Northglenn Arts & Humanities Foundation

Jill Parsons, President

Jill’s lifelong relationship with the arts started at a very young age in elementary school band as well as 10 years of dance, followed by many years singing a variety of musical styles in amazing choral organizations. The importance of these artistic opportunities in Jill’s life cannot be overstated and she is grateful to be part of the NAHF, a dynamic organization that offers opportunities for all to experience art in many different forms.

Donna Cole, Vice-President

Donna joined the board after her children graduated from the Northglenn’s youth theater program. She is happy that she gets to help bring art, in all of its forms, to the community. Arts, and especially performance art, has been a part of Donna’s life since childhood. It is such a great feeling to see that continue for other people through the work the NAHF does. Donna brings the experience of a theater mom, a patron and a volunteer to the board.

Laura Baukol, Secretary

Laura brings her passion for creativity, connection, and community engagement to the organization. As the owner of Sparkling Alchemy, a Northglenn-based business dedicated to empowering women through unique jewelry and experiences, she understands the importance of self-expression and storytelling through art. She believes the arts have the power to inspire, uplift, and bring people together, enriching the cultural fabric of Northglenn. With a background in acting, event curation, and small business ownership, Laura is honored to contribute her expertise to help elevate the foundation’s impact and make the arts more accessible to all.

Kit Steffen, Treasurer

Kit has served as the Treasurer for the Board since 2018. Prior to that date, Kit volunteered with the Northglenn Youth Theatre backstage helping with costumes, makeup and other general support. A fan of both the performing and visual arts, especially related to community enrichment, the NAHF was a natural fit for the next phase of volunteerism. Kit enjoys reading, gaming and dabbles in stained glass. Outside of the NAHF, Kit is a CPA and owner of Pinnacle Tax and Accounting, Inc.

Jennifer Nevins, Member

Jennifer is honored to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, helping to provide high-quality access to the arts for the community. As an avid, lifelong supporter of performing and visual arts she was exposed to their strength at an early age by her single mother. Her mother taught her an appreciation through trips to the theater and a rotating gallery of borrowed pieces of art displayed in her room. Now, as a landscape designer, Jennifer brings a design oriented, creative vision to the Board, promoting programs that make art more accessible and enriching for all.

Joyce Downing, Member

Joyce has been a dedicated advocate for the arts and was honored to be one of the founding board members of the NAHF. During her time on City Council and later as Mayor of Northglenn, she had the chance to promote, enhance, and share the arts with the Northglenn community. Through her leadership as Chair of the Adams County Cultural Council, she continues to support the arts by providing funding to organizations that bring various art forms to Northglenn and its neighboring areas.

Kirsten Tagestad, Member

The performing arts have been a foundational part of Kirsten’s life. Sharing the joy of performing was a key factor to why she became a music educator. Through the personal experience as a mother, she has seen how the Northglenn Youth Theater excels at making performing positive and accessible to all youth. Being a part of the NAHF allows her to continue to contribute to the power of the arts, both visual and performance, in the greater community.

Rosie Garner, Member

As a Northglenn resident for close to 50 years, Rosie understands our community and all it has to offer. Her association with the NANF is lengthy, starting out after leaving Northglenn’s City Council in 2008. She was the Foundation President for many years, working in conjunction with staff to grow the organization into what it has become today. Rosie credits her interest in the arts and the art community to her daughter who exposed her to the university academic world and the wide variety of arts in the Denver area. Rosie enjoys involvement with non-profits of all types, and has a good understanding of their place in a vibrant community.

Steven George, Member

In Omaha at age 12, Steven was fortunate to be selected to participate in a Sunday morning television program for a year. He received a script on Monday, needing memorized for taping the show on Thursday nights. It was his launch in the performing arts and over the last 50 years, Steven has had the opportunity to act, sing, dance, and choreograph in many theater groups as well as currently with the Northland Chorale. He is grateful to be involved in NAHF and all the Arts that revolve under the foundation umbrella. Most recently, he is excited about the work of the Foundation’s endowment and legacy giving for the future success of NYT. The mission of the Foundation is very important to him, giving a home for anyone to participate in the arts, as well as give the Northglenn Community the opportunity to have access to all varieties of the arts world.