TORONTO, ON – November 23, 2020: The Fields Institute is delighted to announce Kirsten Vanstone as the incoming Senior Manager of Operations, effective November 30, 2020. Kirsten has a long history of involvement in the scientific community in Ontario, and will bring her expertise to this new role at Fields.

Kirsten is a not-for-profit manager specialising in organizations connected with science and STEM. She has more than 25 years’ experience serving on not-for-profit and charitable boards, and 10 years’ experience managing not-for-profit organizations. As the first Executive Director of Canada’s oldest, public scientific society, the Royal Canadian Institute (RCIScience), Kirsten helped modernize the programs and processes of the Institute to increase its impact on Canada’s science culture, as well as broadening partnerships with the public and private sectors and with government agencies. She has run a renewable education charity, managed School Programs at the Ontario Science Centre, been a museum educator at the ROM and California Academy of Sciences, and has written and edited for print and television.

Kirsten has a BSc in Astronomy and Physics from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Science Communication from the Central Queensland University. She grew up in Toronto and her first official job was operating the elevators at the CN Tower.

With her unique background and experience, Kirsten will bring a new perspective to the Institute, supporting the directorate and team in achieving Fields' mission.