Lin Erickson Biography

Lin Erickson currently serves as CEO and executive director of the Da Vinci Discovery Center for Science and Technology, a hands-on center serving northeastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey. The center, which is nearing completion of a $10 million capital campaign, is dedicated to advancing world-class science education in schools throughout the region.

Originally a subsidiary of Lehigh University, the center became an independent, 501c(3) non-profit corporation in October 1999 thanks to Lin Erickson’s efforts. In 1999, she engaged the board of directors and academic and business partners in the development of a renewed vision and five-year plan to advance science education in area schools.

As CEO and executive director, Erickson is responsible for board development, strategic planning, educational leadership, fund-raising, staff development and financial management with an emphasis on building community partnerships. She oversees 20 full and part-time staff and annual budget of $1.4 million.

Last year, she spearheaded the launch of two Da Vinci Teacher Leader Institutes — three-year programs of professional development in science education for elementary school teachers and administrators to help prepare for state science testing in 2007-08. As part of the effort, she raised $450,000 from public and private sources to support the first year of the program, and provided regional leadership for elementary science education, collaborating with five area school districts, two area colleges and the Lehigh Valley Business Education Partnership.