Person Type: Board

Curtis is the Vice President for Cities & Places South Texas at Jacobs, overseeing the market by leading a team of architects, engineers, and project managers for South Texas. He has direct involvement with clients in business development capacities and project oversight. Curtis previously served as the Operations Lead for Central Texas at Jacobs where he was responsible for profit and loss for Central Texas, collaborating with a team to develop and implement the growth strategy to increase the pipeline of opportunities while delivering world-class solutions for Cities & Places, Transportation, and Water clients.

Prior to joining Jacobs, Curtis served as Lead Power Engineer for the Process Technology Organization with URS Corporation. He began his career with Motorola where his primary focuses were data center, fab, and site infrastructure and energy management.

Curtis is passionate about inclusive and inspirational leadership, growing business through vested team relationships, and connecting with the community in meaningful ways. He is engaged in the National Society of Black Engineers, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, and the Texas Association of African American Chamber of Commerce. Curtis is an advisor to The Think Tank Tutorial Services focused on after-school STEM programs. He previously served as advisor for Galena Park ISD Career & Technical Education and a mentor at Travis Early College High School. He also led Jacobs’ participation in the UT System Mentor Protégé Program.

Curtis is a Texas native and has lived in Central Texas for over 40 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas. Curtis enjoys traveling, sports, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends.

Danielle, an assurance partner at Ernst & Young LLP, has more than 20 years of experience serving public and privately held high-growth companies, with a focus on the technology, consumer services, and life sciences industries.

Danielle is active in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® program, working with entrepreneurs in all industries in Central Texas, recognizing their innovation, courage, and leadership in building and growing successful businesses.

A champion of diversity and inclusion, Danielle has been instrumental in driving inclusive growth in the Austin EY Office as the Austin Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness Leader. As a mentor in the EY Counseling Network, she helps employees navigate their professional growth at the firm. She is also involved in the firm’s recruiting efforts at Texas State University, her alma mater.

Danielle earned a BBA with a focus in Accounting and Marketing. She is a CPA in Texas and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She served on the Breakthrough Central Texas Board of Directors as Treasurer from 2013 to 2019.

Heidi currently serves as the Sr. Director of Public Affairs for Central Texas with H-E-B. In this capacity, she shepherds strong relationships with local community partners, government officials and the media, in addition to supporting the 58 stores and over 24,000 H-E-B Partners in the region.

Heidi joined H-E-B after seven years as the Chief Executive Officer at The Trail Conservancy, an Austin-area nonprofit that helps oversee the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake. She led the organization through a period of tremendous growth, working with local leaders, media, and donors to develop a strategic plan for the organization, helping it achieve important milestones and implement capital projects among other key efforts. With over 30 years experience in the nonprofit sector, Heidi’s previous roles in Texas and Oklahoma focused on marketing, development, and public relations for a diverse range of organizations.

Monica Muñoz Andry serves as President and Chief Executive Officer for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC) and is responsible for providing strategic direction, vision, and management for the programs and personnel of the Chamber. Monica is an accomplished and goal-driven professional with over 21 years of experience in leading operations within private and nonprofit organizations, encompassing business development and financial health program management.

In her long tenure at University Federal Credit Union, she managed a broad range of operations and people resources, including the the call center, business development, and most recently, representing and leading UFCU in the effort to create, sustain, and grow financial solutions with the intention to measurably improve member’s lives. In both her professional and community work, Monica has specialized in developing and implementing focused programs and advocacy; backed by outstanding commitment and leadership skills in supporting diverse community initiatives and heading multiple projects that supported the growth and development of various communities.

As an effective public speaker and an empowering community leader, Monica’s exceptional skills in cultivating and strengthening partnerships with different agencies as well as working with diverse individuals have forged win-win relationships to achieve the organization’s missions and goals.

Monica received a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin and a Masters in Business Administration from Concordia University Texas. In her spare time, Monica and her husband, Robert, are avid Salsa dancers and instructors. Although her mommy duties for her 10-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter have temporarily retired her dancing shoes, she looks forward to dancing around the challenges of family work life.

Dave Porter was born in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas. He has spent 35 years in economic development in cities like Austin, TX, Raleigh, NC, Orlando, FL, Wichita, KS, and Asheville, NC. His goal is to bring prosperity through high-wage jobs to Williamson County.

Dave spent 11 years at the Austin Chamber of Commerce as the Senior Vice President of Economic Development encouraging businesses like Samsung to make Austin their home. He is currently Executive Director for the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership. He is an avid golfer.

Dave has extensive international experience in Asia and European markets. He is known for his depth of cultural knowledge and as a relationship builder. Dave received his degree in Business Administration from Wichita State University and Economic Development certification from Oklahoma University.

Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart will serve as the ninth Chancellor for Austin Community College District. Russell’s leadership is centered around the concept of LOVE, with a dedicated focus on enhancing student success through systemic and cultural transformation.

As he prefers to be called, Russell previously served as president of Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas, from 2014 to 2023 before beginning his tenure as ACC Chancellor. He also served as vice president of academic affairs for Amarillo College.

Under his leadership, Amarillo College was named co-winner of the prestigious 2023 Aspen Prize, a Community College Excellence award. The award recognizes community colleges demonstrating high-quality and equitable outcomes for students. Other accolades under his leadership include:

• 2021 Top Five Institution and Rising Star for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence
• Leah Meyer Austin Award for Achieving the Dream
• Bellwether Award
• Membership in the inaugural class of the Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship
• Recognition from the American Association of Community Colleges

Russell received a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and rhetoric from West Texas State University, a master’s degree in communication studies from Texas Tech University, and a doctorate in interpersonal communication (with an emphasis on gender and diversity) from Ohio University. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Kody Hodge Foundation.

Jennifer Wu is a capital markets partner in the Austin office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, an international law firm that serves a broad range of clients around the world in private equity, M&A and other corporate transactions, litigation, restructurings, and intellectual property matters. Jennifer counsels issuers across the technology and energy industries in public offerings, including IPOs and follow-on offerings. In addition, she advises companies on federal securities law compliance, ongoing corporate governance and SEC reporting, and disclosure issues.

Jennifer has consistently been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Texas Super Lawyers and served on Law360’s Capital Markets and Texas Editorial Advisory Boards. Jennifer is passionate about serving our Greater Austin community and has been an active member of the Junior League of Austin for over a decade. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Junior League of Austin and has also been heavily involved with United Way for many years, serving as a longtime Women United Executive Committee Member. Jennifer is also a proud member of the Leadership Austin Emerge Class of 2016 (BCE!).

Jennifer received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, earned a Certificate in Business and Public Policy from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated with a B.A. from Rice University. Before pursuing her law degree, Jennifer taught pre-algebra at YES Prep Public Schools in Houston, where she developed her lifetime passion for education and community.

Cristina Guajardo became involved with United Way for Greater Austin in 2018 as a resident and ambassador for the Jeremiah Program, a United Way funded partner and member organization of the Austin/Travis County 2-Gen Coalition – powered by United Way. She has advocated for student parents and affordable child care by sharing her story at various local and national events, including with the Aspen Institute and as a Zero to Three Parent Representative in Washington D.C. Cristina’s passion for serving her community has continued after graduation from Texas State University in 2021 and through her work at the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation, a nonprofit focused on providing affordable housing to families in East Austin.

Karen Steakley leads Business Development and Public Policy for Tesla across much of the US, working to expand Tesla’s footprint and impact.

Prior to joining Tesla, Karen worked in the Texas State Capitol shaping policy and legislative solutions, beginning as a legislative intern in the House of Representatives and leaving as the Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs for the Governor of Texas.

Karen holds a degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and certificates from the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.