women and the entire community.

About The Da Vinci Science Center

The Da Vinci Science Center is a national award-winning non-profit science center that has been bringing science to life and lives to science for more than 20 years. Da Vinci Science Center experiences make science fun and approachable, helping to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the wonders of science and engages more than 150,000 participants annually with its exhibits, programs, events, and partnerships. To learn more about these and other programs, visit www.davincisciencecenter.org and follow them on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter. 

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