Executive Director

• Sep 2019 - Present

The Dallas Education Foundation serves to inspire community investment to accelerate student success in Dallas ISD. Our vision is a galvanized community whose resources support the transformative work that makes Dallas ISD the preferred choice for families across North Texas. Taking an organization that was dormant for more than two years and struggling for nearly a decade before and creating a sustainable development organization focused on its priorities and aligned with the strategic initiatives of Dallas ISD. This includes driving the strategic planning process with a 17-person governance board to create the organization’s vision, mission and strategic initiatives with an additional focus on capacity building -- including governance and leadership, donor development and strategic relationships, and resource development and operations, to ensure growth and sustainability. Responsible for all aspects of the organization from donor development, financials, operations, and marketing and communications. Increased donations exponentially from under $100k annually prior to September 2019 to over $10m to date to fund programs that advance our students, catalyze our teachers, and add-value to our schools. Working with Dallas ISD Chiefs and their deputies to create partnership opportunities that align with the organization’s vision and to ensure appropriate disbursement of grant funds. Partnering with Community Organizations, Private Foundations, and Corporate Partners to provide additional and ancillary programming, teaching grants and student scholarships. Show less

Monthly Columnist

• Sep 2018 - Present

The East Dallas Advocate is a print-edition and online, well-regarded monthly publication focused on the neighborhoods of East Dallas including the M-Streets, Lakewood, Old East Dallas, Lochwood, Forest Hills, Casa Linda, and Casa View. The full-page column focuses on civic and community issues and encourages involvement and engagement. The East Dallas Advocate is a print-edition and online, well-regarded monthly publication focused on the neighborhoods of East Dallas including the M-Streets, Lakewood, Old East Dallas, Lochwood, Forest Hills, Casa Linda, and Casa View. The full-page column focuses on civic and community issues and encourages involvement and engagement.

Executive Director

• Aug 2016 - Sep 2019

The Emanuel Community Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose primary mission is direct outreach to serve a community that is constantly changing. The Food Pantry and Homeless Services provides healthy, supplemental sustenance to over 450 residents and homeless clients that face food insecurity, along with wraparound services to help improve the quality of their lives.As Executive Director, built a leadership team from an all-volunteer staff, ensuring documentation of processes and workflow efficiency and created and implemented a strategic plan that addressed the necessity and value of services provided.Additionally, formed partnerships with healthcare and community organizations, such as Crossroads Community Services, UTSW Medical Center Clinical Sciences, UTSW Family and Community Medicine and Parkland Homeless Outreach Medical Services to develop support and educational programs for the food insecure and the homeless.Also served as Board of Directors, Vice President - 3 years Show less

Board Vice President

• 2017 - 2019

Public Education Advocate

• Aug 2008 - Sep 2019

Have spent countless hours in the last decade volunteering and advocating in the public education sphere to improve equity and educational outcomes of the 153,000 students in Dallas ISD, including: • Public education advisor to US Rep. Colin Allred TX-32 (2017-Present). • Chair of Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Hinojosa’s District Advisory Council (2017-2019). • Thought partner to Dallas ISD Chiefs, deputy and assistant superintendents. • Helping form and advocate for policies that promote equity, including advocating for the removal of sibling preference at academic magnet elementary and middle schools, being co-chair of the District of Innovation (DOI) task force (including leading a team of fellow advocates to ensure passage of DOI by school board supermajority, allowing for Dallas ISD to compete with area charter schools and better align our Collegiate Academies with the Dallas County Community Colleges District.) • Working with principals and schools throughout the district to promote community involvement. • Member of the Dallas Regional Chamber sponsored task force created to ensure passage of the 2018 Dallas ISD ballot initiatives aimed at funding our schools. Show less