Staff

Dr. Brett Ashley Crawford,
Executive Director/Publisher

Brett (she/her) teaches in the graduate arts & entertainment management programs and directs the Arts Management and Technology Laboratory at the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University.  She has an MFA in arts administration and a PhD in theatre history and criticism. Her research includes work on women and minorities in arts management, organization ecologies, the use of technology in arts and management, marketing and arts audiences. Her most recent work is being published Raising the Curtain: Performing Arts Success Stories from Leaders & Artists.

She has 25 years of professional experience as an AEA stage manager, director, writer, theatre marketer and manager. She has worked in New York, Georgia, Tennessee, and Maryland/DC. She was managing director for 3 institutions, the last being Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD. She has presented invited lectures and workshops to international, national, and DC audiences, including groups visiting from various international countries for the Department of State, the University of Helsinki, the Association of Arts Presenters, the DC Coalition on Heritage and Tourism, Performing Arts Exchange, Theatre Communications Group, and the Center for Cultural Studies at UC Santa Cruz.

Yao Pei, Chief Editor of Research

Yao (she/her) is a Master of Arts Management student at Carnegie Mellon University and serves as the Chief Editor of Research at AMT Lab. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Virginia Tech, where she developed a strong foundation in financial analysis and strategic thinking that now informs her approach to arts management.

At AMT Lab, Yao leads the development of innovative research at the intersection of arts management and technology. Her current work focuses on how emerging technologies—such as AI, digital archiving, and immersive tools—can be harnessed to safeguard cultural heritage while making it more accessible to global audiences.

Yao also brings professional experience from both finance and the arts, including cultural institutions in the United States and China. She is passionate about building sustainable, inclusive models for museums and arts organizations, ensuring that cultural treasures not only endure but also thrive in the digital age.

Ziqi Xiang, Chief Editor of Research

Ziqi (he/him) is currently pursuing his Master of Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon University and serves as the Chief Editor of Media at AMT Lab.

With a background in Internet and New Media (B.S., Beijing Jiaotong University), Ziqi leads AMT Lab’s multimedia production and content strategy for digital outreach, focusing on YouTube and other digital storytelling platforms. His work centers on transforming academic research into accessible, visually engaging narratives that reveal how emerging technologies are reshaping creative industries.

Before joining AMT Lab, Ziqi gained diverse experience in arts journalism, museum curation, and documentary production. His extensive practice across the arts and cultural sectors provides him with full-process production experience and deep insight into the industry ecosystem.

As part of his broader career goals in curating and independent arts and culture media production, Ziqi focuses on exploring the affordances of technology in digital storytelling and the evolving agency of content producers.

HALEY (HALES) WILSON, LEAD RESEARCHER

Hales (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and arts manager from Augusta, Georgia, currently pursuing a Master of Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. Her creative practice and research explore community acknowledgment and storytelling, with a focus on themes of identity, resilience, and social change.

At the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Hales serves as Lead Researcher, where she contributes to projects advancing innovation at the intersection of arts, management, and technology. She is particularly interested in how public art and digital tools can expand access, amplify underrepresented voices, and strengthen cultural exchange.

She earned her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she studied abroad in Florence, Italy as a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar and exhibited her work alongside faculty. Professionally, she has held roles with the Legacy Arts Project and the International Sculpture Center, gaining experience in community engagement, event programming, archival initiatives, and exhibition planning. She has also taught painting workshops, participated in artist residencies, and contributed to mural projects in the collaboration with cultural institutions. 

ELISA FAN, SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING MANAGER

Elisa (she/her) is a Master of Entertainment Industry Management student at Carnegie Mellon University. She earned her B.S. in Advertising with a minor in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, where she developed a passion for creative strategy, storytelling, and audience research.

At AMT Lab, Elisa leads the Lab’s social media strategy and visual storytelling. She creates content that highlights the intersection of arts, technology, and innovation, translating research insights and student projects into engaging stories for diverse audiences. Her work focuses on expanding the Lab’s digital presence and strengthening community connection through creative and data-informed communication.

Before joining AMT Lab, Elisa gained extensive experience in marketing and production within the entertainment field, where she developed campaigns, produced short videos, and led digital initiatives for various organizations. She is passionate about using digital media to make arts management research accessible, engaging, and relatable to professionals and readers in the field.

Luna Lu,
Technology Manager/Podcast Engineer 

Luna (she/her) is currently a Master of Entertainment Industry Management student at Carnegie Mellon University and serves as the Technology Manager/Podcast Engineer at AMT Lab. She enjoys combining technical skills with creative vision to produce and manage audio workflows and podcasts, ensuring high-quality content that engages diverse audiences. 

Luna earned her dual bachelor’s in Economics and Film & Television from Boston University, where she gained hands-on experience in multimedia production, live sports broadcasting, and cross-cultural storytelling. Along the way, she has developed skills in production coordination, editing, and overseeing the full lifecycle of nonfiction and scripted content.

Professionally, Luna has contributed to projects for media and entertainment organizations across the globe. As part of her career goal in producing, she focuses on combining technology and creative storytelling to enhance storytelling, bridge cultural perspectives, and create content that resonates with audiences worldwide. 

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