2026 AASLH Election – Candidate Information
Voting is now open in the annual Council and Leadership Nominating Committee elections. All AASLH members received a ballot via email. If you did not receive a ballot, please contact us at 615-320-3203 or [email protected]. We encourage you to participate in the election and cast your vote! The election closes on May 15.
This year, there are three Officer candidates, four candidates for four spots on the AASLH Council, and six candidates for three spots on the Leadership Nominating Committee.
Positions
LEADERSHIP NOMINATING COMMITTEE
There are six candidates for three open positions with a three-year term. The AASLH Leadership Nominating Committee selects candidates for AASLH Council members, Council officers, and members of the Leadership Nominating Committee in the context of AASLH’s strategic focus and needs.
Brandon Dillard
Candidate Statement: Perfectly situated between practice and theory, AASLH stands for the importance of honest reckoning in a crucial moment. I always feel camaraderie and support with AASLH. For these reasons and more, it is an honor to submit my candidacy for the AASLH Leadership Nominating Committee. If elected, I will work to help select those leaders who can both support the great work of previous generations and advance AASLH forward. My research meets in the intersections of public memory, identity, and power, with specific focus on interpretive techniques to reach broad audiences across differences. I regularly consult and lecture at museums and institutions across the United States and the globe, which situates me well for this role. I firmly believe in the power of place, the importance of museums, and the unflinching study of complex shared histories as foundational for civic renewal, inspiration, and as a catalyst for human futurist imagination.
Biography: Brandon Dillard is Director of Historic Interpretation and Audience Engagement at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. He trains and consults towards best practices, primarily focused on the interpretation of slavery and Indigenous perspectives. He began as a part-time tour guide and has held various positions while simultaneously furthering his education. He also spent many years in the service industry and an ethos of service still informs his work ethic and interpretive approach. Brandon is a Cherokee Nation citizen, a first-generation college graduate, and the child of a single mother and formerly incarcerated father. He passionately believes that studying the past can help us create a better future. Currently at UNC Chapel Hill working towards a doctorate in American Studies, his research investigates relationships between Indigenous memory and identity across the Americas. Brandon knows first-hand that museums and education can change lives and broaden horizons. He is dedicated to enthusiastically and broadly sharing that insight.
Dr. Nalleli Guillen
Candidate Statement: I have never felt more proud, tested, or exhausted as a historian and museum curator than in our current cultural climate. In my heart, I have always been a researcher and a storyteller. Nothing brings me more joy than uncovering untold stories found in the archives and objects to share with the public. Encountering a vestige from the past and the stories it tells can be a deeply moving experience, whether it be an advertising broadside, a painted miniature, or a canned jelly jar of “space tomatoes.” To see the purpose and even value of truthful, inclusive storytelling so frankly challenged is alarming. However, throughout these trying times however, I have sought and found support and community within AASLH and it would be my honor to serve the organization as a member of the Leadership Nominating Committee.
Biography: Dr. Nalleli Guillen (she/her) is the Vice President of Interpretation and Curator of History at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas. She holds degrees from New York University and the University of Delaware, the latter where she completed her master’s degree in American Material Culture Studies and in 2018, earned her PhD from the History of American Civilization Program. Prior to returning to her hometown to join the Witte team, she honed her understanding of the museum field at a variety of different types of institutions. She has worked at Winterthur Museum & Gardens in Delaware, the then Brooklyn Historical Society (now Center for Brooklyn History) in New York, Minnetrista Museum & Gardens in Indiana, and the Art Museums at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Her specialty and passion lie in object-centric storytelling and activating museum collections to explore local stories and the histories of underrepresented communities.
Carolyn Keogh
Candidate Statement: As a museum educator for 15 years, I am passionate about making museums and historic sites accessible to as wide an audience as possible. I recognize that I am passionate about museums partially because I grew up feeling comfortable in museum spaces, a privilege afforded to me by my upbringing, socioeconomic status, and position in the world. I have consistently prioritized making historic and cultural sites more approachable to students, families, and learners from diverse geographic, economic, and racial backgrounds. This aim has undergirded my work as the Director of Education & Public Programs at The Olana Partnership where I lead interdisciplinary programs at the landmark historic site and my time working at the Guggenheim. As an AASLH conference presenter and writer for History News, I would welcome the opportunity to deepen my relationship with this vital organization and bring my perspective on equity and education to the Leadership Nominating Committee.
Biography: Carolyn Keogh is the Director of Education and Public Programs at The Olana Partnership where she oversees programs for diverse learners of all ages at the renowned landmark historic site, Olana. Previously, Carolyn managed school, youth, and teen programs at the Guggenheim Museum. She has presented at national conferences on intergenerational art and technology programs, inclusive historic farm interpretation, and visitor-centric teacher development. In 2025, she was one of 25 art and museum educators selected for the National Art Education Association’s School for Arts Leaders at Crystal Bridges. Her research on empathy-building and art museum education was published in Theory and Practice in 2019 and she has been published in AASLH’s History News. Carolyn received her BA from NYU in Art History and an MA in Art History with a focus on Art Museum Education from City College.
Jina Lee
Candidate Statement: It is my distinct honor to be considered for the AASLH Leadership Nominating Committee, as I have been committed to serving the public history field and this stellar community of state and local historians for the past six years. I have served on many committees including those for developing the conference program, national awards program, diversity & inclusion, and the next-generation membership committee. As an organization and committee member, I have thoroughly expanded my professional network of historians at varying institutions and would like to identify those who can lead AASLH as effective and proactive members on Council. The history field needs strong leaders who are willing to advocate for good history and defend it at all costs. I can assist in this endeavor with those I already know and with those I will bring into this community.
Biography: Jina Lee is a Management Specialist with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and has been with the Smithsonian Institution (SI) for 18 years. Her work experiences center around museum administration and collections acquisitions, as well as establishing national and international strategic partnerships. She worked at the Smithsonian American Art Museum prior to her time at NMAAHC. She is the former Chair of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Alliance, one of the six employee resource groups at SI. In terms of serving the AASLH community, Jina has served as the Regional Chair of the AASLH National Awards Committee for Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Jina also served on the 2020 and 2021 AASLH Program Committee and is currently the Chair of the Next-Generation Membership Committee. Jina is a graduate of Rice University and holds a Master’s in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University.
Erik London
Candidate Statement: My first experience with AASLH was in 2013, when the annual conference was held in Birmingham, Alabama. It was my first exposure to the depth and breadth of our field and was a truly inspiring experience. Since that time, I have gone to every AASLH annual conference I can, and the lessons learned and connections made at each have been a heavy influence on my professional work. I have also been lucky enough to assist and promote the work of AASLH over the years and watching AASLH continue to grow and adapt and meet the moment has been a privilege. AASLH has positioned itself as a true leader in the field, at a time when that leadership is needed most. I look forward to assisting this important work in any way I can, and it is an honor to be nominated to serve on this committee.
Biography: Erik London serves as the Museum Services Coordinator for the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH). In this role, he consults with local history organizations across Alabama promoting and teaching national best practices. He has worked in museums for over 13 years and earned his MA and Public History Certification from Auburn University. London has been trained by both FEMA and the Smithsonian on disaster preparedness and emergency response for cultural institutions. He currently serves as president of the Alabama Museums Association, chair of the Field Services Alliance, as a peer reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums, and as a field reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Humanities. London is an active member of the National Heritage Responders and has served on various AASLH committees, including the Small Museums Committee, Program Committees, and the Leadership in History Awards Committee.
Alexandrea Pizza
Candidate Statement: Twenty years ago, after a cold call to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to ask about careers in museums, I landed my first museum job. Today, that same curiosity remains a pillar of my leadership. As museum professionals, we must be curious enough to ask questions and courageous enough to listen to the answers. As director of an art and history museum, I have insight into two different but complementary fields of study and have found that history museums are leading the way in authentic engagement. The Black Lives Matter Movement forced museums to ask hard questions about the role we play in society. Members of AASLH listened and took difficult steps to change the narrative. As a member of the LNC, I will bring the curiosity and courage it takes to ensure that the strategic needs of AASLH continue to align with the needs of our diverse museum community.
Biography: Alexandrea Pizza is Executive Director of the Gaston County Museum of Art & History outside Charlotte, North Carolina, where she leads a team of creative individuals who are passionate about community-centered museum practices. Alexandrea believes that museums should spur curiosity and connection and balances that vision with the changing cultural identity of a rapidly growing region in the American South. She is dedicated to building strong workplace culture grounded in courageous leadership and authenticity and speaks regularly on the role of women in leadership. Previously, she served as Director of Preservation at Belmont Abbey College and holds an MA in Arts Administration from Winthrop University, a BFA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and conservation training from the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries. Alexandrea served on the North Carolina Preservation Consortium, the Cornelius Historic Preservation Commission, and is active in organizations serving LGBTQIA+ youth, foster children, and the unhoused.
OFFICERS
There are three candidates for three open positions, each with a two-year term.
Vice Chair – Rebekah Beaulieu
The Vice Chair becomes the Chair of the association after two years; presides at meetings of the association, Council, and Executive Committee in the absence of the Chair; and shall perform such duties as the Chair, Council, or the Executive Committee may from time-to-time assign.
Candidate Statement: As a longtime member of AASLH, it would be a distinct honor to continue my service to the organization as its Vice Chair. AASLH is a unique organization in its commitment to benefiting museums and historic sites of all sizes, offering meaningful professional development opportunities to its members, and leading national advocacy efforts. The opportunities to serve AASLH as Treasurer, HLI faculty, Small Museum Pro online course instructor, chair of the host committee for the 2025 Annual Conference, and editor of the AASLH book series have informed my work as a museum leader and history professional. I deeply respect the work of AASLH and look forward to partnering with the Council, staff, and membership of AASLH to ensure its vitality and future sustainability.
Biography: Rebekah “Becky” Beaulieu, PhD, is the Louise Taft Semple President & CEO of the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has worked in art museums and historic sites for over two decades, mainly in New England and the Midwest. Becky is the author of multiple publications on museum finance and has lectured extensively on museum administration. She previously served on the boards of the New England Museum Association and Connecticut Humanities and recently concluded a five-year term on the American Alliance of Museums’ Accreditation Commission. She now serves on the AAM Board of Directors as Treasurer, a role she held for AASLH from 2020 through 2024. Since 2022, Becky has served as series editor of the AASLH book series for Bloomsbury Publishing. Becky is also a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors.
Treasurer – Christie Weininger
The Treasurer is responsible for reviewing and overseeing the financial administration policies and procedures of the Association on behalf of the membership and Council and chairs the Finance Committee.
Candidate Statement: AASLH has been a trusted resource and source of inspiration throughout my career. It has been very meaningful for me to serve a second term on its Council as treasurer. I have years of experience overseeing the budgets and financial reporting systems of many county, statewide, and national organizations. As Treasurer, I will work with Council and AASLH leadership to ensure that the organization remains fiscally responsible and sustainable, and capitalizes on opportunities to thrive.
Biography: Christie Weininger is the Executive Director of the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont, Ohio. Christie holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Otterbein University and a master’s degree in history from the University of Toledo. Christie spent a semester at Roehampton Institute in Wimbledon, England, where studying local history meant working with documents that were 600 years old. Christie is a former adjunct instructor of Public History and Ohio History at Heidelberg University and Bowling Green State University. Christie is a past president of the Ohio Local History Alliance and chaired that organization’s Advocacy Committee. She also served the Ohio Academy of History as chair of the Public History Committee. She is currently president of the Ohio Travel Association and vice president of the Ohio Museums Association. Christie loves to road trip around the country in a car filled with friends, family, snacks, and a road atlas.
Secretary – Leo E. Landis
The Secretary serves on the Executive Committee and certifies the minutes of the Association, the Council, and the Executive Committee and has other duties typically ascribed to the office of Secretary.
Candidate Statement: I first became a member of AASLH in graduate school. I remember an essay in History News by David Crosson on museum collecting and collections titled “Museums and Social Responsibility: A Cautionary Tale.” It has served as a continuing reference to me as a public historian. I began my career as a costumed interpreter and remain committed to the visitor experience. I’m mindful of the biases I have. I also value the range of membership of AASLH. It is imperative that AASLH meets the needs of the breadth of its membership. The deep value of AASLH is that we offer relationships and tools to make every member and member organization better. We push each other to think and reflect. We help each other build capacity. AASLH to me is most valuable when it challenges our understanding of history, helps build meaning, and is meaningful to its members.
Biography: Leo E. Landis is Director of Curatorial Services at the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS). Prior to joining WHS he served as state curator and museum curator for the State Historical Society of Iowa. A Midwestern historian and award-winning curator, Landis has worked at a historic house museum and at sites and museums including Living History Farms in Iowa, Conner Prairie in Indiana, and the Henry Ford in Michigan. He has served on the boards of the Association for Living History, Farms and Agricultural Museums, Iowa Museum Association, and the AASLH Council. He has also served as a state representative for AASLH’s Leadership in History Awards Committee and assisted in revising the awards criteria in 2015. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Iowa State University and a master’s from Eastern Illinois University. He has done additional graduate work at Iowa State University.
COUNCIL
There are four candidates for four open positions with a four-year term. The AASLH Council sets policy and provides leadership for the association, is responsible for strategic planning, ensures adequate financial resources are available, supervises and supports the President & CEO, and represents AASLH members and the field at large.
Alison Bruesehoff
Candidate Statement: I have been the Executive Director at Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site and Museum for 10 years. My values include making sure history is relevant to everyone, that historical venues have resilience in our current times, and we all can use the resources we share collectively. Being on the AASLH Council will enable me to bring those values to the organization and the organizations it serves. My hope is to ensure that the Council serves its community with the intent and purpose being to foster knowledge of all histories and to be able to share all histories. The Council is an important member in the history field and serves as an advocate for history. It would be an honor to be part of that role.
Biography: Alison Bruesehoff has been a leader in the nonprofit world, specifically museums, for 22 years. Currently Executive Director of Rancho Los Cerritos (RLC) Historic Site, she’s spent the last eight years overseeing its operations and growth. In addition to RLC’s ongoing maintenance and restoration, she’s led initiatives including the “Looking Back to Advance Forward” multi-million-dollar storm water recapture and reuse project, creation and execution of a strategic master plan process, the newly reimagined 4th grade school tour experience, and extensive DEIA stakeholder training and implementation. A true community partner, much of Alison’s time is spent working with multiple Southern California organizations.
Shawn Halifax
Candidate Statement: I bring over 30 years of experience and a record of leadership within AASLH. I began my involvement advocating for history workers in local parks and went on to found and chair the History in Our Parks Taskforce, leading its transition into a formal AASLH Affinity Group. I champion small nonprofit history organizations, where limited staff balance multiple roles while serving their communities. I advocate for expanded professional development, ethical interpretation, and frontline history workers. Many work in underpaid or volunteer positions yet represent our institutions and engage the public in complex histories. To support them, I co-created and led the Smithsonian’s NMAAHC Ethical Interpretation Workshop, advancing ethical, evidence-based practice. If elected, I will foster a more inclusive, curious, and nuanced profession that strengthens organizations of all sizes and supports those doing the work every day. I look forward to giving back to AASLH which does so much to advance our field.
Biography: Shawn Halifax has worked across the field of public history in government and nonprofit organizations. Serving at every level—from frontline volunteer to executive director to independent consultant—he brings a broad, practical perspective. He is currently Executive Director of Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm in Charlottesville, Virginia. Previously, he led two National Trust for Historic Preservation sites: Woodlawn and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Virginia. For nearly 20 years, he led history interpretation and education efforts for Charleston County Parks in South Carolina and later served as an internal history interpretation consultant for Fairfax County Parks in Virginia. He also led the Commonwealth of Virginia’s ownership transfer of the Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe during its transition from US Army post to National Monument. He works to ensure history museums and sites cultivate curiosity and welcome all without judgment or exclusion.
Mia Nagawiecki
Candidate Statement: Throughout my career in history education and museum leadership, AASLH has been an important source of inspiration and field-wide leadership. I believe deeply that history organizations play a vital role in building community and supporting a healthy democracy. By helping people engage with evidence, context, and multiple perspectives, we foster the historical literacy necessary for informed civic participation. In my work, I have focused on expanding access to high-quality, meaningful history through collaborative efforts that build bridges among public history institutions of all sizes and types and learners of all kinds, including teachers, students, and lifelong learners. I would be honored to serve on the AASLH Council to support AASLH’s mission and to serve its members and our broader field so we can continue to expand our collective impact.
Biography: Mia Nagawiecki is the Royce R. and Kathryn M. Baker Senior Vice President, Education at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, where she leads all interpretive and educational initiatives. She is spearheading history.org, a national digital platform connecting educators to curated primary sources and museum-based learning from more than 50 partner institutions. Prior to joining Colonial Williamsburg in 2022, Nagawiecki served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Center for Civic Education, advancing civic and constitutional learning nationwide. She previously served as Vice President for Education at the New-York Historical Society, where she led the transformation of its education division into an award-winning national provider. Nagawiecki serves on the board of the National Council for History Education. She holds a BA in History from Barnard College and an MA in American Studies from Columbia University.
Whitney Owens
Candidate Statement: Whitney Owens is Chief Learning Officer for the Cincinnati Museum Center, where she leads research, collections, education, community engagement, and exhibit development. Owens has spent 28 years creating museum experiences that engage and inspire audiences of all ages. She previously led exhibitions at The Field Museum and served as Interim VP of Education & Collections at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, with additional roles at London’s Natural History Museum and Kansas City’s Union Station. Owens is a fellow of the Noyce Leadership Institute, the IDEAL Center (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access through Leadership), and Leadership Cincinnati. She holds a BA from Northwestern University and an MA in Cultural Management from the City University of London. She serves on the boards of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and is a previous board president of the Association of Midwest Museums. She co-chaired AASLH’s 2025 annual conference.
Biography: We moved constantly during my childhood, and amid a lot of change, museums and books became mainstay sources of solace, wonder, and delight. As co-chair of AASLH’s 2025 conference, I watched something similar happen as attendees connected, learned, and engaged deeply amidst a turbulent time. Through “Making History at 250” and other seminal reports, I’ve used AASLH’s resources to broaden how we think and talk about the importance of history. As a Council member, I would seek to foster these connections and learning—among members, with potential supporters and advocates, and within our communities. I believe that history museums can change the world because we make people care about the past, apply it to the present, and find new ways of thinking about the future. As an AASLH Council Member, I would like to work with others to help AASLH become even more relevant and responsive within our communities.