Our Staff & Board

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

Group photo of Maryland Humanities staff

Our Staff

Isabella Altherr
Program Assistant
Chautauqua, Maryland History Day & Maryland Voices
(410) 685-0452
Email

Lia Atanat
Maryland History Day Outreach & Professional Development Coordinator
Email

Stephanie Boyle
Program Officer
Chautauqua, Maryland History Day & Maryland Voices
(410) 685-4185
Email

Adrienne Cassara
Advancement & Grants Program Associate
(410) 246-9415
Email

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

Marilyn Hatza
Program Officer
Grants & Community Outreach
(410) 685-4187
Email

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

Kelly King
Grants Specialist
(410) 685-1653
Email

Jim Kitterman
Fiscal Officer
(410) 685-4182
Email

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

Susan Millard
Office Manager
(410) 685-4184
Email

Sarah Weissman
Communications Specialist
(410) 685-4186
Email

Grace Woodward
Maryland History Day Outreach & Professional Development Assistant
Email

Theresa Worden
Program Officer
Traveling Exhibitions & Program Evaluation
(410) 685-0303
Email

Our Board

Cynthia Raposo, Chair
Montgomery County

Keith Stone, Vice Chair
Baltimore City

James (Jim) Cornelsen, Treasurer
Charles County

Scott Casper, Secretary
Howard County

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

Allyson Black
Anne Arundel County

Mary Callis*
Garrett County

Mary Kay Finan
Allegany County

Mary Hastler*
Harford County

Mark Irwin
Montgomery County

Julia (Julie) Madden*
Howard County

Tiffany McGhee
Baltimore County

Heather Mitchell
Howard County

Ronald (Ron) H. Nowaczyk
Allegany County

Randy Ontiveros
Prince Georges 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

Carmel Roques
Howard County

Stephen J. Sfekas
Baltimore City

Jennifer Shea
Montgomery County

Guffrie M. Smith, Jr.
Calvert County

Sharon Whitney
Anne Arundel County

Jayson Williams
Baltimore City

*Gubernatorial appointee

Are you or is someone you know passionate about the humanities and lifelong learning and have an interest in volunteer service? Consider nominating yourself or them to our Board of Directors.

FIND OUT MORE

 

  • “The part of History Day that had the most impact on me was seeing all the other entries and entry categories. It was really inspiring to see so many different people of history honored for their leadership and legacy as that was this years theme. You forget that the whole world has a history and there are so many different people and leaders who make up that history. The fact that this day brings together all of us students, our imaginations, our creativity, research skills, and history really reminds you how much of us would be lost if we didn’t remember those who made an impact.”

    ​Maryland History Day student participant

  • “Being a part of the group provided me with a safe area to revisit my thoughts and feelings on my experience during the war.”

    Veterans Book Group participant

  • “This Maryland Humanities grant is absolutely vital to the mission of our non-profit organization devoted to archaeological research and public education. Simply put, we could not have carried out our ambitious exhibit projects without this much-appreciated support. Maryland Humanities has enabled us to share meaningful stories and engage audiences in innovative and creative ways. The platform they have provided strengthens our organization and the community we serve. Thank you!”

    Lost Towns Project, Inc., Major Grant recipient, Anne Arundel County

  • “One student who has been held back several years and suffers from emotional disorders spent several minutes asking One Maryland One Book [author Daniel James Brown] questions. He very patiently listened and answered each question. He then signed her book: ‘Write with your heart not your head.’ To watch this interaction was very touching.”

    One Maryland One Book 2015 teacher

  • “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

  • “[After Literature & Medicine,] I sat and spoke with a terrified family member for much longer than I would have. Building a rapport is so important for the patient’s and family’s mental health.”

    Literature & Medicine participant

  • “This oral history experience was amazing. I learned so much and will never forget this. I LOVED IT, I was super skeptical at first. I felt like we had a lack of planning but I think everything went so great.”

    ​Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, student participant

  • “[The humanities] provide us with tools and perspectives to analyze and interpret social phenomena with different lenses; they open up perspectives we may not have thought about and help us look at issues in more empathic ways.”

    ​Maryland Humanities survey participant

  • “[I enjoyed the] thoughtful discussion about complex social issues that gave me hope for our future.”

    Pulitzer 100 event attendee

  • “I want to thank you for opening the door to writing about reading… By providing students with the opportunity to write about a genre and a book that is of interest, they are more willing to open up, get personal, and write to their full potential. It is amazing what children are able to produce when they enjoy the task at hand.”

    ​Letters About Literature teacher

  • “For most of my 10th grade students, this was the first book they have read from cover to cover.”

    One Maryland One Book 2016 teacher

  • “I met some great people, read books I might never have otherwise, [and] had great discussion.”

    Veterans Book Group participant

  • “[Literature & Medicine] has allowed me to see the perspective of other health care professionals.”

    Literature & Medicine participant

  • “The topic, readings and discussions have encouraged me to consider other ways of interacting with patients and families in the context of culture, lifestyle and economics.”

    Literature & Medicine participant
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About Us
Maryland Humanities is a statewide, educational nonprofit organization that creates and supports educational experiences in the humanities that inspire all Marylanders to embrace lifelong learning, exchange ideas openly, and enrich their communities.
Maryland Humanities
108 West Centre Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-4565
(410) 685-0095
(410) 685-0795 fax
info@mdhumanities.org
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