My Story
I admit that my experience is often learning from my mistakes and doing it first the hard way. I've worn every nonprofit hat, had every kinds of board member, and was happy to do so. Finally, through three decades of trial and resolutions, I've found a love to share with others how to accomplish more with less - how to work smarter so we can accomplish more together.
Here's the short version.
My nonprofit journey began in Dallas as an assistant admissions director, ways back in the 80s. This was a great time to begin my career in PR, marketing and events. We wore every hat and learned so much those first few years. Our team created scholarship programs, a week-long freshman orientation event, began using one of the first CRM programs for college recruiting in the nation. I also volunteered to be the supervisor for the yearbook.
From there I served as PR and marketing manager for a seminary in Zurich, Switzerland, working with missionaries and individuals from around the globe studying to become ministers. Following this 'missionary service' I helped a startup publishing organization in Nashville, called Baptist Center for Ethics. When graduate school called my name, I began working - back in Texas - with GuideStone Financial Resources as Marketing Manager for their financial services division, while attending school at night and on weekends. This led to the opportunity to become Communications Director for the Baptist General Convention of Texas, leading a large communications team and working with more than 2,000 affiliated churches around the state.
The next turn in my path led to beautiful San Antonio. At first, I served as development and marketing manger for a university, then I was fortunate to join the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce as Vice President for Image and Communications for 8 wonderful years of community work. Following the Chamber, I was appointed to become the Director of the Alamo, and Executive Director of the Alamo Endowment and Remember the Alamo Foundation. This task involved starting new nonprofits, hiring and training staff of 100 at the Alamo, and managing the initial stages of a Master Plan to begin massive preservation work, upgrade and improve the Alamo's visitor experience to include telling it's 300-year history. Soon, my family and calling led me to begin work where I could help San Antonio and our families here by working directly with many nonprofit organizations to grow.
My career has taken me around the world and back home - teaching me many skills and getting to love the many cultures and people I am blessed to know.