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Executive DirectorLisa Kranseler (she/her)
Phone: 206-774-2277
Email: lisak@wsjhs.orgLisa believes that we make history every single day. And, she has produced programs and exhibits that celebrate that history. Lisa loves all the amazing connections and unique history of the Jewish communities in Washington State. With degrees in Accounting from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Masters of Science in Taxation from the Bentley Graduate School of Business, and a Museum Studies Certificate from the University of Washington, Lisa brings a mixture of business acumen and museum science to this position. Lisa is also a CPA and holds her license for over 35 years.
Lisa is committed to building partnerships and developing public awareness for the Washington State Jewish Historical Society. She has served on the board of the Association of King County Historical Organizations for over six years, received the Gus Norwood Volunteer Scholarship from the Washington Museum Association, won a fellowship from the Council of American Jewish Museum Association, and was awarded a grant by the American Association of State and Local History for Project Management at the Washington State History Museum. Lisa has taught in the Museum Studies Certificate Program at the University of Washington and currently serves on the Museum Studies Advisory Board.
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Operations ManagerHannah Peters (she/her)
Phone: 206-558-3866
Email: hannahp@wsjhs.orgHannah has a background in social work and earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Western Washington University. She has spent the past five years working at nonprofits in the greater Seattle area in direct-service, programmatic design, and leadership capacities. Her previous work has helped her develop a deep understanding of the core functions that keep a nonprofit operating from day-to-day. As a Jewish Washingtonian herself, Hannah brings with her an abundance of empathy, consideration, and passion for the life and well-being of Jews in Washington State.
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Oral History Program ManagerPam Mandel (she/her)
Phone: 206-774-2277
Email: pamm@wsjhs.orgPam Mandel is an author, screenwriter, essayist, podcaster, and a long-term advocate for digital media as a way to create and share stories. Pam has a deep well of technical project experience from her career as a content strategist, technical writer, webmaster, and project planner. Pam loves projects that span both of her worlds, the creative and the technical, finding ways to engage human curiosity about people and cultures beyond our immediate horizons. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from San Jose State, a Best Screenplay Award from Seattle Film Festival, and a rescue dog named Harley.
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Oral History Program AssistantSha'Niya Black (she/her)
Phone: 206-774-2277
Email: shaniyab@wsjhs.orgSha'Niya is a research and administrative specialist with a passion for civil rights and social justice. She earned her Bachelor's in Criminal Justice from the University of Washington in 2021. After graduation, she gained experience in government administration while working for the Washington State Senate, where she focused on representing historically oppressed communities. Sha'Niya's deep interest in history, particularly modern and contemporary history, led her to join our team in 2023 as a research intern for the Confronting Hate Together exhibit. She contributes to our work and mission with deep understanding, extensive knowledge, humility, respect for diverse perspectives, and strong research and administrative skills.
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Executive AssistantSara Mottaz (she/her)
Phone: 206-774-2277
Email: saram@wsjhs.orgAfter taking a short sabbatical, Sara returns to WSJHS ready to go and excited to preserve Jewish history! Originally from the Midwest, Sara enjoys engaging with and learning from Washington’s Jewish community. Sara supports WSJHS with grant writing, planning events, and communications.
