Board of Directors

Kelly Gordon is currently Chief Operating Officer at Topson Downs, a clothing manufacturer in LA, where’s she’s worked since 2001. She was introduced to POPs in 2015 when her daughter saw her first POPs production, Annie, and insisted on taking classes. Her daughter has now been in countless shows and considers POPs her second home. She is excited to join the POPs board in 2018 as she strongly believes in the mission to give kids a safe space to express themselves. Kelly is also on the Board of Directors for Covenant House, a homeless shelter for youth. She lives in Manhattan Beach with her husband Ryan and 3 kids, Emma, Jack and Drew.

Taulene Kagan currently serves as VP of Marketing at United Way of Greater Los Angeles. She has spent the last 23 years in the field of marketing and communications with an emphasis on public relations, as a senior strategist and consultant for several LA based non-profits including AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) and United Way. Since 2006, she has been with United Way of Greater Los Angeles, which services over 13 million residents in L.A. County. Taulene led the strategy and launch of United Way’s historical transformation from a pass-through organization to mission-based with its Creating Pathways Out of Poverty Plan. She played an instrumental role in the launch and growth of United Way’s annual 5K family run/walk to end homelessness, HomeWalk, building it from a 4,000 person walk in 2007, to 10,000 participants and Kobe Bryant as its Honorary Chair. Taulene produced United Way’s inaugural Women’s Summit in 2016 with Kerry Washington, generating almost $1M to help 1,000 women and girls out of poverty. Previously, Taulene worked as a Senior Publicist and Account Executive for The Regan Group (TRG). Originally from Toronto, Canada she lives in Manhattan Beach with her husband, three children, two rescue dogs and the latest family addition, Ginger the guinea pig.

Noel is currently Transportation Operations Manager at Los Angeles Food Bank. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, Noel served as a Naval Surface Warfare Officer for over 8 years participating in Desert Storm and the Persian Gulf conflicts. He then spent the next 25 years in the supply chain industry mostly as Director of Logistics, Transportation and Distribution with companies such as Wal-Mart, JB Hunt, National Retail, and Alliance Healthcare Services. He currently manages transportation operations for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Noel has been involved with POPs since the beginning with Mark and Julia, helping build the first of many sets in the Mirovich’s driveway. His three children grew up in POPs performing and then teaching. Also, his wife Arlene was the POPs Props Mistress for 10 years. Noel believes that the Arts is very important in shaping children to become well-rounded, confident, and successful adults.

Susan is currently POPs Business Manager, having assumed that position after she retired from a 30 year legal career. She started her career as a litigator at a Los Angeles law firm and joined Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) shortly thereafter where she practiced transportation, shipping, and corporate transactional law. In 2001, BP bought ARCO and Susan was appointed head of the West Coast office. After a series of promotions, she became the Associate General Counsel for Refining & Marketing Worldwide and was responsible for a budget of $100 MM and 100 attorneys in 17 countries. She became the first female to sit on the Legal Executive Team, reporting to the General Counsel. She chaired the Legal Diversity & Inclusion Committee and received several Corporate Counsel awards, one of which was presented to her by Al Gore. When POPs was formed, Susan’s sons Brian and Jason were taking dance classes from Julia. They followed her into musical theater, along with older brother Kevin. Susan and her husband Don became two of the founding Board members of POPs and led it to nonprofit status in 2010. Don was the first Chairman of the Board and always believed in the value of the arts in the community.

Julia also serves as Artistic Director of POPs. Julia has enjoyed co-creating with so many wonderful artists on creative projects during her professional career as a dancer and actress but her true passion has and will always be teaching children the craft she loves. She created Puttin’ On Productions, POPs, in 2007 and seven years later opened The Academy of Dramatic Arts, or TADA Stages. She has directed, choreographed, and/or produced nearly fifty youth productions. Julia has recently received her certification in Success Coaching for children and adults, supporting her self-empowerment curriculum for children, The Hero’s Journey. This workbook parallels the rehearsal and character development process allowing students to strengthen their inner voice. She will also be releasing her debut teen urban fantasy fiction novel, Finding Light, in the spring of 2019. She is a proud mom of Jonah and Jett and grateful she has her husband Mark to share the joys of creating this sacred space for children to learn and grow.

Andrea Boyer works an an actor and philanthropist. She was one of the founding board members and has served on the POPs board for over 7 years. An avid theatre goer, Andrea is very involved in helping our community, and serves on several nonprofit boards, advisory boards, even and fundraising committees that relate to the arts, children's education and charities for over 15 years. Some of these include: The Norris Theatre, The Roundhouse Aquarium, BaySmash, The Alfred D Boyer Foundation and Equine 4 Kids. "I believe POPs is an amazing organization that provides a safe environment for children who are interested in learning and pursuing the arts professionally or for personal enrichment," Andrea lives in Palos Verdes with her husband Al, and daughter Autumn. Her step-son Cameron is also a proud alumnus of POPs, having starred in several productions over the years.