Meet the Executive Team

Marcus Harshaw – President & CEO

Marcus A. Harshaw, Jr. is a dedicated and visionary leader committed to inspiring future generations through immersive experiences, community engagement and innovative programming. As the President and CEO of Wings Over the Rockies™, Marcus aligns his work with the museum’s mission to ignite a passion for aviation and aerospace and foster lifelong learning. With nearly 20 years of experience in the museum field, he brings a proven track record of creating inspirational guest experiences, building community partnerships and driving organizational growth.

Throughout his career, Marcus has led transformative projects that connect audiences to meaningful cultural and educational experiences. At Carnegie Science Center, he oversaw the development of Mars: The Next Giant Leap®, an award-winning exhibit that highlighted aerospace innovation and fostered stakeholder collaboration. His leadership extended to managing diverse teams, leading immersive traveling exhibition experiences for over 1 million museum visitors and advancing STEM education initiatives that reached hundreds of thousands of learners. At Wings, Marcus is inspired by the opportunity to elevate the museum’s role as a leader in aerospace education while creating immersive, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and connect visitors to the wonders of flight.

Marcus’ passion for collaboration is evident in his dedication to community partnerships and educational outreach. He has worked closely with schools, industry leaders and nonprofit organizations to expand access to STEM pathways, ensuring underrepresented groups are inspired and equipped to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. Holding a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in History, cum laude, from Northern Kentucky University, Marcus combines his academic foundation with his professional expertise to position Wings Over the Rockies as a beacon of inspiration and inspiration.

Kristina Stuber – Chief Development Officer

Kristina Stuber is the Chief Development Officer at Wings Over the Rockies and leads the museums fundraising efforts. Kristina is responsible for the planning, coordination and oversight of development strategies as well as membership and volunteer programs, corporate partnerships, grants, planned giving, public programming and corporate events. Kristina joined the museum in 2022 as Director of Development and led the post-pandemic development effort. Wings’ mission to “educate, inspire and excite all people about aviation and space endeavors” is a natural fit for Kristina. The daughter of a retired Army pilot, she was taught at a young age the wonder of flight and the importance of serving.

Most recently, Kristina served as the Executive Director of the Webster Groves School District Foundation (WGSDF) in St. Louis, MO. During her time at WGSDF she led the foundation and supported the school district through the challenges of COVID-19. Kristina currently serves as a board member of the Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI), a nonprofit that provides financial support for disadvantaged youth to enter a skills-based education program. She remains active in public education by serving on the Jefferson County school board district accountability committee and volunteering at her childrens’ schools. Kristina also served in the United States Air Force and Maine Air National Guard as an air traffic controller. She received a B.A. in Social Thought and Political Economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Susy Heldman – Chief Financial Officer

Susy Heldman is Chief Financial Officer and leads the accounting, human resources and facilities teams. She joined the museum in 2024 and has over 30 years of leadership experience in accounting, finance, tax and human resources for not-for-profit organizations. Susy previously served as Vice President & Controller at DAFgiving360 (previously known as Schwab Charitable Fund), a national donor-advised fund, and Controller at Chela Financial Resources, a secondary market for student loans. Susy spent her earlier career in the oil and gas industry in Southern California.

Susy received her Bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and her MBA from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. She studied accounting, audit, finance and tax at the University of California Santa Barbara and enjoyed executive management coursework at Harvard and Stanford Business Schools.

Susy had the privilege of growing up in Lima, Peru and was provided a passion for giving back to the community and has held numerous leadership and treasurer positions at local and international nonprofit organizations. Susy likes to lead with a purpose, collaborate, engage, innovate for positive change, coach all with respect, empathy, authenticity, integrity and knowledge that mirrors the vision, mission and values of Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.

Karen Slye – Chief Marketing Officer

Karen Slye is the Chief Marketing Officer of Wings Over the Rockies. She has over 20 years of leadership experience developing and executing effective strategies that foster community, drive brand growth, engage audiences and increase revenue. Karen leads Wings’ marketing and communication initiatives to elevate its local and national presence and increase attendance and revenue. She also oversees the guest experience team, championing brand activation to create memorable interactions that strengthen brand awareness, loyalty and emotional connections.

Karen’s leadership philosophy is rooted in innovation, adaptability and a guest-centric approach. Her work directly aligns with Wings’ mission and vision to educate, inspire and excite the next generation of explorers. Under her leadership, Wings has launched a revitalized website and brand strategy, expanded digital advertising initiatives and developed integrated marketing efforts that reinforce Wings as a nationally recognized museum. She works with the talented team responsible for the Emmy-nominated Behind the Wings^® PBS series, which brings the fascinating world of aviation and aerospace to life through compelling behind-the-scenes looks–using storytelling to translate complex topics into engaging content, strengthening Wings’ mission and expanding its reach.

Before joining Wings Over the Rockies, Karen held senior marketing leadership roles in the restaurant industry, where she led successful community-driven initiatives and large-scale marketing strategies for national brands. She went to the University of Denver with a focus in Business and Communication.