Meet the team

Karyn Stanley

Executive Director

Karyn Stanley brings to the Truckee Roundhouse Community Makerspace over 20 years of experience in non-profit fundraising, volunteer organization, and event planning. Before serving as Executive Director for the Truckee Roundhouse, Karyn handled the business management for an international backcountry ski company where she annually brought hundreds of folks to ski in Antarctica and other global destinations. Karyn began her career working in the nonprofit sector for The Nature Conservancy of California, based in San Francisco. She holds a degree in Anthropology from the University of Michigan.
Karyn is an 18-year resident of Kings Beach, CA. She is committed to the idea that creative spaces increase the quality of life for a community and that creativity and play builds authentic human connections. She feeds her own artistic fire through writing, photography, dance, sewing, and karaoke.

Alissa Aiton

Community Manager

Alissa grew up in Reno, Nevada and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Communications and Visual Art. She has a diverse professional background with careers in marketing, PR, film, management, and event production. Previously in Los Angeles, she was an Event Producer for KCRW, a Script Supervisor in commercials and short films, and a Marketing Specialist at Yokohama Tire. In 2019, she came to Truckee to be closer to family and work events for Big Blue Adventure, hanging by lakes in the summer and playing in the snow in the winter.
She loves everything about mountain lifestyle, being with her family and friends, knitting, sewing, turning wood, and interacting with our small community, especially in creative ways. Alissa believes we are our best selves when we express ourselves through art, and is inspired to fuel that transformative creative energy within our community through the makerspace.

Board of Directors

Scott Montgomery

Board Chair

Why I Volunteer: Making is a family tradition, but the Roundhouse is my place for inspiration and invigoration. It’s one thing to have the tools, but there’s nothing like the collaboration and enthusiasm and sharing that you get at the Roundhouse.
I was lucky that a neighbor was a founding board member (thanks, Steve!) and opened the door to my joining as a founding member (and my son, Kyle, was the original Tech Shop lead). From there I’ve volunteered, taken classes, created projects, built partnerships with other Truckee non-profits, and supported their fundraising efforts. Now, as a board member I get to see firsthand how the vibrancy of the Roundhouse is due to this amazing community connection and support. Truckee is a wonderful community in a wonderful place, but there is no place where I feel more energized and hopeful than when I am in the Roundhouse.
Favorite Roundhouse Shop: Really? What’s your favorite child? All of them.
What I Make: Mine tend toward the pragmatic (the engineer in me) - signs, electrical/wood repair, projects for KidZone.

Katie Veni

Katie brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for community to her role as a board member. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, with a decade of experience working in the jazz world in New York City, Katie’s professional background spans performing arts and conservation fundraising. Her journey led her and husband Joe to Truckee in 2015, where she immediately immersed herself in local nonprofit initiatives. Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, Katie dedicated her time to various endeavors, including the Tahoe Donner Giving Fund and Arts for the Schools. However, it was her serendipitous encounter with the Roundhouse at a “Make You Own Raised Garden Bed” workshop that truly ignited her sense of belonging within this community.
First joining as a member, and then recognizing the organization's potential, she lent her expertise as a pro-bono consultant, focusing on the development of its fundraising program and paving the way for enhanced sustainability and growth.
Why I volunteer: I am motivated to serve on the Board of Directors by a combination of things: my desire to serve society, my belief in the transformative power of creativity, and the realization that the Roundhouse is a unique place that fosters a vibrant, inclusive community where creativity thrives. I have witnessed firsthand how the Roundhouse serves as a catalyst for positive change, enriching the lives of individuals across Truckee and beyond. I champion the organization's mission wherever I go and with whomever I meet. I remain steadfast in my commitment to ensuring that the Roundhouse continues to be a beacon of inspiration and opportunity for all.
Favorite shop and what I make: I enjoy exploring my own creativity and love making so many things with my own hands. Here, I have developed skills in several shops, crafting beautiful pieces such as cutting boards, ring bowls, and upholstery. I can’t possibly have a favorite. You can call me a jack of all shops and a master of none, except for those cutting boards, which I have indeed mastered, thanks to the wonderful instructors and classes! In every shop at the Roundhouse, there are skilled members and volunteers who are always ready to help me become a better maker. The community here is incredible. That is my favorite part of the Roundhouse – the maker community itself!

Eryn Grill

Secretary

I am a nurse practitioner by trade, but I have also been a creative and artistic person my whole life. After going to Burning Man for the first time in 2014, I began to understand the connection between art and community, and not just an individualistic experience. I spent a lot of time at The Generator in Reno in 2014 leading up to Burning Man, and then a conversation around creating a similar space in Truckee began between friends. I was excited to be included in this conversation, and although I was preparing for Grad school at the time, I knew I still wanted to be involved as much as possible. Life took me in and out of Truckee, but I always felt connected to this project. In summer of 2021 I was ecstatic to be elected to the board of directors, and finally be able to more meaningfully contribute to our vision, and our community.
Why I Volunteer: To feel connected to our space, and community.
Favorite Roundhouse Shop: Ceramics.
What I Make: I get asked this a lot, and my honest response is that I really enjoy, and take pride in ‘making the space’. I don't get into the space as much as people would assume, but I take great joy in seeing what others are creating. I do occasionally take classes, or pop into the ceramics studio, and just being in the space /talking with members helps to foster ideas for projects at home. Collaborating with the board members, and using creative problem solving in an effort to fulfill the mission of this project is deeply fulfilling.

Treasurer

Lauren Hickey

Owner Chief Fun Maker Everything Hunky Dory Craft Studio- Closed 2018
Favorite Roundhouse Shop: Woodshop/Textiles
What I Make: Just learning to use the tools in the woodshop, I have made butcher block cutting boards, live edge plate chargers, and name tag holders for a friend's wedding. I have been a longtime textile lover. My projects vary from small zipper bags to jumpsuits to my latest obsession, felt gingerbread houses. I am a ninja with scissors, a gangster with a glue gun, and a lover of all forms of making.
Why I Volunteer: I volunteer for the Truckee Roundhouse because I strongly believe in the transformative benefits of making on mental health. I have witnessed firsthand the positive changes it can bring to individuals and communities. My time spent working with our younger makers has shown me the value of building skills that build self-worth. Selfishly, I volunteer because the maker community at the Truckee Roundhouse has given me more than I could ever give back, offering support while I learned new tools and confidence in myself to grow my skills and overcome the hurdles that come with learning.

Erica Mertens

Erica Mertens works for the Community Engagement Division at the Town of Truckee, where she has worked for the past 8 years. Previously, Erica headed up the Keep Truckee Green program and began the Fixit Clinic partnerships between the Truckee Roundhouse, the Town of Truckee, and Patagonia Worn Wear.
Why I Volunteer: I volunteer because I think the Roundhouse is such a wonderful gathering space for all people in our community to explore their creativity through making. I am frequently inspired by seeing the creations that come out and love being to help shape the accessibility & inclusivity of our space through the board’s engagement.
Favorite Roundhouse Shop: Textiles.
What I Make: a little of everything! I’m mostly making upcycled fanny packs, bags & kids garments these days, but I’ve been known to tinker in the metal & woodshops to make tiny toy kitchens too.

Carlos Conde

I’m Carlos. Originally from Spain, I moved to the US 10 years ago with the goal of growing as a professional in the Tech industry. With 15+ years of experience in Tech and the last 7 years as a Software Engineering leader in dynamic small companies, I like to think I bring a unique perspective on fostering innovation and cultivating collaborative environments, the later rarely prioritized in the fast-paced and competitive world of startups and Technology.
Guided by a servant leadership philosophy, I believe in empowering individuals to reach their full potential and fostering a culture of trust and inclusivity. My journey in leadership has taught me the value of mentorship, empathy, and continuous learning, all of which I aim to apply in my role as a board member.
As a volunteer, I'm driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to tools and knowledge to bring their ideas to life and I’ve found in the Roundhouse the perfect place to keep fostering and enabling that.
While I’ve dedicated most of my energy in the last years to software, I’ve always had a deep-seated passion for creating tangible objects with my hands. If there’s anything like a generalist on the makers space, that’s probably me! And that's why I'm on a mission to explore all the classes offered at the Roundhouse. I can’t say I have a favorite shop yet, and I’ll probably wont ever have one! My long term project is to build a piece of furniture using wood, metal, ceramics and 3D printed components.