NII Explore welcomes Executive Director Tracy Murray

Extensive experience with charitable organizations will help increase STEM program reach in Bruce, Grey, Huron and beyond

In a year packed with exciting new STEM programming for students, NII Explore is pleased to welcome Tracy Murray in the role of Executive Director for this charitable organization that has already had such an impact on local communities.

Tracy brings a wealth of charitable experience to NII Explore, including a vision of philanthropy that not only focuses on fundraising revenues but also on creating fun and engaging strategies that inspire. She will join dynamic educator Phillip Craig and the rest of the innovative and high-energy NII Explore team on May 21, 2024.

“After dedicating the last 20 years of my professional career to the healthcare industry, I am looking forward to the experiences and challenges this role will offer,” said Tracy.

She added: “This new adventure allows me to continue contributing to the success of the healthcare sector: knowing that NII Explore can provide the next generation of medical professionals the STEM knowledge they need to make an impact on healthcare in the years to come makes this opportunity even more fulfilling.”

Joining NII Explore from her previous roles as Executive Director of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation and Chief of Philanthropy with Brightshores Health System, Tracy led annual fundraising that included signature events like the Gran Fondo Lake Huron and the Light the Way Radiothon.

“Tracy is a trusted partner in both the nuclear sector and our community, and I am confident she and the NII Explore team will grow our efforts to deliver meaningful STEM education experiences,” said Jessica Linthorne, Board Chair of NII Explore and Interim CEO of the Nuclear Innovation Institute.

Since NII Explore programming began in 2020, the team has developed and led dynamic and inclusive programming across the Bruce, Grey, Huron region—unique STEM experiences in classrooms, Indigenous communities, day camps and others.

The Coding in the Classroom program, for example, has a lifetime reach of 13,500 student interactions across Bruce and Grey counties, supporting more than 350 teachers. And the team is currently running the first-ever NII Explore Energy Sector Co-op, which gives high school students in the region hands-on training in skills such as construction, project management, welding, robotics and much more.

Learn more about NII Explore’s work by visiting niiexplore.ca and join the conversation on Instagram @NIIExplore and Facebook @OntarioNII.