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

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.

“I am honored to be joining Society for Science & the Public as it approaches its 100th 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.”