73: The Beauty of Math, with Cindy Lawrence, Executive Director and CEO, National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)
Meet Cindy Lawrence:
Cindy Lawrence is the Executive Director and CEO of the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath). She started as a volunteer for the organization, and served in a variety of roles including Chief of Operations, Associate Director, and Co-executive Director. She also directs extracurricular mathematics programs with Brookhaven National Laboratory. Previously, she was a Lead Instructor and National Editor for Becker Professional Education. Cindy received a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Buffalo, and an MBA from Hofstra University.
Key Insights:
Cindy Lawrence is a math enthusiast and leader of the only museum of mathematics in North America: The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath).
- Fundraising Through Passion. Asking people for money can be awkward. However, Cindy found that if she focuses on sharing what she’s excited about, and ignites interest in others,the fundraising naturally follows. She has raised millions of dollars for MoMath, and credits it to her passion for math. (4:07)
- Virtual Museum. Early on, Cindy directed her leadership team to brainstorm and prepare for a potential shut down. This allowed MoMath to smoothly transition to zoom events when the pandemic started. Now, Cindy is working on optimizing hybrid programing for in-person visits, as well as for groups around the country that enjoy MoMath virtually. (17:03)
- Be Careful What You Volunteer For. Cindy started as a volunteer, but found that she spent more and more of her time at MoMath. She eventually made the leap, leaving an organization she had worked with for 18 years, to work at MoMath full-time. (26:08)
This episode is hosted by Julie Gerberding, M.D. She is a member of the Advisory Council for Her Story and the CEO of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.
Relevant Links:
