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CELL Staff

Melanie Pearlman

Melanie Pearlman

President & CEO
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Tom Ruppel

Chief Operating Officer
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Elizabeth Cychosz

ELIZABETH C. JOHNSON

Associate Director of Education & Special Projects
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Melanie Pearlman

Melanie Pearlman

President & CEO
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Tom Ruppel

Chief Operating Officer
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Elizabeth Cychosz

Elizabeth C. Johnson

Associate Director of Education & Special Projects
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Jacqueline Graham headshot

JACQUELINE GRAHAM

Writing & Communications Specialist
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Leslie Hamdorf headshot

LESLIE HAMDORF

Manager of Curriculum & Instruction
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Marshall Harris headshot

Marshall Harris

Database & Systems Administrator
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James Hippensteel

James Hippensteel

Manager of Education & Programs
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Libby Hodgin headshot

Libby Hodgin

Associate Communications Manager
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Samantha Jones

Samanatha Jones

Associate Office Manager
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Caitlyn Lauchner headshot

CAITLYN LAUCHNER

Education & Outreach Coordinator
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Rudolf Leyba headshot

RUDOLF LEYBA

Education & Special Projects Coordinator
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Samantha Neville headshot

SAMANTHA NEVILLE

Database & Administrative Coordinator
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Magdalena Perez headshot

MAGDALENA PEREZ

Education & Special Projects Coordinator
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Hayley Reynolds

Associate Education & Special Projects Manager
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Meg Robbins headshot

MEG ROBBINS

Associate Education & Special Projects Manager
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Andy Stanley headshot

ANDY STANLEY

Database & Administrative Associate
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Bailey Yamshak headshot

BAILEY YAMSHAK

Special Projects Coordinator
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Jake Corbett

Special Projects Intern
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Ivy Di Virgilio headshot

Ivy Di Virgilio

Special Projects Intern
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Jacqueline Graham headshot

Jacqueline Graham

Writing & Communications Specialist
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Leslie Hamdorf headshot

Leslie Hamdorf

Manager of Curriculum & Instruction
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Marshall Harris headshot

Marshall Harris

Database & Systems Administrator
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James Hippensteel

James Hippensteel

Manager of Education & Programs
Read Bio
Libby Hodgin headshot

Libby Hodgin

Associate Communications Manager
Read Bio
Samantha Jones

Samanatha Jones

Associate Office Manager
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Caitlyn Lauchner headshot

Caitlyn lauchner

Education & Outreach Coordinator
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Rudolf Leyba headshot

Rudolf Leyba

Education & Special Projects Coordinator
Read Bio
Samantha Neville headshot

Samantha Neville

Database & Administrative Coordinator
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Magdalena Perez headshot

Magdalena Perez

Education & Special Projects Coordinator
Read Bio

Hayley Reynolds

Associate Education & Outreach Manager
Read Bio

Meg Robbins

Associate Education & Special Projects Manager
Read Bio
Andy Stanley headshot

ANDY STANLEY

Database & Administrative Associate
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Bailey Yamshak headshot

Bailey Yamshak

Special Projects Coordinator
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Jake Corbett

Special Projects Intern
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Ivy Di Virgilio headshot

Ivy Di Virgilio

Special Projects Intern
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Cailin Shioshita Pickett

Associate Database and Operations Manager
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Stephanie Whitehouse

Digital Marketing Coordinator
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Marketing Associate
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Melanie Pearlman

Melanie Pearlman

President & CEO

Melanie manages the administration, programming, and strategic planning for the Mizel Institute’s two centers – the Mizel Museum and the CELL. She has been with the Institute since 2008. Melanie’s vast accomplishments include receiving the FBI Director’s 2012 Community Leadership Award and being named one of the Denver Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40. Melanie received her M.A. in International Management and Foreign Affairs from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Tom Ruppel

Chief Operating Officer

Tom ensures proper execution of the Mizel Institute’s (including the Mizel Museum and the CELL) strategic plan. He has held various positions with the organization since joining in 2014. Tom received his M.A. in International Security with a Certificate in Homeland Security from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. He received his B.A. in International Relations and Economics from Connecticut College.

Elizabeth Cychosz

Elizabeth Cychosz Johnson

Associate Director of Education & Special Projects

Elizabeth supports the development of new educational initiatives, updates existing programming, and assists in implementing digital and in-person programs. She has been part of the team since 2017. Elizabeth holds an M.A. in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of San Diego and a B.A. in Anthropology and Journalism from Ohio University. She is a Certified Associate in Project Management with the Project Management Institute.

Jacquie Graham headshot

Jacqueline Graham

Writing & Communications Specialist

Jacqueline supports the marketing team’s planning and implementation of educational programs and events. She joined the team in 2022. Jacqueline is a highly passionate writer who believes in telling stories that empower the community. She holds an M.A. in Writing from Edinburgh Napier University and a B.A. in English Literature and Political Science from Denison University.

Leslie Hamdorf headshot

leslie hamdorf

Manager of Curriculum & Instruction

Leslie supports the organization’s educational programs. Leslie joined the team in 2023. She brings experience implementing various cross-cultural programs, managing K-12 educational programming, and service work with AmeriCorps. Leslie earned her Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership and Change from Fielding Graduate University, with a special focus on her educational theory, Action Leadership for Adolescents. 

Marshall Harris headshot

Marshall Harris

Database & Systems Administrator

Marshall is responsible for day-to-day managerial and administrative functions and database support. He joined the organization in 2024 with database and systems administration experience at numerous nonprofits and museums across the Denver metro area and beyond. Prior to his nonprofit work, Marshall served in the United States Navy and worked with a disaster relief and recovery organization throughout the U.S. west. Marshall completed his M.A. in history at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

James Hippensteel

James Hippensteel

Manager of Education & Programs

James develops and teaches education programs, tours, and curricula. He has been with the team since 2021. With over 20 years of experience in secondary, higher, and public history education, James brings vast expertise to the organization, including international human rights law, diplomatic history, and teaching a college-level History of Terrorism course. James is a proud graduate of the University of Montana-Missoula, where he received both his M.A. and B.A. in History.

Libby Hodgin headshot

Libby Hodgin

Associate Communications Manager

Libby plans, develops, and implements marketing and communications strategies. She joined the organization in 2024 and has a proven track record of making meaningful contributions to the nonprofit sector through marketing, project management, graphic design, and events. Libby holds an M.S. in Applied Economics from Oregon State University, a B.S. in Economics from Washington State University, a certificate in graphic design from Bellevue College, and a certificate in project management from Cornell University.

Samantha Jones

Samantha Jones

Associate Office Manager

Samantha specializes in fundraising efforts, administrative efficiency, and data collection. They have been with the organization since 2021. Samantha spearheads communication with the Board of Directors, manages fundraising efforts, provides oversight of program and event operations, and executes administrative and personal support for the CEO and other senior leadership. Samantha graduated from Colorado Christian University with a B.A. in English Literature Research.

Caitlyn Lauchner headshot

Caitlyn lauchner

Education & Outreach Coordinator

Caitlyn supports the development and implementation of the organization’s education programming and assists with school and community partner outreach. She joined the team in 2023. Caitlyn brings experience in educational programming, community engagement, and research to support the organization’s efforts. She earned her M.A. in Peace and Justice from the University of San Diego Kroc School and a B.A. in Religious Studies from Linfield University.

Rudolf Leyba headshot

rudolf leyba

Education & Special Projects Coordinator

Rudolf assists with the research, development, and implementation of new and existing programs across the organization. Rodolf joined the team 2022. Rudolf received his M.A. in International Security from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Mexico.

 

Samantha Neville headshot

samantha Neville

Database & Administrative Coordinator

Samantha supports database management and administration of programs and events. She has been with the organization since 2022. Samantha graduated with a B.A. in History from Brigham Young University.

Magdalena Perez headshot

Magdalena perez

Education & Special Projects Coordinator

Magdalena delivers impactful messages to all ages and communities as part of the education team. She has been with the organization since 2022. Magdalena holds an M.A. in International Security, specializing in human security and human rights, from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. She also holds a B.A. in International Studies and Italian from the University of Denver.

Photo_Hayley Renyolds

Hayley Reynolds

Associate Education & Outreach Manager

Hayley joined the team in 2024 and is committed to fostering community collaboration through educational programs. With over 20 years of experience in youth program quality assessment and development, she excels in building strong partnerships with schools and nonprofits, creating engaging outreach events, and leading impactful youth and community initiatives. Hayley holds dual B.A. degrees in Organizational Psychology and Comparative Religions & Cultures from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

Meg Robbins headshot

MEG ROBBINS

Associate Education & Special Projects Manager

Meg is essential to the education team, providing programming opportunities for elementary and high school-aged students, developing engaging curricula, and building partnerships with fellow educators across the front range. She joined the team in 2019. She is passionate about the work to celebrate diversity, spread messages of equality and equity, and combat hatred in all its forms.

Andy Stanley headshot

Andy Stanley

Database & Administrative Associate

Andy helps ensure the organization is operating at its best. He has been with the team since 2023. Andy has a passion for helping others and a drive to make change a reality through his roles in the financial, service, and nonprofit sectors. Taking the skills and knowledge gained from his experiences, Andy hopes to help improve the lives of those in his community.