Who We Are - Made By Us

Our national motto, e pluribus unum—out of many, one— is also the ethos of this group. We are history and civics organizations collaborating across the country. We recognize the opportunity presented in this transformative moment to better serve the public and join the ongoing conversation about the future of our country. With an innovative team, pioneering leadership and nationwide institutional network, we have come together in an unprecedented way, pooling resources and bringing the best we each have to offer, so that we might harness the spirit of collaboration and tap into our varied strengths—across regions, disciplines, and methods. We are modeling a new path forward for the ways in which history serves the people. Now is the time for us all to step up. Want to join us? Get in touch.

The Made By Us Steering Committee, composed of nine leading history institutions, directs the program’s vision, priorities and policies through collective leadership.

Neil A. Barclay

President and CEO, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History

Leslie Greene Bowman

President, Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello

Sheffield Hale

Executive Director and CEO, Atlanta History Center

Anthea Hartig

Elizabeth MacMillan Director, National Museum of American History

James Pepper Henry

Executive Director and CEO, First Americans Museum

Frances Levine

President and CEO, Missouri Historical Society

Patrick Madden

Executive Director, National Archives Foundation

Andrew Masich

President and CEO, Senator John Heinz History Center

Louise Mirrer

President and CEO, New-York Historical Society

Jorge Zamanillo

Executive Director, HistoryMiami Museum

Abby Pfisterer

Education Specialist, National Museum of American History

Adam Rozan

Director, Programs & Audience Development, National Museum of American History

Alexandra Rodriguez

Executive Assistant, President’s Office, Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello

Benjamin Filene

Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs, National Museum of American History

Brady Smith

Director of Marketing & Communications, Senator John Heinz History Center

Carrie Kotcho

Acting Associate Director for Audience Engagement, National Museum of American History

Chad Wollerton

Director of Digital Media and Strategy, Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello

Claire Haley

Special Advisor to the CEO and Media Communications Director, Atlanta History Center

Emily Haight

Social Media Manager, New-York Historical Society

Gary Sandling

Vice President of Visitor Programs and Services, Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello

Ginny Underwood

Director of Marketing, First Americans Museum

Ines Aslan

Vice President, Communications, New-York Historical Society

Jennifer Evans

Assistant Curator, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

Jim Doumas

Deputy Executive Director, National Archives Foundation

Ken Cohen

Curator of American Culture, National Museum of American History

Leigh Walters

Director of Marketing & Communications, Missouri Historical Society

Lois Carlisle

Content Coordinator, Atlanta History Center

Mariruth Leftwich

Director of Education, Senator John Heinz History Center

Marybeth Ihle

Communications Manager, New-York Historical Society

Mattie Gainer

Programs and Communications Manager, National Archives Foundation

Melinda Machado

Director of Communications, National Museum of American History

Michael Knoll

Vice President of Curatorial Affairs, HistoryMiami Museum

Michele Reese

Marketing Director, HistoryMiami Museum

Orlando Serrano

Manager of Youth and Teacher Programs, National Museum of American History

Patrina Chatman

Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

Ryan Lintelman

Curator of Entertainment, National Museum of American History

Taylor Collison

Marketing & Communications Manager, National Archives Foundation

Tina Menendez

Vice President of Education, HistoryMiami Museum

Valeska Hilbig

Associate Director of Communications, National Museum of American History

Vanessa Contreras

Social Media Manager, HistoryMiami Museum

Caroline Klibanoff

Managing Director

Kate Doak-Keszler

Social Media Coordinator

Kaz Brecher

Innovation Strategist

Valerie Donati

Brand Strategist

Anchored in historical or civics expertise, and hailing from across the United States and territories, Made By Us Anchor Partners participate in developing and disseminating programs and commit to the Made By Us values, including prioritizing the needs of our audiences over “the way we’ve always done it;” choosing collaboration and knowledge-sharing over competition and institutional primacy; and modeling humility and curiosity to invite new perspectives. Find one near you.

Our vision for the United States of America at 250 is a vibrant country shaped by passionate guardians of our founding ideals—younger generations whose participation in molding our country’s future is powered by rich historical perspective.

Some of the most transformative moments in shaping our nation have come from young people who got fed up with the status quo and demanded more from their country, drawing upon the past to change the future. Entrepreneurs, innovators, pioneers and explorers – whose stories we love and revere – have time and time again harnessed the lessons of history to shape the world.

Thomas Jefferson was just 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and Martin Luther King Jr. were in their teens, twenties, and early thirties when they made their mark. They were the “Millennials” of their time. They recognized that tomorrow is created through the choices we make today – and that we carry our shared history with us into the future, whether we choose to face it head-on or not. Those trailblazers empowered themselves by deciding to learn it, embrace it, and use it as a tool. They saw themselves as part of the story. You are, too.

As we look at our hopes and dreams, how might we draw inspiration and heed the lessons from those who came before, who understood they were not merely passive inheritors of the past but that their actions could shape the nation for years to come? Today, younger generations are more engaged—and more needed—than ever before to shape the next chapter. That’s why we created Made By Us, an unprecedented effort by stewards of our national memory to present history in relevant, provocative, and surprising ways for anyone who wants to participate in shaping the future of our country. Over the next few years, we’ll listen, learn, and share tools and initiatives to address real issues in real-time. With the nation’s 250th anniversary on the horizon, there’s no better moment to harness the power of our collective imagination and write the next 250 years—together. Just as the signers of the Declaration framed a new world for Americans to bring to life, we have our own part to play in the coming chapters, by what we do and by what we don’t do. History serves us best when it is of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Interested in getting your organization involved? Sign up for a webinar to learn more.

Made By Us is currently seeking to identify champions and collaborators to support our growth. For funding or brand integration opportunities, contact Managing Director Caroline Klibanoff at KlibanoffC@si.edu.

Like our democracy itself, Made By Us is an ongoing experiment that is shaped by the people involved. Sign up for emails to stay in the loop, join our BFF list, or have your organization explore becoming an Anchor Partner.

Questions? Get in touch at info@historymadebyus.com.