About NAI
Interpreters connect visitors to important natural, cultural, and historical resources at parks, nature centers, historical sites, aquariums, zoos, and anywhere that people come to learn about places. NAI defines interpretation as "a mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource."
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the profession of heritage interpretation, currently serving about 5,000 members in the United States, Canada, and over thirty other nations. Individual members include those who work at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, historical and cultural sites, commercial tour companies, and theme parks. Commercial and institutional members include those who provide services to the heritage interpretation industry.
NAI continues to add programs, products, and services to meet the needs of a growing profession. Currently, NAI offers an annual national conference that attracts over 1,000 people, an international conference, regional and special-interest section workshops, two full-color magazines, certification and training, an association store, a publishing imprint (InterpPress), digital newsletters, and web-based services. Visit www.interpnet.com for more information.
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the profession of heritage interpretation, currently serving about 5,000 members in the United States, Canada, and over thirty other nations. Individual members include those who work at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, historical and cultural sites, commercial tour companies, and theme parks. Commercial and institutional members include those who provide services to the heritage interpretation industry.
NAI continues to add programs, products, and services to meet the needs of a growing profession. Currently, NAI offers an annual national conference that attracts over 1,000 people, an international conference, regional and special-interest section workshops, two full-color magazines, certification and training, an association store, a publishing imprint (InterpPress), digital newsletters, and web-based services. Visit www.interpnet.com for more information.
Interpretive Media Section.
Joe Lenkey | Director (2022)
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Telling stories has been a part of my career for the last 28 years. Working in professional theater in the beginning of my profession I used different media to help actors entertain and educate. Starting as a sculptor and props artisan for The Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival I gained an passion for telling stories through Media and continued to do so for 10 plus years. My tenure in theater ending while working as the Technical Director of the Cleveland Playhouse when an opportunity to become the Exhibits Coordinator for the Cleveland Metroparks presented itself and I have been designing, fabricated and installing exhibits hear for the last 16 years. I am very excited to serve as the Director of Interpretive and am looking forward to what's ahead.
Jamie Zite-Stumbris, MA, CIG, CHI | Deputy Director (2023)
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Not only do I have the immense privilege of being Deputy Director for this section, but am also the Senior Writer and Guest Engagement Specialist for Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo. I received my BA and MA in Communication from Northern Illinois University. I am a Certified Interpretive Guide, Certified Heritage Interpreter, Crete-Monee School District 201U Board of Education member, proud “band mom,” and lifelong lover of learning and animals.
[email protected]
Not only do I have the immense privilege of being Deputy Director for this section, but am also the Senior Writer and Guest Engagement Specialist for Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo. I received my BA and MA in Communication from Northern Illinois University. I am a Certified Interpretive Guide, Certified Heritage Interpreter, Crete-Monee School District 201U Board of Education member, proud “band mom,” and lifelong lover of learning and animals.
Courtney Cordova | Secretary/Treasurer (2022)
Cordova.Courtney@henryvilaszo
As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point studying wildlife I found a summer internship at a nature center and fell in love with educating and inspiring people and helping them make connections to the natural world around them. After a summer internship at the Henry Vilas Zoo I found my passion for working with animals and people in a zoo setting. Now as the education specialist for the Henry Vilas Zoo I oversee interpretation at the zoo including in person interpretation and our interpretive media. I have been involved with NAI for 5 years and I am a CIG, serve as a CIH trainer, and now as the secretary and treasurer of the Interpretive Media section. I look forward to networking with other fantastic interpreters and learning from this amazing team.
Cordova.Courtney@henryvilaszo
As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point studying wildlife I found a summer internship at a nature center and fell in love with educating and inspiring people and helping them make connections to the natural world around them. After a summer internship at the Henry Vilas Zoo I found my passion for working with animals and people in a zoo setting. Now as the education specialist for the Henry Vilas Zoo I oversee interpretation at the zoo including in person interpretation and our interpretive media. I have been involved with NAI for 5 years and I am a CIG, serve as a CIH trainer, and now as the secretary and treasurer of the Interpretive Media section. I look forward to networking with other fantastic interpreters and learning from this amazing team.
Maria Jenkins| Membership Chair (2023)
Maria Jenkins is the Education and Programs Manager at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum. She holds a BFA in Painting from Kent State University, an MA in Gender Studies from Roosevelt University in Chicago, and additional PhD work in Cultural Studies from Stony Brook University in New York. She previously worked as Learning and Public Programs Coordinator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and as Digital Learning Manager at Cincinnati Nature Center. She is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) and is the Membership Chair for NAI’s Interpretive Media Section. In her free time, you’ll find her working in her native garden, playing with her dogs Helen and Maple, collecting records, and playing music with her band.
Maria Jenkins is the Education and Programs Manager at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum. She holds a BFA in Painting from Kent State University, an MA in Gender Studies from Roosevelt University in Chicago, and additional PhD work in Cultural Studies from Stony Brook University in New York. She previously worked as Learning and Public Programs Coordinator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and as Digital Learning Manager at Cincinnati Nature Center. She is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) and is the Membership Chair for NAI’s Interpretive Media Section. In her free time, you’ll find her working in her native garden, playing with her dogs Helen and Maple, collecting records, and playing music with her band.
Ben Rangel | Communications Chair (2023)
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Ben Rangel is the interpretive writer and planner for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission where he manages the creation of interpretive media for Florida’s wildlife management area system.
[email protected]
Ben Rangel is the interpretive writer and planner for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission where he manages the creation of interpretive media for Florida’s wildlife management area system.
Samantha Tableriou | Media Awards Chair (2022)
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Samantha Tableriou is a graphic designer and educator based in central Illinois. Samantha is versed in experiential and exhibition graphic design, signage planning, creative direction, project management, branding, and marketing. Having begun her career with Taylor Studios, Samantha currently teaches at Eastern Illinois University within the Art + Design Department and maintains a freelance independent graphic design studio. Her work can be seen across the country in museums, nature and visitor centers, public institutions, and more.
[email protected]
Samantha Tableriou is a graphic designer and educator based in central Illinois. Samantha is versed in experiential and exhibition graphic design, signage planning, creative direction, project management, branding, and marketing. Having begun her career with Taylor Studios, Samantha currently teaches at Eastern Illinois University within the Art + Design Department and maintains a freelance independent graphic design studio. Her work can be seen across the country in museums, nature and visitor centers, public institutions, and more.
We're looking to add amazing people to our team, contact us if you're interested!