Our Team
Laurie Hopkins
Executive Director
lhopkins@discoverygateway.org
(801) 456-5437 x106
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Laurie Hopkins, Executive Director, has over 20 years of experience and leadership in fundraising, program development, finance and administration, and has completed a three-year, $1.5M museum revitalization campaign at Discovery Gateway. Prior to joining the team, Laurie served as Co-Managing Director for Sundance Institute, where she oversaw many critical areas of operations and administration for eight and a half years and built a strong track record with the nonprofit arts and culture world. Ms. Hopkins holds a M.A. in International Studies with an emphasis on Economics from John Hopkins University, and a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Redlands in California. Laurie is a member of the SLCo ZAP Operating Committee Executive Board, sits on Public Arts advisory boards in the Park City area, and volunteers extensively for Lion’s Heart, Girls Scouts of Utah, and local schools.
Tammy Spicer
Museum Education and Operations Director
tspicer@discoverygateway.org
(801) 456-5437 x112
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Tammy M. Spicer, M.A.ed, is the Director of Education and Museum Operations. Tammy earned her Master of Arts degree in Education with an emphasis in Diverse Learning from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development from the University of Utah, and an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Development from Salt Lake Community College. She oversees all on site educational programming, after school programs, and museum floor operations. Tammy has been a professional in the field of education and management for over 20 years. Prior to joining Discovery Gateway, Tammy was an Adjunct Professor at Utah Valley University. Tammy is also a consultant, public speaker, trainer, coach and serves on multiple boards in the community including Utah Cultural Alliance C4, Utah Community Action Policy Council and School Readiness Advisory Board, Salt Lake County Safe Kids Coalition, Holy Cross Ministries Parents as Teachers Advisory Board Chair, and Utah Education Association Business Partnership Board. Tammy is passionate about education, has strong leadership and supervisory skills, as well as in-depth knowledge and experience in Museum Education.
Brad Elliott
Senior Manager of Finance and Accounting
belliot@discoverygateway.org
(801) 456-5437 x141
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Brad R Elliott, Senior Manager of Finance and Accounting. Brad earned his MBA from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Utah. Brad oversees all financial and accounting operations for the museum. Brad has over 20 years of accounting experience and has worked in the non-profit sector for many of those years.
Travis Reid
Creative and Exhibits Senior Manager
treid@discoverygateway.org
(801) 456-5437 x117
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Travis Reid, Senior Manager of Creative and Exhibits, has over 15 years of project management experience in the fine arts, design, and exhibits industries. In his current role at the museum, Travis provides creative vision for the improvement and transformation of the Museums’ exhibit experiences and supervises the daily operations of the Creative and Exhibit Departments. Preceding the recent move to Utah to join the Discovery Gateway team, Travis served 8 years as Operations and Logistics Manager for Billings Productions, Inc., where he traveled around the world working with attractions and educational organizations to develop permanent and temporary exhibits to fit each site’s specifications. Mr. Reid holds an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Project Management from The University of Texas at Dallas, a B.F.A. in Studio Art with a concentration in Sculpture from The University of North Texas, and is a certified P.M.P. from the Project Management Institute
Laura Cotter
Outreach Education Senior Manager
lcotter@discoverygateway.org
(801) 456-5437 x137
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Laura Cotter, Senior Manager of Outreach Education, has a strong background in chemistry, biology, and math. She graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in professional chemistry from the University of Utah. She worked as a research assistant for Dr. Matthew Sigman at the U of U and Dr. Eileen Kennedy at the University of Georgia. She worked at a compounding pharmacy for seven years where she found diverse ways to apply her knowledge. Beyond practical applications, Laura has tutored in math and sciences from elementary to college levels. Laura cares deeply about encouraging children, especially young girls, to become interested in the sciences from an early age. Her position allows her to help science become more accessible for children of all backgrounds and abilities.
Princess Gutierrez
Development Senior Manager
pgutierrez@discoverygateway.org
(801) 456-5437 x115
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Princess Gutierrez is the Senior Development Manager for Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum. She has 7 years of professional experience in the government and nonprofit sector in fundraising, event planning and volunteer coordination. She earned her BS from Westminster College, majoring in Justice Studies, with a minor in Psychology. She earned an Masters in Public Administration with a Nonprofit emphasis and a Conflict Resolution Certificate from the University of Utah. During her time at Westminster she was student Co-Diversity Chair, Resident Advisor, and was awarded Justice Studies student of the year in 2010. Princess worked for the Utah Association for Justice and Guadalupe School prior to Discovery Gateway.
Princess is passionate about social issues and making a difference in the lives of children. Being the first in her immediate and extended family to graduate from college, she knows firsthand the hurdles of navigating the school system and higher education as a minority student. Princess has continued to work with Westminster College students as a mentor and participating in various alumni panels and activities through Westminster’s Alumni office and Career center. Princess is on the Utah Nonprofits Association Board.
Melissa Miller
Marketing Senior Manager
mmiller@discoverygateway.org
(801) 456-5437 x136
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Melissa Miller, Marketing Senior Manager, has been with Discovery Gateway since 2015. Melissa develops all aspects of the Museum’s marketing, public relations, communications, and messaging for exhibits, programs and events. Melissa received her AS in English and her BS in Environment and Sustainability Studies with an emphasis in non-profit work from the University of Utah.