Staff

The AHS summer 2021 interns, from left to right: Nick Powers, Michael Webster, Emily Varley, Jordan Lewis, Suzie Brady (Education & Program Assistant), Becca Wilson, Chloe Chantry, Samantha Levy, Chris Ryerson (Summer Docent & Tour Guide)

Kelly Murphy
President & CEO, District Manager
970.925.3721, ext. 101
director @ aspenhistory.org

A licensed attorney, Kelly’s deep love of Aspen and the Valley prompted her to leave law practice and join the staff of the Historical Society in 2014. Kelly first moved to Aspen in 1987, after graduating from the University of Michigan. During the ‘80s, Kelly worked at the Paragon, Andre’s, Timberline Bookstore, the James E. Moore pool, and some other Aspen places that no longer exist. She later worked at Aspen Skiing Company in marketing and public relations before attending law school at the University of Colorado. During law school she interned with the U.S. Department of Justice and federal District Court for the District of Colorado. After earning her law degree, Kelly clerked for the Colorado Supreme Court, practiced civil litigation at large and small Denver-based firms, prosecuted criminal cases as a deputy district attorney at the Boulder District Attorney’s office, and prosecuted ethical violations of attorneys as a trial attorney for the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.  She also practiced at an Aspen litigation firm before joining the Historical Society. Kelly was recently appointed by the Colorado Supreme Court to serve on the Bar Committee of the Colorado State Board of Law Examiners. When she’s not having fun at the Historical Society, Kelly loves spending time with her husband and son, and playing outside in our beautiful Valley.

Nina Gabianelli
Vice President, Education and Programming, CIG, CIT, CIHT
970.925.3721, ext. 104
vpedprogramming @ aspenhistory.org

Nina studied theater and music in college and graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Boston Conservatory. Her career with the Aspen Historical Society began in the spring of 2008. Over that past few years, the education and programming department has increased to three full time staff members, four part time docents, and hires eight interns each summer season. The Aspen Historical Society manages two museums, two ghost towns, offers tours all over town and educates children and adults year round. As a Certified Interpretive Guide, through the National Association for Interpretation, Nina and her staff have created dozens of programs and tours for all ages and abilities. Nina is also a Certified Interpretive Guide and Host Trainer. The Aspen Historical Society holds a place of honor and recognition in our little town and Nina proudly represents our community, by training hotel and guide staffs throughout the Aspen area.

Lisa Hancock
Vice President, Curator of Collections
970.925.3721, ext. 110
curator @ aspenhistory.org

Lisa Hancock, Vice President and Curator, began her museum career in 1990 as the Archivist here at the Aspen Historical Society.  After receiving her BA in Art History from the University of Colorado, Lisa returned to her hometown of Aspen and was able to put her local knowledge to work.  Lisa lives in Aspen with her husband, Jim, and a cat named “Kitty.”

As Curator, Lisa manages the Aspen Historical Society’s collection of over 54,000 items and curates exhibits. Lisa also participates in educational programming, museum planning and site interpretation.

Heather Macdonald
Development Director
970.925.3721, ext. 105
development @ aspenhistory.org

Heather has a BA in Art History from the University of Oregon, Eugene. She studied Ancient Greek and Roman Art History at the graduate level before taking a position as the business manager for a fine arts sculptor in Portland, Oregon. In 2006 she moved to Aspen where she met her husband. Shortly upon her arrival to Aspen she started FuseMedia, an online video marketing company with her husband. Heather worked at the Aspen Chapel as Managing Director for 5 years where she honed her business skills and tenacity for fundraising. Heather joined AHS in 2022 as the Development Director and loves being surrounded by history enthusiasts. In her free time Heather enjoys traveling, taking ceramic classes at CMC, hiking with her dog, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Eliza Greenman Burlingame
Marketing Director
970.925.3721, ext. 102
marketing @ aspenhistory.org

Eliza joined the Aspen Historical Society in 2017 as Marketing Director. Eliza attended Connecticut College where she played on their DIII Women’s Lacrosse team. She graduated Cum Laude with a degree in English Literature and an interdisciplinary certificate in Environmental Studies in 2008. Eliza previously worked as the Marketing Director at Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. Her love for history stems from her historical hometown of Newport, Rhode Island. Eliza and her husband Andrew moved to Aspen from RI in 2008 “for the winter.” Since then, they have enjoyed the community and the histories and natural environments of the Roaring Fork Valley. Eliza loves traveling, cooking, reading, sports, live music and exploring the outdoors with her son Jack.

Suzie Brady
Education and Program Assistant
970.925.3721, ext. 114
programs @ aspenhistory.org

An ambitious history nerd and Colorado native, Suzie was born in Vail, raised in Summit County, and has a deep love for the mountains that have always been her home. From Girl Scouts to the Blue River Horse Center to SOS Outreach, Suzie has been integrally involved in High Country activities, culture, and volunteering; bringing boundless enthusiasm to all her affairs. Suzie’s passion for Theatre took shape during her career at Summit High School, stage managing school and community productions. She continued at Colorado Mountain College (Spring Valley Campus) where she embraced acting in addition to technical production skills. At CMC she also networked into wonderful connections in the Roaring Fork Valley, opening doors into the local community.

Suzie’s insatiable curiosity, as well as passion for research, language, and connecting past to present led her to join the AHS team in 2020 as a summer intern, which progressed into a full time position as the Education and Programs Assistant in October of that same year. Suzie is indescribably excited as she embarks on her new career with AHS.

Megan Cerise
Archive Technician
970.925.3721, ext. 103
archivetechnician @ aspenhistory.org

Megan has a BA in History and Fine Arts from the University of Colorado, Boulder.  She was on the Dean’s List all eight semesters at Boulder, and graduated with distinction. Megan joined AHS as an intern in the summer of 2007 and joined the staff in a full time position in the fall of the same year.  She has completed training through the National Association for Interpretation and is now a certified interpretive guide.  In addition, she has taken several online courses in archival practices.

Jane Click
Docent

Jane Click wears a lot of hats at the Aspen Historical Society. During the winter, she dons a ski helmet while giving ski history tours at Aspen Highlands. In the summer, she puts on a bonnet for West End Walking tours which explore the neighborhood’s architecture and past. Throughout the rest of the year, she wears a thinking cap as a docent at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, giving visitors an intimate exhibit experience. She started out nearly a decade ago, volunteering for the Aspen Music Festival & School, and joined AHS “because it’s quite wonderful, and you get to learn about, and tell, the history of this town which is fascinating.” She’s lived in the valley for more than four decades–three of which were spent running her beloved store Geraniums in Sunshine. Her two daughters, Carrie and Cathy, still call the valley home. Jane can often be seen walking her bichon frise, Casper, around town.

Kelly May
Development Specialist
970.925.3721, ext. 105
devospecialist @ aspenhistory.org

Kelly May is Development Specialist at Aspen Historical Society. She has over a decade of museum experience at the Aspen Art Museum, Elk Grove Historical Museum, and the Figge Art Museum. Previously, she worked at AHS as the Development Director and as a Campaign Associate at the Aspen Music Festival and School. Kelly was raised in Iowa and attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Visual Arts History. While living in Illinois, Kelly earned a MA in Art History and a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies from Northern Illinois University. Kelly is proud to be a thirteen-year Aspen resident and enjoys living here with her husband and two kids.

Travis Lane McDiffett
Facilities Manager
970.925.3721, ext. 107
facilitiesmanager @ aspenhistory.org

Travis Lane McDiffett has many years of education and performance under his belt.  Starting after college, he successfully taught K-8 vocal/instrumental music but then decided to “do” as well as teach and ventured into the world of professional theatre.  Over the past 12 years he has appeared in various venues around the country, most notoriously as a member of The Crystal Palace Theatre Restaurant from 2002 until its demise in 2008.  Although he left for a time the draw of Aspen was inexorable, and in the summer of 2014 he returned first as an intern then transitioned into his current position.  He is excited to be using his education credentials again, as well as for the opportunity to put on his hiking boots, get onto his snowboard and rejoin the wonderful local theatre scene.

Anna Lookabill Scott
Archivist
970.925.3721, ext. 103
archives @ aspenhistory.org

BA in Anthropology/Archaeology, Western Washington University, WA.  Internship at the Whatcom Museum Photo Archives. Employed as an Archaeologist with the BLM in Cottonwood, Idaho- for the Lower Salmon River District in 2000 & ‘01.  Worked as an archaeologist for consulting companies In the Northwest and Colorado, graduated from the Roaring Fork Leadership program in 2007, is a certified interpretive guide for NAI, manages the preservation projects at both ghost town sites and has continued with education courses in archival practices and emergency planning for cultural resources.