Meet Our Session Presenters

Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, UTSA

Alan Meca, Ph.D. (él/he/him) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He received his Ph.D. in Developmental Science from Florida International University in 2014 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Miami. Broadly, his expertise is in identity development, acculturation, and positive youth development. Although his research has focused broadly on identity development, most of his work has been on cultural identity development and acculturation among ethnic/racial minoritized youth, particularly among Hispanic/Latinx populations.  Towards this end, his research agenda has focused on identity development and its effects on mental health, health risk behaviors, and educational achievement; in pursuit of this research agenda, which has strayed away from the pervasive deficit perspective that is often utilized when youth--and marginalized youth in particular. Dr. Meca has published over 90 peer-reviewed manuscripts focused on personal, ethnic/racial, and national identity as critical developmental and cultural assets to be leveraged for promoting positive development. His research agenda is focused on refining measures of cultural identity, understanding the processes that govern how ethnic/racial minority navigate their cultural environment (e.g., code-switching, cultural frame-switching), and identifying ways we can support youth throughout the transition to adulthood.

Professor and Department Chair, UTSA

Alonzo M. Flowers III is a Professor and Department Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Flowers joins the ELPS department after serving as the inaugural Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice at Drexel University's Graduate College. Dr. Flowers received his B.A. in political science and multiculturalism from Texas State University, a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), and a PhD in higher education administration from Texas A&M University-College Station. Dr. Flowers' research focuses on educational issues including academic identity formation for men of color in engineering programs. His research also focuses on issues of diversity and justice in education and faculty development, college teaching and learning, college student development, and qualitative research. Dr. Flowers was also the 2022 recipient of the School of Education at Drexel University Teaching Excellence Award for Tenured Faculty. Dr Flowers is one of the editors in chief for the Journal of African American Males in Education (JAAME) and is finishing up an edited book with Hopkins Press exploring Black Scholarship in a White Academy: Perseverance in the Face of Injustice. The aim of this book will be to highlight the critical voices of Black faculty members as they provide a compelling counternarrative of their unique experiences within the academy. 

Field Manager, CIS-SA

Barb Bryan obtained her graduation degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor in the state of Texas. Barb previously worked as a Behavior Interventionist for 10 years. She worked as a Therapist for a private practice in a rural community and as a Therapist for a community mental health center. Additionally, Barb worked in the foster care system in Missouri and Kansas for 7 years in various capacities. She has experience working with children diagnosed with behavior disorders and training their caregivers in behavior management techniques. Barb loves helping adults and children see their own potential.

Barb has worked full-time with Communities in Schools- San Antonio since 2017. She currently works as a Field Manager in the SAISD School District.

Family Engagement Consultant, Region 20

Claudia Irene Vargas is from San Antonio, TX. She is a first-generation American and first-generation college graduate. With more than 20 years of experience, her work has focused on enhancing Bilingual/ESL and Special Education instruction and leadership. She is proud to be bilingual, bicultural, and literate. She attended San Antonio ISD's public schools, graduating from Lanier HS as Valedictorian. She got her B.A. in Latino Studies from Dartmouth College and later her Master’s in Educational Leadership from UTSA. 

Claudia is currently a Family Engagement Consultant at the ESC, Region 20. Her purpose in life is to use her strengths of connectedness, responsibility, and intellect, along with her values of inclusion, courage, and diversity, to ensure equitable access to all students with the understanding that family engagement is a shared responsibility and indispensable to student achievement and well-rounded success. She is the proud mother of 5 children--3 daughters and two sons, who range from 6 years old to 16 years old.

Racial Justice and Gender Equity Youth Engagement Manager, YWCA

Born and raised in Killeen, TX, to immigrant parents, Crystal embraces her role as a first-generation American with passion and purpose. Her journey into understanding the histories of marginalized communities in America began early, igniting a lifelong commitment to racial and social justice. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from West Texas A&M University in 2017, Crystal discovered a love for macro social work and deepened her dedication to racial and environmental justice. 

In 2020, she earned her Master's in Social Work from UTSA, specializing in racial, environmental justice and food security. Her academic pursuits reinforced her belief in the power of community collaboration to achieve shared goals. Currently serving as the YWCA Racial Justice and Gender Equity Youth Engagement Manager, Crystal pioneers racial and social justice discussions, impacting youth, nonprofits, educators, and community leaders. Her initiatives include organizing events like Juneteenth and Pride celebrations, fostering equity alliances, and advocating for racial justice in developmental relationships. Outside of work, Crystal finds solace in singing to her plants and experimenting with new recipes.

Associate Counselor, CIS-SA

In May 2023, Dayna graduated with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio. At UTSA, she had two semesters of clinical internship at UTSA's Wellness 360 Counseling Center, where she provided services to students and began her journey as a counselor. In July 2023, Dayna received her LPC Associate license. She started her position as an Associate Counselor at Communities in Schools in September of 2023. Dayna was placed at NXT Level Youth Opportunity Center, where she had the privilege of providing counseling services to our youth in the San Antonio community. Throughout her time at NXT Level, she has been able to provide individual and group services to participants.

Circle Keeper and Restorative Justice Coordinator, Empower House San Antonio

Deanna Santiago is the Circle Keeper and a Restorative Justice Coordinator at Empower House San Antonio. She creates a safe and brave space for people to share authentically from the heart, show up as their whole selves, and be seen and heard. Her work includes conflict resolution, peacemaking, grief support, relationship building, and development. As a well-respected presenter and facilitator, Deanna educates the community on restorative justice practices and frameworks, racial and social justice issues, and healthy relationships. She has extensive experience working with youth in and of schools and is an Intimate Partner Violence Advocate for her organization. Deanna loves to paint and draw in her spare time, make holistic herbal medicines, and karaoke as a diva superstar. 

Interim Assistant Professor of Practice, UTSA

Dr. Sendejo's educational background includes the attainment of a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership Studies from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2023. In addition, she has a Master of Arts in Bicultural Bilingual Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Sendejo has served in various roles such as administrator, educational specialist, teacher, and K-12 education professional. Notably, she held the position of Chief Academic Officer for South San Antonio Independent School District (SSAISD) and later assumed the role of interim Superintendent for the same district. Additionally, her contributions extend to a five-year tenure as Associate Superintendent at Jubilee Charter School

Project East Central AWARE consultant, Region 20

Evelyn is a dedicated professional with 15+ years of experience with multiple skill sets within/outside of education. Her passion for mentoring others and her commitment to their success have driven her career. She has served as a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Facilitator, school counselor, and lead school counselor across multiple school districts in the San Antonio Community. She currently serves as the Region 20, Project East Central AWARE consultant to support mental health expansion efforts of Communities in Schools-San Antonio and ECISD.

Chief Executive Officer, Rise Recovery

Evita Morin is a dedicated CEO and mental health advocate committed to fostering social change and improving community mental health. With extensive experience in public health and social services, Evita empowers communities through compassionate leadership and innovative mental health strategies.

Associate Director of the Urban Education Institute and Assistant Professor of Research, UTSA

Han Bum Lee is an Associate Director of the Urban Education Institute at the University of Texas at San Antonio and an Assistant Professor of Research at the Department of Educational Psychology. Dr. Lee's research interests include examining factors such as early college courses, STEM, and math pathways that impact the transition of Texas students from secondary to postsecondary education.

Social Worker, SAISD

Throughout her career, Irma Hess has demonstrated expertise in a variety of areas, including non-profit and campus based social work, attendance and truancy, family engagement and currently homelessness prevention and intervention. As a 22nd year social worker at SAISD, she has collaborated with diverse stakeholders, including non-profit organizations, grassroots initiatives, and government agencies to develop innovative solutions to support and assist students in the inner city of San Antonio. Irma is a native to San Antonio and a graduate from Our Lady of the Lake who enjoys watching foreign films and traveling with friends.

Social Worker, SAISD

Arriving to this country at the age of 15, Iztac Martinez-Barnaby is now a Licensed Master Social Worker. Iztac is a proud Bear who received both her Bachelor and Master degrees in Social Work from Baylor University. Iztac has been working for San Antonio ISD since 2022. Starting as a Campus-Based Social Worker, Iztac has recently transitioned to her current role of McKinney-Vento Social Worker in February, 2024. Being an immigrant herself, Iztac’s passion is to be able to help families who have
recently immigrated to the U.S. Through the lens of McKinney Vento, Iztac is able to identify families in housing transition and provides resources and support in understanding the culture of their new environment. Iztac’s biggest accomplishment has been being a Hogg Foundation Scholar during her graduate studies, being a newlywed and a dog mom.

Certified Parent Coach, and Mindfulness & Meditation Coach, The Mindfulness Co.

Jeri-Ashley DeLeon Bremer (she/her/ella), is recognized as a leading expert for millennials in mindfulness and trauma-informed parenting. With nearly 20 years of experience, she specializes in enhancing emotional and psychological resilience in school-aged children, parents, educators, and leaders through research-based and trauma-informed practices. Jeri-Ashley is passionate about leveraging an assets-based approach to build strong, sustainable communities where future generations thrive on unconditional love and acceptance. Her work has not only transformed educational settings but also equipped organizations to better support their teams' mental well-being. With extensive experience impacting thousands of professionals, Jeri-Ashley employs a proven, holistic approach to foster sustainable well-being and resilient leadership. Her strategies not only reduce burnout risks but also enhance mental health and restore a sense of purpose across both personal and professional lives. Jeri-Ashley holds her B.A. in Sociology from St. Mary's University, an M.S. in Education from Johns Hopkins University, is a certified parent coach, and mindfulness & meditation coach.

CEO, Norman Consulting, LLC and CIS-SA Board Member

John Norman is an attorney and public education leader with deep experience leading high-profile initiatives in urban school systems. He is currently the CEO of Norman Consulting, LLC, which supports public education and nonprofit leaders with strategic planning, student enrollment, new school design, charter authorizing, and board governance. John served in central office leadership roles at San Antonio Independent School for 8 years, most recently as Chief Strategy Officer. In that role, he led San Antonio ISD's 5-year strategic planning process and district rightsizing initiative. John managed SAISD’s Office of Innovation, including the team responsible for creating and redesigning over 30 schools with new academic models and external partner support. 

Before his time at San Antonio ISD, John was the Director of Growth for KIPP San Antonio, leading KIPP's school opening strategy and fundraising department. He began his career as a real estate and banking lawyer before focusing on public education. John serves on the Board of Directors for Communities in Schools of San Antonio. He has a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University. 

Clinical Field Supervisor, CIS-SA

Jonathan is a Clinical Field Supervisor with Communities In Schools of San Antonio. Jonathan has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance from Texas A&M University-San Antonio and has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2017. He has worked for Communities In Schools of San Antonio for over 11 years, starting as a Site Coordinator working primarily with middle school students. He has been in the Clinical Caseworker role in primarily rural districts for the past three and a half years, most currently with Devine ISD providing mental health services for students

Project Manger for Project East Central AWARE, ECISD 

Justina Gonzalez has over ten years of experience in culturally relevant restorative Justice practices, social-emotional learning, student engagement, and wellness, which she worked on while serving as a Lead Restorative Justice Counselor in one of our local schools. She additionally holds a successful record of results in behavior management and mediation and a focus on the well-being of students. Justina has also previously served our community as an Assistant Principal of Operations and as a Drop prevention specialist/ counselor/academic advisor. She currently is serving in ECISD as a Project Manger for Project East Central AWARE to join the collaboration in the expansion of mental health services and literacy amongst the district.

Licensed Professional Counselor, CIS-SA

Katheryn has over 20 years of experience working with children in both mental health and educational settings. She possesses a terminal degree in Psychology, is licensed as an LPC Associate in Texas and is Board Certification in Telemental Health. Katheryn specializes in the use of virtual reality and video game play in therapy with children. She believes video game play can be used to reduce stress, increase relaxation, teach skills, and enable growth when utilized in a therapeutic manner.  

School-Based Program Manager, Child Bereavement Center of South Texas

Keaton R. D. Scarff (she/her), MS, LPC-Associate, NCC, currently serves as the School-Based Program Manager with the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas. Having previously worked at a Children’s Advocacy Center as well as in-patient and domestic violence shelter settings, Keaton specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing various forms of trauma and high-risk needs. Alternatively, Keaton also has over 25 years of experience within the dance field, over 10 of which include dance education. She integrates this experience to implement trauma-focused creative modalities, with a focus on dance and music, to guide her clients in their walk through grief. In her efforts as School-Based Program Manager, she hopes to minimize barriers to grief services to children and families within the greater San Antonio community through her collaboration with various district professionals and partners​​​​​

Organizational and Leadership Development Coach, Kenny Lange Coaching

Kenny Lange is a dynamic organizational development leader and Certified Enneagram Practitioner with a rich background in digital marketing, e-commerce, and leadership development. With a passion for fostering resilience and compassionate leadership, Kenny has dedicated his career to helping nonprofits and purpose-driven businesses scale by focusing the organization, fostering high-performance teams, and creating leaders worth following

Field Manager, CIS-SA

Kim is going into her 7th year with Communities in Schools of San Antonio, beginning as a Site Coordinator at Holmes HS in NISD for four years before advancing to the role of Field Manager in 2021. Currently, she serves as the Field Manager overseeing CIS-SA’s Judson and Uvalde traditional sites, as well as Bexar County Special programs. Kim holds a master’s degree in social work from Eastern Washington University and brings over 20 years of experience working with at-risk youth across diverse settings such as juvenile courts, youth shelters, and K-12 education. Her expertise spans a wide range of areas, including restorative justice, Ropes facilitation and training, parenting classes, prevention/intervention initiatives, victim-offender mediation, life skills training, and small group facilitation.

Social Worker, SAISD

Lauren Scoggan began her career in education with SAISD as a 5th-grade teacher at Hirsch in 2013 and taught for 4 years. Her experiences working with students and their families at Hirsch and her passion for social justice directly led her to pursue her Master’s of Science in Social Work at University of Texas at Austin. During her graduate program, she served as a social work intern with Communities in Schools in Austin and also as a night-shift Crisis Counselor with Austin PD. After graduate school, she became a Peace Corps Volunteer in a rural community in the Dominican Republic, working with youth in a secondary school. During her time in the Dominican Republic, she was able to apply both her education and social work skill sets, develop stronger cultural awareness as a visitor living in a foreign community, and strengthen her Spanish ability.

Returning to SAISD as a social worker in 2021, Lauren feels that she is truly living in her purpose; as she supports and advocates for the social-emotional and socioeconomic needs of the school community. She is eager to support students and parents in navigating problems, processing emotions, exploring solutions, and advocating for themselves and others. She is also passionate about advocating for systems and policies that support the holistic needs of students and their families and increasing awareness of the prevalence of McKinney-Vento in our community.

CIS-SA

In 2013 I graduated from the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work with a Master of Science in Social Work.  I carry a license as a master social worker, which I received in 2014. Since this time, much of my work has been with child protective services, where I worked as a caseworker in the foster/adoption development unit, conservatorship, and family-based safety services units. I also briefly worked as a school social worker and therapist at a behavioral health hospital in both the acute inpatient unit and partial hospitalization program.  My favorite part of working with CPS was the opportunities I got to develop training and presentations for foster and adoptive parents. This helped foster/adoptive parents strengthen their skills in parenting children who have experienced loss, grief, abuse, and neglect. I plan on finishing my work in taking the next step towards obtaining my clinical licensure (LCSW). I want to seek to expand my training and work in trauma, resiliency, and healing spaces.

School Counseling Consultant, Region 20

Lisa Ranallo is a School Counseling Consultant at ESC-20. She provides resources, professional development, and support to the school counselors serving nearly half a million students in the region. This is her 27th year as an educator; she began her service teaching students in grades 5-8 for five years. After graduating with her MA in Counseling from UTSA, she became an elementary school counselor, working with K-5 students for two years, before she transitioned to high school counseling, where she stayed for 16 years. Lisa is a trainer of Youth Mental Health First Aid, AS+K? About Suicide to Save a Life, and Psychological First Aid for Schools and a Certified Coach through the National Center for School Mental Health. She has presented for local and state organizations on topics that include working with students in foster care and cultural bias in school counseling. 

Assistant Professor of School Psychology, UTSA

Mackenzie Hart, PhD, is an assistant professor of school psychology at the University of Texas- San Antonio. Her research examines the expansion of youth mental health service delivery to paraprofessional providers, such as youth mentors.

Director of Field Programs and Operations, CIS-SA

Melanie Awtry, LMSW graduated with her Masters in Social Work at the University of Texas at San Antonio.  She has worked with Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA) since August of 2008.  During her career at CIS-SA, Melanie has served as an elementary and middle school Site Coordinator and has been a Field Manager for 7 years.  Melanie is currently serving as Director of Field Programs and Operations.  Melanie strives to provide training and guidance to CIS-SA Site Coordinators and Clinical Caseworkers through leadership and strategic direction.  Melanie also serves as a liaison between CIS-SA and school principals and school district staff.  She also serves as a Master Trainer with CIS-Texas and utilizes these skills to provide agency-wide trainings to new and established CIS-SA staff in the areas of professional development, program requirements and operating standards.

Applied Research Scientist, Search Institute

Dr. Miray Seward, is an applied Research Scientist specializing in mixed methods research. She has a 10-year career in positive youth development and has focused on examining the unique strengths and assets of diverse youth in home, school, and community settings. She has conducted extensive qualitative research with youth and parenting adults on their lived experiences. Dr. Seward is interested in understanding and leveraging the out-of-school time spaces as a context for PYD, which a particular focus on sports context. In her current work, she is working alongside multiple youth development organizations using a continuous improvement process to implement organizational change. In particular, she supports organizations in becoming relationship-rich and incorporating research-based practices and tools into their daily practice. Dr. Seward received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology-Applied Science from the University of Virginia and her B.A. in Psychology and Human Development from Duke University

Strategic Partnership Manager, CIS-SA

Natasha Richardson currently works for Communities In Schools as the Strategic Partnership Manager and oversees the community level design for Future Ready Communities focusing on cross-sector partnership with K-12 institutions. In addition, she is a licensed professional counselor who has worked in various settings with adolescents, women, and families both domestically and internationally. Natasha has a Master's of Public Health and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Natasha has completed both a year of service with AmeriCorps City Year program and international service with Peace Corps in Peru. Her wide variety of experiences has exposed her to prevention, intervention, and management of health and healthy lifestyles. Natasha has a strong connection to cultural awareness and equity, engaging minorities in mental health, and elevating voices unheard. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, adventuring, and being in nature amongst other things that truly expand possibilities and nurture resilience

 Executive Director for Presa Community Center and Artistic Director for HUG ME Ink

Nicholas Holstein is the Executive Director for Presa Community Center and Artistic Director for HUG ME Ink, a nonprofit he co-founded whom educates and advocates on mental health awareness and bullying prevention through the arts. He holds a M.S. in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University, B.A. in Sociology from The University of Texas at San Antonio, A.A. in Communications from New Mexico Military Institute and is graduate from Texas Military Institute. He’s a playwright, screenwriter, stage and film director, teacher and producer. He has written over 20 plays and musicals as well as created MANCHESTER HIGH, a film series about the issues teens go through. His passion is to make sure everyone knows that you can live your dreams no matter what challenges you have overcome.

Community Educator, CIS-SA

Patti Brouhard is a Community Educator with Community in Schools San Antonio. She has been with CIS-SA since December of 2023. Patti was a high school science and health teacher for almost 20 years and was a high school girls basketball coach. She has earned a Master’s Endorsement in Biological Sciences and most recently a Master’s in Public Health. Patti is a certified instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) and CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) and has completed workshops in conscious discipline, trauma informed care, and suicide awareness. She believes that education is one of the most powerful primary preventative tools we can share…especially when it comes to lifelong health and wellness. 

Special Initiatives Manager, CIS-SA

Dr. Vargas is a native Texan with a heart for helping young people discover their path to success. She has trained and coached individuals and organizations on Conflict Management, Organizational Leadership, and Restorative Practices in Schools. She manages CIS-SA's Special Initiatives related to organizational health and development. With over a decade of non-profit experience, Rachel is passionate about creating equitable school models where practices such as storytelling, restorative approaches, and positive work culture make a lasting impact on our students and communities. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys camping, reading a good thriller book, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and two furry pets. Her mantra is: "Do something for others, something for which you receive no pay, but the privilege of doing it."

Director of Restorative Justice, UTSA

Dr. Robert Rico is a native San Antonian who grew up on the city's west side and is a Sidney Lanier High School graduate. He is the inaugural Director of Restorative Justice at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He is an Assistant Professor of Practice at the College for Health, Community, and Policy. Robert served as a Police Officer for 20 years and was the founder and program coordinator of the Kendall County Restorative Justice Program. In 2012, he spearheaded and was a consultant at Ed White Middle School in San Antonio, one of Texas's first restorative justice pilot programs. 

Robert earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, a Master of Public Administration degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Texas at Austin.

Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

Dr. Rosie M. Banda is a proud 1996 Sabinal High School graduate. She is the even prouder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Maria Banda, has five siblings, and numerous nephews and a niece whom still attend school here in Sabinal. Rosie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a concentration in public relations and a master’s degree in Adult & Higher Education with a cognate in Bicultural/Bilingual studies, both from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She was awarded a full Diversity Fellows Scholarship to pursue her doctorate in philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education Administration and Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University-College Station. Upon her graduation in December 2012, Dr. Banda was a Research Associate to the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Chair in Education at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey where she spent much time exploring New York City and getting lost on subways much to her parent’s dismay, as well as shoveling her share of snow for the ungodly cold winters the East Coast experienced. For the last three years, she has been Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi where she teaches doctoral students. Dr. Banda has published numerous journal articles, book chapters, and co-edited books, as well as presented at local, state, national, and international conferences. Her primary area of research focuses on Latinas in engineering from an asset-based lens. Dr. Banda is a critical social justice advocate. She enjoys traveling in her spare time and reading autobiographies.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, SAISD

Sabrina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Baylor University in 2011 and her Master’s in Social Work from The University of Texas - Arlington, in 2012. She has almost 10 years of experience as a licensed social worker providing case management, counseling and therapeutic interventions, crisis support, advocacy, and training. Sabrina is a Texas state board certified clinical supervisor, as well as a trainer for Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM), Restorative Practices, and Youth Mental Health First Aid. Sabrina has a passion for serving and encouraging others. She uses motivational interviewing techniques to help clients tell their story and develop their goals. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 daughters, crafting, and braiding hair. Her words to live by are “you didn’t come this far to only come this far”.

Founder, The Sanders Hand

Sebastian Sanders, aka "The Youth Principal," is a globally recognized motivational speaker, community leader, and the founder of The Sanders Hand. Based in Houston, Texas, Sebastian is dedicated to empowering at-risk youth for a brighter future. With a bachelor's degree in business administration management, Sebastian's career progressed rapidly from Sales District Manager at Pepsico to Network Operations Manager at Frito Lay, where he excelled in supply chain operations and retail sales leadership. In 2017, Sebastian established The Sanders Hand, a nonprofit organization impacting the lives of over 5,000 at-risk youth and college students in Texas and Oklahoma. Through programs such as Universal Basic Income (UBI) and the Young Billionaires Club, Sebastian aims to address income inequality and provide financial education to empower young individuals. He has also expanded his efforts internationally, bridging the technology education gap in Ghana. As an acclaimed public speaker and author, Sebastian inspires audiences with his talks on leadership, mentoring, and strategic digital marketing. With his vast experience and unwavering dedication, Sebastian continues to motivate and empower others to create a better future for themselves and their communities.

Professor and Interim Director of the Urban Education Institute and Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology, UTSA

Sharon L. Nichols is Professor and Interim Director of the Urban Education Institute. She also serves as Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She teaches graduate and undergraduate classes in learning theory, motivation, development, and research methods and has authored over three dozen books, journal articles, and book chapters related to youth development, motivation, and education policy. She is the co-author of Collateral Damage: How high-stakes testing corrupts America’s Schools (with D. C. Berliner, Harvard Education Press, 2007). Her current work focuses on the impact of test-based accountability on teachers, their instructional practices, and adolescent motivation and development.  She is the past Vice President of Division 15 of the American Psychological Association and inaugural co-editor of the new Division 15 journal, Educational Psychology for Policy and Practice.  

Senior Manager of Coaching and Facilitation, K12 & Youth Development, UP Partnership

Shelby Drayton is the Senior Manager of Coaching and Facilitation, K12 & Youth Development at UP Partnership. In her role, she runs Excel Academy, a multi-year leadership development opportunity for youth serving professionals focused on Racial Equity, Developmental Relationships, and Continuous Improvement. Practitioners gain these skills and craft individualized organizational plans to implement throughout their time with the program. Previously, Shelby served as an AmeriCorps Member with City Year San Antonio. Upon completion of her service years, she stayed on staff as a program manager supporting AmeriCorps Member Development and Program Implementation and as a Program Director managing school partnerships throughout San Antonio. She is an active member of the Downtown Rotary Club of San Antonio, currently serving on the Young Members Board. She also serves as a board member for Snack Pak 4 Kids San Antonio, focused on creating weekend food security and The Lemonade Circle, dedicated to empowering young women of color in San Antonio. Shelby believes our youth can truly change this world for the better, if as a society we invest in their learning, opportunities, and growth. Shelby considers herself a kid at heart and works to create a world where all young people find their voice, grow it, and learn to advocate for themselves.

Counseling Consultant - Region 20

Shelby Drayton is the Senior Manager of Coaching and Facilitation, K12 & Youth Development at UP Partnership. In her role, she runs Excel Academy, a multi-year leadership development opportunity for youth serving professionals focused on Racial Equity, Developmental Relationships, and Continuous Improvement. Practitioners gain these skills and craft individualized organizational plans to implement throughout their time with the program. Previously, Shelby served as an AmeriCorps Member with City Year San Antonio. Upon completion of her service years, she stayed on staff as a program manager supporting AmeriCorps Member Development and Program Implementation and as a Program Director managing school partnerships throughout San Antonio. She is an active member of the Downtown Rotary Club of San Antonio, currently serving on the Young Members Board. She also serves as a board member for Snack Pak 4 Kids San Antonio, focused on creating weekend food security and The Lemonade Circle, dedicated to empowering young women of color in San Antonio. Shelby believes our youth can truly change this world for the better, if as a society we invest in their learning, opportunities, and growth. Shelby considers herself a kid at heart and works to create a world where all young people find their voice, grow it, and learn to advocate for themselves.

Grief Education Specialist, Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas

Tami is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor with 14 years’ experience working with adolescents in inpatient, school, and detention settings. Tami’s passion is bereavement support for children, adolescents, and adults. Specialties include bereavement counseling following death by suicide utilizing narrative therapy combined with expressive arts therapy. Tami is the Grief Education Specialist for the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, located in San Antonio, Texas.

Consultant for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Section 504, Region 20

Tausha has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University.  She has dedicated the past 15 years to working in the educational system serving in roles from classroom teacher to instructional coach, assistant principal, and most recently serving as an elementary principal.  Tausha is currently a Consultant for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Section 504 at Education Service Center, Region 20.  Prior to her career in education, she worked in social services in roles such as a probation officer specializing in mental health, and she worked for Child Advocates San Antonio.

SAISD

Timothy Wright was born in San Diego, CA and after graduating high school attended Morehouse College for his undergraduate degree in Psychology. He continued his studies at the neighboring Clark Atlanta University with a master’s degree in social work. He had the pleasure of interning at the Atlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency and Fulton County Schools during his tenure. Since moving to San Antonio, Texas, he has worked in 2 school districts and 2 non-profits. Most recently he is currently employed with the San Antonio Independent School District and throughout his time in San Antonio, his work has culminated in working with homeless families to support holistic growth for the family unit itself.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, San Antonio Behavioral Health

Valeria has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at San Antonio, with a specialized concentration in cultural competence, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Supervisor designation in the state of Texas. She has 15 years of professional experience providing psychological assessments and psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Valeria provides services in Spanish and English, and work with a variety of cross-cultural issues, mental health diagnoses, severe emotional disturbances, trauma, psychosomatic illness, chronic illness, and more. She is highly trained in the utilization of multiple treatment approaches and specialize in trauma treatment (PTSD), as well as depression, anxiety, marriage and family issues, and crisis intervention.

Valeria has 10 years of combined leadership experience with inpatient and outpatient populations within the private, governmental, and non-profit sectors. she has also worked for 5 years as a clinical consultant to mental health agencies and organizations in Texas and Illinois with a specialization in training and program development. She has a passion for teaching and mentoring others and have supervised over 35 clinicians to full licensure. Valeria is an adaptable and dynamic individual with a strong passion for promoting the application of effective and innovative approaches to care. 

Project EC AWARE Program Director, CIS-SA

Veronica Sandoval is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in the state of Texas and a Registered Play Therapist. Veronica has extensive counseling experience in working with children and families in various settings and has worked closely with those that have experienced trauma. Veronica Sandoval currently a part of Communities in Schools of San Antonio and has serviced the schools since 2018 across multiple districts. She has held positions in the development of programs for suicide prevention, domestic violence trauma counseling and working with the Head Start children and families. Veronica additionally provides crisis support to the school communities as part of the CIS-SA Clinical Crisis team.  She has held the positions of Basecampus Project Coordinator and Lead Licensed Counselor and has worked with SAISD, NEISD, NISD and currently within the East Central ISD school district through Communities in Schools of San Antonio. Since January 2024, Veronica has served as the Project EC AWARE Program Director in ECISD through CIS-SA to lead the work of elevating mental health resources within the district and making an impact in addressing all behavioral health concerns through the SAMHSA grant.