Erin comes to NAHA from the public library sector, where she most recently served as a Library Director. Her work over the past decade has focused on building strong cultural heritage assets within local communities, establishing professional archives in public libraries, launching digital heritage initiatives, teaching courses in historic research, and serving on heritage-missioned boards.
Reflecting on both her professional experience and her Norwegian-American heritage, Erin looks to her appointment as NAHA’s new Executive Director with a sense of reverence.
“Stepping into this role following NAHA’s centennial and the success of the Archives campaign is a privilege I take seriously,” she says. “I’m honored to build on the strong foundation my predecessor, Amy Boxrud, the NAHA staff, board, and our member-supported community have built over the years. NAHA’s mission of preserving and sharing the Norwegian-American story is one I care about deeply, both professionally and personally. I’m committed to helping ensure our stories continue to be told for generations to come.”
Erin holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, an Associate of Applied Science in Building Preservation & Restoration from Belmont College, and a Master of Library Science from Emporia State University.
Leading NAHA into its next century, Erin is eager to learn, listen, and work to carry forward NAHA’s vision to be a leader in the stewardship of Norwegian-American stories and experiences, relevant to other immigrant cultures, and in recognition of cross-cultural encounters. She welcomes NAHA members and those interested in the organization to reach out and introduce themselves. Our heritage is not only preserved in the documents we collect, but by the connections we make through them.