Anna M. Park returns to the board and elected Board Chair
Los Angeles, CA – November 5, 2025 – Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) is proud to announce the return of Anna M. Park to the GMiS Board of Directors and her election by the board to serve as the new Chairman. Outgoing Chair Dr. Juan Rivera notified the organization in late October that he would step down from his officer role to address health concerns. He will remain on the Board as a Director in good standing.
Ms. Park previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Great Minds in STEM from 2016 to 2021 and as a board member from 2017 to 2021. Under her leadership, GMiS experienced significant growth in both size and influence, and she played a pivotal role in guiding the organization through the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her appointment as the third Chairman in Great Minds in STEM’s almost 4-decade history is effective immediately.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and the GMiS team, I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Juan Rivera for his heartfelt dedication and service to Great Minds in STEM during his time as Chairman of the Board from 2018 to 2025),” Ms. Park said. “His unwavering commitment to the mission and vision of the organization, along with his vast experience as a corporate executive in the defense industry, empowered him to provide the leadership needed during years that were both exciting and challenging.”
“During his 16-year tenure on the GMiS board, Dr. Rivera has served in multiple officer roles,” she continued, “and he’s been a personal donor, volunteer, mentor, past honoree and corporate liaison. His example provides a model for STEM professionals who wish to give back to their communities and their nation in meaningful and impactful ways. I look forward to building on the charisma and service of our past two chairs, Ray Mellado and Dr. Rivera, and leading GMiS into a new era of engagement, partnerships and impact — especially for our first- and second-generation STEM college students and professionals.”
Among Dr. Rivera’s achievements as chairman are the recruitment of several of GMiS’s current board members, ensuring that his influence will be felt for years to come. GMiS looks forward to continuing its work with sponsors, academic partners, students and other stakeholders to advance its nearly 40-year mission to make “STEM for All” a reality.