Meet Our Board & Team Members
Teresa A. Baker, Ph.D.
board Chair
T.A.B. Educational Consultants
Dr. Baker has been an educator for over 25 years and has served in a variety of positions: Elementary School Leader, Magnet Coordinator, Curriculum Facilitator and Teacher. She worked for IUPUI as a Field Supervisor in the School of Education. Teresa earned her BS and MS in Education from Butler University, MSM from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Indiana State University. Teresa is a long-time advocate for arts education in the daily lives of children. As a School Leader she partnered with Arts for Learning to provide children with enriched learning experiences. Dr. Baker has two adult children Mark Anthony Baker II an attorney and Garrett Christopher Baker an entrepreneur. She has a very supportive husband Mark Anthony Baker and two loving Munchkin cats Maison and Jules.
Kelly Teller
Board vice chair
development professional
A Park Tudor alumna, Kelly joined the Development Office in 2018 after serving as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for The Cabaret, a nonprofit arts organization. At The Cabaret, Kelly significantly increased both individual giving and sponsorships, and successfully led a capital campaign to fund the construction of the organization’s first dedicated performance space. Prior to joining The Cabaret, Kelly was the Director of Development, Endowment, Major Gifts and Planned Giving at the Indianapolis Art Center, and also served as Planned and Major Gifts Officer for the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. She has been active in the Park Tudor and Indianapolis communities, as a member of the Park Tudor Alumni Board, the Junior League of Indianapolis Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees for St. Richard’s School, and the Lacy Leadership Association among other civic affiliations.
Bill Mahoney
board tREASURER
GREGORY & APPEL
Bill is the Vice President of Property & Casualty at Gregory & Appel. He was born and raised in Indianapolis and is a graduate of Cathedral High School. In hopes of a career in the business world, Bill attended Indiana University Bloomington and earned his degree in Marketing from the Kelley School of Business. With a passion for the arts, Bill also studied and received minors in Spanish and Music (General Studies). Prior to joining Gregory & Appel Insurance in 2018, Bill lived and worked for five years in Chicago for CNA Insurance as an underwriter. Upon moving back to Indianapolis, Bill began his career as an insurance agent at Gregory & Appel alongside his father and has not looked back. Bill and his wife Katie have settled down on the Northside of Indianapolis. Outside of work, Bill looks to be involved in the community whenever possible, and, as a graduate of the United Way Leadership United program, has had the opportunity to see firsthand the amazing work of nonprofits in our city. With a passion for fitness, Bill enjoys competing in triathlon racing and distance sports, but Bill’s favorite activity is simply being with family and friends.
Taylor Imus
board secretary
revely
Taylor Imus-Williams serves as the Chief Solutions Officers for Revely, a Salesforce Marketing Cloud consultancy headquartered in Indianapolis. Taylor is a proud downtown Indianapolis resident, graduate of Carmel High School, and alumna of Ball State University with a degree in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. As an enthusiastic digital marketing leader with a passion for strategic automation, Taylor has a demonstrated history of helping organizations
maximize their investment in marketing technology. In her free time, Taylor and her husband enjoy exploring Indy by bike, attending First Fridays throughout the city and cuddling with their five rescue animals.
Kate Appel
community volunteer
Kate Appel is a strong believer in the value of integrating arts with education. “It always made my day brighter when I was in school and the arts still do!” she said. She’s been a member of the AFLI board since 2017 and loves that the organization hires well trained artists who also have a passion for working with kids. Her fondest memory is seeing AFLI in action. “I love going to the schools and seeing artists and kids work together.” Like the time she saw the Arts & Literacy program where three teaching artists, each with their own unique teaching style, worked with and directed students in their separate disciplines. “Their ability to direct students in different ways of working was impressive.” Kate thinks the organization has an awesome staff and she’d like to see that in the near future, both the staff and the budget grow.
Alexander Basil Avtgis, JD
attorney
Alex was an elementary school teacher before ever attending law school. And, to this day, he still misses the classroom and the act of inspiring minds. After graduating from law and graduate schools in Bloomington, Ind., he moved to the Little Flower neighborhood in Indianapolis and has been a denizen of the Hoosier capital ever since. He works as an attorney. But, he still loves to hike trails, cook food, brew beer, laugh (hah!), read long books, and act silly with his significant other.
Todd Clevenger
hamilton county
Todd is the Grants Administrator for Hamilton County where he helps evaluate the County’s grant readiness, identify grant opportunities, secure grant awards, manage grant projects and funds and ensure compliance with all grant requirements and regulations. During his career, Todd has served as a corporate marketing and communication executive as well as an outside consultant. His experience building, implementing and managing strategic marketing and communications strategies spans numerous industries including: healthcare, education, non-profit, government, finance and technology. Todd is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Journalism and holds a Masters in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. He and his wife Sue have two sons, Jonathan and Jordan, and live in Cicero.
Kurt Green
axis
Kurt is lifetime resident of the Near Eastside of Indianapolis. He has two degrees from Ball State University, a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master of Architecture. He works downtown as an architectural associate at studioAXIS, where he has enjoyed contributing to an eclectic lineup of projects ranging from fire stations to corporate office renovations. Outside of work, he spends his time teaching group fitness at the Athenaeum YMCA, spending time with his family, attending church and art functions at Redeemer Presbyterian and the Harrison Center, and watching movies with his roommates.
Dom Gregory
Gregory & appel
Dom is a Financial Analyst in the Client Services division at Gregory & Appel, where he develops financial reports, and projections for self-funded employer groups. Prior to this Dom spent 10 years working at the IU School of Medicine in a genetics laboratory. His favorite parts of his current and past jobs are when he finds himself getting into the technical weeds. Speaking of weeds, when he has free time, he is always looking for an excuse to be outside in his and his partner’s flower and vegetable beds. Besides enjoying the beautiful blooms and the fresh taste of the veggies his favorite part of gardening is the act of getting into the dirt! Dom has earned his Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics with a concentration in Physics as well as his Master of Science in Economics with a concentration in Econometrics – both from IUPUI. Currently, Dom is a doctoral student in the Economics department at IUPUI.
Erica Metz
Amazon
Erica is the Senior Program Manager for Amazon Community Together (ACT). She serves as the architect of a temporary offsite placement program for Amazon employees participating in light duty community support among 400+ 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations across 36 states. Prior to her role with ACT, Erica was a Senior Risk Manager for Amazon’s Workers’ Compensation program. Her combination of human resources, risk management, and military backgrounds culminate in a unique ability to facilitate cross-functional collaboration and innovate for impact. Erica is passionate about community engagement, and enjoys connecting with others through her work with the Junior League of Indianapolis and the Air National Guard. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations. Erica and her husband, Paul, live on the northwest side of Indianapolis with their two children, Daisy and Chip, and pet goldendoodle, Darcy.
Carrie Hagovsky
Fifth Third Bank (Indiana)
Carrie Hagovsky serves as the VP of Marketing and Communications for the Greater Indiana Gateway Region. Hagovsky oversees the Bank’s marketing and sponsorship activation, brand management and reputation, as well as business development events and internal communication.
In addition to the Arts For Learning Board of Directors, Carrie also serves on the Board of Directors for the Cancer Support Community of Central Indiana, the Executive Leadership Committee for Dress for Success, and the Strategic Planning Committee of the Indianapolis Arts Council.
With more than 10 years of community experience and non-profit leadership, Hagovsky has helped lead multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns and organizational budgets, as well as spearheading business development and community connections for both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. She currently lives in Greenwood, IN with her husband, Justin, and son, August.
Susan Oliver
immediate past Board chair
SALESFORCE
Susan is a Staff Technical Writer for Salesforce, specializing in writing Marketing Cloud Trailhead content. Susan has a Bachelor of Science in Studio Art from New York University with a concentration in oil painting and cinema studies. For most of her career after college, she worked as a writer & video producer for a production company in Indianapolis. She then transitioned to working for Salesforce (formerly ExactTarget). She has spent several years in project and program management and just recently shifted to writing. Personally, she lives with her three cats and husband in the Broad Ripple area. She keeps busy through many hobbies, including baking, painting, and relearning how to play the piano. In addition to her work with Arts for Learning, she also volunteers for Girls Inc. and Pass the Torch.
Stephanie Robertson
IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Stephanie Lewis Robertson sings to her hand-printed fabrics while she works. Spirituality, TBI, nature, and the power of women serve as her inspiration. Ms. Robertson retired as the Program Chair for Fine Arts at Ivy Tech Community College, Central Indiana region in June 2024. She is also a former Exhibitions Associate at the Indianapolis Art Center. Among her awards and grants are three Individual Artists Grants from the Indiana Arts Commission recipient of the Stutz Artists Association Studio Space in 2002, and an Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Fellowship in 2001. She holds a MFA (1994, University of Georgia) and a BFA (1981, Miami University) in Fabric Design. Her work is included in several collections, including Community Hospital North, Community Hospital South, Pratt Corporation, St. Francis Hospital (Indianapolis) and the Arts Council of Indianapolis, as well as numerous private collections. She is also a teaching artist with Arts for Learning of Indiana, Sievers School of Fiber Arts, Washington Island, Wisconsin and the Garfield Park Arts Center, Indianapolis, IN. Her exhibitions include Artistry In Fiber (Hancock County Arts Council Gallery, October, 2016), COMING BACK HOME: 20TH Anniversary of the Stutz Artist Residency Program, (Raymond James Art Gallery, August 2016), RE | collections 2016 (Miami University, June 2016), TINY IV (Gallery 924, December 2015), Make Your Mark (StutzArtSpace, November 2015), and Inspired By Dreams (Indianapolis Interchurch Center, November 2015).
Mary Siefert
Indianapolis Public Schools
Mary Siefert is the Indianapolis Public Schools Director of Student Engagement and Extended Learning. The longtime educator has been a member of Team IPS since 2009, serving as Executive Director of School Supervision, principal at Meredith Nicholson School 96, and assistant principal at William Penn 49. Siefert received her bachelor’s degree in special education from Indiana State University and her master’s in educational administration and supervision from Ball State University. Mary enjoys spending time with her family and golfing.
Amber R. Smith
university of indianapolis Vice President of Student Experience, Success, and Belonging/Chief Inclusion and Equity Officer
Dr. Amber R. Smith is the vice president for student experience, success, & belonging/ CIEO at the University of Indianapolis. Smith’s career has focused on innovative strategies to improve organizational inclusion, retention, and underrepresented student achievement. Most notably she was the inaugural leader of the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy. This 10 million dollar high school-to-college pipeline program spanned three universities and six area high schools. At the University of Indianapolis, she led the implementation of a university-wide inclusion strategy. She spearheaded the formation of the Belongspace Intercultural Engagement Center with the inaugural exhibit opening Juneteenth 2022 and the official opening on December 3, 2022. An intuitive leader with as much a focus on results as the process taken to achieve them, her thoughtful leadership helps move organizations towards deeper understandings that positively impact culture, belonging, and overall student success.
Chris Smith
1000 Words gallery
Chris Smith is a dedicated leader, educator, creative, and mentor within the Indianapolis arts community. With a background in sales development and education, Chris has honed his expertise in guiding emerging artists as they develop their craft and navigate the local arts economy. As an artist, his work focuses on capturing the ethereal beauty of nature, inspiring others to share their unique perspectives with the world.
In 2020, Chris founded 1000 Words Gallery, creating a space where emerging artists can thrive. His commitment to artistic growth extends beyond the gallery walls—he later established 1000 Words Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that fosters artist development, leadership, and creative placemaking, empowering the next generation of artists and arts administrators.
Chris has been recognized for his contributions to the arts, earning the ARTI Artist/Activist Award (2024), being named a Neighborhood USA Award Finalist (2024), and receiving the INRC Collaborative Spirit Award (2023), CICF Performing Arts Grant (2021), and John Boner Neighborhood Center Grant (2020). Whether through his own creative work or by mentoring others, Chris believes in the power of art to uplift, heal, and connect communities. He strives to inspire individuals to embrace their creativity and share their artistic gifts with the world.
Halloween
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Anya Aslanova
(She/Her)
PRESIDENT & CEO
317-925-4043, ext. 115
[email protected]
Program Team
Webb Parker, Ph.D.
(He/Him)
Senior Director of innovation & strategic partnerships
317-925-4043, ext. 116
[email protected]
Paisley Gibson
(She/Her)
director of programs, pre k-elementary education
317-925-4043, ext. 117
[email protected]
Halloween
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Brent Aldrich
(He/Him)
middle/high school education DIRECTOR
317-925-4043, ext. 123
[email protected]
Halloween
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Clockwork Janz
(They/Them)
Director of Equitable Practices and out of school time education
317-925-4043, ext. 113
[email protected]
Halloween
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Angela Yetter
(She/Her)
DIRECTOR of program &
development operations
317-925-4043, ext. 114
[email protected]
Administrative/Development Team
Halloween
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Jennifer Collins
(She/Her)
Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations
317-925-4043, ext. 112
[email protected]
Halloween
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Jeanette Huber
(She/Her)
ACCOUNTANT
317-925-4043, ext. 110
[email protected]
Halloween
Click to see our favorite work of art costumes!
Lisa Waite
(She/Her)
Director of Donor Relations & Communications
317-925-4043, ext. 120
[email protected]