(SUDBURY, ON) – July 20, 2022
Science North Board Chair, Dr. Stephen Kosar, has announced the appointment of Ashley Larose, MSc as the new CEO for Science North.
Larose, who currently serves as the organization’s Director of Development, was chosen unanimously by Science North's Board of Trustees following an intensive international search led by an external recruitment company, subsequent to the departure of long-serving CEO Guy Labine in March.
Born and raised in Northern Ontario, Ashley Larose credits her passion for science to time spent exploring the outdoors coupled with an early interaction with a Science North Bluecoat visit to her hometown of Smooth Rock Falls. Larose went on to study Biology at the University of Waterloo, where she earned her Honours Bachelor’s degree. After spending time working as a research scientist in various cities across North America, Larose ultimately returned to Northern Ontario and chose Sudbury as her new home. She completed her Master’s degree at Laurentian University, bringing cutting-edge genomic techniques to the world-renowned freshwater research that was already underway.
Larose joined Science North in 2006 to lead the organization’s outreach programs across Northern Ontario. Throughout her 16-year career with Science North, she also led the organization’s teacher training programs, directed its international business development and managed the organization’s customer relations. Currently, Larose is spearheading the Capital Campaign for the organization’s Go Deeper project at Dynamic Earth in her role as Director of Development. She is also a Greater Sudbury 40 Under Forty award recipient and a graduate of the Northern Leadership Program, an innovative program launched and managed by Science North in partnership with local and Northern organizations.
Larose will take over from Interim CEO Jennifer Booth, CPA, CA on August 1, 2022. The Board thanks Booth for her support as Interim CEO during the recruitment process.
Quotes:
“The board is delighted that the strongest candidate for incoming CEO of Science North came from within the organization. Ashley Larose has demonstrated strong leadership qualities throughout her career with Science North working in a variety of key roles. We know she is the right person to lead Science North into the future. She has positive energy, a passion for science learning, and an expansive vision for the organization.” – Dr. Stephen Kosar, Chair, Science North Board of Trustees
“I am beyond honoured to serve as the next CEO of Science North. We have an incredible team of skilled and passionate professionals who drive the organization and deliver on our purpose to inspire all people to interact with science in the world around them. I am excited to work with our team, our partners, and our stakeholders to deliver on our mandate to serve all of Northern Ontario.” – Ashley Larose, CEO, Science North
About Science North
Science North is Northern Ontario’s most popular tourist attraction and an educational resource for children and adults across the province. Science North maintains the second and eighth largest science centres in Canada. Science North’s attractions include a science centre, IMAX® theatre, digital Planetarium, butterfly gallery, special exhibits hall, and Dynamic Earth: Home of the Big Nickel. Science North, in partnership with Laurentian University, offers North America’s first and only comprehensive Science Communication program, a joint Master’s and Graduate Diploma program. As part of its mandate, Science North provides science experiences throughout Northern Ontario including outreach to schools and festivals, summer science camps and more, and has a permanent base in Thunder Bay providing outreach to the Northwest. Science North is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For information, visit sciencenorth.ca.