Staff & Board

Susan Denson-Guy

Executive Director

For more than four decades, Susan has advocated for the arts with a strong belief in their power to serve as a springboard for engaging thoughtful conversations and community transformations. Through the course of her career, she has worked for land-grant universities, state agencies, and local non-profits promoting the benefits of arts and culture. She has served as the Executive Director of the Emerson Center for the Arts & culture for more than a decade with a palpable passion for the Emerson’s creative community. Away from the office, she enjoys tagging along on her husband’s research projects, exploring the wilds of Montana, gaming, and being mom to their two sons and pack of Australian Shepherds.

Erik Hansen

Maintenance Technician

With more than three decades working in construction and renovation, and a BFA in Sculpture from MSU, Erik Hansen is uniquely qualified to care for the Emerson’s historic building and its tenant’s artistic needs. As the Emerson’s Maintenance Technician, Erik enjoys being surrounded by like-minded creatives and appreciates being able to use his skills to benefit the community. After the boiler has been diligently tended to, minor plumbing catastrophes averted, and the grand old building is tucked in safe and sound, Erik likes to explore Montana’s backroads and unique places with his family and his dogs.

Dacotah Stordahl

Theater Manager

Dacotah Stordahl discovered his passion for audio and visual tech as a teenager, in the Emerson’s own Crawford Theater. After studying at MSU’s School of Film and Photography and gaining years of behind-the-scenes experience, Dacotah has returned to the Emerson as the Theater Manager. His skills in studio and live audio engineering; lighting design; stage management; show control system design; and graphic design equip him to tackle almost any production project. Outside of the theater, Dacotah plays in a local electronic band, Best Korea; scopes out Bozeman’s underground music scene; teaches K-12 students about theater tech; and enjoys the local terrain.

Tina Radovich

Director of Operations

Born and raised in Montana, Tina has spent her life exploring many opportunities expanding her expertise, contributing to the community and learning new skills. She has a diverse work history and has filled many roles in the public, private, government and non-profit sectors. Originally from Choteau, Montana, Tina earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Montana State University (MSU), and is a lifetime member of the MSU Alumni Association. Her hobbies include crafting, party planning, wood working and creating things that are beautiful. Tina spends the majority of her free time with her husband and two children enjoying the outdoors and making memories.

Emily Wrotny

Director of Outreach & Marketing

With a background in marketing, graphic design, and art direction, Emily brings a versatile outlook that she is eager to contribute. She holds a dual BBA in Marketing and International business, and received her Masters in Graphic Design in Italy. With a passion for storytelling and communication, Emily resonates with the Emerson’s namesake in her belief that execution of thought into artistic expression depends on the simplicity of one’s character; their love of truth and the desire to communicate that truth without loss or dilution from secondary distractions of duplicity or falsehood. A love of nature drives the spirit of her life and work; a kindred connection that also fuels her family.

Lucas Swart

President

Lucas Swart grew up in Bozeman before moving to Washington for college and to pursue a degree in Geology at Whitman College. After college, Lucas moved to Seattle where he worked for 10 years in geotechnical and environmental consulting. He moved back to Bozeman 4 years ago to lay fresh roots for his newly growing family. Lucas is a construction management professional and works in Big Sky. MT. His personal interests include photography, climbing, skiing, and mountain biking as well as other outdoor activities.

Abby Turner

Secretary

Abby Turner has lived in Bozeman for over 20 years, becoming deeply involved in the community through various careers including at the Chamber of Commerce, owning an Event Planning & PR firm and as the Executive Director of a local museum. She currently is a digital marketing consultant for small businesses and nonprofits. Abby graduated from Montana State University with a degree in History and a minor in Japanese Studies. Her and her family, including two children, engage in community events whenever possible as attendees and volunteers. They also enjoy nordic skiing, hiking and traveling.

Mark Melief

Treasurer

The Emerson continues to be a large part of Mark’s family. His mother is an Emerson tenant, former board member, and long-time supporter. Now, his own children attend summer art camps. He grew up spending the school year in New York, and summers and vacations in the west. Mark earned a BA in economics from Pomona College in Los Angeles and has lived and worked in Seattle, San Francisco, and Napa Valley. When his father passed away in 2018, he joined his brother-in-law in taking the reins of the family business, Quinn’s Hot Spring Resort in western Montana. Mark and his young family moved to Bozeman 2020. Mark is passionate about the outdoors, energy technology, and the arts – especially performing arts. He is excited to bring his experience in marketing, program development and events, and financial management to the Emerson.

Nicholas Wickes

Director

As an enterprise software consultant for fortune 250 IT and pharmaceutical companies, big cities were the gateway for Nicholas’ career starting in London in 1997 then San Francisco in 2000. Now, as CEO of Check This Out, a Bozeman-based mobile messaging platform for the restaurant industry, Managing Partner of Feast Bistro, and the proud father of two rambunctious Montanans, Nicholas wants to do all he can to help Bozeman's arts community thrive. Nicholas earned a BA from Vanderbilt University after a post-grad year at Eton College studying History of Art and Architecture and sits on the Board of the Bozeman Downtown Urban Renewal District, having previously served on the Boards of the Bozeman Public Library Foundation and Gallatin Art Crossing.

Our Team

Emerson Staff