November 7, 2025

For Immediate Release – November 7, 2025
 
Media Contact:
Ro Rode, Director of Marketing & Communications
(919) 220-5429 x361
Ro.Rode@lifeandscience.org

DURHAM, NC – The Museum of Life and Science is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Courtney Brown, a Durham-based Realtor®, broker, and advisor with Relevate Real Estate, and Temis Coral Castellanos, Sustainability & Climate Strategy Practice Lead with John Beath Environmental, LLC. Both bring deep professional expertise and a shared commitment to community engagement, education, and environmental stewardship.

“We are thrilled to welcome Courtney and Temis to the Museum’s Board of Directors,” said Bernice Bond, Board Chair, Museum of Life and Science. “Their passion for learning, community building, and sustainability reflect the very heart of our mission. Each brings a unique perspective that will help us continue to inspire curiosity and foster connections between people, nature, and science.”

Courtney Brown is a Durham-based Realtor®, broker, and advisor whose career is grounded in law, sales, and small business ownership. A Duke Law graduate and former attorney, Courtney brings more than 13 years of entrepreneurial experience and 19 years of leadership and community involvement to her real estate work. Known for her skill in negotiation, mediation, and property analysis, she blends legal insight, market expertise, and personalized service to help clients navigate transactions with confidence.

“As a resident of Durham for over 20 years, I have seen how the Museum is one of the true jewels of the Triangle, one where generations of children have been educated and families can learn and explore together with childlike wonder,” Brown said. “Having seen as both a volunteer and an attendee the impact the Museum has on those who visit, I’m excited to help this community institution continue to create a love of the world, science, nature, and learning in all.”

Courtney is a member of the North Carolina and Durham Regional Associations of Realtors and the North Carolina State Bar. Deeply connected to the Triangle community, she enjoys supporting local causes, exploring Durham’s vibrant food and arts scene, cheering on Duke basketball, and spending time with her pets.

Temis Coral Castellanos joins the Board with over 15 years of experience as a climate and sustainability strategist, guiding global companies toward net-zero goals and embedding environmental integrity across operations and supply chains. As the Sustainability & Climate Strategy Practice Lead at John Beath Environmental, LLC, Temis has worked with Fortune 500 clients to develop decarbonization roadmaps, secure SBTi approvals, and implement supplier engagement programs.

Temis holds a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University and a Bachelor’s in Chemical and Industrial Engineering from Universidad de los Andes. Her work spans industries including consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and energy, combining technical engineering insight with strategic environmental leadership.

“The Museum of Life and Science has been a special place for our family for many years, nurturing our kids’ curiosity and love of learning,” said Coral Castellanos. “It’s an honor to serve on the Museum Board and contribute to its mission of connecting our community through nature and science.”

We’re thrilled to welcome Courtney and Temis at such an exciting moment for the Museum,” said Carrie Heinonen, CEO and President. “As we redouble our efforts to be a venue of connection and inspiration for our community, their leadership will help guide us through a time of incredible growth. From new exhibitions and expanded educational programming to our upcoming 80th anniversary celebrations, the Museum evolves as it serves and reflects our broader community.

As Board members, Brown and Coral Castellanos will support the Museum’s ongoing efforts to expand educational programming, enhance community partnerships, and further its mission of creating a place where visitors of all ages can explore, discover, and be inspired by the world around them.

For more information about the Museum of Life and Science’s Board of Directors, visit www.lifeandscience.org/home/who-we-are

About the Museum of Life and Science

Located less than five miles from downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top family destinations. Our 84-acre campus includes a two-story science center, one of the largest butterfly conservatories on the East Coast, and beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits. Our interactive experiences include Dinosaur Trail, Ellerbe Creek Railway, Hideaway Woods, Into the Mist, Earth Moves, and Aerospace, which features one of the largest collections of Apollo-era NASA artifacts in the state. The Museum is also an AZA-accredited zoo, home to rescued black bears, lemurs, endangered red wolves, and more than 60 species of live animals. For more than 79 years, the Museum has upheld its ongoing commitment to the communities of Durham, the Triangle, and North Carolina through programming, engagement, and research. To learn more, visit lifeandscience.org

###