Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU Staff

Ryan Hardesty

Executive Director, Curator of Exhibitions & Collections | ryan.hardesty@wsu.edu

Hardesty joined Washington State University’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art curatorial team in 2014 as curator of art and exhibitions. He has curated a range of exhibition projects including Jim Dine: A Life in Printmaking, and more recently, Marie Watt: Companion Species (Underbelly), Jeffry Mitchell: Death of Buddha, and Persona: Portraiture from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer for the Olson Kundig designed museum facility’s ambitious 2018 slate of inaugural exhibitions. Prior to coming to WSU, Hardesty held a twelve-year tenure at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC), Spokane where he planned for 80+ exhibitions. Additional museum experience includes work with the Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston, MA), Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) and Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University (Cambridge, MA). Hardesty holds fine art degrees from the University of Washington and Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He resides in Pullman with his wife and daughter, and maintains an ongoing interest in wandering cities and wild places alike.

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Karey Strong

Deputy Director of Finance and Administration, Associate Director | 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.

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Debby Stinson

Marketing and PR Manager | 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 a graphic designer, with clients including: Starbucks, Hooked on Phonics, Eddie Bauer, and Sun Health. 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.

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Ann Saberi

Collection Manager | 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.

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Kristin Becker

Curator of Education & Programs | kristin.carlson@wsu.edu

Kristin Becker is excited to join the museum as its Curator of Education & Programs. She has already worked with the museum team for 1.5 years as the Education Coordinator. As a faculty member in the Digital Technology and Culture program at WSU from 2010-2021, Kristin 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. 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 the rearing of two small children, which she attempts with her wonderful husband in Moscow, ID.

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Kira Walters

Manager of Membership & Development | kira.walters@wsu.edu

Kira Walters joined the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art team in 2022 as the Manager of Membership and Development. 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.

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