Society for Science & the Public Appoints Maya Ajmera CEO and Publisher

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- H. Robert Horvitz, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Society for Science & the Public, today announced the appointment of veteran nonprofit leader, author, and social entrepreneur Maya Ajmera as president and CEO of Society for Science & the Public and publisher of the Science News family of media properties, effective July 31.

In this position, Ajmera will assume overall responsibility for the leadership and management of SSP. These responsibilities include nurturing SSP's exceptional suite of award-winning publications and science education programs and developing innovative channels to help the Society reach its full potential.

Ajmera comes to SSP from her most recent roles as the Inaugural Social Entrepreneur in Residence and Visiting Professor of the Practice of Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University and as a Visiting Scholar and Professorial Lecturer at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. From 1993 to 2011, she founded and led the Global Fund for Children, a nonprofit organization that invests private philanthropic capital to support innovative, community-based organizations working with vulnerable children and youth. In that role, Ajmera secured tens of millions of dollars through fund-raising efforts, supporting hundreds of organizations operating in more than 80 countries, and touching the lives of more than eight million children. In addition to her significant leadership experience, Ajmera has authored more than 15 award-winning children's books and founded a children's book publishing imprint.

While at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, she was part of the Honors Group of the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, giving her a long-standing personal connection with SSP. Her undergraduate major was biology with a concentration in neuroscience from Bryn Mawr College. She is also a graduate of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University with a master's degree in public policy.

"Maya has deep experience leading a nonprofit organization," Horvitz said. "In addition, the breadth of her experiences makes her a superb fit to integrate SSP's two main foci, education competitions and publications, and move us further toward fulfilling our mission of informing, educating, and inspiring the public about science and the vital role that science plays in all of our lives."

SSP is a nonprofit membership organization, and owns and runs the world's preeminent science competitions for high school students, the Intel Science Talent Search and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. In 2010, SSP introduced the national middle school science competition, the Broadcom MASTERS. SSP also has a long tradition of providing concise, intelligent, and credible science journalism through the award-winning Science News family of  media properties.

"I am honored to be joining Society for Science & the Public as it approaches its 100^th birthday," says Maya Ajmera. "SSP plays a vital role in nurturing and elevating the next generation of scientists through its premier science competitions, of which I am so proud to consider myself an alumna. SSP is also a highly innovative organization that is committed to advancing scientific knowledge through its various media platforms, including the award-winning Science News, which helps to inform, educate and inspire people everywhere. Going forward, SSP has an enormous responsibility to bring science education, research, knowledge, and awareness to mainstream audiences in the United States and globally."

Ajmera will work closely with the SSP Board of Trustees, senior management, staff, partners, members and donors to not only help create the next generation of scientist but also develop and deliver high-quality content in the era of digital media.

About Society for Science & the Public
Society for Science & the Public (SSP) is one of the nation's oldest non-profit membership organizations dedicated to public engagement in science and science education. Established in 1921, SSP is a leading advocate for the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Through its acclaimed education competitions, including the Intel Science Talent Search, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Broadcom MASTERS, and its award-winning publications, Science News and Science News for Students, Society for Science & the Public is committed to inform, educate, and inspire.

For more information about SSP and its work, please visit societyforscience.org or follow SSP on Facebook: facebook.com/societyforscience and through Twitter: twitter.com/Society4Science. Become a member of the Society at societyforscience.org/join.

Contact: Sarah Wood
(202) 872-5110
[email protected]

SOURCE Society for Science & the Public