Executive Board

Kennen (ken-nen) Hutchison is a guy who loves science. He spent the last 12 years studying and talking about it to whoever would listen. With a background in microbiology and a Master’s in learning science, he’s dedicated his career to helping those he meets to combat misinformation and understand the world around them through social media, public outreach events, formal and informal education, and founding several science communication initiatives. When not striving to empower leaders and learners through accessible education and empathetic communication, you can find Kennen shooting hoops, reading about human decision-making, or enjoying his day job as Director of Student Life at a Montessori High School.

Dr. Allison Coffin is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences and the Associate Director of the Bellucci Translational Hearing Center at Creighton University. Her research focuses on acoustic communication and the cellular mechanisms of hearing loss. As a co-founder of ASC, she has more than 20 years of experience teaching communication workshops to a variety of scientific and professional audiences, engaging with public audiences in science cafe events, and is a long-time member of Toastmasters International. Science without communication is silent – let’s make some noise! (president@sciencetalk.org)

Kirsten Sanford, Ph.D., is owner of Broader Impacts Productions. Dr. “Kiki” is a freelance science presenter and reporter who loves media. She studied molecular, cellular, and integrative physiology and has over 10 years experience producing and hosting radio and television programming with companies such as PLoSOne, WNBC, and The Science Channel/Discovery Communications. She currently hosts the “This Week in Science” podcast.

Colin Coleman is a recovering academic sharing his love of science with others in a myriad of ways including trivia shows, movie parodies, and stand-up comedy. Colin graduated from Oregon Health & Science University in 2022 with a MS degree in Cell Biology; he claims it’s the most intimate subject because it’s a way for big bunches of cells to really understand themselves on a fundamental level. Outside of ASC, Colin can be found cooking, gardening, or hosting a board game night with friends (a way of justifying his collection of over 100 games)

Meagan Elde is a science communicator who mixes biology, art, and humor to spark curiosity and make science stick. She earned her BS in Biology with a minor in Zoology, and she’s especially passionate about teaching science through visuals and creative storytelling. When she’s not designing graphics or breaking down scientific concepts, Meagan can be found decorating cakes, swing dancing to live jazz, or performing improv comedy at ComedySportz in Portland, Oregon—often all in the same weekend.

Bre Kelsey, P.S.M. was trained in molecular biology but is an event planner at heart. By day she works at her county health department investigating and providing education on foodborne and enteric pathogens. She’s been an informal STEAM educator at science centers and festivals, most recently the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, and lives in the public engagement, outreach, and science event space.

Sky is the owner and CEO of Clever Girl Visual A.I.D. She earned her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and began a career in graphic design that spanned editorials, books, and scientific exhibit design. She has managed the marketing for nonprofits of various sizes and co-founded Science On Tap SLC, which became S.T.E.A.Mpunk Academy, as the Chief Creative Officer. She became the webmaster for the Association of Science Communicators in June 2022 and is excited to bring her certificate of non-profit marketing to her new role as Creative Lead.

Justice Morath isn’t a ranger, but he played one once. He’s an Associate Professor of Psychology at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. His love for SciComm has taken him to teach as far outside the Ivory Tower as possible, such as in prisons and homeless shelters. He also was the cofounder of a successful local Science On Tap series along with being an inaugural winner of the #SciCommMake awards. He also is a strong supporter of making college more affordable through Open Access textbooks and is currently writing his own.

Andy Freeberg is Head of Communications at Zap Energy, a company developing fusion energy technology. Prior to Zap he worked in science communications at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Stanford/DOE’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Washington’s College of Engineering and the UW/DOE’s Pacific Marine Energy Center. Born and raised in Minnesota, he earned an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Radio/Television/Film from Northwestern University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Science and Natural History Filmmaking from Montana State University-Bozeman.

Also known as Dr. Raven the Science Maven, Dr. Raven Baxter is a molecular biologist and award-winning science communicator who loves making science accessible, inclusive, and fun. She is Executive Director of The Science Haven, a nonprofit advancing STEM equity, and creator of the Dr. Raven the Science Maven brand, which has connected with millions worldwide through music, media, and storytelling. She’s been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Fortune 40 Under 40, and EBONY Power 100 for her impact in science communication and education, and has partnered with organizations from Netflix to Mount Sinai to bring science into new spaces. When she’s not building partnerships or dreaming up new projects, Raven enjoys live music, traveling, and hanging out with her dog, Carbon.

Eric Mazzacone is a frustrated geek who fell in love with English and Psychology instead of math—and that turned out to be his superpower. He traded calculus for curiosity and built a career helping leaders, scientists, and engineers communicate with accuracy and audacity, turning complexity into clarity and ideas into impact. A data-driven storyteller and executive coach, he teaches people to communicate with intent—to deliver purposeful, powerful, and persuasive narratives that influence and inspire. An experimentalist at heart, he transforms cautious communication cultures into bold, curious ones with a simple question: Why not? Because boring never built a breakthrough.