Executive Director
Reading Science Center
Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
Ralia C. Vardaxis serves as the Executive Director of Reading Science Center, a role she assumed in March 2023. With extensive leadership experience, Ralia has elevated the center’s mission to inspire curiosity and scientific discovery. Her efforts include launching Celebrate Science Day, the organization’s first free community STEM festival, which attracted nearly 800 attendees and has become a signature of the center’s outreach. Her expertise spans staffing, operations, development, and programming, fostering the center’s growth as a dynamic educational hub.
Prior to her current role, Ralia was Assistant Vice President of Alumni & Donor Engagement at Albright College. There, she cultivated robust relationships with over 22,000 alumni through creative events, strategic volunteer efforts, and targeted fundraising campaigns. Her contributions as a Leadership Gift Officer supported the college’s transformative $58 million campaign, securing funds for capital, endowment, and annual giving priorities.
Ralia’s earlier achievements include her tenure as Vice President of Development and Community Relations for the Reading Symphony Orchestra. She led impactful fundraising initiatives and forged partnerships that enriched the orchestra’s community presence. Notably, she played a key role in launching Reading Orchestra Zone, a youth program created in partnership with the Reading School District.
Her career began in financial services, where she honed her skills in banking and marketing. As Assistant Vice President and Community Relations Manager for Wachovia Bank, N.A., Ralia managed grants, sponsorships, and events to enhance the bank’s regional engagement.
Deeply committed to her community, Ralia has held leadership roles with GoggleWorks Center for the Arts and the Berks Arts Council and has been an advocate for United Way initiatives. A Reading native, she holds degrees from Albright College and Alvernia University and resides in Spring Township, dedicated to fostering community collaboration.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Community Partnerships with Regional Science Centers: Sisters-in-Stem and Celebrate Science Day
Monday, March 31, 2025
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM US PDT
