Our talented Lyman Allyn staff works behind the scenes to develop exhibitions and programming that explore the power of art for thousands of visitors every year. By introducing you to our team, we hope to create a more personal connection with our community and share our passion for what we do.
Sam Quigley has been the Director of the Museum since 2014. He has been privileged to work at several major museums, most recently, the Art Institute of Chicago where he was Vice President for Collections Management, Imaging, & Information Technology / Museum Chief Information Officer. His areas of expertise include curating, exhibition development, harnessing digital technologies for operations and publishing museum collections. Over the years, he has developed a deep interest in modern and contemporary art, and this fits well with his degrees in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University.
Ellen Anderson is a senior Advancement professional who builds relationships and fosters donors’ interests. Now the Director of Development at the Lyman Allyn, she previously served at Mystic Seaport Museum, Connecticut College and UConn. A Colby graduate, she also attended the Williams–Mystic Program, which first brought her to southeastern CT and led her to crew on Pride of Baltimore. With her deep appreciation of history and art, she is committed to sustaining the growth of the Museum.
Rebecca Dawson is the Director of Communications and Visitor Services. In this position, she is responsible for developing and implementing all marketing and public relations initiatives. She also manages the Museum’s Visitor Services department, social media, graphic design, website, gift shop, and annual fundraising events. She has been with the Lyman Allyn since 2012 upon graduating from Eastern Connecticut State University with her BA in Art History. A lifelong resident of southeastern CT, Becca resides in Quaker Hill with her husband and daughter.
Eileen Donovan, Director of Learning and Engagement, studied Art History at Providence College (BA) and American University (MA) with a focus in late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century American art. Her experience leading educational programs at other cultural organizations, including the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, Walters Art Museum, Maryland Center for History & Culture, and College Park Aviation Museum, has led her towards an interdisciplinary approach to art and museum learning. In her position at the Lyman Allyn, she oversees K-12 school, family, and adult learning programs, cultivates community partnerships, and contributes to broader Museum initiatives.
Bob Hennion is the supervisor of the Buildings and Grounds department, where he has worked for more than 30 years. With his vast knowledge of the Museum’s structural history, he maintains and monitors all facility systems and equipment, responding to problems where and when appropriate.
Jessie Kam is the Financial Accountant at the Lyman Allyn. Previously, she managed the back office and accounting of her family business for 10 years. Her mother was an artist and during her lifetime nurtured an appreciation for the arts in all her five children. Jessie is thrilled to be able to carry her business experience forward with the thriving team at the Lyman Allyn. When taking a break from her accounting day job, she always finds new perspective viewing the Museum’s collections.
Jane LeGrow, Registrar and Director of Exhibitions, directs collections management and exhibition-related activities. She has 25 years of experience in museum registration, collections management and exhibition production. Jane holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a BA in Anthropology from The Pennsylvania State University. Before joining the Lyman Allyn in 2013, she worked in positions in registration and collections management at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.
Emeline McKeown grew up on the CT shoreline in Stonington and has been with the Lyman Allyn as the Director of Operations since 2021. Having studied Communications and Performing Arts at Central Connecticut State University, Emeline has used her educational background to work in the non-profit sector for most of her career. She spent 7 years living in Boston, MA where she managed the Operations for the New Phil Harmonic Orchestra and then became the Program Director for the Newton Cultural Alliance. Emeline moved back to Stonington in 2017 to further her career in community engagement and advocate for the arts closer to home. In addition to the Museum, she participates in local community theater groups, is the Co-President for a local charity, Evening of Elegance, and is an active board member of the Stonington Cemetery Association.
Sydnee Odei-Ntiri is the Visitor Services and Collections Associate at the Lyman Allyn. As the Collections Associate, she assists with cataloging objects, installing and deinstalling exhibitions, and updating the Lyman Allyn’s mobile app. As a Museum Attendant, she welcomes guests to the Museum and helps various departments facilitate programs. Sydnee holds a BA in Cultural and Historic Preservation and American History from Salve Regina University.
Curator Tanya Pohrt recently organized the Lyman Allyn’s exhibition The Way Sisters: Miniaturists of the Early Republic and contributed to the exhibition catalogue. She also curated the Museum’s Louis Comfort Tiffany in New London gallery and a range of other exhibitions. Holding a Ph.D. in American Art History from the University of Delaware (received 2013), she was previously a Marcia Brady Tucker Fellow in American Paintings and Sculpture at the Yale University Art Gallery.
Sophia Gipstein Scirico is the Outreach Coordinator, joining the staff in 2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College (MA), a post-baccalaureate certificate from the SMFA at Tufts, and will complete her master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University this spring. In her role within the Learning and Engagement Department, Sophia oversees bringing art education into the community by developing and leading hands-on programs for participants of all ages. She also aids in running on-site children’s programs and assists with social media coordination and content.
Julia Meylor Simpson works in Visitor Services at the welcome desk two days a week. She is retired from a career in corporate communications, having also worked as a high school English teacher and a newspaper reporter. She especially enjoys chatting with Museum guests, learning about various artists, art movements and styles—and spending time with her five grandchildren.
Richard Westhaver works as a Visitor Services Attendant at the Museum. He is a tech enthusiast and musician from Groton, CT who enjoys building software, playing piano, and hanging out with friends. He joined the Lyman Allyn team in early 2022 where visitors can find him at the front desk welcoming guests to the Museum. With a passion for creativity and community, he looks forward to the future of the Lyman Allyn.
Chrissy Winkler, Collections Management Associate, has her BA in Art History and a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies with a focus in collections management through Harvard Extension School. During her undergraduate career, she accepted an internship at Yale University Art Gallery, gaining editorial experience within an established art institution. Prior to working at the Lyman Allyn, she was a Gallery Director in Santa Fe, New Mexico for 4 years. This position provided valuable experience in art handling, collections management, and installing exhibitions.