ASTC New Leaders Fellowship Program

Alix Bierson
Senior Scientist, Biology, Earth, and Environmental Science
Arizona Science Center
Phoenix, Arizona

Alix Bierson (they/them) has been drawn to museums for as long as they can remember. They grew up first visiting, and then volunteering at their local museum in Denver, Colorado. The experiences they had there sparked a lifelong curiosity about science, education, and the world around them, which carried through their undergraduate studies in paleontology and graduate studies in teaching. Today, Alix works for Arizona Science Center, where they lead the floor engagement team and cultivate incredible visitor experiences. You’ll find them developing new programs, creating new hands-on activities, or out on the floor, talking to guests and team members to gather data and generate new ideas. They seek to pay forward the opportunities that led them to this point: to provide mentorship, to meet people where they are, and to inspire a love of this planet we call home. In their free time, they’ll be playing tabletop roleplaying games, hiking, or traveling – probably to visit yet another museum.

Allison Wray
Camp Coordinator & Educator
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Burlington, Vermont

Allison Wray (she/her/they/them) was raised by museum lovers in the Philadelphia region, spending countless hours at the Please Touch Museum and Franklin Institute. In between seasons working for science and nature summer camps, Allison earned a BA in Environmental Science and Policy from Smith College. Allison now lives in rural Vermont, and has returned to their museum roots as Camp Coordinator for ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. At ECHO, Allison heads a small but mighty camp program and also serves as an educator with the museum’s traveling STEM festivals and ECHO Early Learning. Outside of ECHO, Allison loves to work in their garden, create art, forage and cook wild food with their partner Robin.

Carly Cate
Guest Experience Manager
Museum of Discovery
Little Rock, Arkansas

Carly grew up in rural Arkansas in a community without a stoplight, let alone a museum. After graduating with her BA & Masters in English, she spent the next decade in academia, teaching and developing courses online and in the traditional classroom. While teaching, she took a part-time position as a manager at a small independent museum, Esse Purse Museum. This unique experience inspired her passion for the creativity found within the museum industry and the importance of guest services. Currently, Carly serves as the Guest Experience Manager at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, where she applies her experience in both education and customer service to a broad purview of responsibilities. Outside of work, Carly spends time with her dogs, Eleanor Rigby and Sammy Davis, and two cats, Ringo and Gerogie. An avid thrifter, you can find her browsing estate sales and at her nearby Goodwill hunting for treasures. Recently, she has been playing trivia with coworkers at a local dog-friendly restaurant. (Dogs AND trivia? Yes, please!)

Cindy Suarez
Manager, Visitor Engagement
The Exploratorium
San Francisco, California

Cindy grew up in San Francisco, where childhood museum trips sparked a lifelong love for informal learning. Their career began in fashion merchandising and communications, rooted in a deep belief that everyone deserves the freedom to express themselves. This same passion for self-expression drives Cindy’s work at the Exploratorium. A child of immigrant parents who modeled an unwavering work ethic, Cindy brings resilience, empathy, and authenticity to their leadership. Their lived experiences, including overcoming housing insecurity and supporting a family facing health and language barriers, shape how they advocate for inclusive practices and equitable access to learning. Outside of work, you’ll likely find Cindy exploring San Francisco’s rich food scene, seeking out cultural and art events, and discovering hidden gems across the city.

John Sapida
Manager of Digital Initiatives, Urban Advantage
American Museum of Natural History
New York, NY

John Sapida (He/Him/His) emigrated from the Philippines when he was 9-years-old. He fell in love with museums in high school and wanted to work with nonprofit organizations out of college. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies from CUNY School of Professional Studies, he is now combining his passions at the American Museum of Natural History. As the Manager of Digital Initiatives for the Urban Advantage program, he is part of a team delivering professional development for New York City teachers, administrators, and parent coordinators. John also works as a part-time educator for The Citizenship Project at The New York Historical which inspires him to continue to make museum and science centers inclusive for immigrant families and communities. In his free time and when he is not rehearsing for a community theater production himself, John enjoys going to Broadway shows, reading comics, and exploring local cafes and restaurants.

Kate Seader
Museum Experience Assistant Director
WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology
Bloomington, IN

Born and raised in Bloomington IN, Kate (she/they) has been entrenched in hands-on science from the moment they could say “do myself”. Kate had the unique opportunity to participate in the early days of WonderLab Museum as a child-tester of exhibits, later volunteering through middle & high school, and returning as a WonderCamp college intern. After graduating from Eckerd College with a BS in Biology Kate served as a place-based environmental educator with SCA New Hampshire AmeriCorps and the City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation. In their current role as Museum Experience Assistant Director, Kate’s core responsibilities include managing visitor services, coordinating the museum’s Science of Art programming, and assisting in the oversight of all visitor-facing museum operations. Kate’s favorite quality of their job is being able to work on a little bit of everything. When not at the museum, Kate can be found in their garden, helping their sister’s theatre company, seeking out ephemeral wildflowers in the spring, and violently shaking pawpaw trees in the early fall. Kate also appreciates quiet afternoons crafting and gaming with her partner and their cats, Beans & Toast.

Rose Basom
David and Jane Cohn Scientist
Science Museum of Virginia
Richmond, VA

Rose Basom (she/her/hers) was born in Korea and grew up in Michigan, where she started in museums as a docent at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History while earning a B.S. in Biological Anthropology. She continued her education with an M.A. from Texas Tech and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Kent State University. Throughout her research, Rose devoted herself to informal science education, science communication, and mentorship, which she brought to roles at museums in Tennessee, Michigan, and Texas. Rose currently serves as the David and Jane Cohn Scientist at the Science Museum of Virginia, where she combines these passions to bridge the gap between scientists and the public. She leads the Science Content and Research team, develops content for education, exhibits, and communications, and is a subject matter expert. Her stewardship of content is rooted in celebrating the intersection of science and culture, ensuring that people can see themselves and their identities represented in the stories told at museums. In her free time, Rose develops educational boardgames, enjoys crafting, and brings together people through cooking.

Sunewan Paneto
Assistant Manager, Research & Evaluation
Museum of Science, Boston
Boston, MA

Sunewan Paneto (she/they) narrowly missed being born in hot and humid Thailand, and instead started her life in cold and snowy western Massachusetts. Despite the challenges of adjusting to life in the US, Sunewan’s parents found time to bring her to local museums, libraries, zoos, and aquariums where they were exposed to art, history, science, and technology from an early age. After pursuing a degree in psychology and studio art at Clark University in Worcester, MA, they worked at a museum archival box factory as a machine operator, shrink-wrapping boxes for archival use and storage. This led to a career at the Museum of Science, Boston where they are currently the Assistant Manager of Research & Evaluation. Sunewan often considers the lived experiences of their parents and others within the immigrant community when designing programs and culturally responsive evaluation methods. She also manages a small cohort of research assistants and interns, many of whom are BIPOC, and is committed to creating a space where the next generation of museum staff can feel safe, authentic, and welcome.

Taleessa S.R. Kelly
Early Childhood Education Coordinator
Museum of Discovery and Science
Fort Lauderdale- Florida

Taleessa (she/her) is a Brazilian-born educator, museum professional, and passionate advocate for inclusive, culturally responsive learning. With a degree in Music and Art Education, she began her career teaching children and teens in underserved communities and favelas across Brazil. In 2019, she immigrated to the United States as an au pair and, long the way, found inspiration in museum spaces that bring people together across generations and backgrounds. Today, Taleessa serves as the Early Childhood Education Coordinator at the Museum of Discovery and Science in South Florida, where she helps design and deliver STEM programs and serves as the museum’s animal handling leader. Outside of her professional role, Taleessa finds joy in traveling, exploring cultures, trying new foods, nurturing her plants, and spending time in nature. At the heart of her work is a commitment to building spaces where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to discover their place in the world.

Taylor Loos-Little
Manager of Operational Volunteer Experiences
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
Columbus Ohio

Taylor Loos-Little (he/him) is a museum professional, educator, and civic-minded leader committed to transforming science centers into spaces of connection, empowerment, and public good. As Manager of Operational Volunteer Experiences at Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Taylor oversees a diverse volunteer corps serving across departments—from teens and retirees to individuals from traditionally underserved communities. With a background in public history, informal education, and interpretive programming, Taylor brings more than a decade of experience in parks, museums, and advocacy. He has developed and led educational programs that integrate science, history, and community engagement—designing immersive, mission-aligned experiences for learners of all ages. His leadership has consistently centered on equity, narrative, and impact. Originally from Northeast Ohio, Taylor lives in Columbus with his husband and their three beloved Dachshunds. His lived experience shapes his leadership style; he is passionate about building the next generation of civic spaces—where science meets story, education meets justice, and everyone feels they belong.

Wendy Koller
Director of Education
The Reading Public Museum
Reading, Pennsylvania

Wendy Koller is the Director of Education at the Reading Public Museum, where she leads the development and implementation of innovative educational programs that engage learners of all ages in art, science, and cultural exploration. With a background in history, museum executive leadership, and education, Wendy brings over two decades of experience in curriculum design, community outreach, and program evaluation. Wendy has been instrumental in expanding the Museum’s outreach and STEM initiatives, ensuring that educational experiences are accessible, relevant, and inspiring for the diverse communities the Museum serves. Wendy’s leadership is rooted in a commitment to fostering curiosity and lifelong learning, building on the Museum’s legacy as a dynamic center for sensory education and lifelong learning.