Communities In Schools
of Central Texas
Board of Directors
welcomes
Sharon Vigil as CEO
The Communities In Schools Board of Directors announced today that Sharon Vigil will be the next CEO of the organization. Vigil, who currently serves as the organization’s Chief Operations and Equity Officer, will succeed Suki Steinhauser who has been in the role since 2006. A search committee was formed in February—made up of Communities In Schools board officers and other board leaders. This group met every other week since then, using a CEO Succession Plan adopted in 2019 as a guide. They hired Woollard Nichols Associates, a local nonprofit consulting organization that is familiar with Communities In Schools, to help facilitate the process.
“Our board is enthused to announce that Sharon will be our next CEO. We are confident that she is the ideal person to assume leadership of the organization,” says Board Chair Troy Madres. “She has been a true and tested leader in her time at CIS and combines her strategic vision and strong business acumen with a love of our mission.”
Prior to joining Communities In Schools, Vigil spent 10 years working for community and youth serving agencies. She has a master’s degree in Executive Leadership and a master’s degree in Education with a focus on multicultural bicultural education. A lifelong learner, she has continued her education through professional development programs at Georgetown University and Cornell University. She is a graduate of Leadership Austin’s Essential Class of 2020, and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Austin Leadership Class of 2021. She was selected as Austin’s 40 Under 40 in the Youth and Education category in 2021 and was honored as a People’s Choice winner at DivInc’s 2022 Champions of Change Awards ceremony.
Suki Steinhauser, who will exit the CEO post on September 16, expressed confidence in the board’s choice. “Sharon is a strong leader, and she has been responsible for many of our organization’s successes these last 5 years,” Steinhauser said. “I’m confident in Sharon’s ability to move the team forward in accomplishing ambitious strategic plan goals that will have positive impacts for Central Texas students, families, and the community.”
Communities In Schools of Central Texas Board Members shared their enthusiasm for the selection of Sharon Vigil as CEO
“Sharon’s personal story was an instant connection that made my heart explode as I think about CIS and our mission. Her early years are the embodiment of being supported the same way CIS surrounds each student and their family. We wanted to make sure we had a leader that got us (CIS) and had the supportive-style strength to take our organization to the next stratosphere; and that’s Sharon!” – Shasta Buchanan, Ed.D. Communities In Schools of Central Texas Board Chair Elect, Vice Chancellor – Student Affairs, Austin Community College
“I am very excited to see Sharon take on the position of CEO at Communities In Schools of Central Texas. She brings to the role a deep working knowledge of Communities In Schools and an impressive work ethic. Her immense passion and dedication to CIS and its mission will be a great asset!” – Celeste Ruiz Chang, Communities In Schools of Central Texas Board Member, and founding member of the CIS of Central Texas Alumni Network
“I knew Sharon was a strong leader prior to the process of hiring the new CEO, but after going through the process, she left no doubt that she is the best person to lead CIS of Central Texas at this time in the organization’s history. I look forward to working with her, and the Board, in leading CIS of Central Texas to have an even greater impact in the schools and families we serve. We’re in good hands!” – Patrick Patterson, Communities In Schools of Central Texas Board Member, Asst. Vice President of The Longhorn Center for School Partnerships
“I am thrilled that our board has selected Sharon Vigil to be the next CEO of Communities In Schools of Central Texas. Our investment in her growth and vision will prove to be positive for the students and adults we serve in our region. I look forward to the continued success of this great organization.” –Lucio Calzada, Ed.D., Past Communities In Schools of Central Texas Board Chair
“Our board is enthused to announce that Sharon will be our next CEO. We are confident that she is the ideal person to assume leadership of the organization,” says Board Chair Troy Madres. “She has been a true and tested leader in her time at CIS and combines her strategic vision and strong business acumen with a love of our mission.” – Troy Madres, Communities In Schools of Central Texas Board Chair