Leadership and Administration

Kathleen Gaines, as associate director of Administration, is responsible for budget administration, operations management, strategic planning, professional development and recruiting, policy implementation, organizational development, and providing business solutions to facilitate the work of the Conservation Institute. Kathleen also oversees web operations and several of the Conservation Institute's major digital initiatives, including Arches Project and DISCO. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of San Diego. Prior to joining the Conservation Institute in 1994, she worked for Arthur Andersen LLP, where she received valuable audit and project management experience.

Maria Cummings first joined the Conservation Institute from 2013 to 2018 as a senior project coordinator in the Building and Sites department. In 2022, she rejoined the Conservation Institute as executive assistant to Timothy Whalen, John E. and Louise Bryson Director. Maria holds a BA in History from the University of California, Los Angeles, an MA in Contemporary History and Politics from Birkbeck College, University of London, and a Certificate in Project Management. Maria’s experience includes work in the non-profit and government sectors.

Phyllis Lapin first joined the Conservation Institute from 1991 to 1998 to manage the Office of the Director. She was responsible for trustee relations, planning meetings of the Institute's advisory committee, and producing major international conferences, including the Conservation Institute's Conservation of Archaeological Sites in the Mediterranean Region. In 2010, Phyllis returned to the Conservation Institute to oversee donor stewardship. She manages relationships with Conservation Institute supporters, plans activities focused on sharing the Conservation Institute's work and imparting a greater understanding of how conservation functions in the field, and mobilizes financial support to extend the Conservation Institute’s mission and enhance the work of the Conservation Institute. Phyllis studied English at California State University, Northridge and has prior experience working in real estate development, hotel management, project management, and fundraising.

Anna Flavin joined the Conservation Institute in 2013 after twenty-five years as a professional photographer and small business owner. In her current position she supports the work of the Institute by providing imaging and software education, technical advice, documentation strategy, data management support, and imaging services to all disciplines across the Institute. She holds an MA degree with distinction in Photography and a BA degree in Film from California State University, Northridge and is an Adobe Certified Expert.

Eloy Flores joined Getty in 2018 as a visitor services associate before moving to the Conservation Institute in 2022. As operations coordinator, she oversees all hardware/software needs and supports information technology, computer hardware and software licensing, security and access, and facilities projects at the Conservation Institute. She is also the operational liaison to the UCLA/Getty Interdepartmental Program in the Conservation of Archaeological and Ethnographic Materials at the Getty Villa.

Rogene Gad joined the Conservation Institute in 1995 to work on a variety of assignments in the Director's Office and Administration departments, most recently as administrative assistant to Kathleen Gaines, associate director of Administration. In her current role, Gad is focused on administrative process improvements, including those related to recruiting, onboarding, and training.

Melena Gergen joined the Conservation Institute in 1991 as an intern in the Science department, while an undergraduate, before moving to the Administration department. She manages internal special projects, oversees contract administration, develops reference and training materials for staff, and facilitates recruiting processes that support all departments of the Conservation Institute. She also works closely with the Director's Office to produce research materials for Conservation Institute supporters, focused on sharing the Institute's work and imparting a greater understanding of how conservation functions in the field. Melena holds a BA in Art History and an MA in Education from Loyola Marymount University.