ASTC New Leaders Fellowship Program

Alajia McKizia
Content Developer- Special Projects
Kiewit Luminarium
Omaha, NE
LinkedIn

Alajia McKizia grew up with museums shaping her core experience— whether listening to jazz on the lawn of an art museum, bagging groceries at a miniature store exhibit, or a sleepover inside the aerospace museum. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, she has over eight years of experience leading and coordinating programs around STEAM, with a focus on urban agriculture and arts and culture. As a Program Coordinator for the 2023 inaugural opening of Kiewit Luminarium, Alajia executed meaningful STEM programs engaging kids and adults from a variety of backgrounds. She served as the Program Lead for GLOW, an annual exhibition (2023-2025) exploring light, art, and science. In her current role as Content Developer | Special Projects, Alajia develops exhibit concepts for new initiatives at the museum— prototyping and engaging with the community to bring impactful experiences into fruition. Alajia hopes to grow existing audiences while engaging with new communities, encouraging lifelong learning and the pursuit of curiosity—inside and outside the museum walls.

Allison Shultz
Associate Curator
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Los Angeles, CA
allisonshultz.com

Dr. Allison Shultz is Associate Curator of the Ornithology Department at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. As the Curator of the Ornithology Department, her job involves overseeing the collection, mentoring students or other early professionals who are interested in birds, and being a resource for anything bird-related in the museum (e.g., exhibits, programs). With her research, she seeks to understand the evolution of bird diversity, focusing on two major areas: how birds are responding to human-caused environmental changes, and how and why bird feathers and colors evolve. Dr. Shultz received her PhD from Harvard University, MS from San Diego State University, and BA from the University of California, Berkeley. In addition to her research, Dr. Shultz is passionate about increasing diversity, inclusion, access and equity in the sciences, and inspiring a love of nature in everyone.

Anabel Hirano
Volunteer and Intern Manager
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Chicago, IL

A lifelong naturalist, Anabel deeply enjoys connecting with passionate volunteers in her role as Volunteer and Intern Manager at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The skills and joys from her previous lines of work (musician, educator, horticulturist) support Anabel in empathetically shaping the volunteer program to fit the needs of Chicago’s nature-invested community. In both her work and her outside-work communities, Anabel is especially interested in how culture is shaped – what makes one feel belonging, how does one feel empowered to make change, how can groups approach change with curiosity? Outside of volunteer management, Anabel enjoys making music with friends, crafting clothes and sculptural objects out of cloth, being anywhere outside, and reading.

Anna Deater-Deckard (she/her)
Marketing & Outreach Manager
Virginia Discovery Museum
Charlottesville, VA
LinkedIn

As Marketing & Outreach Manager at the Virginia Discovery Museum, Anna brings more than a decade of experience in design, marketing, and community engagement to her work, building meaningful connections between organizations and the audiences they serve. Her experience spans small, community-centered organizations and cross-national, cross-cultural markets, where she has developed strategies that broaden accessibility and foster lasting connections. She is particularly passionate about the intersection of science and art in the sphere of education, and the ways they inspire curiosity, engagement, and memories that last a lifetime. At the Museum, she has expanded and professionalized its Teen Internship Program and facilitates collaboration between other nonprofits and community activists to respond to evolving needs. Having grown up across the U.S. and U.K., obtaining her BA in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London, Anna brings a broad perspective to her work and a deep appreciation for diverse communities. Outside of the museum, she enjoys spending time with the many animals in her life, traveling, hiking, snowboarding, and learning new crafts.

Catherine Early
Barbara Brown Chair of Ornithology
Science Museum of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
catherineearly.wixsite.com/home

Catherine works as the Chair of the Biology Department at the Science Museum of Minnesota, stewarding a scientific collection of ~180,000 plant and animal specimens and leading a talented team of biologists and collection professionals. She researches the evolution of the skulls and brains of birds. In her role, she also collaborates with coworkers on fundraising, youth development, education, exhibits, marketing, and more. She views museum collections as irreplaceable records of human ingenuity and biodiversity through space and time and is most excited about the problems these collections can help solve when new communities gain access to them.

Her childhood curiosity about animals was fostered by frequent visits to museums, but it took key mentors introducing her to collections-based evolutionary biology for her to envision herself working at a museum. Towards this end, she earned Bachelor’s degrees from North Carolina State University and a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Ohio University. Outside of work, she spends time walking her dog, dancing at Zumba, learning new crafts, and promoting sustainability solutions with her husband.

Christi Vasquez-Martin
Manager of Marketing
Space Center Houston
Houston, Texas
LinkedIn | cnvasq.com

Christi Vasquez-Martin (she/her/ella) is a storyteller and marketing strategist with more than a decade of experience helping museums and cultural attractions grow audiences, strengthen brands, and deepen community engagement. Through audience-centered storytelling and integrated marketing strategy, she has driven revenue growth, increased attendance, and built brand affinity for some of Texas’ leading cultural institutions, including Space Center Houston, Meow Wolf Houston, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Rice University. Today, she leads the marketing team at Space Center Houston, where she connects people with the wonder and rigor of science and space exploration through integrated campaigns across paid, owned, and shared channels. Outside of work, Christi is a passionate advocate for urban green spaces in Houston’s East End and enjoys wandering museums, discovering new neighborhoods, and taking long walks through the city with her spouse, Michael.

Jennifer McIntyre
Marketing and Development Director
South Dakota Discovery Center
Pierre, SD

Jennifer McIntyre (she/her) has worked with nonprofit organizations for nearly two decades developing mission driven marketing strategies and projects to support rural community needs. A childhood steeped in community action grounds her belief in the power of people to make positive change. She enjoys working with others on solutions to problems and finding a place for people to get involved. Jennifer’s work at the South Dakota Discovery Center began in 2022 and has her wearing many hats, from exhibit hall maintenance to communicating with donors and supporters. She lives in Pierre (pronounced “peer”), South Dakota, with her husband, two kids, dog, cats, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. In her free time, you can find Jennifer on the Missouri River kayaking, gardening, or walking with her dog, Louie.

Joey Edwards
Gallery Experience Supervisor
Fleet Science Center
San Diego, CA
LinkedIn | Portfolio

Joey (he/him) has built his museum career over more than a decade in galleries, art museums, and science centers, curating and installing more than 30 exhibitions, supervising the development and fabrication of seven interactives, and launching a monthly outreach program that offers free STEM experiences to Balboa Park visitors. In 2020, Joey earned a Certificate in Museum Studies at San Diego Mesa College where mentorship and creating pathways into the field were central to the program’s philosophy. At the Fleet Science Center, he has put those values into practice by creating an internship program and promoting skill-building opportunities for early-career museum professionals. He values the collaborative spirit of the museum field and welcomes opportunities to build connections, exchange ideas, and learn alongside colleagues. Outside of work, he enjoys bouldering in Joshua Tree with his wife and son, backpacking, photography, and playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Kate Long
Program Manager, Colorado Science & Technology Policy Program
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Denver, CO
LinkedIn

Kate discovered her passion for public service while studying Communication and Sociology at Louisiana State University, where she first began exploring how institutions shape the communities they serve. Her winding path to science policy began while living in St. Thomas, USVI following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, sparking an interest in community resilience building which brought her to Cornell University where she earned her Master of Public Administration in Environmental Policy. She followed this trajectory by working with vulnerable communities to plan and prepare for future disasters before joining the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in 2021. At DMNS’s Institute for Science & Policy, Kate manages the Colorado Science & Technology Policy Program (STPP), overseeing a fellowship for post-doctoral scientists and a summer internship for STEM students. Through the STPP, Kate works closely with the Colorado State Legislature to connect scientists and policymakers around the issues shaping the state’s future. Outside of work, you can find Kate traveling and trying new foods, camping with her dog Dante, or solving crossword puzzles.

Kristen Martin Lai
Senior Director, Interactive Learning Programs
The Tech Interactive
San Jose, CA
LinkedIn

Kristen Martin Lai joined The Tech Interactive (formerly The Tech Museum of Innovation) in 2009 as a field trip science lab instructor. Since then, she has worked her way through various positions at The Tech and is now currently in the role of Senior Director, Interactive Learning Programs. As the Sr. Director Kristen is responsible for the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of all public and school programming taking place within The Tech Interactive, including field trips, family programming, summer camp, and much more. Kristen has a B.S. in biology from Cal Poly, SLO and an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Education from Santa Clara University. Outside of the museum, Kristen spends time with her husband, 6 year old son, and 2 mischievous cats – one of whom thinks she is the star of all Zoom meetings held from home.

Lessli Ruiz
Director of Public Programs
Witte Museum
San Antonio, TX

Lessli grew up in a Hispanic immigrant household where museums were not part of her everyday experience. Her first museum visit came through a school field trip, similar to the thousands of school children that visit the museum today. Her passion for education began through her involvement in Special Olympics and Best Buddies International. She went on to become a fifth-grade bilingual teacher before realizing that some of her most fulfilling work happened beyond the classroom. That realization led her to informal education, first as a Youth and Family Director with the YMCA and eventually into the role she currently holds today.

As Director of Public Programs, Lessli brings her background in classroom education and community programming together in a role she considers a dream job. She is passionate about creating engaging educational experiences for varying ages.

Outside of work, Lessli enjoys tackling her home renovations and decorating projects and spending time with her husband and one-year old son.

Lilly Keefe-Powers
Outreach Programs Manager
The Bakken Museum
Minneapolis, MN

Lilly Keefe-Powers (they/them/theirs) grew up going to the many museums in the San Francisco Bay Area, where they developed a love for tinkering, experimenting, and collecting animal facts. At the University of Minnesota, Lilly earned a degree in Animal Behavior while working at the Bell Museum of Natural History. Eventually they transitioned from animals to makerspace challenges at The Bakken, where they now get to be the “fun uncle” of the classroom. As the Outreach Programs Manager at The Bakken Museum, Lilly manages offsite education programs and educators. Visiting classrooms gives them a unique opportunity to connect with students who have had bad science and school experiences, as well as with teachers intimidated by science. Their favorite piece of feedback is “it seemed like the kids were just playing.” Lilly still maintains an extensive collection of animal facts, and uses their degree to train their two rescue dogs. In their free time, they knit, spin their own yarn, and read ridiculous amounts of science fiction.

Michael DiMaio
CRM Administrator
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
Columbus, OH
LinkedIn

Michael brings a unique blend of sales leadership, storytelling, and strategic thinking to his role as CRM Administrator at COSI. Born and raised in Connecticut, he studied film in New York before building a career in sales and sales leadership, where he focused on developing people, fostering positive cultures, and driving results. He later transitioned into Salesforce administration to support mission-driven nonprofit work.
At COSI, Michael manages the organization’s Salesforce environment, optimizing business processes, improving data quality and visibility, and partnering across departments to enable teams to make more strategic, mission-aligned decisions. He is passionate about using technology to strengthen the guest experience, eliminate information silos, and enhance relationships with partners to advance COSI’s mission to engage, inspire, and transform communities.
Outside of work, Michael is an avid film enthusiast who has seen over 1,460 movies and lives in Central Ohio with his wife and their two Samoyed dogs.

Molly Trask-Price
Director of Exhibit Development
Museum of Life and Science
Durham, North Carolina
LinkedIn

Molly Trask-Price is an exhibition design and development leader specializing in multi-sensory, multigenerational experiences. As Director of Exhibit Development at the Museum of Life and Science, she leads a multidisciplinary team in the creative direction, design, and project management of exhibitions across the museum’s 84-acre campus.
Previously an Exhibition Designer at the North Carolina Museum of Art and Exhibition Design Curator at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Molly focuses on visitor-centered experiences and thrives in complex space planning. She has also led design initiatives for Kidzu Children’s Museum and continues to consult on audience-tailored spaces for museums, schools, and educational organizations, as well as occasional freelance illustration work.
Molly holds an MA in Exhibition Design from the Corcoran College of Art & Design and a BA in History from Duke University, with additional study in early child development. She lives in Durham with her husband, Trevor, their four-year-old son, Louis, and rescue dogs Martha Washington and Eleanor Roosevelt. The family spends their free time traveling, often to Trevor’s hometown of Dublin, Ireland, or wherever else a cheap flight may lead.

Natalie Rhoades
Manager of Exhibits, Volunteers, and Systems
SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC)
Sacramento, CA
LinkedIn

Natalie Rhoades (she/her) is the Manager of Exhibits, Volunteers, and Systems at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC) in Sacramento, California, where she leads exhibit development and operations, volunteer engagement, and cross-departmental systems that strengthen museum operations and the guest experience.

A lifelong lover of science, Natalie found her way into museums unexpectedly, as many do, and never looked back! Over the past five years, she has grown through seven roles at MOSAC, from summer camp leader to department manager, gaining experience across education, exhibits, public engagement, organizational systems, and community partnerships. She is passionate about creating joyful, inclusive opportunities for curiosity and helping museums evolve through thoughtful leadership and collaboration. Natalie believes museums have a unique ability to spark curiosity, strengthen communities, and inspire positive change.

Outside of work, Natalie loves exploring the world with her toddler daughter and incredible partner, saying “hi!” to every park bird they meet, hitting the playground, and bringing home stacks of library books.

Nick Letson
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
Tucson, AZ
LinkedIn

Nick Letson is a third-generation Tucsonan with a passion for science education and Southern Arizona attractions. Beginning his career as a journalist, his curiosity has taken him in a variety of directions, all connected by a love of educational and enriching experiences. He spent eight years in nonprofit glass arts education, eventually serving as Associate Director, before moving into higher education communications focused on data and analytics. His commitment to educational experiences across Southern Arizona has also extended to leadership service with regional tourism and attractions boards.

That same curiosity eventually led Nick to the science center field and Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, where he has spent the past five years as Marketing & Communications Manager. At Flandrau, Nick has led marketing campaigns that helped earn back-to-back rankings among the nation’s top five planetariums by USA Today, developed new corporate membership, sponsorship, and earned-revenue opportunities, and expanded the center’s connections with the community. He is passionate about building anticipation for science experiences and extending that connection beyond the visit. Outside of work, Nick is a lifelong musician and fun-loving father of two.

Sara O’Reilly
Program Director
ExplorationWorks
Helena, MT

Sara O’Reilly (She/Her(s)) is an informal science educator with over 15 years of experience in STEM education. Being lucky enough to grow up in the mountains and rivers of Western Montana, Sara has always been curious about the natural world and the cosmos above. That curiosity led her to pursue a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Montana where her love of both formal and informal science education began. After graduating and serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA with a science center in Missoula, MT for a year, she joined the ExplorationWorks team in Helena, MT in the summer of 2016 and has been there ever since.
With a strong belief in the transformative power of education, Sara is passionate about helping students of all ages become lifelong learners and igniting a lifelong love of science.
Outside of work, Sara loves to watercolor, crochet, cross stitch, watch TV and keep exploring Western Montana (and beyond!) with her husband Kelly and their two pups Macklin and Hallie.

Sarah Hicks
Creative Initiatives Manager
Discovery Center at Murfree Springs
Murfreesboro, TN
LinkedIn

Sarah Hicks credits her current museum work to her early experiences of visiting the children’s museums around her home state of Ohio. Today, as Creative Initiatives Manager at Discovery Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, she oversees exhibit development, the statewide Tennessee STEAM Festival, and grant writing. Sarah brings a distinct mix of education and creative training to her role. She started her career as an ESL teacher, designing curriculum and delivering classroom instruction. She then earned her master’s degree in English, studying narrative design for location-based experiences. This combined background in curriculum design and storytelling now informs her approach to exhibit development, as does a commitment to accessibility shaped by her own lived experience. In 2025, Sarah received the Emerging Museum Professional Award from the Tennessee Association of Museums and is currently a member of the 2026 MuseumLab for Museum Professionals cohort. She is working toward a full-time career in exhibit design, where she can create immersive, meaningful programming for guests of all ages. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and visiting the beach with her husband.

Sarah McGrath-Blaser
Assistant Director of Conservation & Science
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Raleigh, North Carolina
LinkedIn

Sarah McGrath-Blaser serves as a leader in the Research & Collections section at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, where she helps steward a research collection of more than four million objects representing global biodiversity. As a research curator supervisor, she supports a team of scientists and collection professionals while advancing research across a wide spectrum of science. Her previous experience focused on how wildlife health shapes ecological and evolutionary processes, and she is committed to expanding the ways museum collections inform conservation solutions.

Sarah earned her PhD in Zoology from the University of Florida, where she specialized in amphibian and reptile disease ecology. Her career has been guided by a longstanding fascination with how natural history collections help us understand life across space and time. At the museum, she collaborates with colleagues across research, education, and public engagement to broaden access to scientific resources and inspire future generations.

Outside of work, Sarah spends nearly all her free time outdoors with her husband and two young children, sharing the curiosity and wonder that first drew her to science.

Steven Lemp
Programs and Outreach Manager
Museum of Discovery
Little Rock, AR

Steven grew up in a Chicago suburb, and the surrounding network of zoos and museums helped develop a lifelong passion for learning and education. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Biology, he started his career as an educator at the Little Rock Zoo. Providing the kids of Arkansas incredible experiences with animals showed Steven what he wanted to do with his work. At the Museum of Discovery, where he has been for almost seven years, Steven has continued to provide engaging and interactive science experiences for people of all ages. He loves helping kids work through problems that frustrate them, seeing an audience’s faces light up when they see a cool experiment, and encouraging people to pet an animal that scares them. Steven lives in Little Rock with his spouse (who he met at the zoo!) and two cats. He enjoys games, nature hikes, bowling, and horror movies.