UPBRING - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Vice President of Advocacy

Upbring is focused on generational innovation in the child welfare space-and that includes working with the legislature to improve state systems and policies. As Vice President of Advocacy, Amy Bruno promotes Upbring's mission and goals by maintaining strong relationships with elected officials, stakeholders and state agencies. She serves as a resource to educate members of the legislature about vital issues involving child welfare in Texas and as an advocate, garnering support for our forward-thinking legislative policies. Having spent more than 15 years steeped in Texas policymaking, Amy has extensive experience collaborating to develop and implement effective legislation. Before joining Upbring, she served as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for several State Representatives, helping to pass legislative agendas and serving as a primary point of contact with committees, constituents, lobbyists and state agencies. Prior to that, Amy worked for a governmental affairs consultancy and on several state election campaigns. At the national level, she has worked for a U.S. Senator and served in multiple roles on a presidential campaign. She is proud to apply this career experience to advocate for Upbring's mission of breaking the cycle of child abuse in Texas. Amy earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Russian from The Ohio State University and studied as a fellow with OSU's John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy in Washington, D.C. She enjoys good books, traveling, and hosting game nights and backyard barbecues along with her husband and son at their home in Austin, Texas.

Job Titles:

• Chief Education & Growth Officer
• Vice President of Education & Residential Programs

Growth, education and creating positive generational change are hand-in-glove endeavors for Andrew Benscoter, Ed.D. As the Chief Education & Growth Officer for Upbring, Andrew directs all education services and works to assess and develop additional growth opportunities. He also leads the organization's research efforts. In 2015, Andrew joined Upbring as Vice President of Education & Residential Programs and Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Charter Schools. In these roles, he helped lead strategic program growth resulting in a $36 million increase in Upbring's operating revenue. He has helped open 35 Upbring Head Start preschools, two private preschools and 11 Trinity Charter School locations as well as provided oversight, implementation and leadership for three Office of Refugee Relocation facilities and two residential treatment facilities. His passion for education and for fulfilling Upbring's mission to break the cycle of child abuse is visible to all who meet him. From 2013 to 2015, Andrew served as the Principal of Redeemer Lutheran School in Austin, Texas, where he oversaw 400 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. In that role, he developed and managed an annual budget of $2 million and increased enrollment by 20%. From 2008 to 2013, he served as Principal of Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran School in Scottsdale, Arizona, where both the school and preschool were honored as exemplary programs. Andrew earned a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago and graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Education Administration from Concordia University Nebraska. He was honored with the Alumni Servant Leadership Award, recognizing his service to the world, in 2018. In 2010, Andrew was selected as a Fellow for the Van Lunen Executive Management program. He and his wife, Sara, a cardiac intensive care nurse enjoy spending their free time with their four adorable West Highland White Terriers.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors

Billy Coe Dyer, J.D.. is a Partner with Vinson & Elkins LLP. He has received many honors and accolades, including selection as "Texas Super Lawyer" by Texas Monthly and as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. Mr. Dyer has served on the faculties of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) and the Trial Advocacy Training Program at Louisiana State University Law School. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the American and Texas Bar Associations. Mr. Dyer completed his undergraduate work summa cum laude at Trinity University in San Antonio with a B.A. in History and Economics. He received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law. Billy Dyer and his wife, Elisabeth, have three children and live in Houston, Texas.

Job Titles:

• Treasurer
• Treasurer of the Board of Directors
• Founding Partner of Heritage Wealth Management

Brett Carleton is a founding partner of Heritage Wealth Management, an independent financial planning firm that provides comprehensive financial planning and asset management. At Texas Lutheran University, Mr. Carlton earned a B.A. in Business Management and Marketing. He began working in the financial services industry in 1989 at Lutheran Brotherhood Securities Corp. He is a Certified Financial Planner™, a designation granted by the CFP® Board of Standards in Denver, CO, and a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), a designation granted by the American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, PA. He is also a member of the Financial Planning Association.

Job Titles:

• Senior Vice President of People & Culture

Of all the initiatives Carolyn Paganoni leads at Upbring, she is most proud of nurturing a culture characterized by a drive for results, purpose and caring. As Senior Vice President of People & Culture, Carolyn oversees organizational development and effectiveness, change management, talent acquisition and management, performance management, leadership and employee development, workforce planning, succession management, diversity and inclusion, and culture. She has leveraged her more than 27 years of experience to deliver a best-in-class employee engagement program and transform the organizational culture at Upbring. Upon joining Upbring in 2013 as Vice President of Human Resources, Carolyn re-engineered the department to streamline infrastructure and transition to a fully integrated strategic people operations model. Her people-first philosophy has resulted in a decrease in annual insurance and healthcare costs, an increase in annual employee retention and more positive leadership-employee relations. Carolyn's heart for service dates to before her time at Upbring, and across both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. As a pro bono consultant at the Taproot Foundation, she addressed talent management challenges through the analysis of HR needs. She also worked as the Director of Human Resources for Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System and for BHS Consulting Corporation, as well as a Regional Human Resources Manager at Magellan Behavioral Health. Carolyn earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Illinois Wesleyan University, and both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior from Illinois Benedictine College. She holds four human resources certifications: SPHR, SHRM-SCP, SWP and LDSS. She is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, SHRM's Executive Network and the Austin Human Resources Management Association.

Job Titles:

• Chief Financial Officer
• Role of Chief Financial Officer

Chad Seveland assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer at Upbring in 2023. In his capacity as a key leader responsible for the organization's financial stability, he diligently oversees Upbring's finance, facilities, budget, procurement functions, as well as information technology and risk management. With his expertise and guidance, he ensures the smooth functioning of these crucial areas, supporting the organization's overall success. With nearly 25 years of finance experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Chad is well-versed in budget development and management, data analysis, payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable, capital spending, financial analysis and forecasting, vendor management and process improvement. Prior to joining Upbring, Chad served as the Vice President of Finance with Lone Star Circle of Care, a non-profit community health center with clinics throughout Texas. He feels strongly in doing all that he can to contribute to Upbring's mission and serving those in need. Chad earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Austin College and a Master of Business Administration in Finance & MIS (Management Information Systems) from the Daniels School of Business at Purdue University. Chad and his wife enjoy attending the sporting events and other activities of their two teenage sons. In their leisure time, the family enjoys traveling, having game nights and taking their two dogs for walks. Whenever his busy schedule allows, Chad also endeavors to find time for reading, golfing, hiking, and engaging in home improvement projects.

Job Titles:

• Founder
• Member of the Board of Directors
• Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Higher Education for the State of Texas

Dr. Harrison Keller is the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Higher Education for the State of Texas. With more than two decades of experience in education, he is a recognized innovator in policy and programs to improve college readiness and student success, especially for low-income and first-generation students. Dr. Keller is the founder and was Principal Investigator of the OnRamps dual enrollment initiative that provides college-level courses to tens of thousands of high school students across the state of Texas, and the Texas OnCourse initiative that works with Governor Greg Abbott's Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative to improve secondary college and career advising across the state. Before his current role, Dr. Keller wore many hats at The University of Texas at Austin. He served as the Deputy to the President for Strategy and Policy, as Vice Provost for Higher Education Policy and Research and as Executive Director of the Office of Educational Innovation and the Center for Teaching and Learning. Prior to that, Dr. Keller was Director of Research for the Texas House of Representatives and Senior Education Advisor for the Speaker of the Texas House. Dr. Keller earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and a Master and Doctor of Philosophy from Georgetown University. He has taught at Georgetown University, St. Edward's University and the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Gena, live in Austin with their three children.

Job Titles:

• Chief of Community Engagement

In her role as Chief of Community Engagement for Upbring, Holly Raymond spearheads Upbring's efforts to identify and cultivate robust, trusting relationships at a grassroots level. With a primary objective to expand the organization's influence within the community, Holly's ultimate goal is to establish Upbring as a household name. Additionally, Holly aims to leverage these connections to generate opportunities for fundraising in support of Upbring's development initiatives. Having served on the Leadership Team since 2017, Holly has a solid understanding of Upbring programs and how we accomplish all that we do. Prior to her current role, she served as Upbring's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance & Risk. Her contributions include strengthening financial operations, resulting in 100% overall organizational growth, and deepening Upbring's finance and facilities resource capabilities with strategic staffing additions. She is a utility player, having managed various departments including HR compliance, IT, Risk, Disaster Response and Lubbock Community Services. Her success at Upbring is a testament to her outstanding leadership, determination and servant-hearted commitment to breaking the cycle of child abuse. Before joining Upbring, Holly served as Chief Financial Officer of Common Threads where she directed operations and strategy for finance and accounting, human resources, operations and IT. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Finance and operations for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, Inc. She also worked for the accounting firms of Maxwell Locke & Ritter and Ernst & Young. Holly is a first-generation college graduate, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Professional Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin. She served as a Trustee on the Hays CISD School Board from 2012-2018. She currently serves on the board for Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest and is Treasurer of the following organizations: Hays High School Athletic Booster Club, Keeping Communities Connected and Hays High School Project Graduation 2024. Holly also volunteers at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. She loves going to concerts and spending time with her husband and three children.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Chief Strategy Officer at Valkyrie

Jason Paull is the Chief Strategy Officer at Valkyrie in Austin, Texas, a science-driven consulting firm that aims to solve organizational and global challenges through AI and machine learning. Mr. Paull has applied his expertise in strategic processes to create scalable successful companies and to help organizations thrive throughout his career. Mr. Paull started his career in consulting at Price Waterhouse Management Consultants before joining Continental Airlines where he helped develop the first flight profitability system in the world for the airline. Fueled by his passion for creating repeatable, scalable results, Mr. Paull became an entrepreneur and co-founded a start-up technology company-Zippity-where he raised more than $3.5 million in funding and garnered awards. Leveraging his talents to better the community, Mr. Paull most recently served as a Trustee in the Eanes Independent School District. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Baylor University followed by a Master of Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Kristin, have three boys-one in high school and two that attend the University of Texas at Austin.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board
• Member of the Board of Directors

M. Jordan Scott is a community advocate and real estate investor in Austin, Texas. After graduating summa cum laude from The Colorado College with an Economics degree, Jordan started a hedge fund called Lonestar Capital Management. He then worked briefly for his grandfather, George Kozmetsky, focusing on economic development projects in the Rio Grande Valley while simultaneously building a travel-focused SaaS product called Flightlock, Inc. After selling that company to Control Risks, a London-based global security consultancy, Jordan worked as Senior VP of Tracking until 2006 when he left to pursue private investments. He currently serves on the Upbring Board, the IC2 Advisory Board at the University of Texas where he recently received his Master's in Human Dimensions of Organization, and the Reissa Foundation, a legacy of the RGK Foundation. Jordan believes firmly that we can all do our part to make Texas even better. His philanthropic passions include foster care and affordable housing. In 2021, he launched Industry ATX, a real estate development company focused on transit-oriented, affordable housing in the Austin area. In 2014, his wife Laila founded Pop-Up Birthday, a nonprofit that strengthens the relationships between children in foster care and their caregivers through personalized birthday experiences. Jordan is also passionate about scouting and spends much of his spare time as Scoutmaster of Troop 31. His other hobbies include camping with his three boys, skiing, Texas Football, vintage Cadillacs and live music.

Job Titles:

• Innovation Program Specialist
• Innovation Program Strategist
• Senior Innovation Program Strategist at Upbring Innovation Labs

Kelsey Driscoll is Senior Innovation Program Strategist at Upbring Innovation Labs. She is an experienced nonprofit strategist trying to save the world by turning big ideas into measurable and scalable social impact. Prior to earning a Masters of Public Management at the University of Maryland College Park in 2019, she delivered quality solutions to private, public, and nonprofit clients as a strategy consultant at Accenture and other management consulting firms in Washington, D.C. Upbring Innovation Labs is a platform to explore ideas in child well-being. A division of Upbring, a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we scale innovation by creating earned revenue streams and sustainable impact at the intersection of social enterprise, new technology and data. Our mission is to break the cycle of child abuse by empowering children, families and communities.

Job Titles:

• Chief
• Program Officer

In her long career with Upbring, Krystale Bezio, MSW, LCPAA, has amassed vast knowledge of the organization's mission, programs and services-insights that she leverages each day as an executive leader. As Chief Program Officer of Upbring, Krystale ensures quality care, supervision and program direction for all foster care, adoption, supervised independent living and residential treatment centers, as well as our children's shelters and Transitional Foster Care (TFC) program operated in partnership with the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR). She also oversees the quality assurance department for the organization. Few people have had an Upbring journey quite like Krystale, who started as a Family Services Worker in 2004. Fueled by her skill, intuition and passion for fulfilling the mission, she has held seven different positions at Upbring working her way up to Chief Program Officer in 2020. Under her direction, Krystale led the strategic growth of the ORR shelter programs, yielding just under $30 million in additional operating revenue. She also had oversight of the Evolv data management system and team as well as developed and implemented a quality management program to meet the demographic and epidemiological needs of the children and families in Upbring's care. Krystale earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Tarleton State University and a Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington. She and her two daughters live in Weatherford, Texas. When she's not working, Krystale enjoys spending time with family and cheering them on at sporting events.

Job Titles:

• Director of Data & Analytics
• Senior Business Analyst at Upbring Innovation Labs

Kyle Kerrigan is Senior Business Analyst at Upbring Innovation Labs where he utilizes his experience to carry out complex business model development, business planning, investment research & analysis, business intelligence, and uncovering opportunities with SROI & ROI. With over 9 years of business experience, he seeks to utilize his enthusiasm and skills to convince people to address our society's most pressing issues. He is an active member at Notley's Center for Social Innovation.

Job Titles:

• Vice Chair
• Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
• Licensed Professional Engineer

L. Wood Franklin, a Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas, is the Division Director of Public Works for the City of Lubbock. He has been with the City of Lubbock Engineering Department for more than 23 years. As the Director of Public Works, Mr. Franklin is responsible for overseeing the City's engineering, water, sanitary sewer, stormwater management, street maintenance, solid waste, and traffic departments - along with a current capital budget of over $560 million. A native of Lubbock, Mr. Franklin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University. He currently serves as the President of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers South Plains Chapter and on the Board of Trustees for the Texas Engineering Foundation, which provides financial assistance for students in the Engineering field. Mr. Franklin has also served on the Board of Directors for the Lubbock South Plains Food Bank. In an interesting historical coincidence, Wood Franklin was adopted as an infant by Larry and Mary Lee Franklin through Lutheran Social Services of the South.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Ed.D. Is the Director Emeritus at Salem Lutheran School in Tomball, Texas

Mary Beth Gaertner, Ed.D. is the Director Emeritus at Salem Lutheran School in Tomball, Texas. Dr. Gaertner has been an educator and administrator for over 40 years. She served as an educator and speech pathologist in the Alief, Aldine, Spring and Magnolia, Texas public schools, and as an adjunct professor at Sam Houston State University and North Harris County Community College for over 10 years. Her experience in private parochial education began at St. Matthew Lutheran School in Spring, Texas, and she served as the principal for Salem Lutheran School in Tomball, Texas from 2000 through 2021, having begun the early childhood program there in 1981. A graduate of the University of Houston, Dr. Gaertner earned her bachelor's in speech pathology and audiology. She went on to earn a master's in elementary education from Sam Houston State University and a doctorate in educational administration from California Coast University.

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer
• COO
• President

Michael Loo is relentlessly determined to accomplish two things: protect and care for children and innovate in the child well-being and social services space. These imperatives drive him as President & Chief Executive Officer of Upbring. At Upbring, he combines his business brain and mission-focused heart to give children faith they will experience a happy and healthy childhood. An insightful leader and trailblazer, Michael is also an analytical problem-solver. During his career helping multibillion-dollar companies achieve their organizational goals, Michael's expertise was built around driving beneficial change and driving next-level value. He was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Upbring in 2020, having previously served as its President and Chief Operating Officer (2015-2020) and Chief Financial Officer (2013-2015). Under Michael's direction, Upbring programs have experienced exponential growth, producing a trajectory of great promise for Texas children and families. Michael has a deep background in strategic planning, operations, technology and finance within complex organizations ranging from start-ups to massive corporations. Prior to joining Upbring, he served as Vice President - Controller & Treasurer of Hawaiian Airlines for seven years. He later went on to spend a total of nine years - two as Controller and seven as Vice President of Finance & Administration (fka Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer) - at Kamehameha Schools, a private school system with an endowed trust valued at more than $11 billion. He most recently worked at Sopogy, Inc., a technology provider in the micro-concentrated solar power sector, where he spearheaded the initial public offering (IPO) efforts as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. Michael serves on the Board of Directors for both Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services and Maxana. He also previously served on the Board of Directors in the respective state chapters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys and Girls Club and Better Business Bureau. He has received multiple awards as a certified public accountant (CPA) and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oregon. He and his wife Julie, sons Austin and Dawson and daughter Reese live in Austin, Texas. Michael Loo is President & COO of Upbring and has over 20 years of executive management experience, leadership and change agent skills across various for-profit and non-profit industries. He has a strong track record of developing integrated strategic plans and leading teams to successful execution in creative and novel ways. As the progenitor of the Upbring Innovation Labs concept, a division of Upbring, his vision for child welfare is to serve the well-being of children by mixing traditional and disruptive approaches and concepts.

Job Titles:

• Senior Vice President of Public Affairs
• Statewide Recruitment Director

Murray Chanow, MBA, hopes that when people hear "Upbring," they think of the positive wellbeing outcomes it provides for the children it serves. He brings this eagle-eye vision to his work as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, overseeing Upbring's advocacy, marketing and communications efforts bringing its brand to life and ensuring alignment of its Strategic Plan to create a lasting impact. A perennial large-scale thinker, Murray is also responsible for facilitating Upbring's strategic process. His collaborative approach blends logic, critical thinking and creativity to reframe challenges into strategic solutions fueled by data and qualitative understanding. Murray is particularly proud of Upbring's Ascend program, which brings a new, intense approach to breaking the generational cycle of child abuse by addressing five key markers of well-being: health, safety, vocation, education and life skills. Having joined Upbring in 2013 as Statewide Recruitment Director, Murray brings more than 25 years of experience in advocacy and strategic planning to his role. He also spent an impressive 18 years in political and government affairs in Washington, D.C. Murray earned a Master of Business Administration from Virginia Tech University's Pamplin School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Bethany College. He and his wife, Linda, live in Austin, Texas. When he's not at work, Murray serves his community as varsity coach for the Griffin High School basketball team. He formerly served as vice-chair for the McCallum Lacrosse Association and as board member for the TownLake YMCA and Northwest Austin Youth Basketball Association.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors

Allyson Leigh Pryor was ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament in 2019. She is currently the pastor of Beitel Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas. She previously served as Bishop's Associate for the Southwestern Texas Synod. Prior to her ministerial work, Rev. Pryor held business management roles as a consultant, leading and facilitating transformational projects that improved performance, increased efficiency, and workforce productivity. She led projects in the areas of strategy, communications, procurement and organizational development. Her experience spans diverse industries including technology, manufacturing and retail. Rev. Pryor has also worked in the government sector. In Harris County, Texas she was the Director of Communications and Public Relations for the Harris County Flood Control District and Executive Liaison/Policy Analyst for the Office of the County Judge. She holds a Master of Divinity in Children, Youth and Family from Luther Seminary and a Master of Business in International Management and Marketing from Case Western Reserve University & IMC Budapest. She studied Russian Language and Literature as an undergrad at the University of Texas at Austin and in Moscow, Russia. Rev. Pryor lives in San Antonio with her husband Troy Hall, anticipating an empty nest with mixed emotions as they watch the youngest of their three sons complete high school. In addition to spending time with family, they enjoy travel, volunteering and attending live music and theater performances.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors

Lincon Guerra Jr. was born and raised in Panama City, Panama, Central America. He is the son of the Panamanian Missionaries Rev. Lincon Guerra Sr. and Mrs. Mariela Guerra. The Guerra family came to the US as missionaries on the year of 1999. Lincon married Noemi Guerra in 2001, and they have three children: Joash, Lincon Aaron, and Lizzie Noemi. He studied in the Ministerial Internship Program, Church of God-Cleveland TN, and served as North Carolina District Youth Director and Church Planter from 2001-2004. He received a call as a church planter in Houston, Texas, working with (LINC Houston) Lutheran Inter-City Network Coalition and served there from 2004-2012. He received his pastoral ordination with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod after finishing his theological education. He graduated from the Center for Hispanic Studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, in 2010. He served as a missionary pastor at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, West Des Moines, from 2014 to 2021. As a missionary and community leader, he served the community through spiritual guidance, family and personal support, community outreach events, and partnering with community organizations. He is currently serving as Mission and Ministry Facilitator with the Texas District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Job Titles:

• Secretary
• Secretary of the Board of Directors
• Adjunct Professor at Houston Baptist University
• Owner of Renewing Hope

Roxanne Riefkohl, Ph.D., is the owner of Renewing Hope in Houston, Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree in education from Sam Houston State University, her master's in counselor education from Prairie View A&M University, and her Ph.D. in counselor education from Sam Houston State University. Dr. Riefkohl has served as an adjunct professor at Houston Baptist University and Sam Houston State University. She has also served as a counselor and teacher at several schools in the Houston area. A member of the Texas Counseling Association and the Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Dr. Riefkohl has written multiple publications and presentations on counseling topics. She serves the Healing Hearts Gala committee and provides counseling services for children in our care. She also serves as president of Fort Bend Counseling Association.

Job Titles:

• Director of B.I. & Innovation at Upbring Innovation Labs
• Director of Innovation
• Vice President of Marketing & Innovation

As Vice President of Marketing & Innovation, Ryan Park knows the importance of constant reinvention and reimagining in working toward Upbring's mission of breaking the cycle of child abuse. Some of Upbring's most creative initiatives are the result of his leadership, including Upbring Innovation Labs, a new Blockchain Initiative, rollout of chatbots for Foster In Texas and Education, and spearheading the organization's cryptocurrency fundraising initiatives. Ryan also manages Upbring's Data & Analytics department that uses predictive analytics to empower better decision making. Ryan came to the nonprofit sector in 2017, joining Upbring first as Strategic Communications Specialist and then as Sr. Director of Innovation and Business Intelligence, a role created with the development of the innovation branch in early 2018. He has been highly involved in the organization's growth, conducting research to identify areas of improvement and data-driven opportunities to expand and add programs and services. Ryan began his career as Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Arrae, a marketing agency in Colorado. There he led business development initiatives while building and managing a 20-person team, overseeing marketing campaigns and serving Fortune 500 clients as well as those in government and small business. After leaving Arrae in 2015, Ryan served as Vice President of Video for Distractify, a digital platform that specializes in news, entertainment, and pop culture content, before transitioning to Head of TV at Chive Media Group in 2016. Ryan Park is Director of B.I. & Innovation at Upbring Innovation Labs. He is a mission-driven business leader and entrepreneur with a passion for innovation, business strategy, management and social impact. He is a results-oriented leader with more than 12 years of management experience ranging from founding a full-service digital agency, launching new programs at startups, founding an innovation lab at Texas' largest foster care agency (current), and consulting. He is an active member at The Capital Factory - The Center of Gravity for Entrepreneurs in Texas.

Job Titles:

• Vice President of Development
• Vice President of Development Operations

Scott Crews assumed the role of Vice President of Development Operations in 2023. With his expert management of Community Engagement Development, Scott spearheads Upbring's mission advancement and philanthropic fund development. He provides strategic direction, coordinates, and cultivates both new and existing donors, including foundations, corporations, individuals, events, and annual giving. Additionally, he collaborates with the Marketing and Communications teams to foster a unified, collaborative voice that effectively engages external communities. Scott boasts more than 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit arena. Prior to joining Upbring, he served as the Executive Director of Texas 4000 for Cancer, an organization that empowers student leaders in the fight against cancer as they cycle from Austin to Alaska. Previously, he also held the role of Director of Partnerships & Engagement for the nonprofit Common Threads, where he inspired communities to embrace healthy cooking and eating. Scott spent a decade with Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas, holding several key positions, including Director of Special Events, Director of Fundraising, and Director of Development. His dedication to the nonprofit sector also led him to serve as Director of Event Planning for Make-A-Wish in Northern Florida. Scott earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology. He is a current member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Austin Chapter, where he has mentored young fundraising professionals. Beyond his professional pursuits, Scott is an avid tennis player and enjoys traveling, reading, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends. He formerly served as the tournament director for the Austin Tennis Club's charity tennis tournament and participated in event committees for Out Youth and HRC.

Job Titles:

• Chairman
• Chairman of the Board of Directors
• Founder and Executive Director of the National Trauma Institute

Sharon Smith recently retired as the Founder and Executive Director of the National Trauma Institute (NTI) in San Antonio, Texas, a 501(c)3 nonprofit she created to raise federal funds and advocate for clinical trauma research. Prior to her work with NTI, Ms. Smith was the Surgical Trauma Division Administrator of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where she founded the Trauma Institute of San Antonio, Texas (TRISAT), the first Congressionally funded, joint military-civilian trauma institute in the United States. Ms. Smith has held several executive positions in the healthcare industry and as a Healthcare Management consultant in San Antonio, including Psyquel, Humana Hospitals, the Children's Regional Healthcare System, and Santa Rosa Children's Hospital. Ms. Smith joined the Upbring Board in February 2015. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration at Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.