Leadership

Tamara Christian

President and COO

President & COO of the International Spy Museum, Tamara Christian has more than 30 years of experience in Marketing and Business Development, including serving as Executive Director and President of National Trade Productions, an event and trade show management company. Ms. Christian also spent several years at the private equity firm Blackstreet Capital Management as an Operating Partner before joining the International Spy Museum in 2011. Ms. Christian has a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Richmond and an MBA from George Washington University.

Christopher P. Costa

Executive Director

Colonel (Ret.) Costa’s 34-year DoD career included 25 years as an intelligence officer serving with Special Operations Forces (SOF).  Colonel Costa earned two Bronze stars for sensitive human intelligence work in Afghanistan.  As a civilian at Naval Special Warfare Development Group, he was inducted into United States Special Operation’s Commando Hall of Honor for lifetime service to US Special Operations. Most recently, he served as the Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the White House.

Amanda Abrell

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Amanda Abrell leads the team that oversees the International Spy Museum’s paid, earned, and owned media. Ms. Abrell joined the Museum prior to its opening in 2002, serving initially as the Sales & Marketing Assistant before moving to Media Relations and eventually leading the Marketing & Communications team. She serves on the board of the American Advertising Federation’s DC Chapter. Ms. Abrell earned her B.B.A. in Marketing from The College of William and Mary.

Mira Cohen

Vice President of Programs

Vice President of Programs, Mira Cohen has more than 25 years of experience in education. Prior to joining the International Spy Museum in 2022, Ms. Cohen served as the Director of Education at the Reagan Presidential Library and Museum where she developed and oversaw all educational content and programs including the creation of two award-winning permanent simulation centers. Ms. Cohen began her educational career as a history and government teacher and created content and strategy for organizations such as UCLA, CNN, and the Zimmer Children’s Museum. Ms. Cohen earned her B.A. in History with Minors in Government and Theater and Dance from Oberlin College and an M.Ed. from the University of Maryland.

Tracey Holmes

Controller

Controller of the International Spy Museum, Tracey Holmes joined the team in 2013. In this role, Ms. Holmes has overall responsibility for the controllership and financial reporting activities of the Museum. She previously held a variety of senior financial management positions with a government contracting company and a law firm. Prior to these positions, Holmes was an auditor with an accounting firm in Washington, DC. Ms. Holmes holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Virginia State University and a graduate certificate in Forensic Accounting from George Mason University.

Kathryn Keane

Vice President of Exhibitions & Collections

Kathryn Keane is the Vice President of Exhibitions & Collections. Ms. Keane has more than 20 years of museum experience leading creative teams, producing exhibitions, and managing complex partnerships on a variety of initiatives in the United States and internationally. She manages a talented team charged with creating innovative, accessible, and immersive exhibits and experiences that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and engagement. Before joining the International Spy Museum in 2023, Ms. Keane was the Vice President of Public Programming and Director of the Museum at the National Geographic Society. She serves on the Board of the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative.

Michael Kruelle

Vice President of Operations

As Vice President of Operations, Michael Kruelle has directed the Guest Services, Security, and Sales departments at the International Spy Museum for over ten years. Mr. Kruelle has more than 25 years of museum experience, previously working in operations at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the National Building Museum. He is on the Board of Directors for the American Association for Museum Volunteers. Mr. Kruelle has a B.S. in American History from Towson University and a Certificate for Historical Administration from the American Association for State and Local History.

Timothy S. Miller

Vice President of Technology & Facilities

Vice President of Technology & Facilities, Timothy S. Miller joined the International Spy Museum in 2003. Mr. Miller started as a Network Administrator before advancing to IT Manager, Director of IT & Facilities, and ultimately landing in his current role where he oversees the IT, Video Production, and Facilities departments. Prior to his work at the Museum, Mr. Miller held several tech and construction jobs performing a mix of support and management roles.

Ursula Oaks

Vice President of Philanthropy

As Vice President of Philanthropy, Ursula Oaks leads a talented five-person team in creating meaningful and lasting connections between the Museum’s nonprofit mission and the passions of donors, members, and partners, including individuals, corporations, and foundations. She has more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience in development and strategic communications, advancing the missions of organizations focused on global higher education, journalism, and culture and the arts. Ms. Oaks has a B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.A. in International Studies from the University of Washington.

Sandy Poindexter

Vice President of Retail

Vice President of Retail, Sandy Poindexter has more than 30 years of retail experience including multi-store management, business development, and buying. Mrs. Poindexter joined the International Spy Museum in 2015. Previously she worked at the nonprofit organization, National Industries for the Blind, where she managed business development for Military resale agencies across the country. Her experience also includes the Kmart Corporation where she worked as a Retail Buyer, Replenishment Analyst, Regional Merchandiser, and Store Manager. Mrs. Poindexter has a B.S. Degree in Fashion Merchandising from Western Michigan University and MBA from Lawrence Technological University.

Melissa M. Ricks

Vice President of People & Culture

Vice President of People & Culture, Melissa M. Ricks has nearly 25 years of experience in Human Resources and in creating equitable and inclusive workplaces for employees. Ms. Ricks worked at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington as the head of HR and most recently at the Center of Budget Policy Priorities as the Vice President of Human Resources and Administration. Ms. Ricks is a native of Washington, DC. She has a B.A. in Political Science from Slippery Rock University and M.A. in Organizational Development from Marymount University.