Advisory Committee
Brooke Campbell
Brooke Campbell, CNP, CVA is the Director of Community Outreach and Disaster Recovery at the United Way of Greater Houston. She is a wife, best friend, AmeriCorps NCCC alum, rescue kitten mom, backyard gardener, instructional designer, international traveler, INTJ (information architect), better listener than talker, collaborative networker, and is obsessed with doing good. Since serving as the “Service Learning Initiator” for her AmeriCorps team, she has created space for intentional service learning reflections among program participants and colleagues throughout her career. She is also experienced in building state AmeriCorps programs including the development of work plans for AmeriCorps VISTAs. Brooke served as the Director of Volunteer Houston for four years leading the operation of a web-based volunteer recruitment platform, designed the corporate volunteer program, and consulted with hundreds of local nonprofits to improve their volunteer engagement programs. Brooke is trained in instructional design, has authored two professional training courses for a national nonprofit, and serves on the Power Tools for Nonprofits Conference advisory committee. She is a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) and Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA). Brooke has been active in the disaster management space in the greater Houston region for four years and dreams of a time in the not-so-distant future when distributing resources after a disaster efficiently and equitably becomes second nature for everyone involved.
Kalinda Campbell
Kalinda is a Global Head of Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging for Environmental Resources Management (ERM) an international Sustainability/ESG consulting firm headquartered in the UK. She has nearly two decades of experience in diversity and inclusion strategy, talent acquisition, and talent management across industries, including energy, consumer goods, insurance, oil and gas, and professional services.
A dedicated community volunteer, Kalinda was appointed to Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Economic Policy Transition committee, which helped to shape Houston’s future through economic development, jobs, and small business growth policy recommendations. She serves on the boards of Writers in the Schools (board chair), Preservation Houston, Memorial Park Conservancy, and Stages Reparatory Theater. She is also a member of the Executive Committees of Memorial Park Conservancy and Stages, chairing the Engagement(MPC) and Nominating(Stages) Committees. She previously served on the board of the Junior League of Houston and held a leadership role as Community Vice President. Kalinda earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Spelman College.
Heather Constantine
Heather Constantine is a licensed master social worker with independent practice recognition and an approved supervisor by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. She has over twenty years of experience working on behalf of children and families with the integrated student supports program Communities In Schools of Houston.
Heather has experience in identifying opportunities and implementing learning solutions for employees at all levels within and outside the organization. She has compiled white papers and training materials to enhance staff knowledge and skill development.
During the period from 1993 to 2009 on a year-to-year appointment she served as an Adjunct Faculty with the University Of Houston Graduate College of Social Work.
More recently, Heather co-authored with Deborah Havert Conversing On The Real: Authentic Conversations About Living Plugged In. The book is a practical ‘how to’ guide designed for adults to facilitate conversations with young people about living life.
Heather has been an active member of the National Association Of Social Workers for twenty-nine years. She is the recipient of the National Association of Social Workers – Houston Branch Social Worker of the Year Award 2011. Heather served on the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work Alumni Board. In addition, she acted as Board Liaison to the NASW Houston Branch Steering Committee. Heather has also served on Harris County Public Health Environmental Services Ethics Advisory Committee, University Of Houston Downtown Non-Profit Advisory Committee, Power Tools For Nonprofit Advisory Committee, and National College Access Network Advisory Task Force.
William Flores
Dr. Bill Flores currently serves as Professor of Political Science and Social Sciences at the University of Houston-Downtown and as Director of the UHD Graduate Program in Nonprofit Management. He served as President of the University of Houston-Downtown from 2009-2016, growing the institution’s student enrollment by nearly 3,000 students (to 14,500 students) over 70% of which are Latino and African American, adding several graduate degrees including the MBA and the Master of Nonprofit Management. Washington Monthly ranked UHD this past year as the top university in Houston for its economic boost and return on investment. In 2012, UHD earned the President’s Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction (one of only two institutions in Texas to earn that distinction), and in 2015 earned the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement in two categories (one of only five institutions in Texas to earn that honor).
Prior to his presidency at UHD, Flores served as Deputy Secretary for Higher Education under Governor Bill Richardson. Flores has testified before a Special Congressional Hearing on Immigration and before the U.S. Civil Rights Commission on Financial Aid and Access and Opportunity. He participated in the White House Hispanic Serving Institutions Summit and Briefing, and he regularly writes on such topics as immigration policy, higher education, health care, civic engagement, and criminal justice. Honored by former President George H.W. Bush as a ‘Point of Light’; he served as co-chair of the Higher Education Track for Points of Light from 2015-2018. In 2019 he published Democracy, Civic Engagement, and Citizenship in Higher Education, and authored The Texas Experiment: Politics, Government, and Transformation in the Lone Star State (Sage, 2023). He is currently working on a book on Strategic Planning and Leadership in the Public Sector.
Claudia Gonzales
Claudia Gonzales serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Houston, Inc, and is a seasoned leader with extensive experience overseeing all aspects of the organization's operations. With her in-depth knowledge of strategic planning, financial management, program development, and stakeholder engagement, Claudia plays a central role in the organization's success. Throughout her career, she has been committed to providing individuals with opportunities to connect, grow, and engage in community service, making her an invaluable asset to the organization.
Claudia is a proud graduate of the University of Houston, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and School Administration. Before joining Leadership Houston, Claudia served the public school sector for 20 years as an elementary school principal, district curriculum specialist, and high school science educator. She is pursuing a Doctorate of Education degree in Leadership and Higher Education at St. Edward’s University, focusing on Organizational Leadership.
Claudia is a proud mother of two. She is a University of Houston Life Member and an active Association of Leadership Programs member. Claudia currently serves on the Training, Resource, and Advisory Committee (TRAC) at SERJobs.
Tracy Janda
Tracy Janda has been a longtime supporter of collaboration between business, nonprofits and the education system to develop the community’s future citizens, leaders and workforce. Her career has focused on strategic partnerships, employee engagement and corporate giving.
Ms. Janda graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and Political Science. Her career has included positions in human resources, marketing, and public relations, most recently as Manager of Community Relations at CenterPoint Energy. Her fifteen years at CenterPoint included experience in disaster response/recovery, safety education, nonprofit board assignments for company leaders, and launch of the company’s Foundation grantmaking in the Houston market.
Tracy Janda serves on the boards of directors for Houston Community College Foundation and American Leadership Forum – Houston Chapter. Previous service has included the Education Council for the United Way of Greater Houston, the Greater Houston Partnership’s K-12 Education Advisory Committee, and the Community Involvement Roundtable at Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, where she earned her Certificate in Community Involvement. She is a graduate of Leadership Houston and a Senior Fellow of American Leadership Forum.
Ann Liberman
Ann Liberman, MSW, serves as Director of The Center for Career & Professional Development at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She joined the GCSW 23 years ago and successfully launched the Office of Career Development Services for the college. Her expertise has grown to include directorship of Alumni Relations and of Continuing Education, leading to the newly created GCSW Center for Career & Professional Development. Ann’s efforts have made a major impact in linking students, alumni and the social work community with social work employment opportunities, alumni network building events and continuing education courses. She is the Membership Chair of the National Consortium for Career Development in Social Work Education, Power Tools for Nonprofits Advisory Board, ADL Board Member, and Career and Recovery Resources, Inc. Board Member and a frequently requested speaker at local, state and national conferences. Ann received her MSW and BA from Louisiana State University. Prior to joining the GCSW staff, she served as a Practicum Supervisor for the college while directing the employment and career services program at Career and Recovery Resources, Inc. in Houston
Center for Career & Professional Development at UH Graduate College of Social Work
Gayla Rawlinson-Maynard
Gayla Rawlinson Maynard, a nationally certified Grant Professional, has over 25 years experience creating and directing successful grant offices, resulting in over $550 million supporting targeted communities. She is the former Director of the Center for Grants Development division with Harris County Department of Education. Prior to arriving at HCDE as its first grants specialist, Mrs. Maynard worked at the University of Houston as the Program Manager of The Funding Source, and as an adjunct professor. Currently Mrs. Maynard volunteers as a Board Member and a Mentor for the national Grant Professionals Association. Her grant work ranged from foundation and corporate sponsorships/proposals to large collaborative government grants. She personally generated over $166 million in funds for organizations she served. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree in Sociology/Social Research.
Peggy Rhoads
Peggy Rhoads’ career in nonprofit service has spanned nearly 30 years. She has extensive experience in board relations, major gifts, special events, annual fund campaigns, grant writing and management, and volunteer management. Before joining the Health Museum, she served as Senior Director of Development at Genesys Works Houston, where she raised funds to support hundreds of under-resourced high school students in skills training and paid internships at 50+ corporations throughout Houston. She previously served in lead fundraising roles at the American Cancer Society, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the Sunshine Kids Foundation, and Montrose Clinic (now known as Legacy Community Health Services).
Peggy is a graduate of Rice University and a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). She is a proud member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and currently serves on AFP’s Global Ethics Committee. She is a graduate of Leadership Houston and Fort Bend Leadership for Nonprofit Excellence. She has volunteered with many worthy causes over the years and has served on the boards and committees of Leadership Houston, Psophonia Dance Company, A+ Unlimited Potential Charter School, and Power Tools for Nonprofits.
Valerie Ramirez
Valerie has experience working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector for over a decade. She has diverse experience in fundraising, event planning, communications, program development, foundation and corporate relationship building, and volunteer engagement. She began her nonprofit career as an Events and Fundraising Coordinator at a cancer center in the Rio Grande Valley. In 2015, she moved to Houston and served as the Director of Communications and External Operations for Kids’ Meals, Inc., where she increased the organization’s social media engagement and outreach by 60% in less than one year, developed and executed client recruitment strategies that led to a 35% increase in recruitment in one year, and advocated and established relationships with over 1,000 families enrolled in the program. Following Kids’ Meals, she served as the Director of Development for CanCare, Inc, where she increased foundation, event, and corporate giving, and oversaw and led the organization’s first rebranding initiative in 27 years.
Most recently, Valerie served as a Senior Consultant for Trevino Consulting Group. As a senior consultant, she assisted client organizations in all aspects of philanthropic growth including development of strategic fundraising plans, campaign management and implementation, database management, and annual fund campaigns. Valerie serves as the Chief Development Officer for Avondale House, the only agency in greater Houston that serves individuals living with moderate to severe autism from age 5 through their lifetime by a variety of services, including a year-round school, adult day program, supported employment program, and family-oriented group homes. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Texas-Pan American, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Texas A&M University, and a Masters in Nonprofit Management from the University of Houston-Downtown. Outside of work, Valerie enjoys volunteering with local nonprofit organizations and serves as a member of Latin Women’s Initiative, Junior League of Houston, and Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Andrea Romero
Andrea joined Sterling in June 2022 after serving as a Major Gifts Officer at the ACLU of Texas. Previously, she worked at Young Audiences of Houston, the Society for the Performing Arts (now Performing Arts Houston), and Theatre Under the Stars. Andrea’s journey as a fundraiser began during her undergraduate years at Rice University, when she joined the founding cohort of the Student Philanthropy Committee. She built on this experience during graduate school as she worked with small arts nonprofits to address their marketing, audience engagement, and development needs. These experiences have given Andrea a unique and valuable perspective on how to help nonprofits in different sectors — including arts, education, and social justice — leverage data to inform their development strategies, improve their fundraising success, and increase their impact in the community.
Andrea earned a B.A in Economics and Art History from Rice University and a Master of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University. In addition to volunteering at Rice as an alum, she is actively involved with the Greater Houston Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Kristen Schlatre
Kristen Schlatre, ACC, CFRE serves as assistant dean for Professional and Corporate programs and director of the Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Rice University. In this capacity she is responsible for implementing the strategic direction of these educational portfolios that serve individuals seeking to improve their knowledge, skills and credentials along their path to career success.
Schlatre’s formal education includes a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Houston and master’s degrees in both public affairs in nonprofit management and philanthropic studies from Indiana University through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, respectively. She also earned a graduate certificate in executive and professional coaching from the Naveen Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas and received her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential in 2023.
Kevin Shipley
Kevin Shipley serves as the Director of Donor Recruitment for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center located in Houston, TX. Born and raised in Baytown, Kevin has always had a passion for serving the community, and in 2005 joined the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center to help ensure the 800 patients needing blood each day have blood readily available.
Kevin leads the team of 40 passionate individuals responsible for the adequate blood supply at over 170 healthcare institutions across the 26 county Gulf Coast Region. This team partners with the top businesses, churches, school and hospitals throughout the area to host over 7,000 blood drives each year.
Angela Synek
Angie is a marketing and fundraising force for good in her role as Chief Development Officer at Mental Health America of Greater Houston. Her professional passion is fueled by the fact that behavioral health needs have never been greater, yet psychotherapy is still a privilege that many can’t afford. She has dedicated herself to raising money and awareness to decrease stigma and increase equitable access to quality services.
Prior to her position at MHA of Greater Houston, Angie served eight years as the Development Director at Nehemiah Center, a faith-based nonprofit in Houston’s Third Ward providing quality education and holistic support for students and their families living at or below the poverty level.
Working in nonprofit fundraising and marketing was a shift for the longtime television advertising and promotion writer, producer, and director. Angie spent almost a decade at KXAS-TV, the NBC owned and operated affiliate in Dallas/Fort Worth. From there, she was tapped to relaunch KXTX-TV as Dallas/Fort Worth’s first-ever local sports channel featuring the Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks games. She closed out her TV career as the Southwest Regional Creative Services Director for the newly created Paramount Television Network. Along the way, Angie picked up three National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Heartland Emmy Awards and multiple local and national American Advertising Federation ADDY awards.
She earned her Bachelor of Science from Texas Christian University in Radio/TV/Film with a minor in Advertising and Public Relations.
Coordinating Team
Alicia Dixon
Alicia is the Director of Community Relations for CenterPoint Energy.
A 30-year CenterPoint Energy and predecessor company employee, Alicia is responsible for the company’s community relations functions and oversees implementation of enterprise-wide community relations strategies, campaigns, programs and activities. Since the creation of CenterPoint Energy, she has provided strategic communication guidance to the company’s senior leadership team as it relates to employee communication and external stakeholder management. Alicia has also had varying levels of responsibility in the communications functions including crisis communications, media relations, regulatory communications, internal communications and sponsorships.
Alicia received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Baylor University.
Stephanie Foy
Stephanie Foy is serving as the conference coordinator for Power Tools for Nonprofits. She is an organization development consultant and facilitator. She is the principal Foy & Associates, a consulting firm dedicated to working with organizations and individual leaders to develop their vision and strategies that support and enhance personal and organizational performance, growth, and well being.
She has twenty-five plus years of experience in the field of organizational development, research and facilitation. She has worked with numerous nonprofit organizations and their boards as well as public sector and corporate organizations. She was selected to present at the White House Community Empowerment conference. She is the former Director of the Center for Organizational Research and Effectiveness at University of Houston. She has a Masters degree in Social Work from University of Houston and Bachelors in Business Administration from Texas A&M University.
Ronnie Hagerty
Ronnie Hagerty is assistant vice president of community relations and talent management for the United Way of Greater Houston. Hagerty also oversees United Way Project Blueprint, a program that prepares members of Houston’s multicultural communities for nonprofit board leadership. Hagerty earned her bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's College/Notre Dame, master's degree in business administration from the University of Houston, and doctoral degree in leadership and change from Antioch University.
Hagerty is past board chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Greater Houston Chapter, and has been appointed by the Governor of Texas to serve as board chair for the OneStar Foundation National Service Commission. Hagerty serves as a board member for The Rose, and as an advisory committee member for the Houston Arts Alliance, Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, and Career Gear. She is a member of the PowerTools for Nonprofits Advisory Board and an adjunct professor at the Rice University Jones School of Business.