Today Marks The Beginning Story

TODAY MARKS THE BEGINNING was co-founded by Karen Blessen and Barbara Miller following Karen's return from Africa. Karen is an award-winning freelance artist and writer who was the first graphic artist to be named a winner of the Pulitzer Prize. She traveled to Africa as a member of the HIV/AIDS Leadership Council of Save the Children.

TODAY MARKS THE BEGINNING is a network of creative individuals and organizations dedicated to collaborative exploration of and engagement with the arts in ways that challenge and serve our communities. Through programs and projects involving diverse forms of artistic expression, Today Marks the Beginning seeks to inspire public dialogue about social problems and community participation in imaginative and compassionate solutions. 



Board of Directors

  • Lou Michaels
    President

    Lou Michaels has a passion for the arts and their necessity for a thriving community and a meaningful life. She works in the media as a talent coach for news anchors and reporters all across the U... more

  • Gracie Golonka
    Vice President

    <>Gracie is a lady of leisure while on hiatus from the technology industry and is enjoying the time to focus on areas of personal interest.  Her corporate alter-ego is a business excellence exec... more

  • Carol Pace
    Treasurer

    Carol is a Senior Accounting Manager for Capgemini Energy LLP. After a successful career in medical technology at Baylor University Medical Center, she re-educated and received a Master of Science... more

  • Jody Johnson
    Secretary

    <><>Jody has worked in healthcare for the last 27 years. The first half of her career she worked as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner providing prenatal care and GYN services to low income women. ... more

  • Dr. Barbara Miller
    Co-founder and immediate past President

    Barbara is a dentist and the Executive Director of Recruitment and Admissions for Baylor College of Dentistry. As a life-long student of the arts, she has studied ballet, jazz and modern dance, po... more

  • Karen Blessen
    Co-founder and past President

    Karen is an award winning freelance artist and writer who was the first graphic artist to be named a winner of the Pulitzer Prize. She traveled to Africa as a member of the HIV/AIDS Leadership Cou... more

  • Diane Hosey
    Board member and past President

    Diane is the principal and founder of Numina Consulting, a leadership development firm. She has been in organizational development for 18 years, with current clients such as Nokia Americas, First ... more

  • Carol Donovan
    Board member

    An attorney and on the board of Peacemakers.

  • Donna Peterson
    Board member

    Most recently with Tiffany's.