Staff & Board - Museum of Danish America
Source: https://www.danishmuseum.org/staff-board
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:19
Staff & Board - Museum of Danish America
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Staff & Board
Staff
Board of Directors
Erik Andersen
Interim Executive Director
Deb Christensen
Development & Membership Manager
Henry Olson, PMP, PMI-ACP
Administrative & Visitor Services Manager
Philip Wernsmann, B.S., B.A.D.
Accounting
Tim Palmer
Facilities Manager
Cheyenne Nordquist, M.L.I.S.
Archives Manager
Nan Dreher
Design Store Manager
Terri Johnson
Development Associate
Adam Bierstedt, M.A., M.L.I.S
Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish-American Culture
David Anderson, M.A.
Registrar
Anna Cheyenne Thomas, M.A.
Youth & Community Educator
Hannah Kidder, M.A.
Curatorial Intern
Amelia Juhl
Communications Manager
Message
Part-Time Staff
Terri Amaral
Administrative Assistant
Sandy Ashcraft
Administrative Assistant
Al Ashcraft
Administrative Assistant
The Board of Directors of the Museum of Danish America provides oversight to the staff and assists in developing ideas and plans that contribute to the museum’s continuing vitality. Board members participate at their own expense and receive no reimbursements.
The Board of Directors is limited to 25 members. Terms of service are for three years, with the possibility of re-election to a second term. Three years must pass before a member can again be considered for board membership. Several ex-officio members have continued to provide expertise, although they normally do not attend meetings nor do they vote on issues. The Board’s Nominations Committee strives for regional representation, gender balance, and diversity of expertise.
The Board of Directors meets three times a year. The annual meeting is held in Elk Horn, Iowa, during the third weekend in October. Normally, the Board meets each February and June in different locations around the United States to cultivate interest in the museum’s mission.
Without the dedication, energy, and support of a strong team-oriented Board of Directors, the staff of the museum would not be able to work effectively in managing day-to-day operations of the Museum of Danish America.
The Museum of Danish America is grateful for the service of its
Former Board of Directors
. We honor their dedication by listing their years of service and offices held during their term.
Executive Members
President
Philip Lund
OR
Vice President
Erik Andersen
NY
Treasurer
Anders Melberg
IL
Secretary
Elizabeth Steffensen
IL
Board Members
Esther Jacobsen Bates
CA
Margie Bornhoft
MN
Joy Clemsen Gajda
IL
Marcia Jante
WI
Bridget Lois Jensen
TX
Craig Jensen
IA
Jens Jensen
MN
Mary Ellyn Johnson
MN
Michael Koehler
IL
Lisa Kramme
NE
Erik Lillehoj
MD
Erik Nørkjær
DENMARK
Ken Paulsen
IA
John Rasmussen
NY
Lynette Rasmussen
IA
Greg Rierson
WY
Tonya Knudsen-Robson
OR
Nancy Sand
IA
Chuck Smith
NE
Anne Sørensen
DENMARK
Ex-Officio
Dennis Larson
IA
John Mark Nielsen
NE
Randy Ruggaard
OH
Skip to content
Staff & Board
Staff
Board of Directors
Erik Andersen
Interim Executive Director
Deb Christensen
Development & Membership Manager
Henry Olson, PMP, PMI-ACP
Administrative & Visitor Services Manager
Philip Wernsmann, B.S., B.A.D.
Accounting
Tim Palmer
Facilities Manager
Cheyenne Nordquist, M.L.I.S.
Archives Manager
Nan Dreher
Design Store Manager
Terri Johnson
Development Associate
Adam Bierstedt, M.A., M.L.I.S
Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish-American Culture
David Anderson, M.A.
Registrar
Anna Cheyenne Thomas, M.A.
Youth & Community Educator
Hannah Kidder, M.A.
Curatorial Intern
Amelia Juhl
Communications Manager
Message
Part-Time Staff
Terri Amaral
Administrative Assistant
Sandy Ashcraft
Administrative Assistant
Al Ashcraft
Administrative Assistant
The Board of Directors of the Museum of Danish America provides oversight to the staff and assists in developing ideas and plans that contribute to the museum’s continuing vitality. Board members participate at their own expense and receive no reimbursements.
The Board of Directors is limited to 25 members. Terms of service are for three years, with the possibility of re-election to a second term. Three years must pass before a member can again be considered for board membership. Several ex-officio members have continued to provide expertise, although they normally do not attend meetings nor do they vote on issues. The Board’s Nominations Committee strives for regional representation, gender balance, and diversity of expertise.
The Board of Directors meets three times a year. The annual meeting is held in Elk Horn, Iowa, during the third weekend in October. Normally, the Board meets each February and June in different locations around the United States to cultivate interest in the museum’s mission.
Without the dedication, energy, and support of a strong team-oriented Board of Directors, the staff of the museum would not be able to work effectively in managing day-to-day operations of the Museum of Danish America.
The Museum of Danish America is grateful for the service of its
Former Board of Directors
. We honor their dedication by listing their years of service and offices held during their term.
Executive Members
President
Philip Lund
OR
Vice President
Erik Andersen
NY
Treasurer
Anders Melberg
IL
Secretary
Elizabeth Steffensen
IL
Board Members
Esther Jacobsen Bates
CA
Margie Bornhoft
MN
Joy Clemsen Gajda
IL
Marcia Jante
WI
Bridget Lois Jensen
TX
Craig Jensen
IA
Jens Jensen
MN
Mary Ellyn Johnson
MN
Michael Koehler
IL
Lisa Kramme
NE
Erik Lillehoj
MD
Erik Nørkjær
DENMARK
Ken Paulsen
IA
John Rasmussen
NY
Lynette Rasmussen
IA
Greg Rierson
WY
Tonya Knudsen-Robson
OR
Nancy Sand
IA
Chuck Smith
NE
Anne Sørensen
DENMARK
Ex-Officio
Dennis Larson
IA
John Mark Nielsen
NE
Randy Ruggaard
OH