When she’s not busy fundraising for the Science Center, Lynette Moore can be found with a power tool or paintbrush in hand, giving new life to old furniture. A native of Seattle, the Washington State alum moved to Philadelphia six years ago, and has called it home ever since (hear that, Amazon??). As nonprofits across the country gear up for Giving Tuesday and year-end giving, we thought it fitting to kick off our new series, Humans of the Science Center, by spotlighting one of our own whose fundraising work is helping push the Science Center’s mission forward, and whose own entrepreneurial endeavors give her a first-hand appreciation of the entrepreneurs the Science Center supports.
I grew up in…South Bend, Washington in a small town in the Southwest region, AKA the Oyster Capital of the World.
I came to Philadelphia because…I was working for The Moyer Foundation (former Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer’s foundation) in Seattle, and they opened an office in Philadelphia in 2011. I had visited Philly in the past for Foundation events, and loved the city so I jumped at the opportunity to move to the East Coast. I love the energy, the great restaurants, the four seasons, and even the snow!
At the Science Center I…am the Manager, Development and Stewardship. I was drawn to the Science Center’s support of innovation, the great programs we offer for entrepreneurs and start-up companies, and the incredible work of our FirstHand STEAM education program for middle school and high school youth. I oversee our annual fundraiser, Nucleus, and the Lab Notes breakfast program designed specifically for the community of Science Center supporters.
My favorite part about working in development is…I like to help people and I like working on the “front lines” of fundraising to help grow programs, or start new ones that will continue to help people. At the Science Center, it’s exciting to hear about the work of the companies we support through our suite of incubation and commercialization programs. We get to support these incredible ideas, help move those ideas out into the marketplace, and watch as these innovations continue to help others.
If I didn’t work in nonprofits I would…open a bed and breakfast in Vermont. This would take my love of cooking, gardening and hosting to a whole new level! I see myself as a tour guide, ensuring my guests have a wonderful time, as well as a scrumptious, fresh, organic breakfast to get them through their adventures.
When I’m not working you can find me…working on my repurpose, refurnish, reuse furniture and household items business, In Cahoots, that I started with my college friend (Washington State University – Go Cougs!), who ironically moved to Philadelphia a few years after I did. We took our love of antiquing and turned it into a business giving old pieces a new life. I usually have some kind of power tool or paintbrush in my hand when I’m not at the Science Center.
To me, innovation means….creating, enhancing or moving to the next level. Either taking an existing idea or program and pushing it forward to make something better, or taking an idea and making it into a reality. To me, innovation is taking the ‘can’t’, and switching it into ‘can.’
My go to inspirational quote is… You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. - Winnie-the-Pooh
