Museum Staff

We particularly pride ourselves on being a small organization with large impact on the community. We truly love what we do, and we hope to sea you soon!  
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Please make an appointment to meet with staff. The general office line is (631) 367-3418.

NEIL

ACCOUNTANT

In the summer of 1974, I was asked to fill in for a friend who was working weekends at the Museum. I continued for several years whenever the friend could not make work. In 1977, I was added officially to the staff. After graduating CW Post School Of Professional Accountancy in 1981, I became the accountant for the Museum and have served in that capacity ever since.

I worked at Zeidman, Lackowitz & Company Certified Public Accountants, Syosset NY for 25 years. I am currently the Chief Financial Officer for The Inn At New Hyde Park.

I belong to the New Hyde Park Fire Department where I have served as Captain Of Protection Engine Co. #2, an Emergency Medical Technician and  Captain of the Termites Racing Team. I served as President of The Nassau County Volunteer Firemens Parade and Drill Team Captain's Association. I am a member of the Huntington Community Band and the Lindenhurst Brass Marching Band. I sing in the St. Annes Garden City Choir and am a member of the steering committee for the annual Newsday / Hofstra High School Marching Band Festival. I am a member of the National Eagle Scout Association and serve as Treasurer for the New Hyde Park Village Museum Association.

I enjoy spending time at my summer home located in Glen Spey NY, golfing and collecting antique vehicles.

CRISTINA

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Cristina has over 30 years of experience in the corporate world working in design, sales, marketing, and sustainable project management.

​She thrives in collaborative environments and loves working with her museum associates. Whether she's navigating the vast open seas, traveling to far off places or immersing herself in a captivating novel, she always embraces new challenges. 

LISA 

MUSEUM EDUCATOR

Boating was a very big part of my childhood growing up on Long Island’s South Shore - I even lived on a houseboat for a bit! Now, living on the North Shore and having this incredible opportunity to be a part of the Whaling Museum team and the historic community of Cold Spring Harbor, feels like a full circle moment.

After receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Hofstra University I began working in the fashion industry in New York.  I quickly came to the conclusion that I’m not a city or corporate girl and so I returned to college and received an MA in Elementary Education from LIU, C.W. Post. I loved teaching 4th grade and then transitioned to part time school librarian after my first daughter was born.  I then decided to stay  home full time after my second daughter was born.  I really missed teaching and being creative so I filled that void by becoming a Girl Scout Leader, Class Parent, and PTA  volunteer.

Now that both of my girls are well into their college careers at The University of Kentucky, I’m thrilled to be back in education and fully interacting, teaching, and learning from kids again! 
Outside of work, I love spending time with my 3 cats (I love dogs too!), playing Mah Jong, treasure hunting at Garage Sales, cake decorating, traveling, and spending time with my husband and girls in beautiful West Virginia.

CORINNE

ADMIssions associate

I’ve lived in Long Island for most of my life and I’ve always loved history and wildlife, so working at the museum is very enjoyable for me! Because of that, I enjoy helping visitors discover Long Island’s whaling history and learn about why whales are important!
Outside of the museum, I am an animation artist who graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design. The museum provides a great source of inspiration for my art and I hope to create stories based on our local history.

BAYLEE

Collections & Exhibits asSociate

After I graduated from Stony Brook University with a Master’s in History I was curious about museum work and the opportunities that are available in this field. I joined The Whaling Museum team in August 2021 because I wanted to learn more about working in a museum.

I was lucky to find a museum nearby that related to my interest in the American whaling industry. Since joining the Whaling Museum staff I have found plenty of opportunities and a lot of encouragement in exploring different aspects of museum work. I am grateful and thrilled to be a part of the team!
When I am not working you can usually find me digging in a garden or buried in a book with a cat in close proximity.

MATT

admissions Associate

Being a part of the Whaling Museum team is such an amazing experience. I truly enjoy welcoming guests to the museum and helping out with family programs, birthday parties, and summer camps. And I really appreciate everyone I work with.


Outside of the museum, I am studying civil engineering at New York University with a focus on transportation systems. In the future, I hope to shape New York's transit system to improve mobility for everyone and to move people as safely and efficiently as possible.

KATIE 

BUSINESS MANAGER

I am thrilled to be on The Whaling Museum team! It is great to be part of an organization that values education, accessibility, the environment, and the sharing and preserving local history. My role here is to facilitate the overall business flow of the Whaling Museum.

My career path has been a winding road yet has a common thread of helping others and facilitating the smooth operations of programs.  A long-time Long Island resident and Adelphi University graduate, I’ve worked in camping, environmental education, staffing, event logistics, and development. Being part of The Whaling Museum has proven to be a wonderful opportunity to pull all of these skills together.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, visiting museums. trivia games, golf, catching live music,  and knitting.

MEREDITH

museum educator

As a person who is passionate about art history, museum curation, and child education, becoming an Educator at the Whaling Museum has been a dream come true. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to travel all over Long Island and educate kids on our whaling history!  

I graduated from Fordham with a major in Medieval Studies and a minor in Art History. My scholastic experience has helped me discover my interest in sharing history with others, and as one of the first points of contact between the public and past, I see museums as the best places to pursue my interests. Though 19th century Long Island may be a few leaps away from Medieval Europe, both time periods have produced unconventional, detailed artworks that I want to help people appreciate.

My history as a camp counselor and a substitute teacher has given me a lot of experience working with kids, and I am glad to continue working with them as an Educator. I have always been a big arts and crafts fan, so when I’m helping kids make whale puppets or home-made wind socks, I’m having as much fun as they are.
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When I’m not hopping from library to library for our Outreach programs, I’m working on getting my Masters in Medieval Studies. When I’m not doing that, I’m either knitting, drawing, baking, watching pro-wrestling, or running. 

ANGELA

museum educator

Wow! What an opportunity, working at the Whaling Museum!
Growing up in England with parents passionate about local history and archeology, I
was fortunate to be involved in many digs and the subsequent cleaning and handling of
artifacts. The national museums in London were my playground and I still love to visit
them when I’m “home”.
Exploring southern England, and of course London, I have had the privilege of
discovering and investigating many sites from prehistoric times, such as Stonehenge
and iron age hill forts, through medieval castles and on through the second world war at
Churchill’s war rooms.
Graduating high school and going onto university I decided to study Zoology. My bias
was always towards behavioral, ecological, anthropological, and marine biology.
When I arrived in Cold Spring Harbor I was delighted to find the Whaling Museum, a
place to fulfil my desire for local history and now a place for me to share my knowledge.
I started at the Museum as a front desk associate and delighted in greeting visitors with
a quick explanation of the Museum. Moving into the education department allows me to
continue my learning experience and to share my ever-increasing knowledge.​

NOMI 

EXEcutive Director

My work centers on bringing others closer to the wonders of the world. I started getting involved with teaching when I was 14, and I received my BA from Hunter College and MA in Museum Education from Bank Street College.  Originally from Brooklyn, I joined the museum in 2008 in an effort to revitalize the organization's vision, and I have tremendously enjoyed being part of the exciting growth in a petite but vibrant gem on Long Island. My favorite part of being at the museum is finding creative interpretations of the museum's historic collection which spark curiosity and creativity.

Previous experiences include teaching about nature and environmental studies in the education departments of the Prospect Park Zoo and New York Aquarium of the Wildlife Conservation Society, and running programs about science, botany, and culture at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.  As surprising as this may sound, the Whaling Museum presents the most amazing opportunity for me to combine all of these interests! It has been particularly rewarding sharing our inspiration and approaches with others at museum conferences. I currently serve on the board of the Long Island Museum Association. 

When not at the museum, I enjoy heirloom vegetable gardening and am involved in community theater.

JOAN

STORE manager & ADMISSIONS ASSOCIATE

Sailing to Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT each summer for over 18 years has instilled in me an interest in maritime history. What a joy it is to work at the Whaling Museum!  I love greeting people and sharing my knowledge of the exhibit and showing the movie about the Charles W. Morgan.  Many times I learn from our visitors.

Other experiences include working as a Montessori Teacher for over 20 years, substitute teaching, and volunteering in several organizations.  I was Commander of Neptune Sail and Power Squadron, a unit of the United States Power Squadron® for one year and on the Bridge and Executive Board for many more.

In my free time I enjoy, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, going to the gym, playing the piano, and cooking.

​​BRENNA

CUrATOR OF EDUCATIoN

I'm incredibly proud to be part of the Whaling Museum's wonderful team!  Having grown up both in coastal New England and along the shores of Long Island Sound, I have always been fascinated by the complex relationships that exist between people and the sea.  I was first drawn to the study of maritime history while completing my BA at Drew University, where I spent a year researching early American maritime literature and the role it played in the creation of a new national identity.  Increasingly interested in Public History, I shifted my focus to the interplay between maritime heritage sites and collective memory while completing a joint MA in Global History at Georgetown University and King's College London.

No stranger to the world of museums, I have previously worked at Historic Hudson Valley, the New-York Historical Society, Royal Museums Greenwich, the Westchester Children's Museum, and the South Street Seaport Museum.  It is a joy to be able to add the Whaling Museum to this list.

When I’m not working, you can find me hiking, reading, exploring new museums, or of course, spending time down by the sea.

SAGE

museum educator

Growing up with a passion for wildlife, I completed a four year internship as a wildlife rehabilitator and docent before pursuing a degree in Conservation Biology at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Although I worked collecting data on endangered Long Island coastal species for several years, I longed for the social aspects of collaborating within a museum setting. As of 2024, The Whaling Museum has provided me with an invaluable opportunity to explore my passions as an artist, biologist and educator, while exploring historical topics previously unfamiliar to me. 

Outside of the museum, you may spot me at various art markets around Long Island with a table full of hand-crafted taxidermy, curios and oddities. Additionally, I have a deep-seeded interest in paleontology as well as modern-day reptiles, and will often go out into the woods in search of both fossils and scaly friends. To this day I continue to rehabilitate animals, focusing my efforts on rescuing reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

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