Felicia Van Stolk, Executive Director
831-420-6115, ext. 11
felicia@santacruzmuseum.org
Felicia was raised on the trails and beaches of Santa Cruz where she was born. At UCLA she pursued degrees in marine biology and conservation ecology. While focusing on her studies, she also discovered her passion for education and was involved in a student non-profit focused on teaching in underserved communities in Los Angeles. This background in science, conservation, and education informs an experiential, inquiry-driven style of teaching that promotes critical thinking, problem solving, and achieving depth of understanding. She is passionate about environmental education and facilitating experiences for all people in nature, and brings this enthusiasm to the Museum. She first joined the Museum team as the Education Director in 2016, and has overseen the growth of school and public programming. Felicia was appointed to the role of Executive Director in the fall of 2019. When not at the Museum, Felicia can be found with her dog at the same trails and beaches that she grew up on, or SCUBA diving in her favorite kelp forests. Read more about Felicia.
Lucy Logsdon, Director of Operations
831-420-6115, ext. 12
lucy@santacruzmuseum.org
A Colorado native, Lucy moved to California when she was 11 years old, and has spent most of her life since then exploring the state’s wild spaces. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College with a BA in Environmental Studies and has a passion for both conservation and nature photography. Lucy’s broad skillset and can-do attitude help in her operations work. Lucy has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector and has focused her career on supporting organizations that work to protect the environment. Her experience with nature photography and documentary film provides a creative outlet for her conservation work and she enjoys finding ways to use visuals to help educate and inspire the next generation. When not in the office, Lucy can usually be found in the garden, floating on a river, or on top of a mountain with a camera in hand and her husky, Frankie by her side.
Kathleen Aston, Collections Manager
831-420-6115, ext. 20
kathleen@santacruzmuseum.org
As Collections Manager, Kathleen Aston is responsible for the physical and intellectual organization and preservation of the Museum’s collections. She joined the museum’s staff as collections specialist in 2017, and holds a B.A. in Linguistics from Reed College and a Master’s of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington. Kathleen is fascinated by the informational life of collections and how they anchor people to an understanding of the natural world. Her other interests include coffee, stargazing, weird plants, animals that look like blobs, and the repair and reuse sections of the waste management cycle. Read more about Kathleen. Read more about Kathleen.
Liz Broughton, Visitor Experience Manager
831-420-6115, ext. 22
liz@santacruzmuseum.org
Liz grew up in the redwoods of the San Lorenzo Valley before heading off to UC Berkeley to pursue a degree in anthropology and Celtic studies. While there she conducted research on baboon teeth morphology for the Integrative Biology Department and interned with the Hearst Museum of Anthropology. She continued her education at the University of Washington in Seattle where she earned an MA in the little known field of Museology. She gained a broad understanding of museums through coursework and internships at the Burke Museum of Natural History, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Museum of Pop Culture. Liz is passionate about public understanding and engagement in science and is an all-around museum nerd. She joined the Museum in 2010, and as the current Visitor Experience Manager she oversees the public spaces of the Museum. Read more about Liz.
Kiersten Elzy-Loving, Development and Community Engagement Manager
831-420-6115, ext. 16
kiersten@santacruzmuseum.org
Born in Santa Barbara, Kiersten was raised traveling and exploring California’s coast, canyons, and deserts. Backpacking, sailing, and exploring the deserts have informed and inspired her life-long dedication to stewardship of the natural world. Passionate about education and greater accessibility for all, she majored in education and child development. Kiersten spent nearly three decades as a resident of lower Seabright and is passionate about the history of this area and the ecology of the Monterey Bay region. When not at the museum, she is at our beaches, hillsides, and creeks with her family, kayaking, visiting nurseries and galleries, or seeing live music. As an enthusiastic appreciator of museums wherever she travels, Kiersten is committed to fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural history around them. She believes that it is a privilege to work in the service of a seminal and vital Santa Cruz organization so rich in history with an even-brighter future. Read more about Kiersten.
Marisa Gomez, Community Education and Collaboration Manager
831-420-6115, ext. 15
marisa@santacruzmuseum.org
Marisa aims to infuse her life and work with tenants of curiosity, enthusiasm, and community. She leads our community connections efforts, from educational programs to online engagement, and is committed to providing unique and engaging experiences that connect people of all backgrounds with nature in surprising and delightful ways. Marisa has a B.A. in Creative Writing from San Jose State University, is a Certified California Naturalist, and serves on the Boards of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden and the Santa Cruz Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. In her spare time, Marisa can be found biking around town or up mountains, gleefully crouching over a rock or a bug or a flower, or tinkering on some project at home. She joined the Museum as a volunteer in 2013 and as staff in 2015. Read more about Marisa.
Jenny Rieke, Education Manager
831-420-6115, ext. 17
jenny@santacruzmuseum.org
Jenny grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, amongst the gurgling streams and sprawling deciduous forests of the Great Lakes region. She completed her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at UCSC, where she was exposed to the wonder-full world of Natural History. There she discovered her passion for field-based learning and environmental education. Since graduating, she has worked for various environmental organizations as an educator and field biologist. Although she is a certified bird-nerd, her love and wonder for the natural world extends to all things, both living and nonliving. When she is not working, you can find Jenny swimming in mountain streams, riding her bike, or hiking with her adorable dog, Tule.
Emily Antonino, Education Coordinator
831-420-6115, ext. 19
emily@santacruzmuseum.org
Emily grew up in Santa Cruz and has enjoyed its natural beauty by going to the beach, hiking in the redwoods, and watching sunsets on the cliffs. She traveled to California’s Central Valley to run intercollegiate track and field and obtain her Bachelor of Arts degree in Plant Biology at University of California, Davis. She discovered her enthusiasm for outdoor science education at the UC Davis Student Farm. Emily strives to ignite curiosity and empathy for the natural world in every person she encounters. When not teaching science, she enjoys running, reading, and music. Emily joined the museum staff in 2021. Read more about Emily.
Rocio Sánchez-Nolasco, Public Programs Coordinator
831-420-6115, ext. 13
rocio@santacruzmuseum.org
Rocio grew up in Santa Cruz County and has cultivated her life-long appreciation for nature through gardening and by exploring local wetlands, beaches, and forests. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a B.A. in Art History and a minor in Digital Humanities. While at UCLA, Rocio learned about the importance of museum education and public programming in helping bridge a sense of community among people of all walks of life and cultivating knowledge through different perspectives. She aims to share her passion for local ecology and museums by helping others learn and connect to nature. In her spare time, Rocio can be found at the beach, watching horror films, or making art. Read more about Rocio.
Chris Soriano, Education Coordinator
831-420-6115, ext. 18
chris.soriano@santacruzmuseum.org
Chris Soriano is a large omnivorous mammal that can be seen wandering the forests of the Pacific Northwest. He has been sighted in many states including Texas, Colorado, Montana and Washington, but the largest number of recorded encounters have occurred in California. He graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, with a B.S. in Zoology and Evolutionary Biology. Chris has taught people about nature from the day he could talk, and still rattles on about dinosaurs just like he did when he was three years old. He enjoys hiking, playing music, and rainy weather. Because of his strong resemblance to Enhydra lutris, Chris is also known as Otter. He joined the Museum in August 2018 and hopes to inspire every child in Santa Cruz County to spend some time outside. Read more about Chris.
Isabelle West, Collections Coordinator
831-420-6115, ext. 21
isabelle@santacruzmuseum.org
Isabelle began volunteering with the Museum in 2016, first as a docent leading school tours, and soon she came to help with administrative tasks, eventually finding her way to the Collections Department. Today, as Collections Assistant, she helps organize, tend to and record the many artifacts, specimens and documents within our care. She holds a B.A. in anthropology with a focus in Native American studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. In her spare time, she keeps her own collection of curious items found at antique faires, thrift stores and garage sales. Isabelle is eager to make museum access easy and organized for all. She enjoys visiting museums throughout California, attending local, do-it-yourself style concerts, and trying her hand at a host of ever-rotating creative pursuits. Read more about Isabelle.
Natalie Wollman, Communications Coordinator
831-420-6115, ext. 14
natalie@santacruzmuseum.org
In Germany, Bavaria, Natalie grew up with the beautiful Alps mountain range in her backyard, and her parents took her hiking and exploring nature from an early age. Having the forest and river close by were her favorite playgrounds, and still today she loves spending time in nature and observing quietly. She chose a career that allowed her to travel and see the world—becoming a colorist working for the media industry on three continents in thirteen different countries fulfilled that wish. Before moving to Santa Cruz, she worked on campaigns for the SOS Children Village, which provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children in need and protects their interests and rights worldwide. In 2017 Natalie moved from Germany to Santa Cruz, where she fell in love with Redwoods of Henry Cowell, Big Sur, and the fantastic diversity of Santa Cruz nature. Joining the museum combines her passion for protecting the environment, education, and support for young people to discover a new perspective. Natalie joined the Museum in 2022.
Jack Mazza, Education Assistant
jack@santacruzmuseum.org
Jack grew up in San Diego and then went to school at UC Santa Cruz, where he spent all his free time working in student gardens and learning the plants of Upper Campus. He graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies focusing on Natural History and Education. For the last eight summers, he worked as a seasonal interpretive ranger in the subalpine meadows of Yosemite National Park, sharing his knowledge and passion for the high mountain ecosystems with visitors from all over the world. More recently, he has found himself drawn to the Spanish language and has lived and traveled throughout central and southern Mexico seeking out regional folk music. When not at work, Jack is usually playing one of his many stringed instruments, riding his bike, reading or doing watercolors.
Ellen Stone, Education Assistant
831-420-6115, ext. 23
ellen@santacruzmuseum.org
Ellen spent her childhood peering into creeks, hiking in the mountains, and visiting the Natural History Museum in her hometown of Santa Barbara. She made her way up to the land of the redwoods to attend UC Santa Cruz, obtaining her B.S. in Environmental Studies. Since graduating, she has had the wonderful experience of being able to spend her time outdoors helping children make connections with the natural world. In her free time she enjoys making art, taking friends on interpretive hikes, and visiting museums of all kinds whenever she travels. She joined the museum staff as an Education Assistant in September 2019. Read more about Ellen.
Hannah Caisse, Education Assistant
831-420-6115, ext. 23
hannah@santacruzmuseum.org
Hannah Caisse was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California, and she developed a love for nature at a very early age. As a child, she regularly visited the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and other local scientific institutions, and it was this exposure to nature and science that got her hooked on a lifelong love of biology. As an Education Assistant, Hannah finds so much gratification in teaching the next generation of young people all about science and the natural history of the Monterey Bay. When she is not showing kids around nature, you can find Hannah working at her local rock climbing gym, drawing detailed science illustrations at her desk, baking, reading, walking along the beach, drinking tea, or gossiping about the latest findings in paleontology.
Mary A. Verutti, Visitor Services Representative
mary@santacruzmuseum.org
Mary has been with the Museum since 2006 and has seen so many changes through the years. She continues to be amazed at the contribution the Museum makes to the City of Santa Cruz with such a small staff. She has an English/Writing degree from Chico State but has always had a passion for history, especially of Santa Cruz. She has learned so much about natural history from working at the Museum and is excited when all who enter feel the same. Mary loves all things Italian, New Orleanian, rainy days, moonlit nights and is teased by friends and family for being “married to music.” Read more about Mary.
Rebekah Nelson, Visitor Services Representative
rebekah@santacruzmuseum.org
If you stop by on a Sunday, Visitor Services Representative Rebekah Nelson will likely be the one to greet you from the reception desk. Rebekah’s childhood was spent running feral through the woods surrounding Yosemite National Park and the beaches and creeks of Santa Cruz. She has a BFA in Studio Art from CSU Stanislaus where she explored printmaking and metal casting. Rebekah has only recently returned to Santa Cruz, having spent the last six years teaching abroad, primarily in Spain and China. While away she spent her time steeped in local culture, hiking, orchid spotting and spying on Iberian Ibexes. Prior to that she spent four years with The Tech Interactive in San Jose diving deep into design challenge STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) education. She is passionate about the way nature both soothes and facilitates learning experiences. Her other interests include scientific illustration, the evolution of language, muraling and tidepooling.