Kaitlin Handler

Kaitlin Handler brings a strong background in decorative arts, cultural history, and creative operations to her work in historic preservation at the Roslyn Landmark Society. She holds a Master of Arts degree in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from the Smithsonian Institution, and has held roles at Dumbarton Oaks, Warner Brothers, the Smithsonian Associates, and the Eames Office.

At Dumbarton Oaks, Kaitlin supported research and archival projects, assisting scholars with access to historic collections and developing digitization initiatives to preserve rare materials. At the Eames Office, she collaborated with the Eames historian to conduct research, develop public-facing storytelling, and produce materials that connected design history to wider audiences. During her time at the Smithsonian Associates, she supported donor communications and fundraising campaigns, linking patron engagement to cultural programming.

Beyond her museum and cultural sector work, Kaitlin has worked extensively in e-commerce and merchandising, including roles at One Kings Lane and Etsy, where she managed teams, oversaw project operations, and specialized in using storytelling to connect products with broader cultural and historical narratives.

Kaitlin's unique combination of scholarly training, creative industry experience, and operational expertise allows her to approach preservation not only as safeguarding of historic structures, but also as an opportunity for education, storytelling, and community engagement. She is passionate about using history and material culture to build bridges between the past and the present, ensuring that heritage sites remain preserved and meaningful for contemporary audiences.