Meet the Team
Ryan Hardesty
509-335-9454 | ryan.hardesty@wsu.edu
Ryan Hardesty is the executive director for the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Washington State University. He originally joined the museum’s team in 2014 as curator of art and exhibitions, becoming director in 2020. Hardesty has organized more than 50 exhibition projects for the Olson Kundig–designed museum facility, including the ambitious slate of inaugural exhibitions in 2018. In recent years, he has curated a number of high-profile survey exhibitions, including Jeffrey Gibson: They Teach Love, presented as Gibson was selected to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale, as well as Anish Kapoor: Dissolving Margins, the first print retrospective for this preeminent international artist.
Prior to coming to WSU, Hardesty held a twelve-year tenure at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture in Spokane, Washington. Additional museum experience includes positions with the Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston, MA), Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) and Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University (Cambridge, MA).
Karey Strong
509-335-6140 | taylork@wsu.edu
Karey Strong is the Deputy Director of Finance and Administration for the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Washington State University. She has been part of the WSU family for 24-years working in both small and large units within the WSU community. She has enjoyed working with a diverse population internally and externally, and working as a part of a dynamic team is her true passion. In the past, she has specialized in managing administrative operations including strategic financial planning, project management, systems analysis and developing and implementing processes and procedures. Karey served the Human Development department for sixteen years managing budget and financial short- and long-term funding for the department for Teaching, Research and Extension, Graduate Study, M.A. and Ph.D. programs. She enjoys spending time with her family and hilarious dog, as well as gardening and decorating.
Debby Stinson
509-335-6282 | debby_stinson@wsu.edu
Debby Stinson joined the museum as a freelance designer in 2005, then became the marketing and public relations manager in 2010. Presently she oversees all aspects of communication, graphic design, web design, advertising, media, and social media marketing. Her career began as an artist and graphic designer, with clients including: Starbucks, Barbie, Hooked on Phonics, Eddie Bauer, and Sun Health. Stinson graduated in 1985 from the Art Institute of Seattle. Her design work has garnered two bronze, two silver and a gold award over the years. In 2009, she was named a Bill Phillips Transformation Champion, has recently served two terms as president of the Colfax Arts Council, and lives in Wenatchee with her husband and daughter, where she enjoys art, meditation, cycling, and the natural world.
Ann Saberi
509-432-3335 | amsaberi@wsu.edu
Ann Saberi has been a member of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art team since 2012, and currently serves as Collection Manager. She holds a BA and BFA from Washington State University, and an MA from New York University. At the museum, Ann enjoys working with the permanent collection and helping to install new exhibits, among other things. Born and raised on the Palouse, she loves cooking with her four children, riding her bike, and gardening.
Kristin Becker
509-335-2079| kristin.carlson@wsu.edu
Kristin Becker has been the Curator of Education & Programs at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU since April 2022, and served before that as the museum’s Education Coordinator for 1.5 years. Kristin also taught in WSU’s Digital Technology and Culture program from 2010-2021, where she was passionate about using the museum’s exhibitions and collections in her teaching every semester: Now she is eager to help other faculty, students, and community members see the educational potential of the museum. In her museum role, Kristin continues to teach occasional museum-centered courses for the Honors College and the Department of Art. Kristin’s teaching is informed by her training in printmaking, photography, and graphic design. She holds an MFA from Indiana University and a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design. Her work has been exhibited at galleries throughout the United States as well as at the International Print Center New York. Her most recent creative challenge is raising two small children, which she attempts with her wonderful husband in Moscow, ID.
Kira MacPherson
509-335-4748 | kira.walters@wsu.edu
Kira MacPherson joined the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art team in 2022. She loves museums because they present opportunities for learning more about the world, discovering new ideas, and bringing communities together. She holds a BA from Washington State University, and an MA in Museology from University of Washington. Outside of the museum, Kira enjoys restoring vintage furniture, reading, and traveling to new places and small towns.
Visitor Ambassadors & Student Employees
Olivia Alvarez
Graduated: Fall 2025
Major: Digital Technology and Culture
Minor: Fine Arts
About Olivia: Digital design and photography are some of my passions. I was drawn to the museum because I’ve always wanted to work with a non-profit. The museum’s values correlate perfectly with my interests.
What I love about the Museum: I love the experiences and environment the internship has exposed me to. I enjoy working with everyone on the team and photographing museum events to bring exposure and support to the art community.
Eleanor Colgan
Minors: Art History & Sociology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
What I love about the Museum: When I was a freshman, I was able to see prints by William Hogarth at the JSMA, and I’ve loved the museum ever since. As a once-frequent visitor and now ambassador, it is an incredible privilege to be surrounded by and get to share incredible art with our patrons, from whom I glean new perspectives every day.
Aarya Kunhiraman
Expected Graduation: Fall 2028
What I love about the Museum: I love that the museum offers an atmosphere of serenity and the space to reflect on beautiful and meaningful artwork. It’s so wonderful being a part of something that connects the community to art of all kinds.
Kayomi Prieto Diaz
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
What I love about the Museum: I’ve loved the opportunity to meet new people and discuss how art brings out so many different perspectives. The museum’s welcoming and inspiring atmosphere has made it one of my favorite places on campus!
Cora Gilbert
Minors: War & Society and Modern Global Issues
Expected Graduation: Spring 2028
What I love about the Museum: I love that the museum provides a space for so many different stories to be told and presented from so many different perspectives.
Ella Kipp
Minors: Art History & Exhibition Studies
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
What I love about the Museum: To me, the museum feels like my sanctuary of peace, beauty, and inspiration. The art and exhibitions we show are genuinely significant, and being able to engage with them makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger than myself and that is contributing to meaningful change.
Tishya Joshi (TJ)
Expected Graduation: Spring 2029
What I love about the Museum: I love interacting and the discussing the artworks with the visitors. Nobody views each artwork the same way, so I get the chance to hear bits and pieces of everybody’s stories and how that influenced their perspective on the piece. I learn something new every single day.
Caleb Grayson
Expected Graduation: Fall 2029
What I love about the Museum: It’s hard to capture what I love about the museum in just one sentence! Ultimately, I love being surrounded by so many forms of creative expression, and how they continually broaden my design thinking.
Student Employment Opportunities
Meet the Advisory Council
Deb Dzuck
Why did you choose to be involved with the JSMA?
Soon after I moved to Pullman in 1995, I was invited to serve on an events committee for the museum. Over the years, I was a member of the Friends Board and collaborated on various projects involving the JSMA. It is easy to say YES when the JSMA team asks!
Profession or Past Profession
I retired in 2018, concluding a 31-year career in University Advancement. During my 23 years at WSU, I represented the WSU Foundation, the College of Liberal Arts, and University-Wide Undergraduate Programs, including the Honors College.
Why is art important to you?
Art stimulates the imagination. It evokes beauty and emotion. Art tells stories that encourage conversations. My appreciation for art—especially regional art—is enhanced as I meet an artist, learn about them, and understand their inspirations.
Marcia Garrett (Proud WSU Alum)
The museum fills an important role in the life of the university, the town, and the region. I wanted to be part of its efforts to enrich the quality of life on the Palouse and beyond.
Profession or Past Profession
I retired from the university in 2022, after working out of its Seattle office for over two decades, most recently as the Director of Regional Relations. Prior to that I worked in the private sector, government, and politics.
Why is art important to you?
I gravitate to art in all its forms because it intrigues me, it invigorates me, and it makes me happy!
Jennifer Harbour
As a community member and educator, I believe strongly in the museum’s mission to be a center of inspiration, learning and engagement for all.
Profession or Past Profession
I have recently served as a K-5 Art/STEM specialist for Pullman Public Schools. I’m now enrolled in the Cultural Studies and Social Thought in Education doctoral program here at WSU to continue my growth and understanding as an art advocate.
Why is art important to you?
I have always been inspired by art’s ability to help humanity understand and communicate. As an educator, I believe in its transformative power to connect, teach, and heal.
Joyce M. Cameron
Ryan Hardesty and I worked together at Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture in the early 2000’s. Ryan Hardesty and Michael Holloman reached out to me to see if I had an interest in getting involved on the JSMA Advisory Council. My husband, Jim Carollo, and I stop at the museum almost every time we go to Lewiston. It is such a wonderful museum with such an eclectic variety of exhibitions.
Profession or Past Profession
I am the recently retired Chief Philanthropy Officer for the Providence Healthcare Foundation for 15 years. Prior to that I was the Director of Development and Marketing and the Foundation Executive Director for the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture. I have been involved in philanthropy, public relations and marketing in the Inland Northwest for over 40 years.
Why is art important to you?
I know that children that are exposed to art at an early age actually have a better quality of life. Art is so important in my life and our house is filled with some wonderful art from a variety of mediums.
Steven Rainville
The university experience is fertile ground for new ideas and new ways of thinking. As a proud alum of WSU, I know first-hand the power of art in this experience and hope that my involvement with the Advisory Council can, in some small part, strengthen the mission and broaden the reach of the JSMA.
Profession or Past Profession
Steven is a Principal Architect and Owner at Olson Kundig. As leader of the firm’s research and innovation initiatives, he pushes the firm to deeply engage with over-arching considerations like energy performance and community accessibility that ultimately create a foundation for progress.
Why is art important to you?
Art is important to me because it continues a legacy of craft that runs deep in my family. Influenced by my grandfathers and father—both craftsmen and builders—I’m drawn to the expression of art through material, detail, and the ways things come together. Art acts to challenge us, spur curiosity, wonder, and hopefully, encourage a sense of optimism for the future.
Nancy Spitzer
I have had a life-long love of art. I have been a Museum of Art supporter since some time in the 70s. I was a member of the original Friends of Art Museum Board where I met and became good friends with the then Museum Director, Patricia Watkinson. So it’s been particularly enjoyable to serve on the Advisory Council with Patricia an now to have the opportunity to get to know Ryan, Karey, Ann, Kristin and Kira and the other Advisory Council members.
Profession or Past Profession
I worked as the Administrative Assistant to the Director & Associate Director of Libraries and the Development Coordinator. I also did some freelance graphic design.
Why is art important to you?
I think it’s fascinating and exciting to see what other people create. It’s all about individuality, creativity, intellect, and passion. Artists tell us about themselves through their art. There is something very satisfying when you get caught up and engage in an exhibition.
Jon Follett (Alum of ’10, ’11)
My education at WSU prepared me for my career, and I want to give back to enrich the lives of other students.
Profession or Past Profession
I am the President of Walla Walla Foundry. We have 110 employees and build art for contemporary artists all over the world. I routinely work with artists and help them realize their work.
Why is art important to you?
Art is important to me because it encourages us to think about things differently. It is too easy to become complacent and art has the ability to challenge our understanding of our world.
Greg Bell (Alum of ’78)
When I was working on my MFA at WSU, I took my first Museum Studies course, which revealed (partially) the marvels and mysteries of how museums work. I credit that class as the introduction to my long and checkered career in collecting institutions.
Profession or Past Profession
From being the kid that could draw cartoons in middle school, to doing fashion display work for Nordstrom, teaching studio art at universities, being a gallery director, overseeing a sprawling county public art collection and being chief curator of one of the most stellar art collections in the world, I have been knee deep in it.
Why is art important to you?
Art defines culture.
Karen Weathermon (WSU Alumna, 1987, 1999)
WSU’s Museum of Art was the first museum I ever went to as a kid growing up in Pullman in the early 1970s. When I returned to WSU as a graduate student in the late 1980s, I valued introducing the students in my English classes to the museum through writing assignments, and I’ve also enjoyed the array of exhibits it brought to campus through the years. In the past few years, I’ve been very fortunate to collaborate with the JSMA staff on several programs and exhibits in my work with WSU’s First-Year Programs and the Common Reading. The work of the museum brings so much value to our campus and community. I’m pleased to be able to support that work.
Profession or Past Profession
I’ve just retired as the Director of First-Year Programs at WSU Pullman, a position I held for 20 years. That work was preceded by work with WSU’s Writing and General Education programs. I’ve also held positions as a journal editor and as a secondary and college English teacher.
Why is art important to you?
Art illuminates the worlds both outside and inside of us. Experiencing art, as viewer or creator, is one of the great delights of human experience. And it plays a crucial role, too, in challenging and disrupting our preconceptions.