Executive Team
Dr. Ray Vandiver
President and CEO
Born and raised in the St. Louis area, Dr. Ray Vandiver returned to his hometown in February 2025 to serve as President and CEO of the Saint Louis Science Center. In this role, he leads a dedicated team committed to executing the organization’s strategic plan and advancing its mission: to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science.
With more than 30 years of experience in science and children’s museums, Ray has transformed institutions through strategic leadership, impactful community engagement, and innovative informal science experiences. His passion for science education began at an early age, fueled by family visits to the McDonnell Planetarium, an experience that helped shape his lifelong dedication to informal science learning.
Ray’s academic foundation includes a bachelor’s degree in physics from Saint Louis University and master’s and doctoral degrees in physics from Missouri University of Science and Technology. His early career in physics research eventually led him to the world of science centers, where he discovered a passion for creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that make science accessible to all.
Prior to joining the Science Center, Ray served for over 12 years as the founding Executive Director of Discovery Lab in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he led the transformation of a small start-up museum into a nationally recognized institution. Before that, he was Vice President of the Center for Learning Experiences at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), overseeing one of the nation’s leading exhibits and science education programs. He also served as founding Executive Director of the Bootheel Youth Museum in Malden, Missouri, demonstrating his expertise in growing and sustaining science-based institutions.
Now at the helm of the Science Center, Ray is focused on expanding innovation, accessibility, and collaboration—ensuring that the institution remains a leading force in inspiring curiosity and discovery for future generations.
Beth Kastner
Chief Financial Officer
Beth Kastner leads the Science Center’s financial, administrative and technology functions. Kastner also serves as the liaison for the organization’s finance, audit and investment committees of the board of commissioners and is responsible for the preparation of the annual audited financial statements and the annual operating budget. She also oversees the Science Center’s compliance and risk management activities.
Previously, Kastner served as chief financial officer for the YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis. In addition to her experience as a CFO, Kastner has also worked as an auditor, controller, business consultant and executive director in the St. Louis and Chicago areas.
Kastner is a licensed CPA, earning a Bachelor of Science in accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration from the Olin Business School at Washington University.
Bobby Sanderson
Chief Institutional Advancement Officer
Bringing more than 15 years of combined experience with Zoo Museum District institutions, Bobby Sanderson joined the Saint Louis Science Center as Chief Institutional Advancement Officer in June 2023. He and his team are responsible for managing the Science Center’s philanthropic strategies and accomplishing the institution’s goals for development, membership and community stewardship. Sanderson is an advocate for cultivating strong board leadership and its critical role in advocating for support.
Prior to the Science Center, Sanderson directed the fundraising efforts for two of St. Louis’ iconic institutions and served in marketing and sales roles at several organizations throughout the community. As Director of Campaigns and Major Gifts and Interim Director of Development at the Saint Louis Art Museum, he was responsible for establishing individual giving programs and growing the Museum’s support through major gifts, annual funds and endowment programs, while stewarding those donors who supported the Museum’s $162 million campaign. Before that, he served as Director of Major Gifts for the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Sanderson earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University in St. Louis.
Dr. Becky Thompson
Chief Science and Education Officer
Becky Thompson leads the Science Center’s Science & Education team, which includes galleries, exhibits, community science, collections, the Youth Exploring Science Program and more.
Becky joined us in 2024 from the Fermi National Accelerator Lab, where she served as the Head of Education and Public Engagement.
After receiving her Ph.D. in physics from the University of Texas at Austin, she joined the staff of American Physical Society where she led their public engagement efforts for 11 years. While there she authored the popular Spectra, The Laser Superhero series of physics comic books. She is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a member of the Sigma Xi honors society. Her first book, Fire, Ice, and Physics; The Science of Game of Thrones, was released in October 2019.
Becky was recently named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Philip Leachman
Managing Director, Operations
Philip Leachman leads the Science Center’s Security, Engineering, Building Services, and Operations teams, along with our sustainability efforts. He joined the organization in July 2024, bringing more than 12 years of experience in operational and engineering leadership roles with Procter & Gamble.
Philip has worked in manufacturing/facilities operations management, manufacturing plant sustainability management, initiative project management and manufacturing platform technology management.
Philip attended University of Kentucky completing the Scholars in Engineering and Management (SEAM) Leadership Program and earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He is a member of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals and co-leader of his local community garden.
Mindy Peirce
Managing Director, Marketing & Communications
Mindy Peirce leads the Science Center’s Marketing & Communications team, overseeing external communications, including advertising, public relations, social media, email marketing, website strategy and graphic design.
Mindy joined the Science Center in 2015, after serving as the director of communications for the Gateway Region YMCA.
Prior to that, Mindy has worked for and represented international and national brands in various roles, from public relations and social media to brand consulting, including Save-A-Lot Food Stores, Energizer, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Panera Bread, Anheuser-Busch, and Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Mindy has a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with an emphasis on public relations from Webster University.
Lamara D. Warren, Ph.D.
Managing Director, DEAI
Lamara Warren brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education and a passion for promoting equity in STEM to her role as Managing Director of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) at the Science Center.
In this role, Lamara leads efforts to embed DEAI principles across all operations, programming, and community engagement.
Prior to joining the Science Center, Lamara served as Assistant Dean for Diversity & Inclusion at Indiana University’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. An innovative STEM advocate and culturally conscious thought leader, Lamara has dedicated her professional career to driving systemic change to implement transformative programs that significantly increased enrollment and retention of underrepresented students in STEM fields.
Lamara holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs and a Certificate in Institutional Research from Indiana University Bloomington, as well as a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy analysis and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Missouri – Columbia.