Our Staff & Board

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

Maryland Humanities Staff as of March 2021
Our staff as of March 2021 (not pictured: Lia Atanat, Adrienne Cassara)

Our Staff

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

Lia Atanat
Maryland History Day Outreach & Professional Development Coordinator
Email

Lindsey Baker
Executive Director
(410) 685-0095
Email

Stephanie Boyle
Program Officer
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
Director of Grants & Community Outreach
(410) 685-4187
Email

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

Jack Hollerbach
Financial Consultant
Email

Kelly King
Grants Specialist
(410) 685-1653
Email

Andrea Lewis
Director of Programs
(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

Mary Hastler*
Chair
Harford County

Keith Stone
Vice Chair
Baltimore City

Mark Irwin
Secretary
Montgomery County

James (Jim) Cornelsen
Treasurer
Charles County

Julia (Julie) Madden*
Government Liaison
Howard County

Cynthia Raposo
Immediate Past Chair
Montgomery County

Mary Callis*
Garrett County

Chanel Compton
Baltimore City

Mary Kay Finan
Allegany County

Ronald (Pete) Lesher, Jr.*
Talbot County

Tiffany McGhee
Baltimore County

Alicia Jones McLeod
Baltimore County

Heather Mitchell
Howard County

Ronald (Ron) H. Nowaczyk
Allegany County

Randy Ontiveros
Prince Georges County

Soo Park
Baltimore County

Maarten L. Pereboom
Wicomico County

Jeanne Pirtle
St. Mary’s County

Thomas (Tom) B. Riford
Washington County

Nancy Rogers
Montgomery County

Carmel Roques
Howard County

Jennifer Shea
Montgomery County

Saima Sitwat
Baltimore City

Guffrie M. Smith, Jr.
Calvert County

Sharon Whitney
Anne Arundel County

Jayson Williams
Baltimore City

Allyson Black Woodson
Anne Arundel County

*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

 

  • “In a test-driven educational system, we can sometimes lose sight of what is important. Allowing students time to read and discuss literature can never be underestimated. I appreciate that Letters About Literature recognizes, promotes, and fosters the importance of literature by getting students to write to authors. This contest gives students the opportunity to really think about how a piece has impacted them. I know that the authors don’t necessarily read the letters addressed to them through the contest, but my students have often sent an additional copy of their letter to the author. The euphoria and excitement that comes over the kids who are lucky enough to have the author respond is heart-warming. Just this past year, a student of mine received a personal letter, an autographed book, and other items of appreciation from the author he wrote to.”

    ​Letters About Literature teacher

  • “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

  • “My students have been removed from their home schools. Right away, they made comments about the diction of the text, how it seemed realistic to them and they pointed out words they would have changed. We talked about word choice, slang, etc. I had 2 instances where students were excited to see me because they had events similar to the book happen to them and they needed to tell someone. They want to know how to change things. […] These kids typically failed English class or were chronic non-attenders or were removed before they came here. They are excited about reading a book! Teacher librarian win!”

    One Maryland One Book 2016 teacher

  • I thought the interview was gonna be boring but since it happened I had a lot of fun learning about my veteran’s experiences.

    Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, student participant

  • “Lifelong learning is a philosophy, practice, and lifestyle that I’ve long advocated for in both my professional and personal lives. In the rapid pace, constantly changing, technological, social, and cultural environments we find ourselves in, a continuous adjustment to change is necessary. Lifelong learning is essential to understanding where we’ve been, where we are, and where we want to go, both as individuals and as a society.”

    ​Maryland Humanities survey participant

  • “I had never done anything like this before so it was a totally new experience to write a paper, be interviewed, and defend my positions. I now really know how to do research and it has improved my writing skills.”

    ​Maryland History Day student

  • We were really moved by the testimony of the veterans and impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the students.

    Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, parent

  • “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

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

    Literature & Medicine participant

  • I enjoyed it very much and I learned quite a lot. I think there is a lot that can be learned from these experiences and I think this could be a positive experience for the veterans also.

    Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, student participant

  • “Humanities are stories of human endeavor. They are at the root of who we are as human beings. The humanities matter because the better we understand and appreciate each other’s cultural and creative foundations the stronger we all become. We then have the ability to work together to solve the problems we all face.”

    ​Maryland Humanities survey 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

  • “The opportunity to host the Smithsonian’s “The Way We Worked” exhibition allowed Sumner Hall to develop meaningful companion exhibits that can remain open to the public in the future. Exhibitions across the county were co-curated by community tradition-bearers, scholars, and college students, empowering citizens of diverse backgrounds to work together to tell their own often-untold stories.”

    Barbara Foster, Vice President, G.A.R. Post #25 Sumner Hall, Chestertown, MD, Host Site, Museum on Main Street

  • “For the second year, my students are demonstrating an enthusiasm and effort that surpasses what they usually display. I know this is due to the wonderful opportunity you provide – a chance to write to their favorite author. Authentic communication truly inspires my students! … I am confident that this will become a significant memory in my students’ sixth grade experience. How wonderful that it should promote the beauty and the strength of the written word.”

    Letters About Literature teacher

  • “What a discussion! That what’s needed in every town, city, and every age group.”

    One Maryland One Book 2016 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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