#87 Maya Ajmera: Inspiring Innovation in Science with Execution in Society for Science & the Public
Recently, CompanyRoots was honored to interview Maya Ajmera: the President and CEO of Society for Science & the Public, and Publisher for Science News. Society for Science looks to promote the understanding and appreciation for science and is best known for its distinguished competitions such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search and Regeneron ISEF. Ajmera has also founded The Global Fund for Children, a nonprofit that invests in organizations which help underserved children.
As the daughter of Indian immigrants, Ajmera had strong traditional roots while also being influenced by the American culture in North Carolina. Her mother was a physics professor and also an entrepreneur, whose entrepreneurial spirit inspired Ajmera alongside many mentors, teachers, and sponsors throughout her educational years and career path.
When Science News was struggling during a certain point of time, like many magazines or newspapers, she knew she had to “turn it around or shut it down.” Ajmera turned around Science News by starting the Science News program in high schools that ensured teachers got the best evidence-based context to teach the students about science and engineering. In 2015, Ajmera started with 250 schools and now Science News is a staple in 5000 high schools, ultimately saving the publication. Later in just her second year as the President and CEO for Society for Science the Public, Ajmera spearheaded a $100 million, 10 year sponsorship for the Science Talent Search with Regeneron.
Along with creating educational resources, Ajmer has also written over 20 books for children and academics such as Every Breath We Take and Invisible Children. While reflecting on her work as a writer, Ajmera recalls Steve Jobs’ Stanford graduation speech which has especially resonated with her throughout her journey – “You can never connect the dots looking forward in your life, but you can look backwards in your life and connect the dots.”
Ajmera’s work and life story have been profiled by CNN, Financial Times, and many other distinguished news outlets. Moreover, she is also the recipient of the 2020 National Science Board Public Service Award.
Ajmera expands on the idea of moments of obligation in her past which allowed her to connect the dots of her passion and education to success by taking impactful action. One of her main moments of obligation was in college when she received a fellowship to travel across Asia while she was on her path of getting an MD PhD. After thoughtful deliberation, she put off her career plans and took up the opportunity, inspired by a professor who helped her see the value in better understanding humanity and people’s aspirations. When Ajmera had arrived in India, she saw 50 kids sitting in a circle learning how to read on the barren floor of a train station. The platform was the children’s entire livelihoods – where they worked, played, ate, and begged – but they did not go to school. With the mindset of a social entrepreneur, Ajmera felt a spark in her that wanted to bring the school to the train platform if the kids themselves couldn’t get there – it was her moment of obligation. Initially, for the venture, two teachers were paid a mere $500 per year and were provided a hot meal each day.
This had led to Ajmera putting off her track towards becoming a doctor, and instead got a masters in public policy at Duke, and later founded the Global Fund for Children. The Fund invests small amounts of capital into innovative grassroots organizations globally, and is currently thriving as it has invested nearly 50 million in about 800 organizations while serving 100 million children.
For Ajmera, it was small moments of obligation that had built her into the woman she is today, working as an advocate for children around the world. For the current generation of high schoolers who would like to make a positive impact on their own society, Ajmera simply says to “follow your dreams and don’t be afraid to take risks that you have the time to take.” She believes that innovative science starts from difficult questions and hard failures, but with collaborative efforts and individual determination, students should learn to tap into the passion they have and surround themselves with people who challenge them to be better versions of themselves.
You can watch the full interview here.
Author: Neha Jampala
Editor: Ayan Lateef
Interviewer: Rahul Kavuru
Graphic: Sraavya Penumudi
Video Editing: Chinmay Korapati