Board of Directors

J. Randy Attwood, President

Randy Attwood is the President of The Earthshine Astronomy and Space Science Organization, a Mississauga based not for profit charity organization. He is a resident of Mississauga and has been looking up at the night sky for over 40 years.  He is currently the Executive Director of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Canada's national astronomy organization. He is the founder and Past-President of the Mississauga Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and a Past President of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.  In 2013 he was named as one of the first Fellows of the Society. Randy has appeared on CTV, CBC, GLOBAL and the Discovery Channel to provide background information for space and astronomy related stories.  He has covered 12 space shuttle launches and landings as a journalist and photographer. He has travelled to various places around the world to observe and photograph total eclipses of the sun. He has written High School Astronomy text book units on astronomy and presented planetarium programming at schools. He is currently a Contributing Editor for Canada's Astronomy magazine Skynews.

Asteroid 260235 was renamed Asteroid Attwood in his honour.

Kirsten Vanstone, Vice President

Kirsten’s career has revolved around making other people as excited about astronomy and science as she is herself. A veteran of the Ontario Science Centre, the ROM, the California Academy of Sciences and now with the Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science, Kirsten brings more than twenty years experience to Earthshine. As a volunteer, Kirsten has helped the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and the Astronomical Association of Northern California reach out to teachers, enabling them to become better ambassadors of science to their students. She has created science-based curriculum for teachers in physical sciences and mathematics, and has taugh general interest astronomy courses for the School of Continuing Studies at the University of Toronto and for the California Academy of Sciences. A native of Toronto, Kirsten has worked in San Francisco and been known to travel specifically for astronomical events and to visit a good planetarium. Kirsten recently became the first Executive Director for the Royal Canadian Institute.

Allan Connery, Treasurer

Allan Connery is treasurer of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (Mississauga). He is a keen amateur astronomer, with a passionate interest in everything out of this world. His curiosity about the universe was first sparked by the space program. Allan holds a B.Sc. in Physics from McMaster, and owns a software company in Mississauga, his home of 30 years. He participates in outreach astronomical activities, to share his sense of wonder and impart a desire to always reach for the stars.

Andrew Opala, Director

A 30-year builder of engineering and management teams for start-up and rapid growth software companies, Andrew is also an angel investor, board member and program coordination member for several not-for-profits in Mississauga and Toronto.  He has found time for all this amazing work during his 24 years as an amateur astronomer and telescope maker.  His likes include Kraft dinner, backwoods camping, and competitive running.