Two Senior Fellows have been recognized for their outstanding leadership in fostering community and connection, demonstrating the qualities at the very heart of our Fellowship.
Senior Fellows Ryan Truby (2018) and Ina Anreiter (2019) have received our first Community Leadership Awards (CLA).
The inaugural CLAs were presented on the closing night of our 2025 Interdisciplinary Science Summit in Pasadena.
Our Executive Director, Dr Megan Kenna, said: “This award was created to recognize Fellows who go beyond their own research, uplift others, connect across cohorts, and shape this community.
“Our recipients were selected not only for what they’ve achieved in their own work, but for how generously they’ve given back” – Dr Megan Kenna, Executive Director, Schmidt Science Fellows.
“Our recipients were selected not only for what they’ve achieved in their own work, but for how generously they’ve given back.”
Dr Truby, an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University, has helped shape the community’s foundations, from his early work with the Program Team to the design and launch of the very first Senior Fellows convening, which has evolved into our Summit.
Announcing the award, Dr Kenna added: “He continues to lead with generosity, mentoring new Fellows and championing interdisciplinary science with clarity and passion.”
Dr Truby said: “The recognition means more than I can say. The true honor, though, is being in our community. I’m endlessly grateful to be among the most brilliant, kind, and generous people who I can never truly thank for the ways that have supported me and helped me grow.”
Dr Anreiter is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. She was a Cohort Leader for five years before supporting the transition to the newly launched Senior Fellows Council.
She has helped craft programming for multiple Summits, mentored newer Fellows, and served as a Senior Fellow Facilitator as part of our Science Leadership Program.
Presenting her award, Dr Kenna said: “Ina is someone whose fingerprints can be found across nearly every initiative we’ve launched to strengthen this community.”
She said: “Being recognized for community leadership by such an inspiring group of leaders is truly special. This community thrives because of the unique and generous contributions of so many, and my engagement is continually motivated by the insightful, supportive, and rewarding interactions I have here.”
The CLA is an annual award, first presented in 2025, with recipients nominated by their Senior Fellow peers.
Photos: Claudine Gossett
