“There are multitudes of branches from the tree of the value that Science World brings.”
“I became involved with Science World initially through a friend who was on the Board,” says Launi Skinner, CEO of First West Credit Union. Prior to her current role, Launi spent 15 years at Starbucks overseeing 11,300 stores and it was this background in both the retail and finance industries that recommended Launi to the Board.
“The more I learned the more excited I became about the value that Science World plays in the province — helping schools, teachers, and communities that otherwise wouldn’t have the resources or capabilities. So, that’s why I stayed for as long as I did,” adds Launi with a chuckle.
“Science World is important to British Columbia because it brings a factual perspective to the value of STEAM to the future of our province, whether it relates to agriculture, to business, to technology…I mean, it’s just woven into every area. I felt we had this neutral space where we could be — not just an ambassador — but could facilitate conversations from different groups who might have different thoughts and opinions. Because that’s what it’s really about at the end of the day, it’s being able to have good dialogue and to learn from each other.”
On being named a Science World Patron
Launi is no stranger to accolades, having been named one of “Four Women to Watch” in Fortune Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women feature; awarded an honorary doctorate by the British Columbia Institute of Technology; and named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women four times.
Now she adds Science World Patron to that luminous list. So, in her own words, what does it mean to be named a Patron? “It certainly is an honour,” says Launi. “It means that you’ll always continue to have an interest in Science World when you're out and about in your communities. It’s a lot of gratitude and appreciation for the past, but it's also continuing to pay it forward. I think that's an important part of that.”
Nerd is the word
Launi was Board Chair when Science World launched its highly successful ‘The World Needs More Nerds’ campaign during the height of the pandemic. She talks with pride about the “very capable, competent group” that came up with that campaign. “I just thought it was so interesting,” she explains. “If you think about it, a nerd is usually somebody that's incredibly intelligent, and very passionate about something, right? ’Nerd’ means that you’re interested in this thing that maybe not everybody is interested in. You took the time, and now, look at the success that you have as a result of your curiosity and your learning.”
The wonders of science
After leaving Science World, Launi continued to champion STEAM and joined the BC Cancer Foundation Board of Directors. She talks with enthusiasm about the innovations taking place in cancer research, and the tangible improvements made possible by science. “When you think about what science is doing and the capability,” says Launi, referring to the latest progress in brachytherapy cancer treatments, “it just blows your mind.”
For many in STEAM careers today, their journey began with a visit to Science World. “There are so many stories of [adults whose career] was fostered by their love of going to Science World, what they learned there, and what they were exposed to.
“There are multitudes of branches from the tree of the value that Science World brings. It creates this tree of life in British Columbia. So yeah, it's a pretty amazing place.”