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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.
CEO/Executive Director
Christopher E. Bromson brings with him over 15 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. He leads the Museum’s amazing team to support its continued success, including enhanced visitor experience, membership expansion, revenue generation, programming, education, sponsorship, marketing, as well as additions to the Museum’s unique and valuable art collection. During his first two decades of life, Christopher’s large extended family included multiple breeds, including a Chow Chow, Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Bichons Frises, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Airedale Terriers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds, and Pomeranians. In adulthood, he settled on and welcomed into his own family a Newfoundland named Luca. Christopher serves on the Steering Committee of the Newfoundland Club of America and participates in his local Newfoundland Club.
Director of Development
Allison Ruttley oversees all aspects of the Museum’s Membership and Development programs. 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. Beyond the non-profit world she spends her time pursuing her passion for art and creating jewelry at her home studio.
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.
Digital Marketing Manager
Aaron Rosenblum manages the Museum’s marketing throughout New York and the digital world. With a range of experience in non-profit arts marketing, Aaron brings his passion for creative visual storytelling to the world of dog artwork. A graduate of Skidmore College, Aaron studied Business Management and Arts Administration with a generous helping of studio art. Aaron joined the Museum from Yaddo, a non-profit artist residency in Saratoga Springs, NY, where he led digital marketing. Outside of the Museum, Aaron loves to be outside skiing, riding bikes, and taking photos.
Manager of Learning and 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.
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.
Museum Retail Supervisor
Alyssa works primarily on maintaining and curating the Museum’s gift shop on site and online. She has worked in the gift shop for the last five years as a Sales Associate and is delighted to expand her presence here while providing guests and Members with unique items representative of this one-of-a-kind collection and its exhibitions. Before working at the Museum, Alyssa worked merchandise booths at Six and Moulin Rouge on Broadway and enjoyed a few years working merch booths at NYC Comic-Con and Anime NYC. She credits her admiration of art and its preservation to being raised by a mother who values history; to growing up in historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania; going to Seton Hill University, where historic and contemporary art exists in unison, and working summers between semesters at Chautauqua Opera and spending time off at the lectures and galleries on the grounds.
Museum Operations Supervisor
As the Museum Operations Supervisor, Madeline oversees facilities, daily operations and the overall experience for visitors. She has been with the organization since 2022, starting as a part-time Visitor Experience team member, which has given her an in-depth understanding of the museum. With a background in exhibitions, customer service, and the performing arts, she values connecting with people to create memorable experiences for visitors and staff alike. A lifelong dog lover, Madeline is proud to be part of a team dedicated to celebrating dogs through education and art. Outside of work, she enjoys running the Instagram for her family’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and performing with her band.
Coordinator of Education and Collections
Olivia Mendelson supports the Museum’s Education and Curatorial departments. She graduated from Fordham University with a degree in Urban Studies and Visual Arts. Given the interdisciplinary nature of her undergraduate work, Olivia is passionate about improving the quality of life for children and adults in urban communities through accessibility to the arts and art education. Her previous positions in museums and galleries throughout New York City and the Hudson Valley have developed and strengthened her experience in nonprofit management, arts administration, gallery assistance, and event coordination. Olivia’s current role in Educational Programming and Curation involves conceptualizing public programs to encourage local community engagement, as well as designing and cataloging content for the Museum’s permanent collection and exhibitions.
MUSEUM OF THE DOG BOARD MEMBERS
Class of 2025
Gayle Bontecou, Vice President
Brandi Hunter
Carol O’ Brien
Daphna Straus
Peter Rohslau, Treasurer
Alan Kalter, Vice Chairperson
Class of 2026
Jeffrey Ansell, Chairperson
James Crowley, Secretary
Gina DiNardo
Bill Nicholson
Ann Mariah Cook
Class of 2027
Ellen MacNeille Charles, President
Jane V. Love
Janet York
