The support of our generous donors and members is a crucial element of the museum’s ability to advance its mission and strategic plan. The Advancement Department ensures the vitality of this support through the establishment and maintenance of long-term partnerships with individuals, corporate entities, foundations, and officials at all levels of government. In sustaining and growing these partnerships, the department raises funds for annual operations and programs, capital improvements, endowment growth, acquisitions, and special projects. Special events are a key component of this work, and each year the team develops a calendar designed to provide opportunities for meaningful and enduring engagement with the museum and its programming. The Advancement Department is also responsible for growing and activating a vibrant community of members, whose involvement is a longstanding tradition of the museum.

Annise Celano
Membership Engagement Coordinator

Elizabeth Getman
Manager of Events

Mary Margaret Keenan-Brown
Events Coordinator

Meredith Grube
Manager of Advancement Services

Dana Hogan, PhD
Manager of Philanthropy

JoAnne Will-Kaminski
Travel Coordinator

Carly Kirchberger
Associate Director of Advancement

Meghan Pipe
Assistant Manager of Government & Foundation Relationships

Mary Cate Kubera
Facility Rental Coordinator

Kate Brown
Manager of Donor Relations

Sabrina Samol
Membership Associate

The Archives and Special Collections Department ensures the long-term preservation and accessibility of information that is of enduring historical value to the museum, staff, and external scholars and researchers. Some of these records include exhibition files, administrative documents, photographs, publications, ephemera, and special collections, such as rare books and the Clyfford Still Photo-Documentation Collection. Archives and Special Collections collaborates with all departments throughout the institution to continue strengthening the museum’s collective memory.

Gabrielle Carlo
Archivist

The Art Preparation Department works closely with the Curatorial, Registration, and Facilities Departments to aid in the care, housing, and display of objects in the museum’s Fine Art Collection. As needed, the department also helps bring Public Art Initiative projects to fruition. The department oversees all aspects of the handling, movement, and installation of art throughout the museum’s main campus, in its storage facilities, and in regional exhibition locations, ensuring the safe installation of all collection artworks, loaned artworks, and exhibitions.

Ryan McDaniel
Head of Art Preparation
 
Eileen Saracino
Senior Art Preparator
 
Patrick Robideau
Art Preparator & Lighting Technician
 
Mary Kwandras
Art Preparator
 
Christine Miller
Art Preparator
 
Natalie Snyder
Art Preparator
 
Samantha Diaz
Art Preparator
 
Jeffrey Koroski
Art Preparator

The Communications Department develops and disseminates information about the museum’s identity, operations, and strategic goals to the media and the general public. The department promotes exhibitions, events, donations, research initiatives, staff members, and the museum’s campus development and expansion project through strategic publicity campaigns, media events, marketing, advertising, and more.

The department tracks and responds to incoming media inquiries, develops strategies for effective informational campaigns about museum activities, and approves advertisements for exhibitions and public programs. The Communications team also facilitates all interviews and media interactions with museum staff, collaborators, and artists. Among the events that the department plans and stages are press previews, press conferences, and photo opportunities for exhibitions, public art installations, and announcements related to the future Buffalo AKG Art Museum.

Woodrow Brown, PhD
Director of Communications

Andrew Mayer
Manager of Marketing and Media Relations

The Curatorial Department’s primary responsibility is to steward the development, care, installation, research, and interpretation of the museum’s Fine Art Collection, which comprises more than 7,000 works of modern and contemporary art by a diverse range of artists from around the world. The Fine Art Collection is noteworthy for late-nineteenth-century Impressionist favorites, a remarkable group of early modernist works from the beginning of the twentieth century, a world-renowned collection of mid-twentieth-century American painting, and a growing collection of cutting-edge international contemporary art from recent decades. Generous gifts of works from artists themselves have been transformational to the collection, including major bequests from Clyfford Still (American, 1904–1980) and Marisol (María Sol Escobar, Venezuelan and American, born France, 1930–2016). The curators lead the Buffalo AKG’s robust program of innovative special exhibitions, exhibition partnerships with other museums, and rotating installations of the Fine Art Collection. The Curatorial Department oversees additional departments, including those responsible for the museum’s Archives and Special Collections, Art Preparation, Imaging and Visual Resources, Public Art, and Registration.

Cathleen Chaffee, PhD
Charles Balbach Chief Curator

Holly E. Hughes
Godin-Spaulding Senior Curator for the Collection

Andrea Alvarez, PhD
Associate Curator

Helga Christoffersen
Curator-at-Large, Curator of the Nordic Art & Culture Initiative

Katie O'Hara
Assisstant Curator

Melissa Fanton
Curatorial Department Assistant

Aaron Ott
Curator of Public Art

Eric Jones
Public Art Projects Manager

Zack Boehler
Assistant Curator, Special Projects

The Executive Offices aligns and connects the museum and its varying operational streams to the broader museum field, ultimately positioning the Buffalo AKG strategically in local, national, and international realms. The Executive Offices chart a strategic direction and make operational decisions that guide the manifestation of the museum’s mission. Through cooperative work with the Board of Directors, thoughtful strategic and annual planning, and coordination of internal workflows, lines of business, exhibitions management, and the visitor experience, the Executive Offices provide leadership and scaffolding for informed decision-making at all levels of the museum. 

Janne Sirén, PhD
Peggy Pierce Elfvin Director

Jillian Jones
Deputy Director

Christine Goerss-Barton
Director of Museum Experiences

Danielle Sansanese
Executive Assistant to the Director

Caroline Gerwitz
Associate, Executive Offices

Pamela Martin
Senior Manager of Operations

Maialen Martinez
Exhibitions Manager

The Facilities Department is responsible for the cleaning, building maintenance, groundskeeping, and interior climate control at the Buffalo AKG’s Elmwood Avenue campus. Continuous monitoring and adjustment of mechanical systems is required to maintain the critical environment needed for the wellbeing of the museum’s Fine Art Collection. The Facilities team also works closely with museum’s curators to modify and transform galleries in preparation for temporary exhibitions. Currently the team is providing logistical support and planning for the AK360 Campus Development and Expansion Project.

Jamie Robideau
Director of Facilities, Planning, and Management

Louis Cerrato 
Head of Facilities

Brian Campbell
Stationary Engineer

Michael Fleming
Facilities Representative

Jordan Jones 
Cleaner

Tanya Muscato
Cleaner

Joshua Reusch
Stationary Engineer

Clarence Houston
Facilities Representative

Abdullah Abbas
Cleaner

Serena Ovenshire
Cleaner

Satish Jatav
Cleaner

Tom Torrisi
Cleaner

Ben Miller
Facilities Representative

The Finance Department is responsible for the museum’s operating and capital budgets, financial planning and analysis, oversight of investments including the museum’s endowment portfolio, liquidity and working capital management, record keeping, financial reporting, and museum-wide financial risk management.

Responsibilities include developing annual operating budgets to meet short- and long-term institutional objectives, monitoring financial performance across program and operating areas, providing financial guidance to departments in determining allocation of resources, and developing performance metrics and other benchmarking to enable effective reporting to senior staff and the museum’s board.

Melissa Arena, CPA
Chief Financial Officer

Merideth Powers
Controller

Deborah Smyntek
Accounts Payable Representative

Jeffrey Wilson-Martinez
Payroll Coordinator & Accountant

The Food & Beverage Department offers all onsite dining, catering, cafes, and bars. Cornelia acts as a counter service café during brunch and lunch hours and a full-service restaurant for dinner on Thursday and Friday Evenings. Sculpture Bar, located in the Gundlach Building, offers snacks, coffee, wine, beer, and other non-alcoholic beverage options. During events and Thursday Night Live, we offer our mobile bar in the Wilson Town Square as a pilot location for Cornelia. The mobile bar offers snacks, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drink options. The Food & Beverage Department is committed to offering radical hospitality while featuring local food and beverage options. We are passionate about taking care of our guests and serving high-quality and seasonal food.
 
Jessica Arends 
Executive Chef

Kevin Donohue
Front-of-House Food and Beverage Manager

Stephanie Balk
Sous Chef

Vishamber Dayal
Dishwasher

Natalie Hayes
Shift Lead/Head Barista

Kirsten Brown
Counter Service

Hannah Cain
Barista

Cassandra Cox
Server

Nelson Gorski
Food Runner

Vincent Klie
Bartender

Halena Torres
Food Runner

Jacob Cirpilli
Barista

Ryan Russell
Server

Isabella Simoncelli 
Server

The Imaging and Visual Resources Department is responsible for the digitization, care, and management of the museum’s ever-growing Digital Assets Collection. The primary function of the department is to create, organize, interpret, present, and archive preservation-grade, digital assets with appropriate and accurate metadata for easy retrieval and distribution. The digitized and born-digital content produced and/or managed by this team represent the history of the museum and document its Fine Art, Archives, and other collections, exhibitions, events, buildings, staff, and visitors. In collaboration with staff, external researchers, and colleagues from other museums, the department creates and distributes digital content worldwide for reproduction online and in print.

Kelly Carpenter
Imaging, Visual Resources, and Digital Assets Manager

Brenda Bieger 
Collections and Exhibitions Photographer

Amanda Smith
Collections Digitization Specialist

The Information Technology Department is responsible for the architecture, hardware, software, and networking of computers in the museum. The department is involved in providing the infrastructure for automation and the governance for the use of the network and operating systems. Information Technology professionals working in this department perform a number of duties to ensure that employees have full access to the computer systems.

Bryan Gawronski
Director of Information Technology

Imran Khan
Systems Engineer

Adam Rumley
IT Support Technician

The Learning and Creativity Department is made up of a dedicated team of museum educators and volunteers and offers a variety of public programs for audiences of all ages and abilities, including adults, teens, families, children, veterans, school groups, and visitors with disabilities. We partner with organizations across Western New York to engage visitors both within and outside the museum through programming and interpretation inspired by the museum’s collection and special exhibitions, including studio classes, talks, tours, mobile art initiatives, and more.

Charlie Garling
Delaware North Director of Learning & Creativity

Karen Duval
Manager of Access & Studio Programs

Suzanne Molnar
Learning Through Play Coordinator

Lindsay Kranz 
Manager of School & Teacher Programs

Samantha Serrano
Multigenerational Programs Coordinator

Amina Boyd
Public Programs Coordinator

Grayston Barron
Manager of Interpretation

Robert Allen
Art Instructor

Trisha Khanum
Art Instructor

Liz Vesneske
Art Instructor

Sondasi Luundo
Gallery Teacher

Jennifer Castillo
Gallery Teacher

Nehal Vyas
Gallery Teacher

Tricia Davis
Docent Coordinator

Claudia Carballada
Community Engagement Manager

The Buffalo AKG's Public Art Initiative leverages a variety of collaborative public-private partnerships to produce the highest quality public artworks for the broadest possible audiences throughout Western New York. Our Initiative is a one-of-a-kind model in the United States, launched in 2013 in partnership with the County of Erie and later the City of Buffalo in an effort to foster community and social engagement through public art while enhancing the region as a cultural destination. All projects are borne out of a combination of curatorial expertise, community conversations, and research to ensure impactful cultural experiences for communities as well as project participants.

Aaron Ott
Curator of Public Art

Eric Jones
Public Art Projects Manager

Zack Boehler
Assistant Curator, Special Projects

The Publications and Digital Experience Department oversees the museum’s graphic identity, written content, and multimedia presence across a wide range of print and digital projects relating to the museum, its buildings, its collections, and its exhibitions. In collaboration with authors, artists, editors, designers, printers, photographers, publishers, videographers, and colleagues from museums worldwide, the department manages the museum’s website and social media presence and produces books, exhibition and wayfinding signage, multimedia assets, and ephemera such as brochures, gallery guides, and fundraising and membership materials.

Pamela Hatley
Head of Publications & Digital Experience

Steve Boyd
Managing Editor

Matt Connolly, PhD
Editor

Jeff Mace
Multimedia Producer

Nina Grenga
Digital Content Manager 

Noah Marlowe
Designer

The Preservation and Safety Department is responsible for monitoring the safety of the museum’s staff, guests, and assets. Members of the Preservation and Safety team are on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, patrolling and observing to ensure that the facilities and artworks are protected from potential hazards, coordinating with emergency services in crisis situations to provide information and assistance, and acting as a front-line point of contact with guests.

Lynn Gmerek
Head of Preservation & Safety

Jacob Thompson
P&S Training and Development Manager

Matthew Connors
P&S Technical Resources Manager

Gregory Dunham
P&S Scheduling Manager

The Registration Department is responsible for implementing policies and procedures related to caring for both the museum’s Fine Art Collection and incoming loans of artworks to special exhibitions. Duties include overseeing insurance coverage, conservation, contracts and loan agreements, packing, shipping, customs procedures, fine art storage, documentation, and condition reports.

Denise Mahoney
Head Registrar

Melissa Ellis 
Assistant Registrar for Exhibitions

Rebecca Endres
Registrar for the Collection

Natalie McGrath
Fine Art Cataloguer

The Retail Department ensures that all visitors are greeted with a warm welcome and an inviting Shop experience. The team includes the Head of Retail Operations, Shop Assistant, and the Visitor Experience Team. They all play a crucial role in ensuring smooth daily operations, including providing exceptional customer service and personalized shopping experience, having in-depth knowledge of the products and their makers, as well as the museum's collection and temporary exhibitions. The team is also committed to implementing supportive security practices and actively collaborates with staff from all departments. 

The Shop offers a wide variety of merchandise, including AKG branded products, home decor items, fine jewelry, exhibition catalogues and books published by the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, children's toys and games, and more. AKG branded merchandise is created in-house by the Merchandise Team and is exclusively sold in the Shop. Items range from clothing, stationery products, and exhibition-related merchandise.  

Supporting small businesses is a core value for the Retail Department, done through selecting local artisans to be vendors in the Shop. Participating local artisans include Alexa Wajed of Eat Off Art, Peg’s Hardware, Felise Design, Goodform Handmade Jewelry, and BUREAUMADE, with more to come. The Shop provides exclusive items created in collaboration with local brands, such as Stitch Buffalo, Oxford Pennant, and Linwood Candles. The Shop also includes vendors such as LEGO, Haptic Lab, Studio Roof, and JellyCat. Local artisans are also invited to participate in the quarterly Seasonal Pop-Up events hosted by the Shop in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Town Square, located within the Seymour H. Knox Building.

Lauren Lamb
Head of Retail Operations

Danielle Wayda
Retail Assistant

The Talent & Culture Department is a key partner in supporting museum leadership, with a focus on employee engagement; relationship management; and Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI). Talent & Culture is responsible for the development and administration of various plans and procedures that guide and support museum staff, including recruitment, retention, performance management, development, and compliance.

Andrea Harden, SPHR
Director of Talent & Culture

Constance McMillan, PHR
Talent & Culture Manager

The Visitor Experience Department ensures that all guests are met with a welcoming and dynamic experience. The team is comprised of front desk representatives, gallery attendants, and volunteers who contribute to aspects of daily operations, including admissions, program registrations, group tours, membership support, general inquiries, exhibition engagement, and more. A core value of the Visitor Experience team is radical hospitality and supporting open dialogue with guests. The team offers seamless service through their understanding of database and ticketing technology, knowledge of the museum’s collection and exhibitions, supportive security practices, and ability to collaborate with staff across all departments.

Megan Woloszyn
Interim Head of Visitor Experience

Emily Prendergast
Visitor Experience & Volunteer Manager