Meet the Bad Dog Pack
Jen Parsons-Soran
Jen brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience in strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational development. In 2026, she stepped into the role of Executive Director of Bad Dog Arts after more than 13 years of involvement with the organization, helping guide its growth, community partnerships, and long-term vision.
Executive Director | Strategist | Lego Expert
Over the past three decades Victoria has taught and designed a wide range of visual art curriculum for children, teens and adults. As Co-Director/Founder of Bad Dog Arts she believes that “Everything and anything is potential art material, and everyone can be an artist.” She emphasizes the life changing benefits of creating art. Victoria received her BFA from the University of Utah in Drawing and Painting.
Co-Founder | Artistic Director | Visionary Victoria Lyons
As Program Coordinator, Lily supports classes, camps, teaching artists, and community engagement efforts at Bad Dog Arts. With experience in schools, youth programs, and community centers, she is passionate about making art accessible, collaborative, and welcoming for all.
Programs Coordinator | Creator | CollaboratorLily Gertler
Maddie Michael
Marketing Coordinator | Teaching Artist
Maddie is a multidisciplinary artist and designer with a background in art and fashion. She works across a variety of mediums and enjoys helping students of all ages discover their creative voice. An avid traveler and nature lover, she captures the world through photography with her husband and dog, Rhodes. Through Bad Dog Arts, she helps cultivate a creative and welcoming community.
Greg discovered BDA at Camp Kostopulos, began volunteering in 2023, and soon joined the team after 15 years in childcare and early education. At BDA, he prepares materials, assists teaching artists, and oversees lunch. Outside the studio, he performs with Elevate Theater, competes in Special Olympics, and plays guitar and banjo.
Programs AssistantGreg Kogan
Lisa brings nearly 40 years of teaching experience and a passion for helping students build confidence, creativity, and a love of learning. A longtime member of the Bad Dog Arts community, she combines warmth, patience, and enthusiasm in every classroom.
Art InstructorLisa Adair
Marisa is a multidisciplinary artist working in watercolor, mixed media, fashion design, textiles, and sculpture. Originally from Idaho and now based in Salt Lake City, she teaches art in schools, private lessons, and community programs while completing her art teaching degree at the University of Utah. She is passionate about making art accessible and believes creativity supports healing, confidence, and self-discovery.
Art InstructorMarisa Bone
Natalie Fawson
Art InstructorNatalie joined Bad Dog Arts in 2024 as a teaching artist. She holds a degree in Elementary Education and is a kindergarten teacher passionate about helping young learners build creativity and confidence through hands-on art. She enjoys working with watercolor, oil pastels, and paste paper. Outside the studio, she likes hiking, reading, and playing board games, and believes every child is creative.
Raiana Fonte
Raiana Fonte is a Salt Lake City–based ceramic and Teaching Artist working in porcelain with nature-inspired designs. She teaches students of all ages ceramic techniques, focusing on creativity, confidence, and self-expression. With experience at Bad Dog Arts and in Cleveland schools, she is passionate about creating supportive spaces where students can explore and grow through art.
Art Instructor
Susan Flores
Suzi is a Teaching Artist completing her degree in Art Education at the University of Utah with a minor in Ceramics. Drawn to clay since eighth grade, she creates work in ceramics, printmaking, digital media, and film. She is passionate about helping people feel confident as artists and believes art supports personal discovery.
Art Instructor
Olivia Glascock
Art InstructorOlivia is a Salt Lake City artist whose work explores landscapes, light, weather, and place through plein air oil painting. She holds a BFA from the University of Utah and an MFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she received the George Nick Prize for realist painting. Her work has been exhibited across the U.S. and featured in several publications.
Wolf holds a degree in Art Education from Montana State University and is currently pursuing an MFA in Teaching at the University of Utah. Her creative interests span traditional fine arts, dance and colorguard, creative writing, and western equine sports. She is passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces where students can explore, take creative risks, and develop their own artistic voice.
Art InstructorWolf Hansen
Alex Büddha Meza
Büddha is a Salt Lake City artist and graphic design student at Salt Lake Community College. Working across painting, drawing, clay, mosaics, and more, they bring a community-centered approach to art education and encourage students to explore their creativity through shared learning and discovery.
Art Instructor
Diego Salas
Diego is an artist and educator with roots in Peru and California whose work spans animation, illustration, sculpture, storytelling, and imaginative world-building. He loves helping young artists build creativity and confidence through engaging, playful art experiences that bring new ideas to life.
Art Instructor
Heather Higgins
Board Chair | Connector | Leader | Community Builder
Heather Higgins didn’t just find Bad Dog Arts—she felt it. After first getting involved through her sister, she quickly saw the program’s impact and the confidence it builds in students. With nearly 30 years of experience owning a manufacturing business, plus work as a consultant and President of the Mountain West Chamber of Commerce, she brings strong leadership and a deep commitment to community connection. As Board Chair, she helps guide the continued growth and impact of Bad Dog Arts.
Patrick Kelliher
Board Treasurer | Financial Strategist | Community Builder
Patrick Kelliher joined the Bad Dog Arts Board to help expand opportunities for children and underserved communities. With over 40 years of experience in finance and accounting, including leadership roles at Adobe and Vivint Smart Home, he brings strategic expertise and a focus on sustainability. As a fractional CFO, he supports organizations with structure and clarity, and is passionate about the role creativity plays in helping young people grow and thrive.
Nathan Adair
Board Member | Original Bad Dog Kid | Creative Spirit
Nathan Adair is a former “Bad Dog Kid” who experienced the program as one of its earliest students and now serves on the board. He believes creativity helps children build confidence and discover who they are. With a background in fashion design and a passion for sustainable vintage clothing, he brings a creative, people-first perspective to his work as a Personal Banker at Wells Fargo. As a board member, Nathan is committed to carrying forward the Bad Dog Arts legacy for future generations.
Susan Barnes
Board Member, Project Manager + Energy Bringer
Susan Barnes came to Bad Dog Arts after attending an art show that left a lasting impression. She was moved by the confidence and self-expression she saw in the students and felt compelled to get involved. “I knew I had to be part of this in some way,” she shares. As an Event Manager with a background in leadership and program development, Susan brings strong organizational skills and a people-centered approach, along with a deep belief in the power of creativity and connection.
Christine Jacobs
Board Member, Artist, Adventurer + Creative Instigator
Chris Jacobs, known as Miss Chris Art, joined Bad Dog Arts through an invitation and stayed because it felt like home. An artist and educator, she believes access to the arts builds curiosity, connection, and problem-solving skills. With experience founding an arts-focused charter school, she is passionate about expanding creative opportunities for both children and older adults. Now based in North Salt Lake, Utah, Chris brings a deep belief in connection through creativity.
TerraLynn D’Agostino
Board Member, Creative Spirit + Community Weaver
TerraLynn D’Agostino has been connected to Bad Dog Arts since its earliest days in 1994, when she met founders Victoria Lyons and Michael Moonbird through Ancient Future. A longtime supporter and creative professional, she is passionate about helping people explore creativity, build confidence, and express themselves through art. With a diverse background spanning esthetics, fashion, music, and education, she is dedicated to creating spaces where people feel seen, connected, and inspired.
Anthony Tenny
Board Member | Bridge Builder | Thoughtful Advocate
Anthony Tenney believes strong communities are built through connection, and that art plays a key role in making that possible. He emphasizes the importance of access to creativity as a way to inspire imagination and opportunity. As an attorney with Scholnick Thorne Holland, he advocates for fairness and dignity in the workplace. As a Bad Dog Arts board member, he brings a community-focused perspective rooted in connection and opportunity for all.
Michaela Velarde
Board Member, Artist, Advocate + Storyteller
Michaela Velarde joined the Bad Dog Arts Board in 2026, with deep roots in the organization as a former teacher, staff member, and parent of participants. A Marketing Manager at Huntsman Cancer Institute, she brings creative strategy and a strong focus on community advocacy across diverse and underserved populations. She is passionate about expanding access to the arts so more young people can build confidence, connection, and self-expression through creativity.