ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Lin Erickson, the longtime executive director and CEO of the Da Vinci Science Center, will retire in June 2026, it was announced.
The announcement caps off more than two decades of transformative leadership with Erickson at the helm, Da Vinci said in a release Tuesday.
The center’s Board of Trustees said it will form a search committee this summer to begin the process of selecting Erickson’s successor, with the goal to announce a new CEO by spring 2026.
Erickson’s impact on the center has spanned every chapter of its history, the release said. She served as executive director from 1997 to 2005 — a timeframe that saw the construction of a new facility at Cedar Crest College in 2004.
She returned to lead the organization in 2013 and spearheaded the planning, fundraising and grand opening of the $75 million Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion, which opened in Center City Allentown in May 2024.
“Leading the Da Vinci Science Center has been the dream of a lifetime,” Erickson said in the release.
“I am proud of what we’ve built together — a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math in a meaningful way."
“I am proud of what we’ve built together — a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math in a meaningful way."Lin Erickson
"Now it’s time to turn the reins over to the next generation and begin the next chapter of my life, with more time to travel and be with family.”
'A strong foundation for the future'
Under Erickson’s leadership, the center has grown into a hub for STEAM education, including a collaboration with the Allentown School District that brings immersive programming to students and educators inside the new facility.
Erickson also launched the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) initiative in 2015 to support underrepresented groups in STEAM fields.
Erickson has received numerous accolades for her work, including the 2021 Take the Lead Award from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley Business Women of Influence Circle of Excellence honor in 2020, the ICON Leadership Award in 2023, and inclusion on the 2025 Lehigh Valley Business Power 100 list.
“Lin’s impact on this organization and our community cannot be overstated,” said Dan Bosket, chair of the Board of Trustees, in the release.
“She has laid a strong foundation for the future, and we are confident that the next leader will build upon her extraordinary legacy.”
The center said it plans to post future updates on the CEO search on its website, davincisciencecenter.org.
