Executive Director
Juniper Leherissey
Executive Director
Juniper Leherissey has followed a passion for art and creativity back to her hometown of Taos. She spent many hours at the Harwood Public Library growing up. After dedicating her career to non-profit arts, Juniper took the helm of the museum in 2019 to make a difference in the community that she loves.
Philanthropy & Engagement
Sonya Davis
Director of Development
Sonya Davis has been at the Harwood since 2017, having come from Florida where she spent the previous five years as a fundraising and organizational development consultant. Prior to her consulting work, she served as the Executive Director of the Pensacola Museum of Art and the Lighthouse Arts Center in Jupiter, both in Florida.
Shemai Rodriguez
Marketing and Engagement Manager
Shemai Rodriguez is descended from two generations of Taos painters. Additionally, her family has lived in Taos for centuries, giving her a deep connection to art, the land, people and special blend of cultures. Being surrounded by the art at the Harwood Museum is a very personal experience for her as she advances her passion for serving the community she loves.
Exhibitions & Collections
Nicole Dial-Kay
Curator of Exhibitions & Collections
Nicole Dial-Kay came to the Harwood Museum in February 2020 with a passion for curating exhibitions that reflect the diversity and talent that exist in Northern New Mexico.
Christopher Albert
Collections Manager
Christopher Albert joined the Harwood Museum of Art in 2013. Chris’ personal passion for the arts and his attention to detail makes him a perfect steward of the Harwood Museum’s art collections and loaned art objects.
Emily Santhanam
Curatorial Assistant
Emily Santhanam (Chickasaw/Tamilian) comes to the Harwood Museum of Art with a passion for decolonial museum practices and collaborative programming. She worked for the Chickasaw Nation as a curator of exhibitions and education from 2017 through 2020, organizing cultural, historical, and fine arts exhibitions.
Katy Ballard
Preparator
Katy Ballard has an appreciation for art history as well as what it takes to get art on the walls. Katy joined the Harwood team in 2018 and has installed dozens of exhibitions. She also supports curatorial research satisfying her curiosity to learn about the historic and contemporary art and artists of Taos and the surrounding communities.
Dave Ryan
Preparator
Dave Ryan comes to the Harwood Museum with over 40 years of museum experience in Colorado and New Mexico. Dave grew up in Albuquerque and began his museum career at the Maxwell Museum at UNM.
Education & Programs
Gwendolyn Fernandez
Curator of Education and Public Programs
Gwendolyn Fernandez is a compassionate educator who advocates for centering care and community in museum practices. She comes to the Harwood with 15 years of experience working collaboratively to develop programs, design interpretive strategies, and foster diverse teams that serve museum audiences of all ages and abilities.
Christina Neubrand
Education Coordinator
For almost 20 years Christina has worked with students ages 5-85 using exercises, activities, and interactive games integrated with Social Emotional Learning to curate performances, educate, develop curriculums, improve speech, foster effective communication, build social emotional strategies, and integrate creativity using tools and techniques from her years as an actor, singer, dancer, and director in the performing arts.
Hannah Cloepfil
Public Programs Coordinator
Hannah Cloepfil is a cultural producer, designer, and facilitator whose natural gift for bringing people together translates into the creation of one-of-a-kind, collective experiences. She believes in the power of art and activation to facilitate conversation, illuminate ideas, and inspire the unexpected.
Francis Santisteven
Multimedia Services Tech
Francis Santistevan has a passion for acquiring new knowledge and experiences. Joining the Harwood team in 2019, he helps to bring Harwood’s programs to the public whether virtual or in the beautiful Arthur Bell Auditorium.
Museum Store & Visitor Services
Position Vacant
Museum Store and Visitor Experience Manager
We will be posting an opportunity to apply for this position soon.
Chrissy Rutkaus
Customer Services Associate
Chrissy Rutkaus enjoys being a part of the team that welcomes visitors to the Harwood Museum on a daily basis. She joined the museum staff in 2021.
Anee Ward
Customer Services Associate
Anee Ward, a 25 year resident and artist of Taos, has always combined her love of culture, community, and commerce in her work. From playing a role in the first Seco Stroll and coordinating community lectures.
Nancy Berk
Customer Services Associate
Nancy Berk Nancy’s passions include working with people; learning about and appreciating art in all its forms; and spending time with her grandchildren.
Anja Marais
Customer Services Associate
Anja Marais has over twenty years of customer service experience in the art and design industry. She fell in love with art when she became a studio apprentice at age 11 for a local landscape painter for seven years. She received her formal art education in Studio Art and History of Art in Pretoria, South Africa.
Operations & Facilities
Susie Crowley
Operations Manager
Susie Crowley has always been inspired by the arts. With her interest in humanities and community, her work at the Harwood helps her stay connected to her love of art and of the people of Taos.
Carlos Valdez
Operations and Facilities Manager
Carlos Valdez has enjoyed working on many types of construction and non-construction related projects. He finds the most challenging and rewarding to be the restoration of Taos’ historic buildings. He particularly enjoys incorporating modern techniques without changing the integrity or historical features of the buildings.
Eric DeHerrera
Facilities Services Tech
Eric DeHerrera has a passion for working with adobe buildings. Since the Harwood Museum of Art is housed in a registered historic location, he enjoys the opportunity to preserve such a valued example of New Mexico’s traditional Pueblo Style architecture. He enjoys restoring old windows and doors and repurposing old or antique things.