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We wouldn’t be able to do the work we do without our creative and talented team. They make our mission possible.
Executive Director
She/Her/Hers
Cathy joined APIE in 2012 and is an experienced teacher, campus administrator & assistant superintendent. With a Ph.D. in educational administration through UT’s Cooperative Superintendency Program, she is a true Longhorn. Cathy has 2 children and enjoys running & cycling. Being a Math Classroom Coach is her weekly highlight.
Program Director
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Isadora joined APIE in 2023 and is a former academic dean, director of middle school, and teacher. Formerly a crime journalist, Isadora switched careers to become an educator and earned her M.Ed. in Education Administration in 2015. Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, she loves Mexican food, the beach, and walking with her husband and son.
Finance/HR Director
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Barbette, who has an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and many years experience in nonprofit financial and administrative management, joined the APIE finance team in 2011. Barbette is a long-time fan of Longhorn football, Ballet Austin, and Broadway shows.
Development Director
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Wendi joined APIE in 2016 with extensive nonprofit development experience in education and an MBA from George Washington University. Originally from Washington, DC, she enjoys the outdoors, food, travel, and her miniature dachshunds.
College Readiness Advocate
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Aaron Barba is an advocate, creator, and entrepreneur working in the Austin community to create and hold space for those seeking growth. They continue to strive for success through assisting others as they work towards achieving their dreams.
Salesforce Specialist
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Frances joined APIE in 2014 as a College Readiness Advocate. She is a City Year San Antonio and AmeriCorps NCCC alum. She enjoys traveling, watching reality tv, gardening, and spending time with her partner and 4 crazy pups!
Math Classroom Coaching Manager
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For over 10 years, Sandy has worked in multiple APIE programs. She believes that volunteers are extraordinary people and feels privileged to work with those committed to supporting our schools.
GEAR UP & College Readiness Advocate
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Cheyenne joined APIE in 2021 as a GEAR UP and College Readiness Advocate. She first began her APIE journey volunteering as an elementary school mentor as a Social Work undergrad from UT Austin, while also gaining more experience serving students and Austin’s marginalized populations. After getting her BA in Social Work, she worked with Austin Public Health when the COVID-19 vaccine became available. Her passion is people, validating their experiences, and meeting them where they’re at. In her free time, you’ll find her crafting something up in her craft room or spending time with her dog, Tubs.
GEAR UP Advocate
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Eric joined APIE in 2022 and has experience working for non-profit organizations as well as in local government. After serving in the Navy, he focused on his education and graduated from Southwestern University with a BA in Political Science. In addition to working for APIE, Eric is a boxing coach and enjoys traveling and spending time with family.
GEAR UP Advocate
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Yasemin joined APIE in 2021 as a GEAR Up Advocate, pouring her passion and energy into reinforcing students’ math and critical thinking skills. After graduating from UT with a BA in Government and Philosophy of Law, she worked at an Emergency Children’s shelter advocating for at-risk youth in the foster care system. She enjoys spending time in nature, playing board games, and cooking for loved ones.
Gear Up Advocate
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Diane graduated from Illinois State in 1974. She has 3 children and 3 grandsons. She has lived in Austin for 6 years, and before that, she lived in El Paso. She enjoys gardening and reading. She also works in a retirement community as a busboy.
GEAR UP Advocate
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Bridgette joined APIE in 2018. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2016 from Texas State University. Since then, she has enjoyed her work advocating for, mentoring, and educating the students of AISD. Born and raised in Austin, she enjoys spending her time at Zilker Park, getting together with family/friends, and playing with her dog.
Development Coordinator
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Joe joined APIE in 2018 as a member of the Americorps VISTA program. He earned his bachelor’s degree from from Williams College and has experience tutoring reading at multiple AISD schools. Joe enjoys learning new languages, going to shows, Austin FC, and volunteering weekly as an APIE Math Classroom Coach.
Salesforce Specialist
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Chris joined APIE in 2017 and is responsible for the configuration, support, and improvement of our Salesforce database. He enjoys spending time reading, cooking, hiking, and hanging out with his kids.
Finance/HR Manager
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Melina joined APIE in 2023. She earned her MBA at Texas Woman’s University and is an AmeriCorps VISTA alum. She has a passion for working in nonprofit and volunteering. Melina enjoys crocheting, playing tennis, and taking care of her plants.
College REadiness advocate
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Prior to joining APIE in 2022, Darcy was a professional editor and writer for 15 years and became passionate about helping students elevate their writing skills and achieve their college ambitions. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin and has lived in the Austin area for more than 20 years. She plays competitive tennis and volunteers on the Navarro tennis team.
College Readiness Advocate
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Danna joined APIE in 2023 as a College Readiness Advocate. After gaining a BA in Political Science from Simmons University in Boston, MA, she became a TFA 2019 Corps Member from the Rio Grande Valley where she taught AP Government and AP Microeconomics. She transitioned to Austin and taught AP Government, AP Microeconomics, and Personal Financial Literacy. She is passionate about expanding accessibility and granting the opportunity for students to reach their full potential.
Lead Advocate
She/Her/Hers
Luz loves finding new ways to let her creativity flow, whether it’s through sewing, makeup, or nail art! On days when she is happy to turn her brain off, watching “The Devil Wears Prada” with her cat is the way to go.
Lead Advocate
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Michele graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and worked as a middle school educator in AISD for 26 years before joining APIE in 2022 as a GEAR UP Advocate. Her husband is also a teacher and they have two sons. She enjoys reading, crocheting, and travel, and rooting for the Longhorns.
GEAR UP Advocate
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Tom joined APIE in 2018 and works with the sudent cohort for the class of 2024. He earned a B.S. in journalism from the University of Florida and freelances as a photojournalist. Tom enjoys people, color(s), big cities, small towns, sunrises, sunsets, thunderstorms, sci-fi novels and learning new things.
College readiness manager
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Amy joined APIE in 2009 after teaching middle school for three years and working in accounting and finance at a high tech company. She loves supporting our College Readiness and GEAR UP Advocates and the high school students they work with. In her free time she loves reading, hiking, running and spending time with her family.
School Connections Manager
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Wen joined APIE in 2022 after working several years in prevention programs to serve AISD middle and high school students. She believes all students deserve access to quality wrap-around supports so that they may thrive. During her free time, Wen likes to hang out with her nieces and nephews, watch comedy, and adding vegan fish sauce to her food.
Lead Advocate
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Tristan joined APIE in 2022 after completing his Master of Arts in Depth Psychology & Creativity at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Tristan has worked in education in a multitude of roles: tutor, substitute teacher, academic coach, test proctor, reading instructor, outdoor educator, and now, College Readiness & GEAR UP Advocate. In his free time, he writes poetry, trains Shaolin-style kung fu, and pursues a second Master’s in Counseling.
College Readiness Advocate
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In 2019, Aaron Reyes graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. In 2021, Reyes began working with Austin Partners in Education. In his free time, Reyes enjoys watching movies and being with his two cats, Mittens and Goofy.
Lead Advocate
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Lexy joined APIE in 2022 as a GEAR UP Advocate with experience working as a Preschool, Elementary and Middle camp counselor. She is a Texas State Alumni with a Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences. Her goal is to support underserved populations with a focus on education as well as overall health and well-being. In her free time, you can find her on the Greenbelt with her puppy.
College Readiness Advocate
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Bio coming soon.
Office Administrator
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Laurie joined APIE as the Office Administrator in 2023. However, she has served as an APIE campus volunteer, mentor, and most recently math tutor. She’s a mom, wife, and PTA-er serving on the board of Austin Council of PTA. During the evenings or weekends, you can find her and the family on a softball or baseball field.
Communications & Volunteer Recruitment coordinator
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Ashley joined APIE in 2019 after completing her master’s degree in journalism at Baylor University. She is an AmeriCorps VISTA alum and worked previously at the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty. Ashley enjoys traveling, searching for unique vintage finds, and spending time with her family, friends, and two cats.
Special Projects
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Val joined APIE in 2022 with extensive experience as a Program Director and Educator, with specialization in the areas of Arts Ed, Early Childhood Ed, and ELA. Val holds an M. Ed in Education Policy & Leadership from American University and a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. Val enjoys history, music, spirited discussions around socio-political issues, road trips, her cat Tiger, and-most of all-spending time with her adorable little one: Ruthie!
Want to be part of an energetic team committed to changing lives through education? If you’re passionate about supporting students and helping them succeed, we want to hear from you. Apply with us today!
P.O. Box 6118 Austin, TX 78762
P: 512-637-0900 | F: 512-414-3116
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