| Dr. Karen Piegorsch President |
Karen Piegorsch is a social entrepreneur and ergonomics consultant in Tucson, Arizona. Her passion to help
artisans empower themselves has been a driving force for the spread of ergonomics knowledge, creativity, and
enhanced skills into artisan communities in Guatemala. Karen is leader of the design team that created the
award-winning ergonomic bench for backstrap weavers, and founder of Synergo Arts. She has 30 years of
professional experience and a transdisciplinary background: a PhD in public health promotion and education, an
M.S. in industrial engineering and ergonomics, and a B.S. in physical therapy. Her career has included over 20 years
of private ergonomics consulting for a variety of manufacturing, office and studio environments, ten years on faculty in
the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of South Carolina, and clinical work. Her recent
articles on ergonomics have appeared in Ergonomics in Design, Hand/Eye, Handwoven and Fiberarts magazines.
artisans empower themselves has been a driving force for the spread of ergonomics knowledge, creativity, and
enhanced skills into artisan communities in Guatemala. Karen is leader of the design team that created the
award-winning ergonomic bench for backstrap weavers, and founder of Synergo Arts. She has 30 years of
professional experience and a transdisciplinary background: a PhD in public health promotion and education, an
M.S. in industrial engineering and ergonomics, and a B.S. in physical therapy. Her career has included over 20 years
of private ergonomics consulting for a variety of manufacturing, office and studio environments, ten years on faculty in
the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of South Carolina, and clinical work. Her recent
articles on ergonomics have appeared in Ergonomics in Design, Hand/Eye, Handwoven and Fiberarts magazines.
| Ellen Germann Treasurer |
Ellen Germann-Melosh enjoys semi-retirement in West Lafayette, IN. Ellen's professional background includes
many years as a software designer and engineer working in the aircraft simulation and networking fields, training
development and management in the high tech arena, management in the non-profit sector, college-level teaching,
and consulting with churches. She holds a Bachelors degree in Math and Physics from the University of Vermont, an
MBA from Southern NH University and a Masters in Career Counseling from Rivier College. She recently published a
book for leaders of small congregations, "Big Ideas for Small Congregations: A Friendly Guide for Leaders." Ellen
currently works as a Small Church consultant. She is a weaver, knitter and felter in her spare time.
many years as a software designer and engineer working in the aircraft simulation and networking fields, training
development and management in the high tech arena, management in the non-profit sector, college-level teaching,
and consulting with churches. She holds a Bachelors degree in Math and Physics from the University of Vermont, an
MBA from Southern NH University and a Masters in Career Counseling from Rivier College. She recently published a
book for leaders of small congregations, "Big Ideas for Small Congregations: A Friendly Guide for Leaders." Ellen
currently works as a Small Church consultant. She is a weaver, knitter and felter in her spare time.
| Don Morelli, CPE Vice President |
Donald L. Morelli is a Certified Professional Ergonomist with over 30 years of business experience, primarily in
ergonomics and safety. Don has had a private consulting practice in the Bay Area since 1990. He is a founding
board member of the Silicon Valley Ergonomics Institute at San Jose State University. His career has included being
a staff member and consultant for the Ergonomics Program and Laboratory of the University of California and the
Environmental, Health and Safety Manager for Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, CA. Don has an M.S. in Industrial
Engineering and Engineering Management from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
from the Newark College of Engineering (now known as the New Jersey Institute of Technology). Don also works
with individuals and groups to develop Values, Visions and Missions and strategic plans.
ergonomics and safety. Don has had a private consulting practice in the Bay Area since 1990. He is a founding
board member of the Silicon Valley Ergonomics Institute at San Jose State University. His career has included being
a staff member and consultant for the Ergonomics Program and Laboratory of the University of California and the
Environmental, Health and Safety Manager for Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, CA. Don has an M.S. in Industrial
Engineering and Engineering Management from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
from the Newark College of Engineering (now known as the New Jersey Institute of Technology). Don also works
with individuals and groups to develop Values, Visions and Missions and strategic plans.
| Carol Rheaume Director |
Carol Rheaume has over 15 years of research experience in public and private sector health-related organizations at
local, state, regional and national levels. Her wide range of experience with both qualitative and quantitative research
methods includes special expertise in: survey development, face-to-face interviews, focus group interviews, and
nominal group process. Carol has extensive experience with all phases of data collection including establishing and
managing databases, performing statistical analyses, and preparing and presenting summaries of results. A
specialist in project management, planning, and evaluation, Carol has managed numerous grant-funded
community-based public health projects in South Carolina. In addition, she has nine years of professional
experience in molecular biology research laboratories. She holds a BA in biology, and an MSPH in public health
promotion and education.
local, state, regional and national levels. Her wide range of experience with both qualitative and quantitative research
methods includes special expertise in: survey development, face-to-face interviews, focus group interviews, and
nominal group process. Carol has extensive experience with all phases of data collection including establishing and
managing databases, performing statistical analyses, and preparing and presenting summaries of results. A
specialist in project management, planning, and evaluation, Carol has managed numerous grant-funded
community-based public health projects in South Carolina. In addition, she has nine years of professional
experience in molecular biology research laboratories. She holds a BA in biology, and an MSPH in public health
promotion and education.
| Anne Dunham Director |
Anne Dunham retired as Executive Director of a natural science museum. She is currently a management consultant
for a variety of nonprofit organizations in northern California. Anne's hands-on leadership experience includes
education and business administration, specializing in problem-solving, financial analysis, fund-raising, personnel
management, team leadership, strategic planning, and project management. In addition to over 20 years of service
in the public sector, she spent 12 years as an entrepreneur and manager in the hospitality industry, and 17 years as
a guidance counselor and teacher of language arts at the junior high and high school levels. Anne has served on
nonprofit boards and has a life-long interest in education, nonprofit management, and textile arts.
for a variety of nonprofit organizations in northern California. Anne's hands-on leadership experience includes
education and business administration, specializing in problem-solving, financial analysis, fund-raising, personnel
management, team leadership, strategic planning, and project management. In addition to over 20 years of service
in the public sector, she spent 12 years as an entrepreneur and manager in the hospitality industry, and 17 years as
a guidance counselor and teacher of language arts at the junior high and high school levels. Anne has served on
nonprofit boards and has a life-long interest in education, nonprofit management, and textile arts.
| Board of Directors |
| Our purpose is to help artists and artisans around the world maximize their health, income, performance, productivity, creativity, and art or craft quality. |
| We do this through a grassroots approach to developing and delivering resources in ergonomics education, consulting, and design. |
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| Synergo Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Copyright © 2010 Synergo Arts. All rights reserved. |
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| Gail Baker Director |
Gail Baker is a Certified Fundraising Executive with more than 10 years of development and leadership expertise.
She has a sound knowledge in all areas of non-profit fundraising activity including major gifts, annual campaigns,
global fundraising, and special events. Since moving to Arizona in 2004 she has served as Associate Director of
Philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy in Phoenix. Gail’s management career in the nonprofit sector includes
applying analytical, strategic planning and team building skills with libraries, mentoring programs, and financial
investment organizations. She also has 20 years of entrepreneurial experience in such diverse areas as craft
production, retailing, and marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania. Gail’s list of fun activities includes communing with nature, flamenco dance, spinning and weaving,
and travel.
She has a sound knowledge in all areas of non-profit fundraising activity including major gifts, annual campaigns,
global fundraising, and special events. Since moving to Arizona in 2004 she has served as Associate Director of
Philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy in Phoenix. Gail’s management career in the nonprofit sector includes
applying analytical, strategic planning and team building skills with libraries, mentoring programs, and financial
investment organizations. She also has 20 years of entrepreneurial experience in such diverse areas as craft
production, retailing, and marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania. Gail’s list of fun activities includes communing with nature, flamenco dance, spinning and weaving,
and travel.
