April 26, 2024, by Lisa Teas Conaway

Science in Sitka grows exponentially through one women’s vision

Lisa Busch’s tenure as the Executive Director of the Sitka Sound Science Center (SSSC) has been marked by dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to scientific inquiry, community engagement and science communication. Over the past 14 years, her leadership has guided SSSC through immense growth and transformation, building the organization from herself as the sole employee with outstanding loans and deficits to a well respected scientific organization with multi million annual budgets and over 20 year round staff members. Lisa may be leaving SSSC, but her mark on the organization and our community will last a lifetime.

Lisa originally came to Sitka as a reporter for Raven Radio, Sitka’s public radio station. She later produced a nationally distributed radio program called Encounters hosted by Richard Nelson which explored the intersection between natural history and Indigenous Knowledge. She worked as a journalist covering Alaska environmental and science issues for many publications including Science, Popular Mechanics, and Discovery. In 2017 Lisa served on Alaska Governor Walker’s Climate Task Force and chaired the outreach committee for Organization of Biological Field Stations. In 2023 Lisa was appointed to the advisory committee in the Ocean Decade Collaborative Center for the Northeast Pacific which was created to address the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. During most of this Lisa has served as the Executive Director at SSSC from 2010 to 2024.

One of Lisa’s most notable achievements during her time as Executive Director has been her emphasis on fostering meaningful partnerships and collaborations. Recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to scientific research and education, she has worked tirelessly to establish connections with tribal governments, local institutions, universities, research institutions, and government agencies. In 2015 her skills were put to the test, after a devastating landslide struck in Sitka claiming three lives the community was looking for answers. Lisa brought community members together with leading scientists and formed the Sitka Geo Task Force that ultimately led to the creation of a landslide risk dashboard website that provides real time data and risk assessment for local Sitkans. This project is a shining example of why Lisa loves what she does “everything science should be, communication, fun, hope for the future, and community coming together.” The landslide project has grown and expanded into the region wide Kuti project encompassing over 10 smaller communities hopping to develop something similar. Through these partnerships, Lisa has expanded SSSC’s reach and impact, engaging a diverse range of shareholders in its mission to address community needs as well as promote scientific literacy and environmental stewardship.

With SSSC’s reach growing so too has its campus. From the expansion of existing facilities to the creation of new programs and initiatives, Lisa’s leadership for the Center has been instrumental in shaping its evolution. One highlight from her time here has been in dedicating our buildings after significant renovations and seeing the tremendous community support. The Sage building was the first to be renovated. Once there were multiple buckets catching leaks in Lisa’s office with community and foundation support now there is a new roof, windows and siding. It has truly come a long way. The Mill Building next door was completely taken apart and reassembled. The spawning platform was totally rebuilt updating our equipment to state-of-the-art standards. Lisa has continuously pushed for investment in both infrastructure and people, significantly expanding the range of what our organization has been able to offer. Her work has positioned SSSC as a leading hub for scientific research and education within the region and beyond.

Perhaps most importantly, Lisa’s leadership has been characterized by a deep sense of commitment to the community. By actively engaging with local residents, she has ensured that the Center remains responsive to the needs and priorities of the people it serves. From guiding development of landslide research, to providing educational programs for students of all ages, she has worked to make SSSC a vibrant and inclusive space for learning and discovery. We excitedly wait to see what will come next in Lisa’s paths and look forward to hearing more of her newest vision behind Fairweather Cove Consulting. Her passion, dedication, and vision have made a real impact upon our campus and staff and will continue to inspire future generations of scientists, educators, and community leaders for years to come.