Carolyn Springer Holder
Founder & president
Carolyn, a global, multi-media visual artist, describes herself as a pursuer of beauty, wherever that vision may take her. She has made over 800 pieces of art including paintings, sculptures, and installations. These pieces have been shown in galleries and collections all over the world, including the Yokohama Civic Art Gallery in Azamino, Japan, the Bakersfield, California Museum of Art, and the Evansville Museum of Art in Indiana.
In May 2025, Carolyn had the opportunity to bring the Forgiving Sea Project abroad to Mussoorie, India. Not only was she painting a new Forgiving Sea, but she was connecting with the students at The Woodstock School, alongside the Arts For Change organization. The Forgiving Sea XI was inspired by the holy river, Ganges, and the incredible nature around it. She has touched so many souls through the work of the Forgiving Sea Project and continues to do so, as The Forgiving Sea XI is still abroad gathering names.
“Being there opened my personal artwork to explore new themes. Like expressing creative play and curiosity in my work about mysticism, deeper spiritual connections to God, animals, and holy places. I came away with realizing that my life as an artist and non-profit leader are one and the same. Both activities can flow together and feed each other. The Forgiving Sea Project in India showed me how great the need for forgiveness was for everyone”, (Carolyn)
In addition to her many accomplishments, she received a Creative Renewal Fellowship to study sacred sites in Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo, Japan, and the experience continues to influence her work. Her work is in dozens of private and public collections, including Indiana University Health, PNC Bank, Riley Hospital for Children, and IU-Indianapolis' Center for Teaching and Learning.
Staci Morris
TREASURER
For years Staci Morris worked in government accounting, and while that job might sound like a punishment to some people, she loved the work! We can say she is a people person. Black Dog Financial LLC, her business handles bookkeeping, accounting, payroll services, bank reconciliation, and consulting to owners of small businesses in the Springboro, Ohio area, as well as nationwide.
Staci's business name was inspired by her three black dogs. Her family is obsessed with little Boston Terrier rascals and even though they’re small dogs, they have BIG personalities! "This breed is so special to us, and we are even involved in a Boston Terrier rescue in our home state of Ohio."
Her family is her world. She is married to her incredible husband Damon, and they have four kids! And she says "Yep, four kids and three dogs—I’m sure you can imagine the joyful ruckus in our home!" Adoption is very near and dear to their hearts, as this is how they built their beautiful family.
In her free time, she is an avid reader and likes to get outside whenever she can. She loves to take long walks with the dogs and listen to podcasts.
Anna Jirgal
Secretary
Anna Jirgal is a Masters student of the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy where she hopes to use her creative skills for the greater good of her community. Growing up in Indiana, she developed a deep love and respect for nature and enjoys mountain biking in her spare time. An alumna of the Indianapolis Children's Choir, her love of music has been a constant in her life, leading her to complete her Bachelors of Music in Composition at Ball State University. She enjoys singing at her local parish and at various prayer events with friends. Anna looks forward to bringing her passion for the arts, nature, and the dignity of people to the Forgiving Sea Project and doing her utmost to support and enliven the growth of the organization.
Joseph Lamm
Board Member at Large
Joseph began his relationship with the Forgiving Sea Project with his collaboration with painter Carolyn Springer on The Forgiving Sea: Music for the Collection (2021). It was released as part of a two month exhibition in the fall of 2021. With the work of Joseph, in 2023, the FSP became a non-profit and he acted as the Board Vice-president.
He currently resides in Washington State and handles music, sound, and programing for the Forgiving Sea Project in the Spokane region and with the Colville confederated tribes.
Camilla Ullom
INTERN
Camilla Ullom joined our mission in the Fall of 2023, she shares a passion for community, art and psychology. Her role continues at the University of Cincinnati, pursuing an Interdisciplinary degree, minoring in Fine Arts and Psychology. Camilla has grown up in the heart of Indianapolis and has helped the Forgiving Sea Project reach their social media goals. Since she has been with us, she has provided her guidance with First Friday events, the GoFund Me page, Social Media and outreach.
More specifically, she hit the ground running in August for our third appearance at P.A.C.E. in 2023, helping with the Coloring Pages designed to teach children about forgiveness, letting go of fear, and ocean conservation. Her desire for leadership responsibilities and creative solutions caused her to start a "Go Fund Me" for The Forgiving Sea and she helped to rollout our first fundraiser at Harvest Fest. Having her as part of the team is wonderful and her sense of humor makes even the biggest challenges we have faced fade away with laughter and has made her a perfect fit for The Forgiving Sea Project.
Bea White
Florida Volunteer
Bea has been one of our biggest supporters. Over the years, she has allowed our organization to grow by supporting interns, our marketing efforts, and helping us reach a wider audience nationally. She also supports her local environment by tracking Loggerhead Sea turtles, and she belongs to seaturtletrackers.org in Florida. Raising awareness about the challenges marine creatures face is one of the missions of The Forgiving Sea Project. With Bea's help and profits from the most recent sticker the Loggerhead turtle, we adopted a loggerhead turtle nest on Saint Pete Beach in June of 2025 and had 90 successful hatchlings.