Leadership


A Message From CSA Leadership

Congratulations to the Southwestern region on a great national symposium! I hope everyone who attended had a great time. If you couldn’t make it this year, keep an eye out for “As Seen at Symposium” webinars through the Conversations on Dress series over the coming year. You can also peruse the abstract by downloading the proceedings from the members-only website. We hope to see you all in person at our 50th Annual Symposium next year in Washington, DC!

 

This year we took some time for a town hall the last day of the symposium. Most of the questions were about the logistics of how the symposium operates and how decisions are made about it. Additionally, we had some questions about diversity and leadership. I will produce a written report later this summer to allow all members to access the conversation.

 

We also kicked off the review of our strategic plan with an intense ideation workshop for the future of CSA. Participants produced a bevy of considerations and ideas to be sorted through by the core strategic planning team. I’ve transcribed about half of the ideas to date, and let me tell you, there are some fun ones! Thanks to all who participated.

 

These initiatives are part of our year-long celebration of CSA’s 50th anniversary. If you have not already, remember to donate to the 50th anniversary endowment fund. Funds raised will help sustain CSA for the future by creating an endowed administrator fund to support professional administrative leadership. This leadership is essential to the continued health and vitality of CSA. YOU can help that initiative come to fruition through a donation using THIS FORM.

 

And to sweeten the deal, four CSA Fellows have generously agreed to match $5000 for each quarter! Consider donating today. Your gift will be doubled by an anonymous Fellow!

 

As always, feel free to reach out to me personally. It is my honor to serve you.

 

Warmly,

Lalon Alexander

CSA President 2022-2024

Executive Committee

Nominations for 2024-2026 positions are open and will close on September 29, 2023. Click here for the nomination form. Members can learn more on our governance information page.


Click on each person's image for more information about them!

Lalon Alexander

President, 2022-2024

Leon Wiebers

President Elect, 2022-2024

Sheryl Farnan Leipzig

Past President, 2022-2024

Danielle Reaves

Treasurer, 2022-2024

Theresa Alexander

Secretary, 2022-2024

Julia Petrov

Vice President for Publications, 2023-2025

Katie Baker Jones

Vice President for Internal Relations, 2022-2024

Deborah Miller

Vice President for External Relations, 2024-2025

Graham Wetzbarger

Vice President for Technology, 2023-2025

Arlesa Shephard

Vice President for Awards & Honors, 2022-2024

Patty Edmonson

Vice President Grants & Projects, 2024-2025

Heidi Cochran

Vice President for Symposia, 2023-2025

TBD

Vice President Education & Programs, 2024-2026

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors governs the Society and supervises its management, reviewing the overall functioning of the organization and making changes as necessary.


Nominations for the Class of 2027 are now open and will close on September 29, 2023. Click here for the nomination form. Members can learn more on our governance information page.


Click on each person's image for more information about them!

Karen DePauw

2023-2026

Clarissa M. Esguerra

2022-2025

Karan Feder

2021-2024

Susan Hannel

2022-2025

Neal Hurst

2021-2024

Michaele Thurgood Haynes

2022-2025

Adam MacPhàrlain

2023-2026

Michael Mamp

2023-2024

Dyese Matthews

2022-2024

Graduate Student Liaison

Jean L. Parsons

2021-2024

Jaleesa Reed

2023-2026

Paige E. Tomfohrde

2023-2025

Graduate Student Liaison

Kelly Reddy-Best

2021-2024

Clare Sauro

2023-2026

Arlesa Shephard

2022-2025

Ginger D. Stanciel

2023-2026

Ann Wass

2021-2024

Parliamentarian

Graham Wetzbarger

2022-2025

Staff

Click on each person's image for more information about them!

Kristen Miller Zohn

Executive Director

Kate M. Ahn

Database and Member Services Administrator

Madison Brito

Editor, e-News and Conversations on Dress Webinars

Past Presidents

Sheryl Farnan Leipzig

2020-2022

Sara Marcketti

2018-2020

Gayle Strege

2016-2018

Kathy Mullet

2014-2016

Robin Campbell

2012-2014

Sally Helvenston Gray

2010-2012

Barbara Broudo

2008-2010

Kay King

2006-2008

Rosalyn Lester

2004-2006

Donna Locke

2002-2004

Joy Emery

2000-2002

Phyllis Specht

1998-2000

Colleen Callahan

1996-1998

Alicia Annas

1994-1996

Inez Brooks-Myers

1990-1994

Jean Druesedow

1986-1990

Elizabeth Jachimowicz

1982-1986

Elizabeth Ann Coleman

1976-1982

Herbert Callister

1973-1976

Founders

Stella Blum

An international lecturer, author, costume consultant and guest curator.

  • Curator of The Costume Institute, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY for thirty years.
  • Gave CSA its name and served on the Board of Directors from 1977 to 1985.
  • Served as Vice President 1973-1980.
  • The CSA Stella Blum Grant stimulates and rewards outstanding student scholarship, and honors her memory.

Herb Callister

A pioneer in the field who regarded costume and textiles as a significant art form.

  • Curator of the Hartford Atheneum, Hartford. CT.
  • Trained as a fashion stylist and was associated with G. Fox & Company, Hartford, CT.
  • Designed costumes and sets for drama, opera and dance.
  • First CSA president, elected in 1973, and wrote CSA’s first constitution.

Elizabeth Ann Coleman

A world-renowned costume curator, scholar, author, and consultant on worldwide exhibits.

  • Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, David and Roberta Logie Curator of Costume and Fashion Arts.
  • Curator of Costumes, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX.
  • Curator of Costume, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY.
  • Served on the Board of Directors from 1973 – 2001.
  • Second President 1976-1982.

Adele Filene

Sportswear and handbag designer, teacher, researcher for costume restoration.

  • CSA was literally “born” in her living room June 28, 1973.
  • Owned Adele Jay, Haute Couture Salon, London, England.
  • First CSA Treasurer 1973-1979.
  • Conducted successful CSA International Study Tours.
  • Adele Filene Travel Award supports students’ scholarship presentations at national symposia and honors her name.

Cora Ginsberg

An outstanding collector/dealer in costume and textiles who possessed an all encompassing knowledge of the history of dress.

  • One of the first Americans to establish the study of dress as a legitimate discipline through her pioneering research, collecting and lecturing.
  • She had a direct influence on collections in both the USA and abroad.
  • Served on Board of Directors 1977-1987.

Elizabeth Jachimowicz

A multi-faceted contributor to the field of costume, through exhibits, teaching and publishing.

  • Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, IL.
  • Museum of the City of New York, NY.
  • Taught History of Costume at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France for the Parsons School of Design Summer program.
  • CSA President 1984-1988.
  • Served CSA in broad variety of ways including Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Board of Directors member.

Fellows

The Costume Society of America Fellow Honor is the highest honor bestowed by CSA. It recognizes the dedication, commitment, leadership, and outstanding contributions of CSA members to the Costume Society of America and to the field of costume.

  • 2022

    Mary Gibson

    San Diego, CA


    Sheryl Farnan Leipzig

    Kansas City, MO

  • 2021

    Patricia Hunt-Hurst

    Athens, GA


    Gayle Strege

    Columbus, OH

  • 2020

    Anne Bissonnette

    Edmonton, AB


    Howard Vincent Kurtz

    Maitland, FL


    Jean L. Parsons

    Columbia, MO


    Elaine Pederson

    Bellingham, WA

  • 2019

    Shelly Foote

    Ventura, California


    A. Newbold Richardson

    Alexandria, Virginia


    Kaye K. Boyer Ryan

    Palm Coast, Florida

  • 2018

    Martha Winslow Grimm

    Phoenix, AZ


    Harold F. Mailand

    Indianapolis, IN


    Sara B. Marcketti 

    Ames, IA

  • 2017

    No award granted

  • 2016

    Marilyn DeLong 

    St. Paul, MN

  • 2015

    Kathy Mullet

    Corvallis, OR

  • 2014

    Robert Hillestad 

    Lincoln, NE

  • 2013

    Judith Mathey

    Mendocino, CA

  • 2012

    Vicki Berger 

    Phoenix, AZ


    Barbara Broudo 

    Beverly, MA


    Phyllis Tortora

    Briarcliff Manor, NY

  • 2011

    Elizabeth Wayland Barber 

    Pasadena, CA


    June Burns Bove

    Ridgewood, NJ

  • 2010

    Caralee Biery Smith

    Aledo, TX

  • 2009

    Patricia Reiff Anawalt

    Los Angeles, CA


    Joanne Bubolz Eicher

    St. Paul, MN

  • 2008

    No award granted

  • 2007

    Sally Helvenston Gray

    Haslett, MI


    Rosalyn Lester

    Blackburg, VA

  • 2006

    Edward Maeder 

    Deerfield, MA

  • 2005

    Kay King 

    Houston, TX

  • 2004

    Margaret Ordoñez 

    Kingston, RI


    Linda Welters 

    Kingston, RI

  • 2003

    Nancy Bryant 

    Corvallis, OR


    Joy Emery 

    West Kingston, RI


    Sally Queen 

    Alexandria, VA

  • 2002

    Joan Severa 

    Madison, WI

  • 2001

    Patricia C. Warner 

    Belchertown, MA

  • 2000

    Claudia Brush Kidwell

    Washington, DC


    Jane Farrell-Beck 

    Ames, IA

  • 1999

    No award granted

  • 1998

    Colleen Callahan 

    Richmond, VA


    Patricia Cunningham 

    Columbus, OH

  • 1997

    No award granted

  • 1996

    Richard Martin 

    New York, NY

  • 1995

    Inez Brooks-Myers 

    Oakland, CA


    Otto Charles Thieme

    Cincinnati, OH


    Helene Von Rosenstiel 

    Brooklyn, NY

  • 1994

    Robert Riley

  • 1993

    Jean Druesedow 

    Kent, OH


    Phyllis Specht 

    Pasadena, CA

  • 1992

    Alicia M. Annas 

    San Diego, CA


    Elizabeth S. Brown 

    Belle Mead, NJ


    Patricia A. Trautman 

    Enfield, CT


    Polly Willman

    Washington, DC

  • 1991

    Stella Blum 

    New York, NY


    J. Herbert Callister 

    Hartford, CT


    Elizabeth Ann Coleman 

    Boston, MA


    Adele Filene 

    New York, NY


    Cora Ginsburg 

    New York, NY


    Dr. Jack Handford 

    Los Angeles, CA


    Elizabeth Jachimowicz 

    Chicago, IL


    Shannon Rodgers

    Kent, OH

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