Key Staff

OUR TEAM

At AKC Museum of the Dog, our staff is focused on celebrating the role of dogs in society and educating the public about the human-canine bond. Get to know our key staff members and read their bios below.

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Gina DiNardo

Interim Director & CEO

Gina DiNardo, spokeperson and talent for the American Kennel Club, has had life-long involvement with purebred dogs. Raised in the sport, Gina has more than 40 years of experience handling and judging purebred dogs. She is also the business visionary behind AKC.tv, the premier channel for dog-related content as well as on-camera talent and the co-host of the AKC National Championship. As Executive Secretary, one of three Officers of the Corporation, she oversees various departments including Communications and PR, Publications, Library and Archives, Goverment Relations, Education, Marketing, Media and Sponsorships. Her keen insight into the world of dogs and business help maintain AKC's position as a thought leader on all things dogs. 

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Allison O’Keeffe

Director of Individual Giving & Membership

Allison O'Keeffe oversees all aspects of the Museum's Membership and Individual Giving program. A fine arts and art history graduate of Skidmore College, she brings with her years of experience in the museum and non-profit world. Her museum career began at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, where she helped found the Cooper Hewitt's Young Patron program and took her to the Neue Galerie New York where she managed the membership, development, and events programs with particular attention to the museum's Junior Council. Most recently, Allison was the Director of Donor Engagement and Events at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL, where she was part of a leadership team spearheading a multi-million dollar capital campaign and where she managed fundraising events including the annual Orchid Ball Gala. Beyond the non-profit world she spends her time pursuing her passion for art and creating jewelry at her home studio. 

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Alan Fausel

Adjunct Curator

Alan Fausel brings with him over 30 years of art-world experience as a scholar, curator, and appraiser. His curatorial career began at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco in the department of European Sculpture and Decorative Art. He was then appointed curator of the Frick Art Museum in Pittsburgh. He has been with the auction houses Butterfields in San Francisco and Doyle and Bonhams in New York since 1990. Mr. Fausel has been a regular on the paintings table of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW since the series' first season in 1997. He taught at New York University in the Graduate School of Arts Education from 1999-2017. He is a frequent lecturer to groups including the Appraiser's Association of America.

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Nicholas Popoli

Manager of Visitor Experience & Operations

Nicholas Popoli oversees the Museum’s Membership & Visitor Experience, bringing with him a decade’s worth of experience in the Museum & Nonprofit world. A graduate of Seton Hall University, Nicholas started his career at The Italian American Museum and followed that with experiences at The Newark Museum, The September 11th Memorial & Museum and The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, working in a variety of fields including development, membership, education & visitor services. Not to mention his experience working in the Sports Industry for The New York Cosmos, his alma matter Seton Hall University and as a credentialed sports photographer. An avid sports fan, Nicholas bleeds Blue, whether that’s the blue of the Seton Hall Pirates, Yankees, Cowboys, Rangers or Knicks depends on the season!

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Sarah Moshenberg

Manager of Learning & Engagement

Sarah Moshenberg has over 15 years of experience leading engaging programs in museums and cultural institutions. Her passion for informal education began at The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History during her undergraduate studies, which led her to The George Washington University to earn a MAT in Museum Education. Most recently, Sarah enjoyed ten years at the American Museum of Natural History as the Manager of the Discovery Room and Family Learning. Previously, she conducted tours and taught a variety of programs at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, The National Zoo, and the International Spy Museum.

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Nicole Schonitzer

Development Associate

Nicole Schonitzer supports the Museum's Development Department and brings with her years worth of advancement experience from a variety of nonprofit settings. She is a strong advocate of the arts and museums and has worked in institutions such as the Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago and Lawyers for the Creative Arts, an organization that provides pro-bono legal services to artists. She comes to the Museum from the Major Gifts department at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Nicole earned her BA in English from Vassar College and an MFA in Painting at the Rhode Island School of Design. She is also a practicing artist and has a studio in Brooklyn, NY.

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Marian van Noppen

Digital Media Manager

Marian van Noppen brings over a decade of digital media experience, complemented by her development expertise gained from working with esteemed arts nonprofits such as Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Holding an MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University, Marian's innovative and imaginative approach to devising digital content is enriched by her theatrical background. Her passion for art and technology has led her to create compelling content for diverse clients, including children's book authors, nonprofit theaters, athletic companies, and even sleep specialists.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Marian is an avid dog enthusiast. You can find her at the park each morning alongside her faithful companion, Stella, a spirited 2-year-old Wheaten. Stella also happens to be Marian’s toughest art critic of her dog portraits (Marian’s favorite weekend hobby).

MUSEUM OF THE DOG BOARD MEMBERS

Class of 2023

Jeffrey Ansell, Chairperson 

James Crowley, Secretary 

Gina DiNardo

Bill Nicholson

Ann Mariah Cook

Class of 2024

Ellen MacNeille Charles, President 

Jane V. Love

Hon. David C. Merriam, Vice Chairperson 

Nancy J. Shaw

Dr. Robert E. Tainsh

Janet York

Class of 2025

Gayle Bontecou, Vice President 

Brandi Hunter

Carol O’ Brien

Daphna Straus

Peter Rohslau, Treasurer 

Alan Kalter

Out of courtesy to our neighbors, only service dogs and invited demonstration dogs are allowed in the museum.


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Accessibility

Service animals are welcome in the museum. The museum entrance is wheelchair accessible via the building’s main plaza on the corner of Park Ave and E 40th Street. Accessible elevators are located on the first floor of the museum to the left of the admissions desk and gift shop. Public restrooms include accessible facilities.

If you have any questions regarding accessibility, please feel free to contact the museum.

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Photography Policy

Non-flash photography is permitted in the Museum for personal (non commercial) use except where noted. Flash photography, videography and tripods are not permitted in the Museum.