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Our Staff & Board

Meet the dynamic group of people responsible for championing the humanities throughout Maryland!

Our Staff

Judy D. Dobbs
Program Officer
Chautauqua & Maryland History Day
(410) 685-4185
Email

Eden Etzel
Program Assistant
Maryland Center for the Book
(410) 685-3715
Email

Adrienne Gieszl
Advancement Associate
(410) 246-9415
Email

Marilyn Hatza
Program Officer
Grants & Strategic Partnerships
(410) 685-4187
Email

Aaron Heinsman
Director of Advancement
(410) 685-4183
Email

Anna Keneda
Program Assistant
Maryland History Day, Chautauqua, Veterans’ Programs
(410) 685-0452
Email

Kelly King
Grants Specialist
(410) 685-1653
Email

Jim Kitterman
Fiscal Officer
(410) 685-4182
Email

Mike Kuethe
Maryland History Day Outreach Assistant
Email

Grace Leatherman
Maryland History Day Outreach Coordinator
Email

Andrea Lewis
Program Officer
Maryland Center for the Book
(410) 685-6161
Email

Susan Millard
Office Manager
(410) 685-4184
Email

Phoebe Stein
Executive Director
(410) 685-0095
Email

Sarah Weissman
Communications Specialist
(410) 685-4186
Email

Theresa Worden
Program Coordinator
Grants & Museum on Main Street
(410) 685-0303
Email

MHC Board Members

Our Board

Cynthia Raposo, Chair
Montgomery County

Keith Stone, Vice Chair
Baltimore City

James (Jim) Cornelsen, Treasurer
Charles County

Silvia Golombek, Secretary
Baltimore County

Ronald (Pete) Lesher, Jr.*,
Government Liaison
Talbot County

Allyson Black
Anne Arundel County

Elizabeth (Liz) Cannon
Frederick County

Scott Casper
Howard County

Mary Kay Finan
Allegany County

Rian Hargrave
Baltimore City

Mary Hastler*
Harford County

Mark Irwin
Montgomery County

Julia (Julie) Madden*
Howard County

Tahira Mahdi
Baltimore County

Tiffany McGhee
Baltimore County

Heather Mitchell
Howard County

Maarten L. Pereboom
Wicomico County

Jeanne Pirtle
St. Mary’s County

Gale Rasin
Kent County

Thomas (Tom) B. Riford
Washington County

Nancy Rogers
Montgomery County

Stephen J. Sfekas
Baltimore City

Jennifer Shea
Montgomery and Talbot Counties

Guffrie M. Smith, Jr.
Calvert County

*Gubernatorial appointee

“[The humanities] are what allow us to see the beauty of the world. I often think that humans are the only species that can reflect on how beautiful the world is, can step back and take intense delight in the sounds and colors of it all, can record not only the world but our reactions to it. The humanities matter because beauty matters.”

Maryland Humanities survey participant
“I feel very proud and happy that I did this, it motivates me to learn more about history. My opinion of history has changed. It made me more motivated to learn about history and it seems much more interesting now.”

Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, student participant
“Funding from the Maryland Humanities to distribute our first publication allowed Wide Angle Youth Media to expand our reach and share youth voice in a way we have never done before. With your support, this project has not only been successful in programmatic outcomes, but has inspired and empowered young people, giving them the platform to become published artists and share their voices in our city and beyond.”

Wide Angle Youth Media, Humanities Fund for Baltimore grantee, Baltimore City
I enjoyed it as much as the students.

Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, veteran participant
“The humanities allow us to learn about lives and experiences that are different than our own through compelling and engrossing experiences.”

Maryland Humanities survey participant
“Humanities are the core of everything. You cannot be a good scientist or computer programmer, if you cannot communicate clearly with others and understand others. Humanities studies and scholarships are the essential element in learning how to relate to each other AND how to better communicate with one another.”

Maryland Humanities survey participant
“Over the past few years, I have noticed a decline in the number of students who read for pleasure. This type of contest certainly fosters that love of reading.”

Letters About Literature teacher
“[My son] became a real expert in his topic and, he says, developed a life-long love of history, especially the history of music. I cannot thank you enough for this rare and incredible opportunity.”

Andrea LeWinter, parent of Maryland History Day participant
“My students became more competent researchers, and took ownership of their work. They had total free reign to choose their topic, direct their research, and create their final project.”

Maryland History Day 2015 Teacher
“[This panel provided] interesting insights into areas of our community that I don’t get by direct observation.”

Pulitzer Panel attendee
“Left on my own, I would choose the same kind of books over and over again. Now, [participating in One Maryland One Book,] my reading experience is broader and richer and all the more enjoyable.”

One Maryland One Book 2016 participant
“I feel more connected to history.”

Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, student participant
“[Lifelong learning] means that we are forever students, constantly discovering, researching, exploring, and challenging ourselves.”

Maryland Humanities survey participant
“This contest gives [students] a chance to practice [letter writing] while also expressing themselves about a work of literature or a particular author that has made an impact on them personally. As a teacher, I benefit from reading the letters because I always learn new things about each student.”

Letters About Literature teacher
“[My favorite part of the tour was] learning about some of the people and places I hadn’t realized were part of Baltimore’s past.”

Literary Mount Vernon Walking Tour Participant

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