Susan Westhoff

Susan Westhoff brings a passion for working with youth, volunteers, and cultural partners to her work and strives for a feeling of community in all her interactions. She loves building opportunities for everyone to experience something new and inspiring every time they visit, whether inside or outside, with science, the arts, or our natural world. Susan spends her free time camping and hiking throughout Michigan with her husband, Jim, and their children, Ellie and Sam.

Tom Butler

Tom Butler has joined our staff, having significant previous experience in both the non-profit and for for-profit sectors.  Tom has led the financial planning, reporting and compliance roles in entities ranging from community based social service organizations of $10 million in revenue to research and development divisions of $1.5 billion.  Outside of work Tom enjoys nature walks, biking, and sailboat racing, having crewed on seven Port Huron to Mackinaw races.

David Clipner

David Clipner is a lifelong learner who holds an elementary education degree from Eastern Michigan University, and has previously studied everything from philosophy to welding & fabrication. After 6 years as a Bassist and Sound Engineer in the Marine Corps Band he moved to Michigan to start new adventures though he still keeps his fingers wet in the audio/music world by teaching audio production at Washtenaw Community College and playing locally from time to time. He leads various workshops on heritage skills such as artisan baking and hand tool woodworking, hosts beverage tastings, and consults on wildlife and ecological restoration projects. Teaching and sharing his many interests with others including his wife, Mary and their three boys, Tilden, Rye, and Hawthorn remains his favorite way to spend his time. "You only get one life that we know of. Why would you want to keep all the wonderful things you learn to yourself? What a waste that would be."

Carol Knauss

Carol Knauss came to the Museum in 1998 from Cranbrook Institute of Science. A lifelong museum professional, Carol’s background is in history, public history, development, and museum operations. Carol loves reading, particularly curled up with her adorable tuxedo cat named Haley.

Gerry Diepenhorst

Gerry Diepenhorst has been keeping the facilities side of the Museum running smoothly for the past 10 years. He is licensed as both a builder and a mechanical contractor. Little did he know that the previous 30 years spent building and remodeling private residences and commercial properties, along with having purchased and extensively renovated more than a dozen multi-unit rental properties in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Willis that he was developing the perfect skill set for his current role at the museum. Gerry enjoys nothing better than delving into a thorny problem and coming up with a creative solution, and if in doing so, he is able to save the museum some money, all the better.

Ari Morris

Ari Morris has been with the organization since 2000. He's happiest while wearing many hats, including managing IT, special events, and project management. A native Ann Arborite, Ari has a background in natural history education, and spends his free time doing photography and music projects.

Charlie Stout

Charlie Stout joined the Museum staff in 2000 as an exhibits project manager following earlier careers in museum content development, archaeology research, and business change management consulting. A constant through his career moves has been drawing and explaining objects, processes and concepts – which meshes nicely with his current role as an exhibit developer. Outside the museum, Charlie illustrates academic literature, develops websites, writes and records music, and creates visual art in a variety of mediums.

Charlie Reischl

Charlie Reischl has worked with organizations driven by social impact and the creative arts in Southeast Michigan and the UK for the past 10 years. He brings a passion for finding resources to empower access to community gathering spaces and to connect people to personal growth opportunities. An Ann Arbor native, his work as a musician brought opportunities in youth development and community organizing before pursuing a business master’s degree at the University of Glasgow. He ran a technology recycling company in Scotland before returning to Michigan to work as a business development consultant. Charlie enjoys performing and teaching music on the string bass, backpacking, and gardening.

Brian Cressman

Brian Cressman has dedicated his life to teaching and inspiring people about science. If you were a kid between 1996 and now, you probably had him come to your classroom, local library, or museum with live animals, or fossils, or even to teach improv! He delivered outreach programs for The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History and then spent 5 years doing it for The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. After leaving to be a stay-at-home dad and freelance illustrator, he has returned to contribute his energy to Unity In Learning at the Leslie Science and Nature Center Critter House. His hobbies involve guitar, theater, and getting into water by any means possible. Brian's absolute favorite pastimes are traveling with his daughter or sitting around the house with their two cats while keeping an eye on the 65-pound tortoise in the backyard.

Alice Klute

Alice Klute started at the Museum working at summer camp during high school. She rejoined the team many years later and is now the Retail & IT Manager. Alice spends her free time playing video games, and walking with her dog, Daisy.

Nathan Phillips

Nathan Phillips joined the Development team in 2024. His previous roles included administrative support positions across a host of law firms and large companies. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, listening to music, and feeling small among the trees. (photo coming soon)

Gem Miller

Gem joined the AAHOM/LSNC team in 2024. She’s an alumna of Eastern Michigan University and has a background in Communications/Marketing. Gem has a passion for creating new and imaginative ideas. She enjoys drawing, nature walks and coaching volleyball in her free time!

Lannis Smith

Lannis Smith works as an Education Program Manager and has been working at LSNC since 2015. Ever since she could walk, Lannis has been walking through the wilderness. A Michigan native, she received her bachelor’s degree in Biology at Albion College, and earned her Master’s in Environmental Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Lannis has been teaching audiences of all ages about the natural world for over a decade, and every hobby she has involves being outdoors. When she's not teaching with one of our wildlife co-workers, Lannis backpacks with her husband and two adventures dogs, kayaks, and is an equestrian, riding horses for over 24 years!

Meg Robeson

Meg Robeson has been with Unity in Learning since 2018. They first began here as an Americorps member and have since transitioned to being a part of the education team. Meg loves birds, bugs, and all things outdoors!

Kim Messer

Kim Messer had dreams of being either a zoologist or a teacher as a child. Now, she gets the best of both worlds being a program coordinator with Unity in Learning, working with the resident animals, and teaching children of all ages through our various programs. When not at one of our UIL sites, Kim is either playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends or cozying up with her cat, Phoenix, and watching cartoons.

Ally Ross

Ally Ross joined the Unity in Learning team as a Program Manager in 2024. With over a decade of experience working with kids outdoors, Ally is excited to have the continued opportunity to introduce folks of all ages to the beauty of nature in Black Pond Woods and the wonders of science in the museum labs. When not leading science experiments or out on the trails with students, Ally enjoys canoeing, mountain biking, and going wherever her two dogs, Caesar and Gaia, lead her.

Emily Venner

Emily Venner joined the AAHOM and LSNC team in 2024.  She also teaches Art History and Visual Culture classes at Wayne State University.  Emily has a passion for lifelong learning, curiosity, and creativity.  When not at the museum, the nature center, or in the classroom she likes to read, camp, crochet, and hangout with her cats Ricco, Bonnie, and Cardamom.  

Calla McCulley

Calla McCulley, dedicated to fostering educational journeys, brings over a decade of expertise in outreach and teaching to Unity in Learning. As Visitor Services & Program Manager, Calla is passionate about community growth through impactful educational initiatives. Holding a Ph.D. in Chemistry, she has been instrumental in guiding students through their academic endeavors. Beyond the classroom, Calla finds joy in the dynamic worlds of volleyball, tennis, and video games. Her commitment to learning extends into her personal life, where she actively tutors and coaches students of all ages, blending a love for education with a zest for active pursuits.

Michele Schutte

Michele Schutte has an educational background in physical anthropology and museum studies. She joined the AAHOM team, chasing after school buses, in 2019. In her free time, she likes to sew costumes, work with stained glass, visit renaissance festivals and spend time with husband Jim, cat Ken-Ohki and dog Parker.

Lisa Usselman

Lisa Usselman has lived in various parts of Michigan all her life but travels frequently - she worked on a farm in Ecuador, studied medieval literature in England, and learned history in Italy while visiting every museum she could find. She credits these experiences for her obsession with museums now - she’s worked for almost all of them in Ann Arbor! When not at work, you can find her playing video games or hanging out with her chickens.