Our Team
Thank you to our officers and directors!
Our 2024 Board of Directors and Advisory Council helps make our work at the Westport Museum for History and Culture possible. A big thank you to the following individuals for dedicating the time and sharing their extensive experience.
Board Chair: Greg Porretta
Treasurer: Dannell Lyne
Directors: Cheryl Bliss, Catherine Lewis, Christina Torres
Meet Our Team
When you visit the Westport Museum for History and Culture, we invite you to be curious and explore history alongside our team. We invite you to approach the Westport Museum with an open mind so that history can reveal itself to you.
Meet the team that is involved with hosting you at Westport Museum. We are here to help enhance your experience of learning from the past.
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 Ganeshram is 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 Ganeshram 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, Ramin was an award-winning journalist who holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.
Image credit Jerri Graham
Kathy Nixon, Guest Services
E-mail: giftshop@westporthistory.org
Phone: 203-222-1424 Ext: 1
Kathy Nixon began as a frequent volunteer for years before serving as the Westport Museum treasurer. Mrs. Nixon is a born and raised Westporter who brings her passion for all things 06880 to serving guests at the Museum’s front desk.
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.
Nicole Carpenter, Director of Programs and Collections
E-mail: programs@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. Ms. 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 Director of Programs, Ms. Carpenter is responsible for both education through engaging and instructional programs, as well as the exhibitions throughout the museum. 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”.
Alicia D’Anna, Director of Operations
Email: operations@westporthistory.org
Phone: 203-222-1424 Ext: 5
Alicia D’Anna is an experienced facilities and project manager with an artistic background in dance, craft, and set design. She manages day to day operations at the Museum, membership, and builds designed exhibit structures.