Troy Madres

Board Chair

Troy Madres is a Vice President with Morgan Stanley, a global investment bank. He serves as a banker to local and statewide municipal issuers around the country and has executed over $25 billion in bond transactions in an advisory or underwriting role in his career. Troy’s focus is on infrastructure, with significant experience with surface transportation, mass transit, airport, utility, economic development, and P3 clients. Troy was born and raised in Philadelphia, and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the CIS Board, Troy was a board member at Creative Action, and previously served as a Vice President in the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association, and was on the board of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates. He was also a co-founder of Young Involved Philadelphia, a non-profit that aims to increase civic engagement among recent college graduates. Troy moved to Austin in 2006, and resides in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood with his wife, a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, and two sons who attend Austin ISD schools.

Shasta Buchanan

Board Chair Elect

Shasta Buchanan currently serves as Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs for Austin Community College. In this role she works collaboratively across the college to ensure student success in and beyond the classroom. Previously Dr. Buchanan served as Associate Vice President of College and High School Relations at ACC where she increased dual credit enrollment and expanded partnerships with local school districts and businesses. She has 20 years of higher education experience as a student affairs and enrollment management administrator, spanning across many institutions in Texas, which include Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas at Dallas, and Portland Community College (Portland, Oregon). Currently Dr. Buchanan serves as a board member for American YouthWorks, National Ambassador for the College in High School Alliance Network, Council Member for Business and Industry with Austin Partners in Education, Council Member of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Council through the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), and a Member of the Advisory Committee for the National Student Clearinghouse. Dr. Buchanan received her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University (WHOOP!), Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Our Lady of the Lake University, and her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership – Higher Education Administration from Grand Canyon University. She enjoys spending her time with her husband Scott, Sr. and their two major contributions to this world; their son and daughter.

Cameron Brown

Treasurer

Cameron Brown is an Audit Partner in KPMG’s Austin office focusing on clients in the life sciences and technology industry sectors. Cameron began his career with KPMG in 1999 in the Austin office and spent a two-year rotation from 2003 to 2005 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Cameron holds a B.S.M. in Accounting and Finance from Tulane University and is a Texas and New York Certified Public Accountant.  In addition to his role on the Communities In Schools of Central Texas Board, Cameron serves on the Finance Committee of SAFE, serves on the Audit Committee of Trinity Episcopal School, and is a volunteer runner with Back On My Feet. Cameron enjoys traveling with his wife and two kids and is an avid runner.

Patrick Patterson

Secretary

Patrick Patterson serves as Asst. Vice President of The Longhorn Center for School Partnerships. He has been at The University of Texas at Austin since 2010, when he retired from Austin ISD having served thirty years in public education as a teacher and administrator. He started his career in Chicago, where he taught and coached at the high school level from 1981 until 1983. Then from 1983 until 1990, he taught several grade levels at Blackshear Elementary School in Austin. In 1990, he became asst. principal at Summitt Elementary for two years until his first principal job at Reilly Elementary in 1992.  From 1996 until 2010 Patrick became the only person in AISD history to serve the district as principal at each level, having lead Dobie Middle School, Lanier High School and LBJ High School. Both Lanier and LBJ were named in Newsweek’s top 1200 High Schools in America during his time as principal. In 2009, Patrick was named Principal of the Year in Austin ISD. In 2010, he was named the Texas Association of Journalism Educator’s Administrator of the Year for the State of Texas. In 2014, AISD honored Patrick with the HL Gaines Community Service Award for his continued work on behalf of the children of Austin, Texas. Mr. Patterson earned his bachelors and master’s degrees from Chicago State University in 1981 and 1983, respectively. He earned two post-graduate certifications (elementary education and mid-management administration) from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos in 1987and 1990. He has two adult daughters, Avaire and Amani, and he is married to his lovely wife, Anita.

Dr. Lucio Calzada

Immediate Past Chair

Lucio Calzada, Jr., Ed.D., is the Mentoring Director for the Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (TALAS).  He retired from the public school system after 30 years of service to our country’s most precious resource, our children. He began his education career as a high school math teacher in Kingsville, Texas. He led his first school as principal of South Park Middle School in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Dr. Calzada later joined the Austin ISD team, first as the principal of Fulmore Middle School, then Garcia Middle School, and he was named the principal of Austin High School in June, 2008. Under his leadership, Austin High School became a State Recognized High School. In January of 2015, Dr. Calzada was invited to join the Hays CISD executive leadership team led by superintendent, Mr. Michael McKie, as the assistant superintendent of secondary schools. Dr. Calzada earned his doctorate in education leadership from Texas A&M Corpus Christi in 2002.  He served his country as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve.  In his spare time, he has served as an adjunct professor for Texas State University, Concordia University, and St. Edwards University because he loves teaching. Lucio is married to Dr. Donna Calzada, a fellow educator and is very proud of his three grown daughters, Amanda, Catherine and Hannah.

Celeste Ruiz Chang

Celeste Ruiz Chang was a student in the Communities In Schools program at Crockett High School. After she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, Celeste worked abroad. She is currently working at St. Austin Catholic School. Celeste is a founding leader of the CIS of Central Texas Alumni Network, and she is an active Communities In Schools volunteer. Celeste visits CIS campuses and speaks to young people about her experiences, and she represents CIS in the community at events like the annual ABC Kite Festival. Celeste and her husband Tim are proud new parents of a beautiful baby.

Michele Guzmán, PhD

Michele Guzmán, PhD is Vice President of Administration, Senior Director of Evaluation for the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, a nonpartisan, non-profit organization established in 2013 to provide policy research and development to improve mental health services in Texas. Prior to joining the institute, she worked at the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health for six years. In addition to leading and coordinating the Hogg Foundation’s evaluation efforts, Ms. Guzmán developed and managed grant programs related to mental health provider workforce issues and mental health research. She taught both undergraduate and graduate counseling psychology courses at The University of Texas at Austin for 10 years and served as Assistant Vice President for Diversity Education Initiatives from 2007-2011. Ms. Guzmán received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Vassar College and completed her doctorate in Counseling Psychology at the The State University of New York at Albany. She completed graduate coursework in Public Health at the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston. She served for two years (2014-2016) as President-Elect and then President, of the Magellan International School Parents Association, where her two children, ages 8 and 11 attend. Michele enjoys walking, listening to audio books, and wine tasting.

Craig Hester

Craig Hester, CFA has been actively involved in professional investment management since 1972. Prior to becoming Principal with Luther King Capital Management in January 2013, he served as CEO and founder of Hester Capital Management, LLC from 1989-2012. Mr. Hester currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas, and is a Member of the Advisory Committee of the MBA Investment Fund, LLC of the University of Texas Graduate School of Business. He is a Member of the Board of Directors of the St. David’s Foundation, and is Chairman of the Investment Committee. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts. He also serves on the Board of Directors of San Jacinto Services. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (BBA, 1971; MBA, 1972), he received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1977 and the Chartered Investment Counselor designation in 1992.

Barbara Knaggs

Barbara Knaggs has dedicated her career to public service in the areas of education and non-profit organization. She served as the Chief Operating Officer for the non-profit news organization, The Texas Tribune. Before joining the Tribune, she was Associate Commissioner for State Initiatives at the Texas Education Agency where she oversaw the implementation of statewide education programs, including early childhood education, dropout prevention and college and career readiness initiatives, adult basic education programs, and programs for limited English proficient students. Currently, Ms. Knaggs serves on several school-level and district-level advisory committees with Austin Independent School District. A 1987 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Plan II, Ms. Knaggs obtained a secondary teaching certificate from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992 and a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin in 2003.

Michael Lewis

Michael Lewis is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of KTBC FOX 7 in Austin TX. Prior to that, he was VP/Sales Manager at KRIV/KTXH Houston and was previously VP/ Sales Manager at WHBQ Memphis. In 2016, Michael was named General Manager of the Year by Broadcasting & Cable Magazine highlighting his leadership in support of Texas Veterans. Michael is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists where he is currently a mentor in the inaugural Leadership Academy Mentorship program. The NABJ mentorship program focuses on producing the News leaders of the future and improving leadership diversity within media organizations. The GM position at FOX 7 Austin affords Michael the opportunity to give voice to important local non-profit groups that support underserved communities in Central Texas. E4 Youth, African-American Youth Harvest, Lifeworks Austin, Communities In Schools of Central Texas and YWCA Greater Austin have all participated in on-air campaigns to help bring awareness to their causes. Michael grew up in Albany, NY where he gained a Bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Rose. As an active member of the Austin community, Michael is a Legacy Circle member of Lifeworks Austin; an active mentor and board member of Communities In Schools of Central Texas; a member of the 100 Black Men of Austin and a former board member of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas.

Katrina Montgomery

Katrina Montgomery has over twenty-five years of accounting experience with a majority of those in leadership.  Katrina earned her BS at Grambling State University and her MBA from University of Phoenix. She spent over 15 + years at The Boon Group where she served as the Controller. She is now the Interim VP of Administration and Finance at Huston-Tillotson University, a private, historically black university and the first institution of higher learning in Austin, where she is responsible for the following divisions – Finance, Central Services and Facilities. She has served on the board of Finding Our Voice, Austin Area Heritage Council and was an Audit and Foundation Committee Chair for the South-Central Chapter of Jack and Jill Inc.  She was recently appointed to serve on the Community Action Network board committee. Katrina and her husband, Michael, attend Saint James Missionary Baptist Church and have one son, one daughter, and a fur baby named Coco.

Felicia Peña

Felicia Peña is a public affairs professional working in brand engagement and corporate social responsibility. She is currently working as Public Relations Manager for The Coca-Cola Company. Previously she held the position of Public Affairs Manager for H-E-B in the Central Texas Region. Felicia graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a certificate degree in Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofits. After graduation, Felicia worked as a Campaign Associate for United Way for Greater Austin assisting with the State Employee Charitable Campaign. For 5 years, Felicia worked with the Central Texas Food Bank, serving in a few different roles, most recently as Director of Community Engagement. Felicia currently serves as a board member at large with Communities In Schools Central Texas. Other community involvement includes board membership of the YWCA Greater Austin, Shoal Creek Conservancy, Young Hispanic Professional Association of Austin, YNPN Austin, and the Young Women’s Alliance. Felicia was also a participant in the 2013 class of Leadership Austin Emerge and the city of Austin CityWorks Academy.

Devi Shah

Devi Shah serves as a board member with Communities In Schools Central Texas. She has 20 years of professional experience and currently leads the digital growth marketing team at Charles Schwab. Prior to joining Charles Schwab, she championed marketing and sales growth insights at Colgate-Palmolive for Hispanic and Low-Income consumer segments. Outside of her professional roles, she served on the founding board at Youth Rise Texas and led the Multicultural Effectiveness Council at the Advertising Research Foundation. Devi graduated with an MBA from the Stern School of Business at NYU and a BS in Engineering from the University of Central Florida.

Kevin Sooch

Kevin Sooch is a Development Manager at Stratus Properties. Kevin joined Stratus in December 2016. Kevin’s role focuses on overseeing real estate developments through the various phases of acquisition, design, permitting, financing, construction, operations, and disposition. Prior to joining Stratus Properties, Kevin worked as an Applications Engineer at National Instruments. Kevin holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from The University of Michigan. Before joining the Board of Communities In Schools, Kevin served as a board member of the KDK-Harman Foundation. Kevin and his wife, Alexandria, live in Central Austin with their son, Hayden. Kevin is an active volunteer for Foster Village, Saint Louise House, and Pop-Up Birthday.

Danielle Treviño

Danielle Chavez Treviño is a mission-driven communications professional with more than a decade of experience in public relations and strategic communications planning. Her most recent role was as head of corporate communications with Rev.com, a tech startup providing speech-to-text services, where she built out the organization’s first communications function, including support for internal communications and public and analyst relations. Prior to her role at Rev, Danielle was vice president, marketing & communications, for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, leading the organization’s media relations program, social media presence, and communications strategy. She is an active member of the Junior League of Austin and has served as a member of the Austin Community Foundation Hispanic Impact Fund grants committee and Somos Austin host committee, a member of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas Women of Courage committee, and a grant reviewer for All Together ATX through the United Way of Austin. Danielle grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and is a graduate of Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University. She holds concurrently earned degrees from the Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication: a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a Master of Mass Communication. She and her husband, Fernando, reside in Austin, where they spoil the fluff out of their yorkie, Clover.

Tal Tversky

Tal Tversky is a Director of Analytics at Apple Inc., where he leads a team of data scientists developing analytic solutions to problems that involve fraud, waste and abuse company wide.  Tal received a B.S. in Physics from Yale and a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Texas at Austin specializing in artificial intelligence and vision.  As a child, he imagined he would be a spy or a scientist. Today he imagines he fights crime with his mind. Tal has four school aged kids attending various AISD schools, and a wife who has been an educator in AISD for more than 10 years.  Tal has always been passionate about education and kids and is delighted to be serving on the board of CIS.

Kerry Ugarte

Kerry Ugarte is a Wealth Advisor, advising clients in areas of wealth planning and preservation, such as managing their wealth and passing the wealth on to family or charity in a tax-efficient manner. Kerry began her career as a management consultant with a global consulting firm and then became an estate planning attorney. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Kerry was a shareholder at Graves Dougherty Hearon& Moody in Austin, Texas. There she helped clients design and implement estate planning and wealth transfer solutions. She joined J.P. Morgan Private Bank in 2014 as a Wealth Advisor for Central Texas. Kerry is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She serves on several non-profit boards in the Central Texas community. Kerry received her undergraduate B.B.A in Honors Business and B.A. in Plan II from the University of Texas. She also received her M.B.A. and J.D. from The University of Texas. While not working or volunteering, Kerry enjoys traveling with her husband and their three school-age children.

Javier Valdez

Javier Valdez currently serves as the Executive Director for HealthStart Foundation, responsible for leading the organization’s overall business strategy and growth with the goal of building healthier communities through children’s health and science education. For the past 25 years, Javier has served as a corporate and non-profit leader. He has led several local and national non-profits and is also an alumni of Leadership Austin Essentials and a McBee Fellow. Throughout his career, Javier has also served in executive and senior leadership roles at Oracle, Electronic Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Cisco Systems, Inc., in addition to others. As a leader, Javier has a talent for building strong relationships, facilitating communications between stakeholders, encouraging a collaborative team-centered culture, and managing organizational operations. When Javier is not working, he loves participating in various fitness activities, honing his foodie skills, traveling, and enjoying live music.

Isabel Welland

Isabel Welland has lived in Austin for 21 years. She grew up in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Isabel worked in sports marketing for men’s professional tennis in the days of John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. She was an Advertising Manager for AT&T in Basking Ridge, New Jersey during the long distance wars. She retired from a career in advertising to raise her two children. She has been a choral singer in church choirs and with Chorus Austin. Over the past 12 years, she has served on several boards in the Austin area, including KIPP Austin, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, The Sooch Foundation, Lifeworks, the Planned Parenthood Community Board, and Communities In Schools of Central Texas.

Jenny Whittemore

Jenny Whittemore currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Endeavor Real Estate Group and is responsible for providing the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure Endeavor achieves goals and business objectives. Jenny serves as a permanent member on Endeavor’s rotating five-person Operating Committee, providing dedicated operational focus, depth, and continuity for the company. She oversees and manages day-to-day operations, drives best practices across the organization, and ensures effective communication at all levels of leadership. Throughout her career, Jenny has had numerous operational leadership positions across various functions, primarily in the high tech and consulting industries. She has had broad experience leading complex, cross-functional projects to drive increased performance through company growth. Jenny received her B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and her M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. When Jenny is not working, she enjoys spending time in the outdoors camping or on the lake with her husband, Jason and two children, Kent and Ellie.