Jennifer Flanagan (CEO, Actua): The Culture War on Science—and How to Push Back

What happens when science itself becomes a battleground?

In this Mission Critical live episode—recorded at Toronto’s Annex Hotel and presented in partnership with Veuve Clicquot—Lance sits down with Jennifer Flanagan, President and CEO of Actua, to unpack a critical question: What does it take to protect the future of science—and who gets to participate in building it?

In an era marked by rising pseudoscience, political polarization, and the defunding of education, science is no longer seen as neutral ground. From misinformation about vaccines to the growing divide in who gets access to STEM education, the conversation around science has become urgent, complicated, and deeply human. Enter Jennifer Flanagan—a trailblazer who’s spent over 25 years on the front lines of youth engagement, tech equity, and national policy. As the most recent recipient of Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman Award, she’s part activist, part architect, and entirely devoted to changing who gets a seat at the lab bench.

Key Takeaways & Highlights:

• The destabilization of science: How public trust in science is eroding—and what we can do about it.

• Pseudoscience and misinformation: Why STEM literacy is now a form of social armor.

• The urgency of youth empowerment: Jennifer explains why getting kids into STEM early—especially those from marginalized communities—isn’t just a good idea, it’s a national imperative.

• Equity in tech and education: Real-world strategies for making STEM more inclusive, and why Jennifer believes outreach isn’t enough—we need structural change.

• Building Actua: Behind the scenes of leading a national STEM organization that reaches over 400,000 young people annually.

Links:

Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards Nomination: https://www.boldopendatabase.com/en/bold-woman-award