Kathleen Royster received her BFA (1990) and MFA (1995) from the University of Utah where she was awarded the Ethel Rolapp Award. She is a former Art professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver and Scripps College, Claremont CA, a former board member for the National Council on Education for the Ceramics Arts. Her work appears in significant museums, private collections and cited in many publications. Today she lives in a small artist community in historic Helper, UT where she maintains a studio.
Ben Levenger has over 20 years of experience guiding rural communities through Main Street revitalization and economic development projects. As the President of Downtown Redevelopment Services, he brings national best practices in urban planning and economic development to the Helper Project. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and spending time with his family. As a board member of the Helper Project, Ben continues to work with the municipality and governmental agencies to move critical community-wide projects forward.
Amy Jespersen holds a Bachelor of Business degree in Finance. She has worked in the banking industry for over 10 years with an emphasis in accounting. As Secretary/Treasurer of the Helper Project, Amy plays a vital role in managing the organizations finances and reporting. Amy is a native of Carbon County and loves the outdoors, boating, camping, mountain biking, and hiking. She is married and the proud mother of three.
Shalee Johansen has over 25 years of extensive experience in marketing and as a real estate broker. She currently lives in Carbon County where she owns several businesses in the hospitality, tourism and real estate industries. She also enjoys renovating old homes and buildings on Helper’s Historic Main Street. Most recently, she held the position of Director of Tourism for Carbon County and the Executive Director of the Castle Country Trails Committee where she promoted her passion for all that Carbon County and Helper have to offer. As a board member of the Helper Project, Shalee will continue to advocate for the cultural, recreational and economic advantages of the area.
Stephanie Young Merzel is a photographer, writer, and Zen Buddhist living in the small community of Helper, Utah. Her work arises from a deep interest in nature and human culture, where wilderness, memory, spirituality, and place all speak in their own unique ways. She holds Degrees in Philosophy & Religion and Chemistry from Westminster University, a blend that reflects both her contemplative heart and her analytical mind.
Her work and interests include:
Photography: Through her camera, Merzel reveals the subtle beauty of the natural world and the quiet stories held in old buildings, historical preservation sites, and wide open spaces.
Writing & Zen Practice: She is the author of Just This: A Life Traversing Mormon and Zen Buddhist Patriarchy, a memoir that weaves together spiritual inquiry, personal courage, and the search for genuine freedom. From 1996 to 2008, she served on the board of the Kanzeon Zen Center as well as Director, supporting the growth of Western Zen practice.
Wilderness & Preservation: A lifelong defender of wildlife and wild spaces, Merzel has volunteered and also served on the board of Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation. Her advocacy for a biodiverse environment reflects the tension between restoration, and over-development.
Roy Jespersen is a director and principal in Eastisoft, Inc., a financial services company and serves on the Intermountain Healthcare board of trustees investment committee.
He was a principle of Wasatch Advisors and Wasatch Funds, Inc. and formerly served as a trustee for the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, advisory board member of the James Martin Center for Non-proliferation Studies, former board president of the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA), former board chairman of CHOICE Humanitarian, and board member of the Salt Lake Acting Company. In addition, Roy was one of the founders of the Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City, UT and sits on their advisory board. In 2002, Jespersen was the attaché for the Uzbekistan Winter Olympic Team and as such was a fully accredited member of their team.
Anne Morgan-Jespersen is an artist and designer. She holds a Master’s Degree of Architecture from the University of Utah and with combined practice of Art, Design, and Architecture has over twenty-six years of professional experience. After living and working in Helper part time for fifteen years, she and her husband have made Helper, Utah their permanent residence. They founded The Helper Project in 2016. Her professional expertise and ability to execute projects, as well as fund-raising efforts have been critical for the success of the organization. She also owns Anne Jespersen Fine Arts Gallery.
David is an artist whose work depicts scenes of a bygone era. He was born in Salt Lake City, and lived in San Francisco and Los Angeles, before moving to Helper. His work is included in the private and corporate collections of Sid Sheinberg, Marilu Henner, Peter Weller, Jackie Collins, Universal Studios, Turner Network, Sundance Institute, CBS Records, Sony, and Arnesio Hall/Eddie Murphy Productions.