“Science World is a fabulous part of the community in Vancouver.”
“We moved to Vancouver in 2000. Our time with Science World started with having young kids and continued through the years to Science World After Dark,” says Cheryl Slusarchuk, one of Science World’s 2025 Patrons. “Our family's quite science-, technology-oriented and that was a great place to take the kids — really fun — and an even better place to take my engineer husband after the kids grew up.”
Cheryl, who worked as a programmer before becoming a lawyer, is now the CEO of the hedge fund NumerixS Investment Technologies. It was during her time at the law firm Blakes that Cheryl became involved with Science World. “I was talking with one of my partners at Blakes who said they were on the Board of Science World,” explains Cheryl, “I was excited and wondered, ‘What else can we do to help support Science World?’ And that eventually turned into doing some work with Science World, and then eventually joining the Board. And the Blakes community continues, with Joe Garcia now contributing to the Board.”
Cheryl went on to become Board Chair of Science World after serving on various committees as a Board Member. Not only has she given of her time and expertise, Cheryl has also donated to Science World for many years as a member of our Atomic Circle giving program.
Science in a post-truth world
With her background in computer science and law, it’s clear Cheryl deeply values critical thinking skills. When asked why Science World is important, Cheryl takes a moment to compose her answer. “I think the world, in the last 10 years, is becoming less adherent to truth and facts; people call it the post-truth era.”
“I think we need some barriers to push that back, because if you're making decisions, it needs to be based on facts and research rather than stuff you or someone just made up,” she says with an incredulous laugh. “Science World plays a really important role as an independent, neutral third-party with credibility.”
Embracing nerdiness
During the height of the pandemic, when Science World was forced to close its doors, we launched our most successful fundraising campaign yet: 'The World Needs More Nerds'. Cheryl, in her capacity as Vice Chair before becoming Board Chair, helped support the organization through its greatest existential threat. So, what does the word ‘nerd’ mean to her?
“My family,” replies Cheryl happily. “Yes, we are [nerds]. Everybody in my family and at work got the t-shirts and the socks with ‘The world needs more nerds’. We have a WhatsApp group called Nerds — it's my husband, myself and the kids.”
Igniting curiosity
“Science World is a fabulous part of the community in Vancouver. Anybody who is the least bit curious, or likes to figure things out, will find it really satisfying to engage with Science World at some level,” says Cheryl.
Now based in the Cayman Islands, Cheryl recalls her time in Vancouver with obvious fondness. “My husband and I went to Science World After Dark before COVID and we loved those. The kids were older by then, so sometimes one of the kids would join us and that was terrific.”
“Science World is so great — we’d be at work, and then jump on the SkyTrain to Science World After Dark and then curious, engaged people would talked about stuff I knew nothing about," says Cheryl. “And you have that experience right down the street at Science World — dead easy to get to. Hop on the SkyTrain and on the way home, you get a little treat — a little drink, or a little dessert — and then we’d talk about it all the way home. Magic.”