I’ve been crafting educationally focused public places for more than twenty-five years. With a foundation in design and the humanities, I strive to marry excellent design and craft with meaningful storytelling. My goal in every project is to create an exhibit that’s accessible, educationally effective, technologically sensible, and enjoyable to experience.

I’m enthusiastic about history, people, places and objects. As a steward of public history and experience, I value the opportunity to help build a future that embraces everything we share as people.

Prior to establishing Studio Tectonic I held leadership roles at prominent exhibit design firms in Colorado and Washington, D.C. As a managing director and senior designer, I have led significant projects in North America and worldwide. I began my career in the early 90s as an in-house exhibit designer at the Smithsonian Institution.

Outside of my work with exhibits, I can be found riding and racing bicycles, backcountry skiing, river-rafting, and backpacking throughout the west with my family. I volunteer demonstrating the craft of blacksmithing at an historic non-profit ranch. You’ll also find me tending to the needs of my family’s 130-year-old home—and those of my younger children.

Studies
University of the Arts (Furniture and Metalsmithing: design and making)
The Evergreen State College (B.A., Liberal Arts)

I’ve been working in and with museums for nearly fifteen years. My career as a museum exhibit designer began with studies in architecture and art history followed by an internship at the Philadelphia Museum of Art as a museum educator working with urban youth. Working with the most curious of museum visitors in a highly creative environment helped me discover my passion for communicating narratives through built spaces and experiences.

I have worked directly within arts organizations, natural history museums, social history museums, university museums, archaeology and anthropological institutions as well as zoos, and joined Studio Tectonic in 2013. I thrive on collaboration with our teams and clients to craft exhibit concepts and turn those ideas into a reality. To me, the breadth of subject matter we work with, the story each exhibit has to tell, and the artifacts and experiences that support it, matter most and are the primary source of inspiration in my work.

Outside of office hours, I spend time trail running, camping, skiing and sailing. I enjoy leading a monthly museum article review group with peers from across the country to stay connected with current trends in our field. Beyond that, you can find me enjoying some garden therapy, wrestling with whichever vines and veggies are in season.

Studies
University of the Arts (MFA, Museum Exhibition Planning + Design)
University of Arkansas (BS, Architectural Studies)

I’ve worked as a museum educator, exhibit developer, interpretive planner, and writer for over twenty years. I spent twelve years at History Colorado as the director of museum programs, which included everything from overseeing school and public programs to developing permanent exhibits for the History Colorado Center. Helping to lead the transformation of the Colorado Historical Society to History Colorado, I played a part in re-envisioning the exhibit program, changing it from a chronological walk-through of history to a story-based approach centered on the visitor experience.

Prior to History Colorado, I was the curator of education at the Estes Park Museum and worked at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in interpretive services. I also spent three years teaching high school social studies in Denver.

In my spare time, I’m on the board of the Sand Creek Massacre Foundation, raising awareness of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. I’m also a coach for Denver City Lax, which creates opportunities for kids through lacrosse and provides academic guidance and enrichment activities. I was lucky enough to play lacrosse in college, where I was an All-American, All-Ivy player and member of the 1994 National Championship team. Partially because of this experience, I love working with project teams at different organizations and getting to know people.

Studies
Princeton University (BA, History and Environmental Studies)
University of Colorado at Boulder (MS, Museum Studies)