Nene Spivy is a dedicated champion for education, driven to ensure all youth have access and opportunities to succeed in a world that increasingly requires STEM skills and literacy in every job. Nene started her career in telecommunications in systems engineering and then marketing, launching new markets and products during a period of rapid growth and deregulation. Called to community service, she pivoted to the nonprofit sector, combining her technology and business expertise with nonprofit leadership skills gained in the Junior League.  

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Since 2010, Nene has been the chief executive of the Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation and is among the founders of this nonprofit. Under Nene’s leadership, the organization experienced exponential growth, serving over a half million students and families and developing a pivotal public-private partnership to create the Northern Virginia Science Center, now under construction.

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Nene currently serves on the board and as treasurer of the Association of Science and Technology Centers, on the boards of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation, the Loudoun County School Business Partnership Executive Council, and the Loudoun Senior Executive Council. Nene is a past board member of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and Discovery Creek Children’s Museum, a graduate of Leadership Fairfax, and a past Chair of Fairfax County’s Community Action Advisory Board. Nene holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA from University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Jenn Brunner serves as the chief officer responsible for raising vital funds to deliver our mission across the community and bring the vision of a world-class science center to reality. For over a decade, she has led a team of staff and volunteers, securing millions in contributed revenue for the organization’s needs and raising awareness for our mission and vision throughout the region.

Jenn is a non-profit executive with over three decades of experience raising funds for arts and culture organizations regionally at the Kennedy Center, National Symphony Orchestra, and the Washington Performing Arts Society, and in Connecticut with the former Long Wharf Theatre. Jenn has worked with hundreds of volunteers, Board members, and fundraising colleagues to strategically identify and raise individual annual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, institutional grants, and special events. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in arts management from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford and has made a career of working in the non-profit community in all aspects of fundraising, volunteer management, strategic planning, special events, and marketing.

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Laahiri Chalasani is a strong advocate for education and brings many years of experience in informal museum STEM education and operations. As a previous volunteer, STEM Educator, and manager with the Science Center, Laahiri influenced many of the programs that are being delivered today both in the Lab and out in the community. As a previous SciGirls® Trainer and a 2018 Association of Science and Technology Centers Diversity and Leadership Fellow, Laahiri focuses on making sure STEM is accessible to all.  

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As an enthusiast for science centers and informal education, Laahiri serves on the Conference Planning and Program Committee for the global Association of Science and Technology Centers. She is a 2024 Northern Virginia 40 Under 40 Honoree and a graduate of Leadership Fairfax, where she was voted 'Class Voice'. Laahiri holds BA from George Mason University in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education and a Minor in Social Justice.

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Dorothy Ready is a career marketing professional bringing over two decades of marketing and advertising experience to the Center.  Prior to the Children’s Science Center Lab, Dorothy was the Unit Marketing Director at Chick-fil-A, Fair Oaks Mall, working directly with the owner to provide marketing plans, social media direction, and develop programs designed to create raving fans and surpass annual sales goals. Before moving to Northern Virginia where she has lived for 21 years, Dorothy worked at Adams Outdoor Advertising located in the Hampton Roads area, where she worked directly with the President & CEO providing marketing support to all nine Adams’ divisions throughout the country by coordinating efforts of six Business Development Managers.  Dorothy obtained a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the Manship School of Mass Communication with a concentration in Advertising from Louisiana State University.

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Colleen Smith is a nonprofit professional with more than 20 years of experience working to ensure all people have the opportunity to learn and grow. Following graduate work in molecular biology, Colleen found her passion for creating and implementing informal learning opportunities across museum and afterschool settings. Eventually, her passion guided her from conducting programs to funding them. Colleen’s strengths and success as a fundraiser led to her recognition as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) in 2021. She is thrilled to be a part of the Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation in a role which marries her love of science, informal learning, and advancement. Colleen holds a BS in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Illinois with advanced studies and research conducted at the University of Minnesota.

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