Megan Gatto
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Megan holds a BFA in Studio Art and a minor in Psychology from the University of Delaware. Ms. Gatto began her journey at Art with a Heart as a college intern passionate about using art as a tool for change. Fueled by her Art with a Heart experience, she participated in visual art outreach programs in both Tanzania and Thailand and returned to Art with a Heart as a staff member in 2016.
Email: megan@artwithaheart.net
Randi Pupkin
FOUNDER
Randi graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1987 and was admitted to the Bar that same year. After 14 years, she left her construction litigation practice and started Art with a Heart in order to fully and creatively pursue her passion for helping those in need.
Email: randi@artwithaheart.net
Melissa Noonan
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Melissa has a degree in Art/Metalsmithing from Towson University. She comes to Art With a Heart with several years of experience as a jewelry studio manager and arts administrator. She spends her free time crafting, vintage shopping and attempting to keep her plants alive.
email: melissa@artwithaheart.net
Jess Ahart
DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT
With over two decades of leadership experience, Jess brings her unique perspective to Art with a Heart. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Mills College, where she focused on education, social entrepreneurship, and social justice. Her leadership with organizations as diverse as Michael Phelps Swimming and Communities United, has fueled her belief that transformation is possible. Jess lives in Baltimore with her partner, surrounded by a vibrant and deeply connected community. She believes in the power of art to transform lives, communities, and the world.
Erin Liffiton
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ART & SERVICE
Erin comes to Art with a Heart with a great passion for art, education, and change. After graduating from Bucknell University with degrees in linguistics, French, and a minor in studio art, she served her community as a teacher before making her way to Art With A Heart. When Erin is not working she can be found enjoying the company of her menagerie of pets and plants or in her ceramics studio.
Bailey O’Maille
DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT
Bailey is an artist, teacher, animal lover, and outdoor enthusiast. She grew up on the coast of Maine and moved to Maryland in 2008. She has lived in Baltimore City for 5 years, graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Art Education and has taught art courses at multiple Baltimore City schools. Some of her hobbies include painting pet portraits, camping, yoga, and singing.
Sofie Benson
CO-PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Sofie is a 2022 graduate of Skidmore College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History. Sofie started as an Art with a Heart teacher and is now a Co- Program Director with us.  Sofie enjoys hiking, photography and ceramics.
ANNA GALLAHAN
CO-PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Anna graduated with a B.S in Family and Human Services from Towson University in 2020. Anna began her journey at Art with a Heart as a college intern in Art with a Heart’s in-school programs and is now working as Co-Program Director.
Jake Parchem
EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Jake is a 2012 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Art Education with a passion for teaching. He has taught students from Pre-K to retired adults, developed impactful cross-curricular lessons, and helped design educational materials and objects that are now part of the permanent collection at the Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, WI.
Email: jake@artwithaheart.net
Candace Allmond
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Candace is a passionate advocate for people and art, thriving on creativity in all its forms. A proud graduate of Stevenson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling and Human Services and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Candace specializes in community outreach, partnerships and management, particularly focused on youth and families. In her free time, she loves to sing, paint, and just have fun with her husband and family, cherishing her role as a proud auntie. With a positive mindset, Candace embraces life and seeks to uplift those around her through her work and artistic pursuits.
Email: candace@artwithaheart.net
Misty Torbert
OFFICE MANAGER
Misty comes to Art with a Heart with over 20 years experience in office management, service coordination and bookkeeping, most recently for Lotharian Pools. She is the mother of three children and enjoys reading, nature and spending time with her family. Misty’s bucket list includes visiting all 63 of our National Parks with one on deck in 2024 to Yellowstone!
Email: misty@artwithaheart.net
Ellen Promisloff
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATORÂ
Ellen holds a Bachelor of Art Education degree from Penn State University. She began her work at Art with a Heart as a volunteer, with an eye on all things “crafty”. In her spare time, Ellen enjoys working out, knitting, needlepoint, sewing, cooking and reading. Along with her husband, she is the mother of 2 adult children and 1 son-in-law.
Omar Harris
COMMUNITY SERVICE & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Omar comes to Art with a Heart with a passion for creating. He is a 2021 graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where he developed his skills as a painting major in addition to studies in several other mediums. In his spare time, Omar enjoys creating new paintings and experimenting with digital programs.
Klause Ferrell
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Klause Ferrell is an undergraduate of the Art Institute of Atlanta in Graphic and Web design. Klause found his way to Baltimore, and first became involved with Art with a Heart as a client of the job training program HeARTworks. Graduating from the program, he returned as an intern in the AWAH Workforce Development and Social Enterprise program. In February 2019, Klause was hired as Assistant to the Director of Workforce Development and Social Enterprise and now holds the title of Workforce Development Coordinator.
Email: klause@artwithaheart.net
Kristina Harlee
HEARTWARES STORE MANAGER
Kristina comes to Art with a Heart as an alumnae of our summer workforce program, where she spent three summers with us. After graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Kristina amassed 8 years of retail experience, making her a perfect fit for the HeARTwares Store Manager position. In her spare time she likes to SHOP and enjoys graphic design.
Chelsea Springham
PROGRAM OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Chelsea is a former lead Art with a Heart Teacher. She’s a Baltimore native who studied fine arts at CCBC Catonsville and MICA. She hopes to continue her passion for arts integration education and curriculum at Art with a Heart. In her spare time she enjoys traveling to art museums, painting, and thrifting.
Jamie Freed
SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR
Jamie holds a B.F.A. in Digital Art and a B.S. in Psychology from Towson University. Jamie started at Art with a Heart as a programming and special projects intern before becoming a teacher and now is the Special Projects Coordinator with us. In her free time Jamie loves to make art with her daughter, roller skate and mingle with her family and friends
Jonathan Elliott
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Jonathan is a 2025 graduate of Bucknell University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He began his journey with Art With A Heart as a student in the Art of Leadership program as a part of Cohort 4, then a fellow for Cohort 5, and now he is the program administrator. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys photography and exploring museums.
Yulia Hanansen
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Yulia holds an M.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.F.A. from Columbia University. She comes to Art with a Heart with a wealth of experience in making mosaics and teaching mosaic arts. Her work is known to audiences both nationally and internationally. In addition to working at Art with a Heart, Yulia also operates her Mosaic Sphere Studio, LLC and is teaching fine arts at Towson University. Some of her hobbies include: hiking in the mountains, astronomy, and reading science fiction.
Email: yulia@artwithaheart.net