AVON, Conn. — September 1, 2026 — Talcott Mountain Science Center, Academy, & Research Institute (Talcott) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Trustees: Bryce Adelstein Lelbach and Cristina Dieguez-Kuo. Together, they bring a wealth of expertise in technology, education, fundraising, and nonprofit leadership that will help advance Talcott’s mission as a pioneering STEM institution where education, research, and outreach inspire and empower advanced and curious learners.
Bryce Adelstein Lelbach is a Principal Engineer at NVIDIA, where he founded the Core C++ Compute Libraries team and now leads the Vanguard Programming group that drives NVIDIA’s roadmap for programming languages, compilers, and core libraries. A nationally recognized leader of the systems programming language community, Lelbach has served as chair of the C++ Library Evolution and the US programming language standards committee. He previously worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Louisiana State University and is one of the founding developers of the HPX parallel runtime system.
Cristina Dieguez-Kuo serves as the Director of Development at Miss Porter’s School, where she leads the major gift, planned gift, and donor relations team to help the school achieve its strategic fundraising and donor engagement priorities. Previously, she served as Director of Development for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New Haven. Dieguez-Kuo began her career in development at Fairfield University, where she held positions in Annual Giving and Major Gifts. She holds a BA and an MBA from Fairfield University and serves on the CAIS Commission on School Advancement and the Richard M. Keane Foundation Board of Directors.
As new members of the Board of Trustees, Lelbach and Dieguez-Kuo will help strengthen Talcott’s leadership as the organization continues expanding its educational programs, research initiatives, and community impact.
“I am deeply grateful for the leadership and commitment of our Board of Trustees, who serve as vital partners in advancing our mission,” said Jeff Martin, Executive Director of Talcott. “The inclusion of Bryce Adelstein Lelbach and Cristina Dieguez-Kuo further strengthens this leadership team. Lelbach brings invaluable perspective as an alumnus of both the Science Center and the Academy, combining personal history with professional expertise. Dieguez-Kuo’s deep background as a veteran fundraising professional in higher education and independent schools will be an incredible asset. I look forward to the impactful work we will do together.”
Rhonda L.C. Bird, Chair of the Board of Trustees, added, “These appointments strengthen Talcott from the classroom to the boardroom. Bryce Adelstein Lelbach joins the Board with world-class technical expertise, nonprofit leadership in the technology sector, and firsthand Talcott experience. Cristina Dieguez-Kuo joins the Board with more than two decades of fundraising and donor engagement leadership at distinguished educational institutions. Together, they advance our mission to inspire and empower advanced and curious learners. On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I am delighted to welcome them to the mountain.”
Lelbach said serving on the Board is an opportunity to give back to the institution that helped shape his own educational journey while helping guide its future.
“I want future children like me to have the same opportunities that I had, so I want to ensure Talcott thrives in perpetuity,” he said. “I find working with local and focused organizations like Talcott very rewarding; a single person can have a big impact and see that impact in their community.”
Dieguez-Kuo said she looks forward to supporting Talcott’s mission and helping inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
“I am honored to join the Talcott Board of Trustees and to help further the organization’s mission to inspire and cultivate a love of STEM,” she said. “Talcott serves a special role in fostering a passion for STEM education and as a parent and a professional, I see firsthand how nurturing curiosity develops lifelong learners.”
About Talcott Mountain Science Center, Academy, & Research Institute
Talcott Mountain Science Center, Academy, & Research Institute (Talcott) has been a leader in STEM education for nearly 60 years. We are a pioneering STEM institution where education, research, and outreach inspire and empower advanced and curious learners. Through personalized learning, hands-on discovery, and immersive research experiences, Talcott helps learners explore without limits, build meaningful connections, and develop the confidence to shape the future. From classrooms and laboratories to community partnerships and public programs, Talcott nurtures the next generation of scientists, innovators, educators, and leaders while strengthening communities across Connecticut. Learn more at www.talcottscience.org or follow @TalcottScience on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.