Our Team
Julie Arthur - Co-Founder
Julie Arthur is a co-founder of Believe Utah, an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and abilities of people with disabilities. With a 24-year-old daughter who has Down syndrome, Julie has a deeply personal connection to the cause and a passionate beliefe in the potential of individuals with disabilites. She is committed to empowering them to be independent, self-advocates, and vital contributors to their communities. Julie’s unwavering dedication to this mission has made her a driving force in creating a more inclusive and supportive world for individuals with disabilities, particularly Down syndrome.
Julie has served on the Board of Directors for several organizations that support people with disabilities and worked as State Director for Best Buddies.
Renee Vekiarides- Co-Founder
Renee Vekiarides is a co-founder of Believe Utah. She is a dedicated and compassionate individual whose life has revolved around supporting and empowering individuals with Down syndrome. Renee’s journey began when her now 20-year-old daughter with Down syndrome was born. Since then, she has developed a deep appreciation for the unique abilities and perspectives that each person brings to the table,
Renee's recognizes that individuals with Down syndrome are not defined by their condition but by their aspirations, dreams, and potential. Renee strives to create a supportive environment that allows these adults to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Renee has served as one of the original founders of the 3-21 Foundation which supports new families in their early educational journey with their own children with Down syndrome
Lindsay Larsen - Art Therapist
For the past 13 years Lindsay has worked as an educator and adaptive art therapist. She received her Bachelors in Art as Therapy from the University of Utah and a Masters in Arts in Education, with an emphasis in therapeutic sensory integration from Harvard University. She is currently working on her Masters of Social Work at The University of Southern California She is a two time pediatric cancer survivor and became converted to the therapeutic and educational benefits of art and sensory integration while undergoing cancer treatment. Due to the brain tumor she had various bouts of vision loss, IQ deficits, and a period of 6 years without working memory. It was through art therapy that she not only healed emotionally but was able to achieve neuro-cognitive gains allowing to recoup memory and succeed academically. Through sensory arts integration she was able to go from no working memory to graduate school at Harvard. It is her life purpose and passion to help young people with unique social, emotional, and educational needs achieve their highest potential academically and therapeutically through sensory adapted arts integration.