Food is culture and, as a program coordinator at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), I explored this connection through a series of public events called Adventures in the Global Kitchen. For each one, I researched popular and lesser-known food historians, culinary experts, brewers and chefs and worked with them to develop an enticing and educational evening, which I then hosted. Always accompanied by tastings, I also worked with local purveyors to secure samples of related dishes. 

I started working with the Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival at AMNH as an intern and, over the course of 5 years, became a program coordinator for this premiere documentary film festival. In this role, I screened hundreds of film submissions and worked to curate films and speakers for the annual festival. One year, the closing night film featured Bela Fleck and was about the roots of the banjo. As an extension of the film, I arranged for a group of akonting players to perform after the discussion with the filmmaker. The music brought the themes of the film to life!

In celebration of the International Polar Year (2007-2009), AMNH highlighted the scientific research, adventure, and culture of the poles with lectures, performances, and a polar fair. I worked in partnership with colleagues at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Institute and the Earth Institute of Columbia University to coordinate a weekend of events for adults and children, including displaying a 6-foot-long ice core sample. Over 5,000 people attended the events with 95 presenters from 24 institutions.

In addition to creating events for adults, I had the opportunity to develop and deliver workshops for children at the American Museum of Natural History, including pysanky egg decorating and science adventure camps with topics like astrophysics, robotics, and ocean adventures.