How do we create an Austin where we ALL thrive? Join us for a meaningful roundtable with community philanthropic leaders to discuss our collective impact on social equity in Austin and how we can better collaborate and advocate to achieve the community we all desire.
Moderated by Madge Vásquez
Panelists: Laura Donnelly, Shaleiah Fox, and Catrina Salinas
Panel Bios
Madge Vásquez
CEO, Mission Capital
Madge Vásquez is the Chief Executive Officer for Mission Capital, a nonprofit focused on bolstering the nonprofit ecosystem in Central Texas through capacity building, consulting, aligned impact initiatives, and social innovation partnerships and investing. Madge joined Mission Capital in January 2018. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Dental Operations for St. David’s Foundation. In this role, she was responsible for managing the business operations for the SDF Mobile Dental Program, the largest school-based charity care dental program in the country. Madge has over 20 years of experience in community development, government consulting, banking, philanthropy, and community health. Madge received a BA in International Relations from Southwestern University, and a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School at the University of Texas at Austin. She was a Fulbright Fellow in El Salvador in 1995. Madge currently serves on the boards of KLRU-Austin, Jolt Texas and the national Mobile Health Clinics Association.
Panelist: Laura Donnelly
CEO, Latinitas
Laura Donnelly has been a journalist and a book publicist for Maya Angelou, former President Jimmy Carter and Jurassic Parkcreator Michael Crichton. Laura was a documentary filmmaker, and even a production assistant for the Geraldo Rivera show. She majored in English and minored in computer science at Fairleigh Dickinson University in NJ. Years later, she is back in tech education, introducing Latinas and other girls of color to coding, robotics and more - in addition to the fun of digital media production. While earning her masters at UT Austin, Laura co-founded the first magazine made for and by young Latinas, and a non-profit that empowers girls to innovate through media and technology. She has been recognized by Austin’s Under 40, YWCA of Austin Woman of the Year, InnoTech Austin’s Woman of the Year, Austin Business Journal’s Profiles in Power Finalist, Leader of Promise, and Hispanicize’s Positive Impact Award. She was selected to the Mayor’s Special Task Force to End Systemic and Institutional Racism and is a Leadership Austin Essentials graduate.
Panelist: Shaleiah Fox
Associate Director of External Relations, University of Texas at Austin - Black Studies
Shaleiah Fox is a fundraiser for University of Texas Development. She oversees development and external relations for Black Studies at The University of Texas at Austin, a collective that includes a policy institute, academic department, cultural and programming division, and two art galleries. Shaleiah has over a decade of experience in both program and personnel management in the private and public sectors, has spearheaded multi-state business development for a global corporation, and is a seasoned fundraiser for the nonprofit sector. Shaleiah holds two master's degrees from Florida State University in Social Work and Public Administration and Policy. In 2012, she founded Fresh Chefs Society, a nonprofit that aims to empower youth transitioning out of the foster care system through the power of food. She is a proud advocate and philanthropist, transforming her personal experience in the foster care system into positivity.
Panelist: Catrina Salinas
Chief People Officer, Central Texas Food Bank
Catrina Salinas has over 18 years of experience in Human Resources, including include employee relations, project management, benefits administration, performance management, training and development, and talent management. Catrina is responsible for driving the strategic vision of organizational culture across the Food Bank, as well as leading the full range of Human Resource functions there. Prior to joining the Food Bank, Catrina worked in a variety of industries including medical, financial, and technology. She served as Director of Human Resources for Xenex Disinfection Services, a medical technology company and as Human Resources Manager at Avnet Technology Solutions. Catrina holds an MA in Training and Performance Improvement from Capella University and a BA from the University of Texas at Austin.
