Who We Are

People

Hands-on Heritage is a professional communications team headed by Robin Van Auken. Robin is an author, an educator, and a registered professional archaeologist, a skillset she uses every day as a heritage specialist. The Hands-on Heritage team is unique for embedding itself within communities, developing relationships with citizens, and finding the unheard voices, the unseen images.

Robin Van Auken
Robin Van AukenCEO
Robin is the founder of Hands-on Heritage. She has extensive experience as a researcher, a writer, an educator, and a registered professional archaeologist – a skillset she uses every day as a cultural communication specialist. She works with communities, galvanizing individuals to contribute their memories, photographs, and artifacts to develop legacy projects.
Lance Van Auken
Lance Van AukenConsultant
Lance enjoys directing museum renovation projects, from architectural and construction aspects to selection of graphics and artifact mounting. He served as a Vice President for Little League Baseball and the liaison for Little League International to The White House and President George W. Bush’s Tee Ball on the South Lawn initiative. Lance served for 12 years in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Tonya Anderson
Tonya AndersonConsultant
Tonya Anderson is a researcher, writer, therapist, and public speaker. A clinical mental health counselor (MS, CMHC), she has vast experience working with veterans, politicians, law enforcement officers, and victims of trauma through her private practice. She provides inspirational presentations for colleges, universities, professional organizations, and businesses, and is a TEDx speaker.
Sarah Stone
Sarah StoneConsultant
As a consultant in business model innovation, Sarah Stone produces award-winning communications and web development work. Sarah helps her clients find the most efficient and engaging way to tell their stories and inspire supporters. A digital nomad and author based in Miami, she enjoys traveling the world and shares her entrepreneurial spirit on her community-driven platform, Frayed Passport.
Maggi Ashworth-Jones
Maggi Ashworth-JonesConsultant
Maggi Ashworth-Jones has established a reputation for creating and executing dynamic communications strategies for clients through media and experiential marketing. Based in Texas, she is known for her expertise in consumer communications with special knowledge in luxury brand marketing. She has a success record in building strong campaigns to heighten positive awareness and drive consumer behavior in crowded market categories.