Tammy Stewart
My path to recently becoming CEO of one of the Valley’s leading cultural institutions has taken a few unexpected turns, but my passion for community has always guided my work and sense of purpose.
My interest in science and technology began in elementary school with a visit to the Exploratorium in San Francisco and continued with a fascination about computers. But it was the first day of high school that would end up being a defining moment for me. I enrolled in a drafting class and found myself as the only female student in the room. Rather than feeling discouraged, the experience sparked a determination to challenge expectations and prove that talent, dedication and innovation are not defined by gender. It taught me the value of resilience, confidence, risk taking and paving the way for others who may not see themselves represented.
While my career path ultimately moved beyond that first drafting class, it sparked an enduring interest in computer systems and problem-solving. I combined that technical mindset with a passion for working with people, leading to my first professional experiences in political campaigns and later in IT, where I helped implement and troubleshoot software and hardware systems.
But I wanted my time and my work to give back to my community and it was a simple coffee meeting that would be my next defining moment. A pivotal female mentor led me into the nonprofit sector at the Long Beach Symphony — an experience that opened the door to my next career.
For the last 25 years, I’ve sought opportunities for growth and broader exposure to the nonprofit sector, gaining firsthand experience in the operations of organizations across membership, fundraising, customer service, analytics, financial management, volunteer management, events and guest experiences.
When I joined Arizona Science Center 10 years ago, those defining moments came full circle. I was immediately drawn to our Girls in STEM initiative, which brought me back to that high school moment of being the only girl in my drafting class. The difference now was that I had the opportunity to help create a space where young girls interested in STEM could come together, feel supported and thrive.
As I have progressed through roles at Arizona Science Center, including chief development officer, chief of staff and, now, as the Hazel A. Hare President & CEO, I am committed to expanding access to STEM learning opportunities and ensuring that every young person can see a future for themselves in these fields. This does not apply only to the guests who enter our doors but our team members as well.
It’s a passion of mine to nurture and grow the careers of our talented team. One of my proudest accomplishments as a leader is helping others discover their strengths and passions and channel them into meaningful, impactful work — just as my mentors did for me early in my career. From informal chats to monthly “Coffee with the CEO” sessions, I maintain open dialogue with the team to understand where support is needed while also helping individuals discover their own strengths. I believe in modeling accountability; creating an open environment where questions are encouraged; embracing mistakes as learning opportunities; cultivating a culture for collaboration; and allowing space for our team to shine, grow and create aha moments and moments of impactful interactions every day.
Whether it’s a guest viewing the Dorrance DOME for the first time or a field trip student being introduced to the magic of science through one of our live demonstrations, it is all these moments that keep me motivated for our future.
One particularly meaningful moment occurred at a recent Arizona Science and Engineering Fair awards ceremony, where I stood beside Beth Nickel, our chief academic officer, and Jennifer Petersen, our manager of STEM Competitions and Outreach. After the ceremony, a mother approached us to share how powerful it was to see three women leaders on stage presenting awards. She talked about what it meant for her daughter and how it helped her daughter see that her future holds limitless possibilities.
It is these limitless possibilities that inspire me every day.
As we finalize the details of our renewal plans (more to come later this fall), our goal is clear: to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders, innovators and problem-solvers through aha moments and impactful interactions.
At the Helm of the Leader in STEM Education
- 800,000 students, educators and families are inspired, educated and engaged with Arizona Science Center each year.
- From four levels of interactive galleries to science outreach programs, Arizona Science Center aims to inspire that aha moment — the one where complex concepts start to make sense. This is the power of hands-on, informal learning.
- Since 2013, Arizona Science Center’s Girls in STEM initiative has empowered girls in grades 4–8 through hands-on STEM experiences, engineering design challenges, mentorship from women in STEM fields, and collaborative learning opportunities that build confidence and inspire future STEM pathways.
Did You Know: Arizona Science Center is home to the Dorrance DOME — one of the most advanced digital domes in the world — where immersive astronomy shows, live performances and community events bring art, science and culture together beneath a dazzling 60-foot LED 8K+ resolution display.
