OUR STAFF

Marjorie Joseph

Executive Director
She/Her

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MARJORIE A. JOSEPH is a native New Yorker, recently relocated from Los Angeles to Houston. She currently serves as Executive Director of Houston Coalition Against Hate. HCAH is a network of community-based organizations, institutions, and leaders who come together to reduce hate and encourage belonging. The Coalition is committed to addressing all incidents of hate, bias, violence, and discrimination, on the basis of a person or group’s religion, race/ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, abilities, age, sexual orientation, national origin, creed, immigration status, or genetic information. HCAH does this through education, research, relationship building, and
prevention initiatives, as well as partnering with organizations to host events that celebrate diversity and make Houston strong.

Prior to her role with the Coalition, Marjorie served as Associate Director of Street Poets Inc., an LA non-profit poetry-based peace-making organization dedicated to the creative process as a force for individual and community transformation. There she spent nine years doing the work of gang intervention and violence prevention through the use of music, poetry, and the mentoring of LA’s youth/young adults.

Marjorie is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a BA in Political Science and minors in Dance and African/African American Studies. She was also part of the Leadership In Action inaugural cohort at Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership. Known as MJ to many, Marjorie is excited to be a member of the 56th class of the American Leadership Forum (ALF). And, to be a member of the Jung Center’s Arts & Exhibitions Committee. She is the recipient of the 2021 United Nations Association-Houston’s Global Citizenship Award, and the work of HCAH has been recognized by The Center for the Healing of Racism with their 2021 Juneteenth Ally Award. An accomplished writer and performer, her poems have been published in several anthologies, and she has appeared on stage (off-Broadway/internationally) and in film. A
creative at heart, she is currently writing/producing a documentary called Private Collection about one of the few remaining collections of Haitian Art since the 2010 earthquake owned by art collectors/curators Leon and Evelyne Chalom.

A leader, visionary, and advocate, she has always been a proponent of art in the space of acknowledgement and activism; and, is the originator of the #justiceoverequity framework in order to facilitate societal and cultural shifts and transformation. Marjorie is excited to be in Houston heralding the work of the Coalition, and feels privileged to be living in the most diverse city in the country.

Paola Guzman

Associate Director
She/Her

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Paola Guzman was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and moved to Houston in May of 2017 where she has worked in the immigrant justice space. Paola is extremely passionate in the development of mechanisms that allow for the education and empowerment of marginalized communities of color in the hopes of creating agents of change to combat the cycles of violence, poverty, and exploitation.

Previously as HILSC’s Social Services Director, Paola Guzman was responsible for leading the strategy, operations and logistics of collaborative projects that streamline immigrant access to social and legal services; developing short- and long-term goals centered through a trauma informed lens; co-managing HILSC events, and mentoring professionals interested in working in non-traditional social work settings to provide holistic services. Paola has also worked as the Social Services Coordinator for KIND (Kids in Need of Defense) where she provided referrals to direct social services organizations, trauma informed emotional support for unaccompanied minors, professional development and trainings for attorneys, as well as strategic development and growth of the KIND SSC team nationwide.

Paola is also serving on the board for USAHello and an adjunct professor at the University of Houston. Paola holds a Master of Social Work degree specializing in Community Organizing, Planning, and Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Spanish from Mount St. Mary’s University.

OUR BOARD

Justine Fanarof, Esq.

President
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Justine Fanarof was born in South Africa and is a proud immigrant to the United States. Her approach to legal and other matters is unique in that she incorporates her broad depth of understanding of holistic health and what works best in business. She is also completely bilingual in English and Spanish with additional proficiency in Italian, Hebrew, and American Sign Language, allowing her to communicate with and help a larger and more diverse client base.

Justine believes the practice of law is ultimately about relationships, and while people are at the core of all we do as attorneys, legal representation may not always feel like a positive relationship. In legal and business matters it’s important to have a partner who can keep a cool head and an open mind. For her clients, Justine works within the framework of the law while creatively finding alternate ways of achieving a resolution between parties. That is precisely why Justine has chosen to practice law: because she helps people find new ways of working together.

Justine helps individuals and companies with outsourced general counsel activities, mindfulness and diversity training, alternative dispute resolution, nonprofit advocacy, business transactions, government relations, and other business consulting services.

A teacher of yoga and mindfulness since 2004 and a practicing lawyer with a Masters in Public Health, Justine is bi-lingual, dynamic, creative, and thoughtful. Justine’s experiences as a law student and lawyer have brought her deep awareness of the tragic reality of the prevalence of drug abuse, depression, and suicide in the legal profession, in the corporate world, and in society at-large. Aligned with the mission and vision of the American Bar Association’s Wellness Pledge, Justine partners with her clients to reduce stress and improve well-being in the legal field through corporate wellness programs, including her signature, research-based yoga and meditation program Mindful Law Firm™. Throughout her legal career, Justine has trained and mentored hundreds of lawyers, paralegals, social workers, teachers, and law enforcement officials on complex issues and she is a relational and experienced speaker and trainer.

Justine helps law firms, government entities, corporations, law schools, and non-profits keep employees and law students happy, healthy, and productive with her wellness consulting services for law firms, law schools, and businesses of all sizes. As part of this process, she assesses corporate culture, identifies areas for improvement, and creates programs to understand and support culture change.

One of Justine’s core values is community service. As such, she serves on the Board of Directors of two incredible non-profit organizations, Houston Coalition Against Hate and Mind Oasis.

A civil rights advocate, Justine spent three years working for immigrant children with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) where she trained and mentored attorneys at all levels of practice, and currently maintains a pro bono immigration practice via KIND’s pro bono mentoring program. Additionally, she served as the Jean & Jerry Moore Southwest Civil Rights Counsel for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), supervising ADL’s civil rights agenda for Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi and writing amicus briefs for the United States Supreme Court. Justine is an expert on hate crimes and humanitarian forms of immigration relief and has trained thousands of law enforcement officers, lawyers, teachers, and social workers in both areas.

In addition to her legal involvement, Justine volunteers as a yoga and meditation teacher for diverse communities, including Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers, veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder, staff at San Jose Clinic, and children at the Houston Area Women’s Center.

Jyoti Iyer

Treasurer

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Jyoti is a native of Mumbai, India and moved to Houston 17 years ago. She has two degrees in accounting from: RA Podar College of Commerce and Economics, University of Mumbai, 1999 and Bauer College of Business, University of Houston, 2008 where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and a membership in the Honors College. Jyoti has been in the accounting field for 15+ years and has a passion for nonprofits. She is an Associate/Controller at Your Part-Time Controller and is dedicated to supporting her clients by providing them with the financial insights, compliance, reporting and internal processes necessary for them to succeed in their missions. She also serves on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at YPTC. Prior to this, she was Business Manager at the Jung Center and reported to the Executive Director and the Board on the Finance Committee and the Revenue Workgroup. In addition to helping her clients, Jyoti is also an activist and committed to fighting systems of oppression such as caste, colorism, racism and misogyny and is also a mental health advocate. She believes in taking an empathetic and educational approach to these deeply embedded cultural issues and understands how they intersect in different contexts. In her spare time, she loves to read, dance, travel and improv.

Karen Walrond, Esq.

Secretary
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Karen Walrond is an activist, leadership consultant, attorney, speaker, author, and photographer. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Global Engagement of the Brené Brown Education and Research Group. Karen is the former Chief Counsel of Landmark Graphics Corporation, one of the largest software companies in the oil and gas industry, as well as the former Chief of Staff of Halliburton Energy Services. In both of these roles, she gained extensive experience in strategy development, change management processes and corporate ethics management and education, as well as invaluable proficiencies in counseling business stakeholders.

Combining these skills with the concepts of positive psychology coaching, Karen is also a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, having been trained in Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability, courage, shame-resilience, and worthiness, including the teachings of Dr. Brown’s bestselling books, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong & Dare to Lead. In addition, Karen has been trained in positive psychology coaching with the Wholebeing Institute, using the science of well-being and research-based assessments and interventions to bring about greater satisfaction, purpose and fulfillment in life. Karen helps clients from all walks of life discover their own their gifts and superpowers, develop their leadership skills, and learn how to use them in a way that allows them both to thrive, and change the world.

Further, Karen’s bestselling book, The Beauty of Different, is a chronicle of imagery and portraiture combined with written essays and observations on authenticity, courage, and the concept that what makes us different makes us beautiful. It is available from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and other booksellers around the world, and has consistently ranked on the Amazon Bestseller List for self-esteem, gender studies and photography.

Finally, Karen is also the creator of Chookooloonks.com, an award-winning and inspirational source for living with intention, creativity and adventure. Karen’s work has been featured on CNN.com, USA Today, and Good Housekeeping magazines, among others.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center. She is an active member of the State Bar of Texas.

Michelle Tovar, Ed.D.

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Michelle Tovar is the Director of Education at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. In this role, she is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating museum education programs for diverse audiences and expanding the museum’s engagement with the public, educators, and students. Dr. Tovar’s goal is to build authentic partnerships with local and national organizations dedicated to education, social justice, and history. She is an advocate for BIPOC representation in formal and informal learning environments. Previously, Dr. Tovar founded the Latino Initiatives at Holocaust Museum Houston in 2015 as the Associate Director of Education-Latino Initiatives and created inclusive programming as the Director of Public Engagement (’21-’22). She earned her MLA in History at the University of St. Thomas and her Ed.D. at the University of Houston in Curriculum and Instruction in K-12 Social Education, emphasizing Social Justice Education. She is a Smithsonian Latino Museum Studies alum, Fulbright-Hays scholar, Latinos for Education alum, and serves as a Houston Coalition Against Hate board member. In 2020, Dr. Tovar was awarded the American Alliance of Museums Ed Com Award for Excellence in Practice.

Madhureeta Achari, MD

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Madhureeta Achari, MD, a Houston-based Neurologist caring for patients with neurologic problems.

Dr. Achari wasn’t born in Texas, but she got here as soon as she could, thank her lucky stars. She received her BA in Biochemistry from Rice University and then earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History with a focus in filmmaking. The decision to choose medical school over film school was based on which profession allowed
her to help people the most.

She attended UT-McGovern Medical School and received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) in 1992. Her internship was also served at McGovern Medical school in internal medicine, followed by a residency in neurology. Dr. Achari completed her fellowship in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology at the same institution. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and maintains certification via periodic re-qualifications.
Having had excellent instruction in neuroimaging during her residency and fellowship, Dr. Achari trained extensively in neuroimaging over the course of her practice and received board certification by the United Council of Neurological Specialties in Neuroimaging.

Her father, Dr. Amrit Achari, who created the first neurophysiology laboratory at St. Luke’s Hospital in the early 1970s and a noted neuromuscular specialist, supervised her additional training in electrodiagnostic studies (EMG/NCV). As the Consulting Neurologist at TIRR for a decade, she developed expertise in the diagnosis and management of severe and mild traumatic brain injury. She was also the neurologist for the liver transplantation services at Hermann and St. Luke’s Hospitals.

She began her private practice in 1997. She practices general neurology and is skilled in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of neurological disorders. She integrates clinical findings with neuroimaging, neurophysiology, and other studies to form an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Over the years, Dr. Achari has developed the specialty of Nutritional Neurology which uses scientifically validated
laboratory testing to assess cellular micronutrient content and needs.

Her practice is a scientific, evidence-based holistic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with neurological issues. Dr. Achari is active in professional societies and is a Board Member of the Texas Neurological Society where she also serves on the Education Committee. She is a Board Advisor for the American Society of Neuroimaging. She is a member of the Independent Practice Committee of the Harris County Medical Society and Chair of the Women Physicians Section. She is a member of multiple professional organizations including the American Academy of Neurology, American Society of Neuroimaging, American Epilepsy Society and the Functional Neurological Disorders Society. She is a member of the Texas Medical Association and American Medical Association. She is Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School.

She is active in mentoring future physicians and neurologists.

Maria Aguirre

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Maria Aguirre joined Port Houston in 2021 as the Director of the Community Relations & Events Department, which focuses on outreach activities involving Port Authority and Port of Houston community stakeholders.

Prior to joining the Port, Aguirre worked at Avenue CDC where she served as the Director of Community Initiatives. Her accomplishments include securing a $750,000 grant for the Northline Community and a $675,000 grant for capacity building and advocacy efforts in the Greater Northside. She also implemented the BUILD health challenge grant that helped refer 700 homes to the Health Department Lead Abatement program.

Maria was also selected as the 2020 Houston Texans Campeón de la Comunidad, which honors an outstanding leader in the Latino community who is making a positive impact on the city of Houston through service and dedication to a local non-profit.

Maria is a Cum Laude graduate of Baylor University, with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. She is also a Certified Associate in Project Management. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Harvard University – Extension school.

Jeff Frey, Ph.D

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Dr. Jeff Frey is a technologist, entrepreneur, and educator. He has been recognized for his research on the future of work and for injecting diversity into the modern labor force. Currently serving as VP of Innovation at Abilene Christian University, Dr. Frey works to bridge the gap between traditional education and employer expectations with a focus on emotional intelligence, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology management. Dr. Frey advises corporations and tech startups on new ideas, funding models, and talent strategies; having led information technology and innovation divisions in nuclear, oil and gas, space science, higher education, nonprofit, and healthcare sectors. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Kent State University, an Executive MBA from the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University, and a Ph.D. concentrating in Emotional Intelligence from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. A sought-after speaker, he can be booked at www.furtherfaster.com.

Dr. Frey is married, has two young boys, and is an avid triathlete and musician.

Sofia Gonzales

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Born and raised in Houston, TX, Ms. Gonzalez graduated from the University of St. Thomas Cameron School of Business with a BBA in Business, a minor in Finance and specialization in Economics and Chinese. After graduating she worked in the financial industry including Bank of America/Merrill Lynch as a VP, Financial Advisor for five years and was #1 in sales in Houston. She was recruited by Canada’s largest recruiting and payroll firm, S.i. Systems/Work Thru as an Account Executive and was responsible for North American business development for two years. Ms. Gonzalez has joined the ETC family as Employment & Training Solutions’ Sr. Vice President. She is responsible for expanding markets and managing the talent acquisition, staffing and payrolling lines of business.

Sofia graduated from United Way’s Project Blueprint Class XXXIX and serves on the board of directors for Employment & Training Centers, Inc. and ECHOS. She enjoys spending time with family, giving back to her community, rescuing canines from Houston’s busy city streets, and tacos.

Kim Scates

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Kim Scates is a marketing and communications professional deeply invested in the well-being of her hometown in Houston. She recently led member relations at Central Houston, an economic development association focused on the advancement of downtown Houston, where she catalyzed support for initiatives and directed marketing, communications, events, and recruitment functions. Previously, Kim spent the bulk of her career in media as a top account executive, where she partnered with companies to build brands and solve advertising challenges. In 2015 Kim founded the Libra Project, a multi-day experiential learning workshop for college students to engage around identity and equity issues. She is a former foster parent, an HISD Volunteer of the Year, and past president of American Women in Radio and Television. She is involved with a number of local and global nonprofits at various levels. She lives near Rice University with her husband and dogs.

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Carlecia Wright

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Carlecia Wright – Chief Diversity Officer, Lone Star College

Carlecia Wright joined Lone Star College in 2021 as the first Chief Diversity Officer. In this role, she serves as key member of the administration providing system wide to support recruitment, implement policies and programs, as well as develop community partnerships that foster equity and inclusion for students, employees, and the community. Carlecia is also called on to speak, facilitate, and consult on various dimensions of economic opportunity and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Previously, Carlecia served as the mayoral appointed Chief Diversity Officer and Director for the Office of Business Opportunity serving under Mayor Annise Parker and Mayor Sylvester Turner. Where under Carlecia’s focused and strategic direction, the City of Houston developed a renowned record for economic inclusion awarding over $4 billion dollars to diverse businesses in her tenure, a strategy that has become a model for cities around the country. Additionally, worked in collaboration with community colleges to develop workforce programs after Hurricane Harvey that employed well over 1,000 individuals in the aftermath.

Carlecia is committed to service to the community in her spare time, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Center for Houston’s Future, and on the Advisory Council for the Houston Coalition of Hate. Carlecia has received several awards for her achievements, in 2019 she was named a Women Who Means Business by Houston Business Journal and awarded the Community Advocate of the year by the Houston Black Chamber of Commerce. Additional recognitions include 2016 Women to Watch in Business by the Houston Chronicle, awarded 40 Under 40 by the Houston Business Journal and she received the prestigious Breakthrough Woman Award from the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber, along with being named one of Houston’s Most Influential Women.
She has a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College of Chicago and a Master’s Degree from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. Carlecia holds various certifications in leadership development, coaching and facilitation including Gallup Strengths and Talent Builder Coach, Crucial Conversations Master Trainer, Cultural Intelligence Trainer, Collective Impact, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Professional.

She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is a graduate of the City of New York’s Leadership Institute, the Center for Houston’s Future, Leadership Houston and a Senior Fellow for the American Leadership Forum.

Robert Icsezen

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Rob spent most of his career as a corporate lawyer concentrating on business transactions, business structuring, and non-litigation advisory services. He now focuses on multiple aspects of election work, advising Democratic political candidates and the Harris County Democratic Party, serving as the Presiding Judge of the Harris County Early Voting Ballot Board during the 2020 presidential election, and chairing the Harris County Democratic Party’s primary committee. Additionally, Rob is the host of H-Town Progressive, a political podcast that elevates deep dive political discussions among Houston’s amazing progressive community.

Rob’s passions also extend to a love of wine and a profound connection to his heritage. With his WSET Level 2 certification and frequent travels to Türkiye, Rob enjoys discovering the robust – yet largely unknown to the US – world of Turkish wines. So when he’s not fighting to defend American democracy, he’s busy as the owner of Sharap Imports LLC, a Houston-based wine import business that specializes in bringing the many fine wines of Türkiye to the United States.

Nicole Lander

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Nicole Lander – Chief Impact Officer, Houston Food Bank

Mrs. Lander is a registered dietitian with over ten years managing food service operations and teaching proper health and wholesome nutrition. As Chief Impact Officer, she leads the Transportation and Procurement departments, along with the food bank’s direct programming for children, seniors and nutrition education. In addition, she oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and benefit assistance program through the Community Assistance Program (CAP). Mrs. Lander holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Michigan State University and is an active member of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She previously worked at Aramark Healthcare Foodservice Corporation.

Daniel W. Snare

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Daniel W. Snare – Advisor/Consultant

Dan Snare is an advisor and consultant who works with companies, non-profits and government agencies to create and execute effective and impactful strategies, increase equity and inclusion, improve performance and transform cultures. Dan believes that focusing on people, relationships and values is essential to success for any organization in today’s ever changing environment.

Dan’s career has spanned four decades serving in senior management and CEO roles for the American Diabetes Association and Community Health Charities at the regional and national levels. Dan also served seven years as President/CEO of the American Leadership Forum Houston/Gulf Coast Chapter. He is also proud to have served on Houston Mayor Turner’s Commission Against Gun Violence and facilitated Unconscious Bias training for Harris County court personnel. Dan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dan is a passionate advocate for principled and collaborative civic leadership.

Previously, Carlecia served as the mayoral appointed Chief Diversity Officer and Director for the Office of Business Opportunity serving under Mayor Annise Parker and Mayor Sylvester Turner. Where under Carlecia’s focused and strategic direction, the City of Houston developed a renowned record for economic inclusion awarding over $4 billion dollars to diverse businesses in her tenure, a strategy that has become a model for cities around the country. Additionally, worked in collaboration with community colleges to develop workforce programs after Hurricane Harvey that employed well over 1,000 individuals in the aftermath.

Carlecia is committed to service to the community in her spare time, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Center for Houston’s Future, and on the Advisory Council for the Houston Coalition of Hate. Carlecia has received several awards for her achievements, in 2019 she was named a Women Who Means Business by Houston Business Journal and awarded the Community Advocate of the year by the Houston Black Chamber of Commerce. Additional recognitions include 2016 Women to Watch in Business by the Houston Chronicle, awarded 40 Under 40 by the Houston Business Journal and she received the prestigious Breakthrough Woman Award from the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber, along with being named one of Houston’s Most Influential Women.
She has a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College of Chicago and a Master’s Degree from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. Carlecia holds various certifications in leadership development, coaching and facilitation including Gallup Strengths and Talent Builder Coach, Crucial Conversations Master Trainer, Cultural Intelligence Trainer, Collective Impact, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Professional.

She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is a graduate of the City of New York’s Leadership Institute, the Center for Houston’s Future, Leadership Houston and a Senior Fellow for the American Leadership Forum.

Patty Williams-Downs

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Patty Williams-Downs – Founder & CEO, BreakingBounds

Patty Williams-Downs is a transformative enterprise leader, executive coach, and entrepreneur who supports people and organizations to bring their bold missions and visions to life. She’s a former Division I student-athlete who earned a bachelor’s degree at Fordham University and a graduate degree from George Washington University. Patty began her professional career as a Teach For America corps member, followed by several positions aimed at advancing systems-level change in organizations like YES Prep and KIPP Houston. Patty is the Founder and CEO of BreakingBounds. BreakingBounds is an executive coaching firm that supports executives in breaking the boundaries of their sector.

Patty is a Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, currently serving as a turnaround Executive Director at OneGoal Houston, one of the fastest-growing, effective education nonprofits in the city of Houston. Patty is leading by transforming the region’s vision, assets, and scale to deliver high-quality results for thousands of kids and families across Houston.

Patty enjoys spending time with her family. She’s a proud mother of three children: Joshua, Zoe and Zara and a proud wife of her husband, Tony

Aimee Woodall

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Aimee Woodall – Founder & CEO, Blacksheep Agency

Aimée Woodall is the founder and CEO of The Black Sheep Agency, a cause-driven brand strategy firm that works with impactful companies and organizations to activate communities around things that matter. A tireless advocate for social change and a firm believer in the power of creativity to solve any problem, Aimee focuses her company’s efforts solely on impact, partnering with fighters and changemakers—nonprofits, foundations, social impact clients, forward-thinking leaders and governments—to build bold, experimental campaigns and caring
brands that increase understanding, shift mindsets and lead people to action. In both her work and her broader life, her priority is to accelerate positive progress that can be seen and felt in our communities, across our country and around the world.

Aimee served as an Consultant to President Obama in his effort to authentically engage with the American public online during his presidency and her clients have included the United States Surgeon General, Michelle Obama, the Warner Bros Network, Civic Nation and grassroots causes across the nation.

Frank Wilson

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

Cheryl Newcomb

Co-Chair Advocacy and Policy Committee

Tiffany Echevarria

Co-Chair Advocacy and Policy Committee, Executive Director, Collective Action For Youth

Alisa Magallon

Co-Chair, Prevention Committee
Associate Director of Programming and Engagement, Houston Grand Opera

Tracie Jae

Co-Chair Prevention Committee
Founder The Quiet Rebel

Michelle Tovar, Ed.D

Board Representative
Director of Education, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
Houston Coalition Against Hate (HCAH) is a 509(a)3 Supporting Organization with Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF).

OUR PURPOSE

The Houston Coalition Against Hate (HCAH) is a network of community-based organizations, institutions and leaders in Houston, TX that have come together to collectively address incidents of bias, hate, discrimination and violence against Houstonians because of their religion, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and immigration status.

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Generations of American Indians have been Native and connected to the stolen land now known as the Texas Gulf Coast. Among them are the Atakapa-Ishak, Karankawa, Mariame, and Akokisa tribes. We honor their elders, past and present, as well as the Indigenous people from many nations who live and work in this region today. May this acknowledgement be a humble first step in the undoing of Indigenous erasure, providing accurate historical context while serving as a reminder to current non-native inhabitants, as we strive toward peace, reconciliation, and justice.