About us

All are welcome

Located next to the global headquarters of the Gates Foundation in Seattle, the Discovery Center is a free public space open to all. Through our exhibitions and programs, we share stories and data from our partners, grantees, and foundation employees who are working tirelessly to fight poverty, disease, and inequity around the world.

Drop in and explore our galleries, join a public tour, attend a staff chat, or join one of our many events. We hope you will leave inspired to take action on causes that are close to your heart.

Our Discovery Center team is an incredible group of compassionate, committed individuals who love to share stories and the work of the foundation with our visitors. We can’t wait to meet you!

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Partners of Human Potential

Discover the power of partnership. Learn more about the stories of our amazing partners and their game-changing work.

Learn more

Meet our team

  • Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Patrick McMahon.

    Patrick McMahon (he/him)

    Visitor Services Manager

    What I like most about my role is the opportunity to be creative every day as we think about and come up with new ideas to engage our visitors and spark conversations.

Discovery Center team

Charlotte Beall
(she/her)

Deputy Director, Discovery Center
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Charlotte Beall.

Sarah Bloom
(she/her)

Senior Communications Officer, Exhibitions, Interpretation, and Youth Programs
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Sarah Bloom.

Anna Casparius
(she/her)

Associate Communications Officer
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Anna Casparius.

Erin Coté
(she/they)

Associate Communications Officer, Visitor Engagement Lead
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Erin Coté.

Cara Egan
(she/her)

Senior Communications Officer
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Cara Egan.

Teresa Gionis
(she/her)

Exhibition Content Developer and Manager
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Teresa Gionis.

Andy Gordon-Maclean
(he/him)

Associate Communications Officer, Visitor Engagement Lead
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Andy Gordon-Maclean.

Linda High
(she/her)

Associate Communications Officer, Visitor Engagement Lead
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Linda High.

Shaun Koyama
(he/him)

Facility Manager
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Shaun Koyama.

Patrick McMahon
(he/him)

Senior Manager, Visitor Experience and Engagement
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Patrick McMahon.

Alexis Sanderlin
(she/her)

Customer Service & Event Coordinator

Deborah Sepulveda
(she/her)

Manager of Public Programs and Partnerships
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Deborah Sepulveda.

Marcela Velandia
(she/her)

Communications and Public Programming Associate
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member

Michelle Villagomez
(she/her)

Visitor Engagement Associate
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member

Michael Zamudio
(he/him)

Exhibitions Engagement Associate
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member

Simona Zappas
(she/her)

Communications Officer, Youth and Young Adult Programs and Engagement
Black and white headshot image of Discovery Center staff member Simona Zappas.

Stay up to date

Sign up for our bimonthly newsletter

By clicking sign-up, you agree to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Privacy and Cookie Notice.

© 2023-2024 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. All rights reserved.