ArtsBridge Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of Helen S. Carlos and Sam Olens to their Board of Directors. Both Carlos and Olens have a long history of civic engagement and community service.
 
“I believe that all children should be exposed to the beauty, magic and inspiration of the arts,” says Helen S. Carlos. “Working on the Board of ArtsBridge, I hope to give more children this experience.”
 
Helen S. Carlos, native of Atlanta, is not only a wife and mother, but has devoted her life to helping those in need. Beginning her career as a special education teacher working with the Educable and Trainable Mentally Handicapped, then furthering her education earning a Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities and Emotionally Handicapped. Helen worked in a Junior High setting for ten years as a LD teacher and then in a treatment facility for three years as the homebound teacher.
 
After raising two children, Helen became involved with VNHS/Hospice Atlanta where she chaired the Big-To-Do at Zoo Atlanta for two years, the Hospice Gala silent auction, and served as the chair of the Hospice Annual Gala for two years. She served on the Hospice Board of Directors for six years and is currently a member of the Advisory Board. Wanting to further her community involvement, Helen chaired the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade in 2003. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Open Hand where she co-chaired Party in the Kitchen for two years; on the Board of Trustees of the Marcus Autism Center and chair of the Advisory Board of the Marcus Autism Center; Emeritus Board of the Devereux Georgia Treatment Facility; Advisory Board at the Cobb Galleria and Cobb Energy Centre; and as a member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society, a Greek Orthodox ladies philanthropic group.
 
“I enjoyed my service on The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority from 2003 to 2010 where I first learned about ArtsBridge Foundation,” states Sam Olens. “I love the work they are doing to provide arts education to students and educators, and I look forward to exploring ways in which I can assist them in their important mission.”
 
Sam Olens became Kennesaw State University’s fourth president on November 1, 2016.
 
Olens was elected Georgia’s 53rd Attorney General in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. In his role, he worked with the governor and legislature to strengthen the penalties for sex trafficking and protect the victims. He also guided a comprehensive revision of Georgia’s sunshine laws and led the effort to stem the epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Additionally, in cooperation with the Georgia Food Bank Association and Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia, Olens established the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy, which has collected the equivalent of over 5 million pounds of food for Georgia’s youth.
Prior to being elected Attorney General, Olens was chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, serving from August 2002 through March 2010. He previously served as a County Commissioner from 1999 through June 2002. He also served as chair of the Atlanta Regional Commission from December 2004 through 2009, and as vice-chair of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water District from 2005 through March 2010.

Georgia Trend Magazine named Olens the 2016 Georgian of the Year. In 2015, he received the Charles L. Weltner Freedom of Information Award, and in 2013, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Emory University School of Law. Olens received his Juris Doctorate from Emory University School of Law, and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from American University in international politics.

Olens and his wife Lisa have two children, Lauren and Jonathan.