Staff

Katja Sipple comes to the German-American Heritage Foundation with more than 15 years of experience in non-profit organizations. After her undergraduate studies in Virginia, she pursued a master’s degree in political science at the Bayerische Julius-Maximilians-Universität in Würzburg, where she also began her career as a journalist for a daily newspaper.

After returning to the United States, Ms. Sipple was responsible for media relations at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga. before moving to Seattle, Wash. where she was director of media relations for the University of Washington School of Law. In 2005, she moved back to the East Coast, and established an outreach and development program at the German School Washington, DC while simultaneously pursuing another master’s degree in international relations at American University. She has ample experience in fundraising and membership management. Ms. Sipple is married and has a daughter.

Originally from Baltimore, Katie thor Straten began her museum journey at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Here, she studied Art History and Mathematics while employed at the Boyden Gallery and Fine Art Collections, the on-campus exhibition space. She also interned for the Amazement Square Children’s Museum’s exhibit team and Historic St. Mary’s City’s collections. 

Katie is a descendant of German immigrants who settled in the Baltimore-area during the early 1900s. Her interest in her family history was sparked after a trip to Vienna, immersing herself in the German language and culture. Katie is thrilled to join the GAHM team where she can continue to grow her admiration for museums and German culture.