Hi everyone,
I want to share an update about a leadership transition at Story Collider. This change reflects both the financial realities we’re facing and our commitment to making thoughtful decisions about how we carry this work forward.
I’ve been part of Story Collider’s leadership since the very beginning, and I’ve served as Executive Director since 2021. Like many science and arts organizations right now, we’re navigating a much tighter financial landscape. Federal cuts to science funding have had ripple effects across the entire ecosystem, and many arts and culture nonprofits are facing similar pressures. In this environment, we’ve had to make careful decisions about how to sustain our work with fewer resources.
Given these constraints, we’ve made the difficult decision to move from three staff leadership roles to two. I’ll be stepping out of a staff position and into a contractor role as Executive Producer, focused on Story Collider’s live shows, workshops, and producer support. This shift allows the organization to remain financially stable while keeping me closely connected to the creative work that has long been central to our mission. I will also remain on the Board of Directors for as long as Story Collider will have me.
At the same time, I’m really glad to share that Misha Gajewski and Lindsay Cooper will be stepping up as co-directors, with Misha serving as Artistic Director and Lindsay serving as Executive Director. They’ve each worked with Story Collider for more than six years and bring deep knowledge of the organization, its values, and its community.
This kind of transition isn’t easy, but it does give us clarity. It allows us to focus our energy on the work we know has the greatest impact: supporting storytellers, creating meaningful shows and workshops, and continuing to make space for honest, human stories about science. We’re entering this next phase with a renewed sense of what matters most.
I’m deeply grateful to our storytellers, listeners, partners, and supporters for continuing to believe in this mission and in the people who carry it forward. I’m proud of what we’ve built together over the past fifteen years, and hopeful about where we’re headed.
With gratitude,
Erin Barker, Executive Director