The Arizona Science Center Board of Trustees has announced Guy Labine as the Hazel A. Hare President and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 2022.

Labine was unanimously approved by the Board to lead Arizona Science Center into its next chapter of growth, extending the center’s reach and impact statewide, according to a press release.

Labine, an internationally recognized science center and economic development executive for more than 25 years, recently served as CEO of Science North, which is among Canada’s “most successful science centers,” in Sudbury, Ontario since 2011.

“We are thrilled to welcome Guy Labine to Arizona and the southwest as the next leader of Arizona Science Center,” said Mary K. Martuscelli, Arizona Science Center Board Chair, in a press release.

“Guy’s extensive operational leadership experience, coupled with his strategic understanding of how to reach diverse communities in meaningful ways, will enable us to take our informal science education programming and services to the next level as we strengthen and deepen our impact and community connection.”

As CEO of Science North, Labine is credited with securing $50 million in funding for programs and new visitor experiences, leading the expansion of Science North’s work with First Nation communities and Indigenous People, and developing science festivals in four Northern Ontario communities.

Labine, described as a strong team leader and mentor in his field, also created the Northern Leadership Program, a community-based, year-long leadership program for current and emerging senior executives now in its eighth cohort with 150 alumni.

Labine, said to be a “strong believer in the power of film and multimedia products to communicate the excitement of science and create engaging, entertaining and educational experiences,” led funding efforts and opened Canada’s third digital laser IMAX Theatre at Science North.

He is the executive producer of the IMAX films “Wonders of the Arctic” and the forthcoming “Jane Goodall’s Reasons for Hope,” noted the release.

“I have long admired the work of Arizona Science Center and am grateful for the opportunity to work with an amazing Board and lead its strong team,” said Labine in the release.

“Increasing access to science learning opportunities for more kids and adults and engaging the local community in the wonders of science have been a driving force in my career, and I can’t wait to get started in Arizona.”

Before becoming CEO in 2011, Labine served as Science North’s Chief Operating Officer with responsibilities for finance, human resources, marketing, sales, fundraising and business development.

He earlier served as Science North’s director of business development where he led the development of their international sales and consulting business, including the development of their traveling exhibitions.

With strong ties from his leadership experience in the international science center community, he chaired the global Association of Science and Technology Centers from 2017-2019 and completed his terms as past chair in October; led the Canadian Association of Science Center’s board; and is a recipient of the 2011 Community Builders Award for Economic Development.

While at the helm of Science North, he also led international efforts to advance science learning through work with science centers in Singapore, Hong Kong and China, the release said, adding how he spearheaded creating an interactive film theater with Denmark’s Experimentarium in Hellerup, near Copenhagen.