STAFF

​Executive Director: Rita Mukherjee Hoffstadt, Ed.D.​​​​​

Dr. Rita Hoffstadt serves as Executive Director of Folsom History, where since 2021 she has worked with staff, board, and community partners to strengthen the organization’s role as a public-facing, community-centered institution. Since her arrival, she has helped guide the organization through a period of renewed civic focus. This work has included reframing its mission and identity and expanding public programs and educational offerings in partnership with the broader community. With more than 25 years of experience across science centers and history museums, Dr. Hoffstadt brings a background in exhibitions, education, and organizational leadership to her work in Folsom. She has held senior roles at institutions including Powerhouse Science Center, the San Antonio Children’s Museum, and The Franklin Institute, and holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pittsburgh focused on how educational and cultural institutions can better serve their communities, as well as graduate degrees in museum education leadership and biology.

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Program Director: Sheila Montgomery

Shelia has over 20 years in developing engaging programming for the general public. At Folsom History she oversees the planning and production of individual programs and ongoing series—including liaising with external program speakers and performers, ensuring the highest quality of programming experience for Museum visitors. In addition, she trains all our program volunteers on educational content. Prior to joining Folsom History in Fall of 2022, she worked as Powerhouse Science Center as Manager of Science Engagement. Sheila holds a BS in Wildlife Sciences from University of California, Davis.

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Operations and Collections Director: Tyler Tocci

Tyler joined Folsom History in May 2023 as the Visitor Services Coordinator and has since become the Operations and Collections Director, a role in which he leads volunteer onboarding, facilities management, exhibit curation, and collections care for the Folsom History Museum and The Square. Through his efforts, Folsom History has presented three temporary exhibitions: Fighting the Flames: Honoring Folsom's Fire Department, Peculiar Pieces of the Past, and Metal as Medium. Tyler has a B.A. in History and an M.A. in Public History from California State University, Sacramento. Tyler's academic focus is capturing modern stories through oral history projects. This effort culminated in his M.A. Thesis, "The Making of Modern Folsom: An Oral History of the 1980s and 1990s." 

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Museum Engagement Manager: Zachary Vaccarezza

Zachary joined Folsom History in April 2024 as the Visitor Services Associate and is now the Museum Engagement Manager, focusing on shaping how guests interact with the museum. Through his efforts, Folsom History has revitalized it's Revealing Folsom lecture series, created Haunted History and Winter at The Square, and bolstered its social media presence. Zachary has a B.A. in History with a minor in Political Science from Sonoma State University. He is currently pursuing his M.A. in Public History at California State University, Sacramento. His academic focus includes persecution stories in the American West with a particular interest in how political ideologies and public policies shaped their experiences. 

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​Public Programs Coordinator: Meg Masterson​​

Meg joined the team in November 2025 as the Public Programs Coordinator, focusing on the operations of The Square. She holds a B.A. in History from California State University, Sacramento, and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Public History, also at California State University, Sacramento. Meg has a long background in the arts, having worked for Sacramento Theatre Company and Music Circus in both production and administrative roles, and is a SARTA Elly Award recipient for costume design. She looks forward to combining her love of making with her love of history to bring dynamic and enriching programs to The Square.​

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On Call Educator: OPEN POSITION