Our Team

Ramin Ganeshram, Executive Director
E-mail: executivedirector@westporthistory.org

Ramin Ganeshram, serves as the Executive Director of the Westport Museum since 2018. In recognition for her work as curator of the Museum’s 2018-19 exhibit, Remembered: The History of African Americans in Westport, Ganeshram received the prestigious award for Leadership in the Museum Field from the New England Museum Association (NEMA). Remembered won awards of merit from the Connecticut League of History Associations (CLHO) and the coveted Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). In 2019, Ganeshram was also awarded the Paul Cuffee Memorial Fellowship for the For the Study of Minorities in American Maritime History. In 2022 she was a Fellow at the Fred W. Smith Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon.

Under Ganeshram’s leadership, the Museum has partnered closely with organizations focused on BIPOC cultural movements. With her at its helm, the Museum has been recognized by museum-industry leaders and by Connecticut Humanities (an arm of the National Endowment for the Humanities) as a standard-bearer for how small to midrange museums can truthfully and faithfully address American history around race and identity — particularly relating to slavery and civil rights. Prior to her role at the Museum, Ganeshram was an award-winning journalist who holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.

Image credit Jerri Graham

Nicole Carpenter, Assistant Director 
E-mail: assistantdirector@westporthistory.org       
Phone:  203-222-1424 Ext: 3

Nicole Carpenter has 10 years of experience in exhibition design and curation, as well as collections management through her work in multiple non-profit organizations including Plimoth Patuxet Museums and Chaffee Art Center. Her experience is enhanced by her master’s degree in museum studies from Syracuse University. Carpenter also completed her bachelor’s degree in art history and painting with a minor in both history and business administration at Castleton University.

As Assistant Director, Carpenter is responsible for the creation of engaging and instructional exhibitions throughout the museum, as well strategic partnerships. Additionally she oversees the physical collection numbering over 4,000 objects. During her time at the Museum she has won the Connecticut League of History Organizations Award of Merit for the annual third grade tour “Exploring Westport History at the Wheeler House.”

Sara Krasne, Volunteer Research Manager
Email: archives@westporthistory.org                   
Phone 203-222-1424 Ext: 2

For the last eight years, Sara Krasne has dedicated her time to Westport Museum as a researcher and genealogist in the archives. At the Museum Ms. Krasne oversees the house history and historic plaque program.

Alexander Filippides, Program Associate
Email: programming@westporthistory.org
Phone: 203-222-1424 Ext: 4

Alexander Filippides is a recent History and Digital Public History graduate from the University of Connecticut. Filippides has previously worked at a variety of historical and cultural institutions across the United States, including Discovering Amistad, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Connecticut State Library & Museum. Through education and experience, Filippides has developed skills in leading educational programs, preparing both physical and digital exhibits, and performing historical research.

As Program Associate, Filippides is responsible for education through engaging and instructional programs. Additionally volunteers are encouraged to reach out and combine their passion for history with the Museums mission.