Experience

Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Dec 2007 - Present

  For over 25 years, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas (CACTX) has served as the membership association for the state’s 70 local children’s advocacy centers (CACs), ensuring access to safety, justice, and healing for nearly one million Texas children impacted by abuse. As we continue to serve these children, CACTX is casting our vision upstream: to build a future where all children are free from child sexual abuse. As the CEO, I have led CACTX through a period of unprecedented growth and have committed to transforming the organization’s mission to eradicate child sexual abuse after a quarter-century of building expertise around intervening in child sexual abuse cases in Texas. HIGHLIGHTS • Increased annual first-time clients by (50%) through a series of strategies that included the development and scaling of the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and Enhancement Program which provides children’s advocacy centers (CACs), with access to the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) Statewide Intake reports ensuring proper and seamless referral of cases. • Facilitated the onboarding of federal Victims of Crime Act funding to the CACTX pass-thru portfolio • Led a statewide transition to a data-informed approach to service delivery, rolling out key performance indicators • Led the development, pilot, scaling, and transition to evidence-based therapy at Texas CACs • Procured funding to support research, training, and treatment tools to network clinicians • Scaled the CACTX Training Program to reach over 2000 participants and transitioned the program to be free of charge. • Negotiated and launched a first-of-its-kind proxy agreement with the National Children’s Alliance which ensures accreditation for Texas CACs. • A collaborative partner with board leadership, CACs, and CACTX staff to develop, operationalize and monitor the success of the annual and multiyear strategic plan to achieve high impact progress for the organization’s mission and vision. Show less



Texas Senate

• United States
• Legislative Offices
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Staff Attorney, Chief of Staff

  • Dec 2003 - Nov 2007

  As the General Counsel and Chief of Staff to State Senator Florence Shapiro, I managed the day-to-day activities of the Senator’s office. This included the development and direction of the legislative agenda for the 80th Regular Session. HIGHLIGHTS • Organized sex assault task force made up of district attorney's, judges, and legislative staff to assess Texas sexual assault laws. Served on the Governor's Criminal Justice Advisory Committee on behalf of the Senator. Contributed ideas regarding new sexual assault laws, probation and parole structures, DNA testing, and changes to the Texas Rules of Evidence. Advised Senator Shapiro on all criminal justice issues. • Fought for and secured funding for the Senator's criminal justice agenda with a specific focus on sexual assault. Passed omnibus legislation reorganizing sex offender registration laws and civil commitment. Championed and passed Senate Bill 912 requiring civil commitment eligibility for sexually motivated homicides. Worked hand in hand with the Special Prosecution Unit in Huntsville, Texas as well as district attorneys in Wichita Falls, Dallas, and Houston to draft constitutionally compliant language for this bill. • Aided and advised the Senator in her sponsorship and passage of the new sexual offense "Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child" in the 80th Texas Legislature. Helped craft language for a compromise version of Jessica's laws (House Bill 8) which was supported by district attorneys and victim's groups. Secured language in that bill eliminates the ability for juries to recommend probation for sexual offenses. • Oversight of all matters within the Senate Finance Committee. Represented the Senator in key negotiations with the Lieutenant Governor and executive-level staff, Governor's Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, numerous House and Senate members, agency commissioners, and local elected officials. Developed relationships with leaders in a wide variety of policy areas. Show less