Communities In Schools of Central Texas Leadership
Executive Leadership
Sharon Vigil
Chief Executive Officer
Sharon believes in the wisdom of young people and communities—the brilliance students carry and the loving support from adults who uplift them.
Sharon joined Communities In Schools of Central Texas as its first Chief Operations Officer, and within three years was promoted due to her deep, community-rooted expansion of the agency. She led all aspects of programmatic strategy, the agency’s systems and infrastructure, and embedded community engagement into the fabric of the agency.
In September 2022, the board named Sharon CEO of the agency, which has expanded to serve seven school districts throughout Central Texas. Under her leadership, the agency has launched exciting new opportunities for students and school communities, including the Male Student Achievement Program and post-secondary pathways partnership with Austin Community College.
Prior to joining CIS, Sharon served community- and youth-serving agencies for 10 years. She focused on increasing communities’ access to services, including health and economic opportunity. The throughline in her career is her commitment to building authentic relationships and sustainable systems with community-based organizations.
As a former elementary school science teacher, Sharon remains deeply connected to education—understanding the needs of students and families, as well as teachers and principals, from the classroom to the community.
Sharon earned a master’s degree in executive leadership and a master’s degree in education with a focus on multicultural, bicultural education. As a lifelong learner, she continues to further her education through professional development programs at Georgetown University, Cornell University, Leadership Austin Essential, and the Hispanic Austin Leadership Program.
María Isabel Campos
Chief Program & Impact Officer
María Isabel Campos, Chief Program and Impact Officer, has more than 20 years of public service experience. Born and raised in East Austin, she’s driven by her family’s legacy in community leadership and education. Her family has a long history of community involvement, labor equality, and pioneering bilingual education locally and statewide.
María is a community leader, committed to creating systems that work for all. As a first-generation college student, she has first-hand appreciation of the impact of Communities In Schools of Central Texas on children’s lives.
Throughout her career, she has been a catalyst for change, developing eight early childhood Head Start schools throughout the state and leading 2020 Decennial Census operations in Central Texas, which led to enhancing representation at the federal level. Her unique “Mi Hermana’s Keeper” project improved services for Latina youth nationwide because of its research-based approach.
María earned a Master’s in Public Policy and Non-Profit Management from the City University of New York and has been recognized for her advocacy for women’s birthing outcomes. She’s a New Leaders Council and University of Texas LBJ Women’s Campaign School alum and a dedicated youth mentor. She currently serving on the board of Austin Urban Technology Movement.
Christian Clarke Cásarez
Chief Advocacy and Outreach Officer
Christian believes in the transformative power of stories to build relationships and strengthen communities. Stories bring people together, open hearts and change the world.
For more than two decades, Christian has advised leaders on strategic communications and community engagement—from spearheading international public affairs and expanding the “What Starts Here Changes the World” brand at the University of Texas at Austin to promoting the promise of public education for more than 120 school communities at the Austin Independent School District.
Christian began her mission-minded service at the center of education, health and community empowerment, promoting school-based clinics in under-served, rural communities. As the spokesperson for the University of Texas at El Paso, a nationally recognized engine for economic mobility, she collaborated with educational, civic and industry leaders to pioneer pathways—from early childhood through college and career—to shape a brighter future for all Texans.
Christian’s service is guided by one belief: Every student has talent. It is our responsibility to create the opportunity.
Dr. Hali Hunt
Chief Human Resources Officer
Hali joined Communities In Schools in 2023. As the Chief Human Resources Officer, Hali’s primary role is to establish and implement human resources strategies, policies, and processes to support the CIS mission and strategic vision. He will be partnering with colleagues and senior leaders to drive organizational culture building, employee engagement and communication activities to ensure all departments are grounded in the organization’s values. Hali is also responsible for implementing an overarching vision for human resource business operations and leadership.
Prior to CIS, Hali worked in various school district human resources management roles for more than 14 years. He also has 20 years of combined human resources management, classroom teaching, military, and call center management experiences. Hali earned a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree in Human Resources Management from Northcentral University/National University. At Liberty University he received both a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree in Human Resources and a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) degree in Business Management. As a lifelong learner, Hali will continue to further his education through human resource certifications and various professional development programs. Hali is passionate about volunteering at nonprofits, leading small groups, and traveling.
Dian Shircliff
Chief Administrative Officer
Dian has more than 22 years of experience in human resources, employee relations, employee benefits, recruiting, and onboarding. Before starting with Communities In Schools of Central Texas in 1996, Dian served on the membership support teams for the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Pharmacy Association. She has a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Senior Professional in Human Resources certification. She is an active member of One Voice Central Texas, a coalition of the leadership of over one hundred nonprofit health and human service organizations working to make sure that everyone can contribute to our community and thrive. Dian enjoys taking epic road trips, trying out new recipes, and spending time with her family.
Jodee Webb
Chief Finance Officer
Jodee Webb is the Chief Financial Officer of CIS Central Texas. She joined the company in 2024 and oversees Finance and Accounting. Jodee has over 25 years of experience, having worked internationally in both for-profit and non-profit companies.
Jodee has a BBA in Accounting from Texas State University and obtained her CGA/CPA in Ontario Canada. When not at work, Jodee enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling around the world, and completing home renovations with her husband.
Jodee’s favorite quote is by Mahatma Gandhi “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”.
Senior Leadership
Kendra Berry
Sr. Program Director of College, Career, & Military Readiness
Kendra has spent nearly 15 years in higher education and K12, faith-based spaces, non profits, and community based organizations. She has held a variety of roles; at times building individual capabilities through mentoring and people development and at other times focusing on capacity building, systems creation, and convening partners for strategic impact. As the Sr. Program Director of College, Career, and Military Readiness, Kendra leads and supports the Male Student Achievement Program.
Kendra believes that when good systems meet great leadership we can achieve collective social impact and it’s the students who win. All young people deserve to fully known and deeply loved. She has a M.S. in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, a M.A. in Management from Wake Forest University, and a B.A. in Sociology from Furman University. In her free time Kendra enjoys reading, cooking and baking, hiking, and traveling. It’s a bonus when she can do this surrounded by friends and the nieces and nephews who fill her cup.
John Duck
Senior Director of Development Operations
John has 15 years of fundraising experience and a total of 17 years working in social service organizations. He built his development career on a foundation of social work education and direct client service and he also has extensive experience in program evaluation and strategic planning. John joined the development team at Communities In Schools of Central Texas in 2011 as Director of Community Partnerships and now serves as Sr. Director of Development. John maintains a portfolio of major donors and prospects and leads corporate sponsorship, special event, donor stewardship, and payroll giving fundraising efforts for the agency. Prior to joining CIS, John was hired as the first Director of Development at Hope Alliance in Round Rock, TX, a domestic violence and sexual assault crisis center and shelter. John began his non-profit career at Helping Hand Home for Children in Austin, supporting children recovering from abuse and neglect in their residential treatment and foster/adoption programs. Prior to entering the non-profit sector, John had a brief but successful sales career. John is passionate about connecting altruistic community members with the causes they care about. John earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dorothy Z. Garza, LCSW-S
Sr. Director of Mental Health Services
Dorothy Z. Garza has over 25 years of experience in direct and macro practice at the local and state level. She has provided individual and group counseling and established working relationships to implement programs serving children, adolescents and adults in the non-profit, school, state agency and university settings. Dorothy began her social work career with Communities In Schools of Central Texas (CISCT) in 1991 as a graduate intern. She was later a CISCT Program Manager at Zavala Elementary. Dorothy is very excited to be back with Communities In Schools and is in awe of all of the growth and resilience of the organization. In her free-time she enjoys time with her family, especially her granddaughters (who are her little Wonder Women), playing guitar and reading all kinds of fiction.
Erica Gallardo
Sr. Program Director of Campus Based Services
Erica Gallardo is the Communities In Schools Senior Program Director of Campus Based Services.
She is a first-generation college graduate. Her parents were born in Piedras Negras Coahuila, Mexico and settled in Uvalde, TX. She graduated from Bastrop High School and later received her Bachelor of Social Work from Texas State University-San Marcos. She joined Communities In Schools in 2009 and has supported students & families in Hays CISD and Lockhart ISD for the last 15 years, before becoming a Program Director supporting San Marcos CISD in 2020.
Erica is a member of the Hays County Child Protective Board and helps provide resources for children and families across Hays and Caldwell Counties. Erica has been the recipient of multiple Employee Excellence Awards a Leadership Academy Cohort Award and a Leadership Excellence Award. She currently resides in Hays Co. with her husband Michael (LCSW, LCDC) of 16 years, with their sons Lyndon and Lincoln. During their free time, they love hosting friends and family for backyard BBQ’s.
Rebecca Gamboa Gomez
Sr. Program Director of Campus Based Services
Rebecca is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who joined Communities In Schools in 2011 after earning a Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. Rebecca has had the opportunity to work in various positions in the agency (Caseworker, Program Manager, Program Director of Campus Based Programs) where her strong passion for working with youth and families was applied. She is equally passionate about systems work and has participated in agency initiatives such as Capacity Team, Change Team, and Leadership Academy to gain skills and provide input to drive the mission forward. Rebecca has been a recipient of the Employee Excellence award. She enjoys starting the day off with a quiet early morning walk with her dog, and loves spending quality time with her family.
Jenny Jensen
Senior Director of Development, Major Gifts
Jenny Jensen, a Certified Fundraising Executive, boasts over 9 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising. Originating from Kentucky, she earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Eastern Kentucky University. Later in her career Jenny achieved a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University. A proud member of the Jesuit honor society, Alpha Sigma Nu, Jenny embodies a commitment to a lifelong pursuit of scholarship, loyalty, and service.
Embarking on her journey with Communities In Schools of Central Texas in January 2020, Jenny served almost two years as the Associate Development Director before her contributions led her to a pivotal role as the Central Texas Development Director for IDEA Public Schools supporting the Austin and San Antonio IDEA regions. In April 2023, she rejoined CIS, this time as a Senior Development Director. Before her tenure at CIS, Jenny spent four impactful years fundraising for Explore Austin, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing leadership, mentoring, and adventure for Central Texas students.
Guided by her Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment, Jenny is the epitome of a futuristic maximizer. Her unwavering belief in the potential for continuous improvement at the systemic, organizational, team, and individual level underscores her approach to fundraising. Returning to CIS, Jenny is determined to inspire greater philanthropy, recognizing that the beauty of generosity lies in its capacity to only perpetuate more generosity. Her positive and forward-thinking perspective infuses energy and purpose into her mission to elevate Communities In Schools in the Austin community.
Jenny has lived in Austin for 8 years and enjoys everything her adopted city has to offer. When she’s not traveling you can find her adventuring with her pup, Lil’ Sebastian, enjoying live music, birding, practicing Tai Chi, or thrifting in search of the next great find.
Jim Thompson
Sr. Director of Information Technology
Jim joined Communities In Schools in 2021 as Sr. Director of Information Technology. Previously, Jim held the position of Director of Information Technology for Fallbrook Technologies for 10 years. Jim partnered with his Executive peers to provide technology solutions in Fallbrook’s three business divisions: Manufacturing, Engineering Services, and Patients and licensing. On-premise and Cloud services supported offices in USA, Germany, Netherlands, and China. Prior to Fallbrook, Jim was the Director of Information Management and Technology for Tepa. Jim was part of the startup management team. In his 6-year tenure, the company grow to 150 million a year in revenue. Tepa is a tribally-owned company which provides most of its services to Federal and State Governments. These services are in six business divisions: Construction, Engineering, Environmental, Industrial, Staffing, and Technology. Jim holds two bachelor’s degrees from Texas State University: Health Information Systems and Healthcare Administration. Outside of work, he spends most of his time with friends and family. Hobbies include: River Fishing, Golfing, and technology tinkering.