Wisconsin Academy Staff | wisconsinacademy.org

Chelsea Chandler

Chelsea Chandler is the director of the Academy's Environmental Initiatives. She leads the Climate & Energy and Waters of Wisconsin Initiatives, to which she brings her interdisciplinary experience and passion for researching and communicating solutions to environmental challenges. Chelsea has a MEM in Global Change Science and Policy from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and a BA in Atmospheric Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Jody Clowes

Jody Clowes is the director of the Wisconsin Academy's James Watrous Gallery. With years of experience developing and curating exhibitions, running gallery programs, and writing about art, her background includes senior positions at Milwaukee Art Museum, Detroit's Pewabic Pottery, and the UW-Madison's Design Gallery.

Catie DeMets

Catie DeMets is the Academy’s Environmental Initiatives Coordinator. Catie contributes an array of experiences in sustainable food systems development and commitment to building equitable and resilient communities—especially in her home state of Wisconsin—to the Academy. Catie has a BA in Geology and Environmental Studies from Lawrence University and an MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, where she graduated as a Bertha Morton Fellow in May 2018.

Breeanna Dollak

Breeanna Dollak is the Head Gallery Attendant at the James Watrous Gallery. After attending UW-Whitewater, Breeanna has worked with multiple companies to develop effective and efficient work environments for employees. Breeanna’s personal interests include theatre, podcasting, and political nonfiction.

Jane Elder

Jane Elder is executive director of the Wisconsin Academy. She brings to the Wisconsin Academy a strong background in public policy leadership, nonprofit management, and involvement in Wisconsin arts. Her career has focused on environmental policy and communications, while personal interests include theater, modern dance and painting.

Bethany Jurewicz

Bethany Jurewicz is the director of operations and events at the Wisconsin Academy. With her BA in Art History from Pennsylvania State University, MA in Contemporary Art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London and over ten years of experience in Business Operations and Event Coordination in the for-profit sector, Bethany is excited to transition her career to the nonprofit world.

Alex Paniagua

Alex Paniagua is the editorial assistant for the Wisconsin Academy’s quarterly magazine Wisconsin People & Ideas. He joined the Wisconsin Academy in 2019 after graduating from UW-Milwaukee with his BA in English literature. When he’s not writing, much of his time is spent reading, painting, hiking, or playing guitar.

Matt Rezin

Matt Rezin is building manager & outreach coordinator for the Wisconsin Academy. After graduating from UW-Madison, he has worked for Madison nonprofit organizations such as Goodman Community Center and Madison Public Library Foundation in a variety of roles from development to youth education program coordination. Matt's personal interests include a healthy appetite for pop culture, Wisconsin sports, and all manner of other niche sports and competition.

Amanda Shilling

Amanda E. Shilling is development director of the Wisconsin Academy. Amanda joined the Wisconsin Academy in 2013, having served as Ten Chimneys Foundation’s development manager since 2001. Prior to Ten Chimneys Foundation, Amanda worked in development and subscription sales at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. She holds a BA in arts administration from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point.

Jason Smith

Jason A. Smith is the associate director of the Wisconsin Academy and editor of the organization's quarterly magazine of Wisconsin thought and culture, Wisconsin People & Ideas. Before joining the Wisconsin Academy in 2008, Jason was the managing editor of The Common Review, the quarterly magazine of the Great Books Foundation, and helped the storied nonprofit to develop materials for adult reading groups.

Nikita Werner

Nikita Werner is the administrative assistant at the Wisconsin Academy. After graduating from UW-Madison with a BA in Anthropology, Nikita worked in a number of administrative roles including as a department coordinator at the Wisconsin Medical Society. She is currently working toward a MS in Anthropology and Museum Studies from UW-Milwaukee.

Chrissy Widmayer

Chrissy Widmayer is the historical communications specialist at the Wisconsin Academy through the UW-Madison's Center for Humanities' Mellon Public Humanities Fellowship, Chrissy is also a PhD candidate in Folklore Studies. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from George Mason university, and an MA in Folklore from UW-Madison. Her academic research explores how food traditions and storytelling creates intimacy in small groups, especially within her own family.

Ann Wilson

Ann Wilson is the Business Manager at the Wisconsin Academy. Along with her degree in Business from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Ann brings 30 years of business experience from the private sector and as a small business owner. She is excited to expand her career to the nonprofit sector. Ann’s personal interests include live theater, reading and anything outdoors where you can find her biking, hiking or skiing in the winter (yes, she loves Wisconsin winters!).

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