Who's Who at the Pratt

Staff

Diane Converse , Museum Director
dianeDiane Converse joined the Pratt in October, 2009 as its new Museum Director/CEO. Converse grew up in Oregon and eastern Washington and has been living in the greater Seattle area since obtaining her BS degree in Wildlife Science from the University of Washington. She received her masters degree in nonprofit leadership from Seattle University and completed her doctorate in education there last summer. Diane brings a passion for the work of educational nonprofits and 20 years of nonprofit experience to the Pratt Museum. Over the course of her career she has worked as an administration director and publications manager for a regional public land partner organization, as well as leading a small arts organization through a significant period of financial growth and operational change while studying for her doctorate in educational leadership. She also has work experience in wildlife research and in developing theories of change and program evaluation. Outside of work, Diane is involved in the arts and volunteering. An active fiber artist, Diane likes to express her creative side in fabric and yarn and is impressed with Homer's quilting community. Her recent volunteer interest has been adult literacy tutoring for a human services nonprofit. She also enjoys a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking and has a new interest in kayaking. She travels whenever she can, including a trip last winter to New Zealand.

 

Holly Cusack-McVeigh , Curator of Exhibits
HollyHolly is a cultural anthropologist and Curator of Exhibits at the Pratt Museum. She has served as a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Alaska Anchorage -Kenai Peninsula College. She earned a Master’s degree in Anthropology from Michigan State University, with an emphasis in Cultural and Medical Anthropology, and received a Ph.D. in Social/Cultural Anthropology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her areas of specialization include Native American and Arctic studies, folklore, oral history, archival research and environmental studies. Her most recent fieldwork involves sense of place and storytelling on the Bering Sea Coast, which was recently published in a work entitled “Living With Stories.” Holly has spent many years working as a research consultant to Native tribal councils in the United States and Canada. She has served as a liaison between museum staff and Native groups under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. She has worked as a research consultant for the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society and Alaska Native Regional Corporations. Holly has also conducted numerous grant-funded, collaborative oral history projects in villages throughout Alaska.

 

Peter Lundskow, Curator of Collections
PetePete is the Collections Manager/Curator at the Pratt Museum. He grew up on the east side of Cleveland, OH. Pete has a Master’s degree in American Studies with concentrations in Museum/Archives and American Art History from Bowling Green State University. He has worked most his professional career at state level museums in Ohio, Kansas and Indiana. Most recently, he worked at the Boulder History Museum in Colorado as the Curator of Collection. After his first museum position as an Archivist, Pete shifted his career into museum conservation and in more recent years has branched out into collections management. He first gained conservation experience in paper conservation at the Intermuseum Conservation Association in Oberlin, OH and expanded his conservation experience into historical artifacts at the Kansas Museum of History. He also spent several years in Salt Lake City where he developed his passion for the Intermountain West. Pete enjoys spending time in the out of doors hiking, trail running and snowshoeing and had never been in Alaska before beginning his position with the Pratt.

Ryjil Christianson, Education Director
ryjilRyjil Christianson is an Environmental Educator and Director of Education at the Pratt Museum. She is commitment to inspiring exploration of our environment through the integration of science, culture and art in children and lifelong learners. Born and raised in Kachemak Bay, most of Ryjil’s early years were spent exploring the wilds of Bear Cove. At a very young age, she showed an interest in art and the natural beauty around her. Later on Ryjil moved with her family across the bay to Homer for school. In the fall of 1998, Ryjil moved to Fairbanks to attend UAF. After graduating with a BA in History, Ryjil returned to Homer. Aside from being the Director of Education at the Pratt Museum, Ryjil is also a ceramic artist. During the summer months Ryjil can be found pit firing ceramic vessels on the beaches of Kachemak Bay.

Sevea Kroll Sueltenfuss
SeveaSevea joined the Pratt in April 2010 as the Education Assistant for the summer. She has grown up in rural villages of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. She spent most of her childhood pursuing many adventures on dog team, by foot, or on horseback while organizing her six siblings to participate. Sevea is pursuing a degree from the University of Alaska in Native Arts and Culture and History. While living across the bay in Seldovia, she worked for the Seldovia Village Tribe coordinating programs for cultural education and promoted healthy lifestyles for the community.  She is impassioned by teaching and learning with others about Alaskan Native cultures and Art. Sevea now resides with her husband Ricky in Homer. She enjoys painting, bead and quillwork, flying, cooking, and the beauty of Kachemak Bay.

Michele Miller, Development Director
Michele Miller comes to the Pratt from a three-year stint as Executive Director of Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association, a nonprofit in Anchorage that preserves and protects Alaska’s moving images. Prior to that, she had her own consulting business in nonprofit management with an emphasis in fundraising. A lifelong Alaskan, Ms. Miller grew up in a logging camp on Prince of Wales Island, where she learned to boat, fish and shoot at a young age. Later in life, she earned a private pilot’s license and instrument rating. She is an avid volunteer for the arts and has served as juror/panelist/commissioner for various arts organizations, including the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the Anchorage Arts Advisory Commission. A member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Michele served on the Board of Directors for two years; she currently serves on the Board of Directors of the the Anchorage International Film Festival, Bunnell Street Arts Center, and was appointed by the Mayor to serve on the City's Public Arts Committee last year.

 

Miranda Weiss, Development Manager
Miranda recently returned to Homer from New York City, where she was pursuing her Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing. Her creative work blends her background in natural history and lyrical writing. She became an enthusiastic fan of the Pratt after first moving to Homer in 1999 and is particularly drawn to the way the Museum links art and natural history to interpret and celebrate the Kachemak Bay region. Miranda brings experience in fundraising and administration at nonprofit organizations to her position as Development Manager at the Pratt.

Jennie Engebretsen, Visitor Services
Jennie has lived in Alaska since 1976 when her father came to the “Last Frontier” to work on the Pipeline. Most recently her life has been filled with raising a family and working toward earning a BA in History and Anthropology. Observing the development of the Lower Kenai Peninsula has fueled her interests in eco-tourism. Jennie believes that working together as a community will eventually contribute to the world’s betterment. Being Visitor Services and Retail Manager at the Pratt Museum lends itself nicely to supporting local markets and encouraging responsible tourism programs. It also allows her to direct visitors on how to better access what Alaska’s most beautiful playground, Homer, has to offer. She enjoys photography, walking on the beach, camping, and fishing on the Anchor River.

Heidi Stage, Bookkeeper
Heidi StageHeidi is a New York transplant who came to Alaska on her honeymoon in 1985 and never left. She lives in Homer with her husband and their two children, whose extracurricular activities keep her busy outside the Musem. Heidi first started at the Pratt in 2000 as the assistant to the office manager. She hopped around where needed doing stints in the Museum Store, Development and Marketing and Visitor Services before settling into the Bookkeeper position she currently holds. Heidi likes working behind-the-scenes crunching numbers, but she also enjoys interacting with the many visitors, volunteers and community members she comes into contact with on a daily basis. They truly make her job at the Pratt more interesting and rewarding.

Kim Wylde, Office Manager
Kim Wylde has always felt a strong connection to nature and has lived her adult life in the forests of the Western U.S. She moved to Alaska after spending a few years living a wilderness lifestyle with her family in the Flathead National Forest of Montana. With a BA in Interpersonal Communication and an English Minor, Kim is enthusiastic about interacting with Pratt Museum volunteers and members as well as Museum visitors from the local community and all over the world. In her time away from work Kim enjoys being at home with her husband and four children gardening, playing music and building their house.

Art Koeninger, Building Manager
ArtArt enjoys a wide variety of tasks as Building Manager. Besides regular maintenance and repair of the four museum buildings, his responsibilities include monitoring the climate control, fire and security alarm systems; supervising and assisting garden, grounds, forest and trails staff and volunteers; maintaining the aquaria systems and coordinating aquaria volunteers; and providing support for exhibit installations and gift shop displays. Art is not new to the Pratt. As a local metalsmith and jeweler with decades of experience, he was hired to make many of the mounts for the artifacts and other objects in the museum's permanent exhibit. Perhaps his best preparation for this job has been his experience completely restoring a dilapidated, historic building in Chitina, Alaska, with the help of federal and state preservation grants, transforming it into a functioning art gallery since 1986. Art is pleased to find a job in Homer to which his varied skills and interests can be applied.

Peter Gnad
Peter has lived in Alaskan since the winter of 1961/62. He moved to Fritz Creek in 1972 and has been a Homer resident since 1982. Since 1982 Peter has been in charge of general maintenance at Pratt Museum and is the chief aquarium critter feeder.

Erik Pullman, Technology Administrator
erpErik manages computers and their users at the Pratt through a unique combination of science, meditation, and ignorance. Prior to joining the Pratt, Erik travelled throughout Alaska as an ecologist and wetland scientist for a local consulting firm in Fairbanks. Erik holds a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Clemson University and has been caught teaching science classes at the Kachemak Bay Campus. When not working, he can usually be found playing with his children, sailing on the bay, or making a mess in the kitchen.

Shannon McBride-Morin, Development Associate
Shannon has a background in non-profits, political campaigns, fundraising, event organizing & wilderness guiding. Born and raised in the Homer area, Shannon went "outside" to get a degree in Political Science, then worked in Seattle for the non-profit Brainerd Foundation as a Program Assistant making grants to conservation organizations. She worked on various campaigns in Seattle including as events and volunteer coordinator for an Initiative, then for a growth management organization, 1000 Friends of Washington (now called Futurewise) as special events planner, and in Public Relations for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She & her husband moved back to Homer in 2004 to raise their family. Shannon is the mother of 2 young girls, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Kachemak Kids Early Learning Center. In addition to working part time at the Pratt, she is a Wilderness Guide and the Manager of her family business, the Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge, where she works full time in the summers.

Board of Directors

Mel Strydom, President
Mel Strydom is a local businessman and owner of MSA, Inc. retail liquor sales operating five package store licenses in the city of Homer. He is also the sole proprietor of Mel Strydom & Associates Accounting Services. Mel serves on the finance committee, ensuring long-term and short-term financial planning that allows the museum to fulfill its mission in an efficient and productive manner. As a parent of young children, Mel holds a strong interest in the development of museum exhibits and educational programs. He enjoys time with his family, outdoor activities, politics and bridge. Mr. Strydom was re-elected to a three-year term in 2008. (First elected 2006)

Kristine (Kris) Holderied, Vice President
A physical oceanographer with the National Ocean Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Kris Holderied came to Homer from the Washington, DC area to coordinate research, education and outreach activities at the Kasitsna Bay Laboratory, near Seldovia. Before coming to NOAA she worked on environmental compliance issues for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Norfolk, VA and earlier served on active duty with the U.S. Navy as an oceanography officer (more frequently known as a “weather guesser”). Ms. Holderied holds a B.S., M.S. and is completing doctoral work in physical oceanography. Ms. Holderied was re-elected to a three-year term in 2009. (First elected 2006.)

Julia Clymer, Treasurer
Julia Clymer a certified public accountant working as a Plant Accountant for Homer Electric Association. She has also worked in a public accounting firm that specialized in conducting financial audits for nonprofit organizations statewide. Until 2004 Ms. Clymer served on the staff at the Pratt Museum in various capacities for thirteen years. Her experience with the Museum bridges early days and the very beginning of the sperm whale project to the successful launch of the live web cams and recent major exhibit renovation work. Ms. Clymer was elected to a three-year term in 2009.

Tadd Owens, Secretary
Tadd Owens is Director of Government and Public Affairs for Pioneer Natural Resources Alaska, Inc., an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with operations on the North Slope and in Cook Inlet. Prior to joining Pioneer in 2006, Mr. Owens worked for five years as the executive director of the Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc., a statewide business association representing oil and gas, mining, timber, tourism and fishing interests. Currently, Mr. Owens serves as a board member and immediate past chair of the Alaska Humanities Forum and as an executive committee member of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Owens was elected to a three-year term in 2009. 

George Cutting
George Cutting and his wife, Lucy, have lived in Homer as seasonal residents since 1979. In winter they make their home in Oyster Bay, NY, where he serves on the Board of Directors of the Nassau County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Association. Mr. Cutting is also a Trustee of the Alaska Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. For almost three decades he has been a Pratt Museum supporter in its service to the local community and its commitment to excellence as a community museum and visitor destination. Mr. Cutting was re-elected to a three-year term in 2008. (First elected 2005.)

Tina Day
Tina Day currently runs her own business, T.Day’s Marketing Consultants, focusing on business and program development. Tina was previously the Executive Director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce, where she was responsible for all operations. Notable achievements include implementing a new web site and financial reporting system, growing annual revenue streams, and writing a strategic business plan to grow the organization. Tina’s strengths include senior management, strategic planning, marketing and public relations, government affairs and media relations, fundraising and public speaking. (First elected in 2010.)

Greg Kimura
Dr. G.W. Kimura is a fourth generation Alaskan and holds advanced degrees from Harvard University and Cambridge University. Formerly, he was University chaplain, assistant professor of ethics and humanities, and department chair at Alaska Pacific University. Currently, he is the President/CEO of the Alaska Humanities Forum. Greg would like to see the Pratt continue to flourish in its mission of telling the story of the natural history, ethnography, history, and art of the Kachemak Bay region. He would like to see it continue to grow and both intellectually stimulate and challenge its members and visitors. (First elected in 2010.)

Jane Little
Jane Little has resided in Homer since 1997. She visited the Pratt Museum in 1989 on her first vacation to Homer and was very impressed that Homer had such a wonderful facility. She has volunteered with the museum in a variety of ways since 1999. Ms. Little holds a BPA from the University of San Francisco and is a licensed real estate broker in AZ. Since 1985 she has owned and operated Foothills Home and Gift Gallery in Yuma, AZ. She also owned and operated Kelco Water Engineering, Inc. from 1989-2001, which assembled and manufactured water treatment equipment. Ms. Little was elected to the Board in 2008.

Milli Martin
Milli is past President of the Kenai Borough Assembly, where she served from 2000 through 2009. Her public service experience includes service on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education, Homer Electric Association, KBBI Board of Directors, Homer’s Parks and Recreation Commission, Kenai Peninsula College’s Kachemak Bay Branch Advisory Board, and Kachemak Bay Advisory Planning Commission. Milli has a keen interest in education and outreach and the growth of the Museum. (First elected in 2010.)