Suzanne Stirn-Ainslie
Suzanne Stirn Ainslie earned a history degree and certification in secondary education from Princeton University. She received a master of science degree in Museum Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. After teaching for several years at an all girls’ school in Manhattan, Suzanne chose to work in a museum environment. As the Director of Education and eventually Executive Director of an historic house museum in midtown Manhattan, Suzanne widened her professional experience and interests to include historic preservation.
Suzanne was born in Brooklyn, and her family moved to Staten Island when she was in 7th grade. After college she launched her career in Manhattan but moved back to Staten Island after marriage. She and her husband Paul still live in the Queen Anne-style house which they bought at that time and where they raised their daughter and several dogs.
Suzanne has extensive experience with non-profit organizations in the city and on Staten Island. Her longest service has been to the Historic House Trust which advocates and provides expertise to 23 publicly owned historic sites in New York City. Staten Island houses which are members of the Trust and where Suzanne has had direct involvement include the Alice Austen House and Historic Richmond Town. She also has a longstanding connection with the Seamen’s Society for Children and Families where she has been a board member since 2003, serving as board chair from 2010-2012. In her support of Seamen’s Society, Suzanne follows in the footsteps of her mother, Janet Stirn, who also served the board for many years including a term as board chair.
A graduate of Staten Island Academy, Suzanne joined this board in 2004. Additional community organizations to which Suzanne has contributed time and skills include the Staten Island Foundation (board member since 2018), Staten Island Botanical Garden (prior to merger with Snug Harbor Cultural Center), the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island (now Staten Island Arts), and St. Paul’s Memorial Church.