Our Team
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Members of the Board
Oversee strategy, budget and operations of the Long Island Explorium, including oversight of management, compensation, and development
Demonstrate support for the Vision of the Explorium by promoting its good work, generating goodwill for the organization, encouraging support for its efforts
Assist in identifying and cultivating potential donors and stakeholders to ensure the financial sustainability of the Long Island Explorium.
Kathleen de Riesthal
Professor of Latin, Stony Brook University.
Kathleen de Riesthal is a Lecturer at Stony Brook University in the Department of European Languages, Literatures and Cultures and a former high school Latin teacher. Kathleen sits on the Board of Directors for Stony Brook Childcare and on the Advisory Council of the Staller Center. She has three young sons who love scientific exploration.
Greg Dinin
Member; Senior Technical Account Manager, Microsoft.
Greg has nearly three decades of experience in the IT Industry and has traveled the planet architecting, building and supporting IT infrastructures for some of the largest IT and Telecom companies in the world such as Microsoft, CA Technologies, British Telecom, Japan Telecom, Korean Telecom, VSNL, Verizon and Cable and Wireless to name a few. Greg has held numerous Senior and Leadership roles in Support, Software Development and Testing, Professional Services and most recently, as a Microsoft Technical Account Manager where he pursues his passion working with Higher Ed and K-12 Educators and Leadership in empowering students, teachers, educators and their organizations to achieve more leveraging Microsoft Products, Services and Solutions in the NYC Metro Area. Greg is a life-long learner and Maker, always looking for opportunities to share what he knows to make an impact in inspiring the next generation to dream big and create with STEM as their guide.
Evan Branfman
Member; Private Wealth Advisor Kuttin Wealth Management A Private Wealth Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Anurag Purwar, Ph.D
Professor of Engineering, Stony Brook University.
Dr. Purwar is a professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stony Brook University and a Co-founder of Mechanismic Inc. His research interests are in computational design of robots and mechanisms using deep generative modeling and rigid body kinematics. He co-founded Mechanismic Inc. to bring one his inventions on robot design and building to the market. He is an award winning author, inventor, and researcher with several excellence in teaching-, best paper- and invention awards. He is a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors and of the ASME Mechanisms and Robotics committee.
LEADERSHIP
Angeline Judex, MPA, Executive Director
Angeline serves as the Executive Director of the Long Island Explorium. She is a veteran nonprofit executive with academic and professional experience through North America, Europe and Asia. Her passion is in advancing the learning of science and engineering concepts that can translate into skills that address social, economic and environmental issues. Angeline brings to the Explorium an in-depth understanding of the diversity in educational systems and academic standards. She currently serves in the Brookhaven ( NY) NAACP branch as Chair of the ACT-SO committee.
Lisa Collet Rodriguez, M.S. Ed., Deputy Director, Programs, Marketing and Technology, Co- Producer, Maker Faire Long Island.
Lisa is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in media, technology, marketing, and education. Before joining the Long Island Explorium, she built a successful career as a consultant, providing business development, project management, and digital media services to nonprofits and businesses throughout Long Island, driving organizational growth and community engagement.
Her passion for education is reflected in her roles at Hofstra University as an instructor and program director, where she developed curricula and led programs for at-risk middle and high school students.
At the Long Island Explorium, Lisa serves as Digital Marketing and Technology hub. She specializes in amplifying the museum's mission and enhancing its online presence. As Co-Producer of the Maker Faire Long Island, she leverages her expertise to create impactful events that engage the community in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Lisa holds a Master of Science in Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hofstra University. Her unique blend of experience in technology, marketing, and education enables her to connect with diverse audiences and drive engagement across multiple platforms. Passionate about community involvement and lifelong learning, Lisa continues to innovate and inspire through her work at the Long Island Explorium.
Maria Obiols, Director, Operations and Finance
Maria serves as our Director of Finance and Operations. With an Economics background, her passion for public service brought her to local development planning and management. She helped multiple local authorities in her home country to obtain increased resources, plan according to their populations' needs and manage funds following sound accountability practices. This same passion for improving the lives of local communities led her to serve at the Long Island Explorium, where she can put her mind to work to serve our educational goals.
Katie Brown, Director, Programs and Outreach
Katie serves as the Director, Programs and Outreach of the Long Island Explorium. Prior to joining the Explorium, she served as the Deputy Director of a local environmental nonprofit, working to protect Long Island's drinking water and open space. She has extensive experience in program management, environmental education and advocacy, and communications design. She received her Bachelor's Degree in environmental studies and biological sciences from Stony Brook University. Katie is passionate about exposing young minds to STEAM concepts as a means of inspiring the next generation of leaders and environmental stewards.
Esther Sheu-Duboski, Museum Manager, Senior Educator
Esther graduated from the University of British Columbia with an honor’s degree in Psychology. Esther’s academic interests spurred her to pursue her Master’s in counseling and mental health services at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to her settling down in Long Island, she worked for a nonprofit in Connecticut as an ABA therapist serving children with autism. Her work history also includes providing educational counseling and consultation services to teachers, students, and parents in the U.S. and Asia. Esther’s research aspirations in college culminated in the publishing of her honors thesis in the Clinical Journal of Pain. Now as an Educator with the Long Island Explorium, she is excited to spark curiosity in young minds and share the joy of inquisition and experimentation.
Volunteers
The Long Island Explorium could not operate without the contributions of our volunteers who contribute their time, ideas, and energy. Their unique talents enable the Explorium to offer its current level of services to the community.
The program is flexible, matching available opportunities to your talent and availability.
All of us at the Long Island Explorium are committed to provide an enriched experience for children and their parents through a constructivist approach to learning. We strive to provide an engaging experience that can only be achieved by the combined effort of a dedicated skilled team of employees and volunteers.
To apply to be a volunteer, please complete this online form. Our volunteer coordinator will contact you shortly.
Work for us
The Long Island Explorium supports diversity in the workplace. The Explorium is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and supports a drug-free workplace. Available positions are updated on a regular basis.