Board of Directors
Access Arts relies on an active board to achieve our mission of 'creative learning experiences for everyone. Our board uses their diverse skill sets to work on projects ranging from fundraising to marketing to firing up the wood kiln. They keep Access Arts moving forward!
Liz Jones (she/her), President
Liz has lived in the Columbia area her whole life. She went to Mizzou where she received her degree in Fine Art-Painting -- watercolors specifically. She has worked for Central Bank of Boone County for 10 years and she's currently the Branch Manager at their Woodrail Branch. Liz has a lifelong love for art and supporting our local community. She enjoys coffee, yoga, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Garren Roberts (she/her), Vice President
Garren Roberts is a digital marketing specialist and the founder of Fireside Social Co., where she helps small businesses grow their online presence with heart and intention. With a background in education and a degree from the University of Missouri, Garren has always been driven by a passion for helping others learn, grow, and find what makes them happiest. Outside of her work in marketing, she’s a lifelong artist who primarily works with fiber through quilting and sewing—though she’ll try her hand at just about any craft. She shares life with her wife, two dogs, two cats, and a never-ending stack of books. Garren is excited to support the mission of Access Arts and help more people experience the healing power of creativity.
Joy Jenkins (she/her), Secretary
Joy Jenkins is an assistant professor of journalism studies at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Jenkins serves as editor-in-chief of The Journal of Magazine Media. She is also a research associate for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, U.K. Jenkins teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in journalism. She was on faculty at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for four years before coming to the Missouri School of Journalism. Before entering academia, Jenkins served as senior editor at TulsaPeople magazine in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and copy editor at the Oklahoma Gazette in Oklahoma City.
Christina Heilman (she/her), Treasurer
Christina, a native of Columbia, Missouri, is passionate about giving back to her hometown community. With a professional background in accounting, Christina brings financial skills to the Access Arts board. She is excited to support the organization's mission of fostering creativity and inclusivity in the arts. In addition to her expertise in financial management, Christina is eager to deepen her understanding of the arts and collaborate with fellow board members to help Access Arts continue to thrive and serve the community.
Kristen Walker (she/her), Past President
Kristen Walker is an Employee Benefits Senior Account Manager with AssuredPartners and is a returned Columbia native by way of Kansas City. Prior to working in Benefits and Insurance, she obtained a dual Masters in Public Health and Public Affairs from the University of Missouri. Outside of the office, Kristen enjoys watercolor and acrylic painting, cycling, and exploring new places with her aussie border collie, Wally. A lifelong passion for the arts, including music and theatre, brought Kristen to the Access Arts board, and is looking forward to giving back to the community that was an integral part of her youth.
Kate Stull (she/her), Past-President
Kate has a passion for the community as a Columbia native, concentrating on philanthropic work with many wonderful organizations and educational initiatives that improve the lives of children and their families through play or art. As an artist, Kate enjoys drawing and painting, having formerly held a studio space at Orr Street Studios. Kate holds a strong passion for sharing the arts with her children and the community, holding fond memories of the 'Empty Bowls' events and hosting birthday parties at Access Arts' Cottle location. She also enjoys lifting up local artists through networking opportunities, strategic planning, and creative consultation.
James Manning (he/him), Member
James Manning is a Veteran and Lean Manufacturing specialist with a passion for ceramics. He has a decade of experience as a glaze chemist and ceramics engineer for dinnerware and tile companies in New England and Ohio. During this time he attained a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and specialized in helping small and medium sized enterprises with ASTM and ISO test standards. In addition to his current consulting practice he has served on the Board of the John Bryan Community Pottery and the Greater Cincinnati Clay Alliance.
Sarah Salmons (she/her), Member
Sarah Salmons serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Stephens College, where she leads the College’s marketing and communications efforts in support of its mission and students. With more than 20 years of experience in writing, storytelling, and strategic communications, she is passionate about connecting people to meaningful opportunities and building strong community partnerships.
The arts have always been central to Sarah’s life. As a child, she benefited from community visual and performing arts programs, and early in her career she taught drama camps alongside her mother -- experiences that shaped her belief in the power of creative expression. She is deeply committed to expanding access to the arts for all, especially children, and is honored to support the work of Access Arts in making the arts accessible across the community.
Evin Dubois, Member
Evin Dubois is a visual artist interested in masculinity, adornment, and the body. His practice deconstructs the narrative and brash behavior exhibited by failed and fractured creatures. While he flirts with fandom, fiction, and fantasy, his work is grounded in the buildup and breakdown of figurative sculpture.
He earned his BFA in Fine Arts with an Art History minor from Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio. He then earned his MFA with a Graduate Art History minor from the University of Illinois, Urbana - Champaign in 2017. Evin is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the School of Visual Studies at the University of Missouri. He teaches 3D Design, manages the Foundations program of study as Foundations Coordinator, and serves as a member of the Graduate Faculty for the MFA program.
Dan Hlavac (he/him), Member
Dan and his family moved to Columbia in 2017. Immediately he fell in love with the rich art culture and became more impassioned as his youngest daughter blossomed through the teaching and support of the various community classes. He has spent most of his career helping organizations align their strategies and leverage their strengths in order to achieve their vision. When not spending time with his friends and family, Dan is actively volunteering with not-for-profit organizations. Dan wants to ensure the arts remain available to anyone at any age and is excited to be involved with Access Arts.
