Discovery Day is Impact Austin's signature day of learning. After three years of virtual events, 2024 Discovery Day is offered in person at St. Edward's University on Friday, March 1, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. A coffee for potential members and volunteers will be offered from 8:00-8:30 AM. Find other details and the specific agenda here.
Meet the experts who will deliver two dynamic panels and the inspiring conversation that launches our morning of philanthropy education.
Keynote Conversation
Regan Gruber Moffitt, Vice President of Community Investments, St. David's Foundation
Since 2021, Regan Gruber Moffitt has led the Community Investments team at St. David's Foundation, overseeing the Foundation’s strategic grantmaking, community collaborations, and strategic partnerships. Regan previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation—a private foundation supporting systemic change to achieve equity
throughout Arkansas. Regan’s professional journey began in Texas as an ESL mathematics teacher with Teach for America. She later served as a legislative aide in the Texas Legislature and was an insurance regulatory attorney with Mitchell Williams Law. Regan is active in several philanthropic and community organizations, currently serving on the boards for the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, Asset Funders Network, and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. She serves on the steering committee of the Central Texas Asset Funders. Read more about Regan Gruber Moffitt here.
Meme Styles, Founder and President
Jameila "Meme" Styles is the visionary President and Founder of the award-winning social justice nonprofit MEASURE, organized in 2015. Meme and MEASURE promote using evidence-based projects and tools to tell real-life stories behind the numbers. As a catalyst for systems changes, MEASURE has grown to a fully operational nonprofit social enterprise that provides free data support to Black and Brown-led organizations. MEASURE has strategic partnerships with the University of Texas, Texas Southern University, and more to disrupt traditional research in exchange for BIPOC-led lived-experience protocols. Meme is committed to fostering a more equitable and just society, evidenced by the numerous social justice-focused programs and projects she has spearheaded in Texas and California. Drawing upon her own lived experiences and tireless energy, Meme inspires others to join her in the fight against racism. As a Social Science Research Council, Just Tech Fellow, Meme is helping to shape the future of tech, making it more inclusive and equitable for all. Learn more about Meme Styles here.
Panel 1: Navigating the Current DEI Landscape
A panel of local diversity and inclusion experts will share thoughts on the ever-evolving world of DEI and insights on creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all.
Moderator:
Choquette Hamilton, Founder
Choquette Hamilton is a social entrepreneur committed to dismantling inequity in early childhood education. As Founder and CEO of the RISE Center for Liberation, she strives to ensure all children have access to a transformative early childhood education in Central Texas and throughout the United States. Choquette also works with REAL Solutions Consulting and The Liberation Studio to help organizations
and nonprofit leaders of color to thrive in sustainable and affirming work environments. Prior to 2020, she worked with KIPP Texas Public Schools, the Austin Area Urban League, and the University of Texas at Austin. Learn more about Dr. Choquette Hamilton here.
Panelists:
Daisy Han, Founder and CEO
Daisy Han is the founder and CEO of Embracing Equity, a nonprofit organization that cultivates the mindsets and practices necessary to create affirming, inclusive, and equitable education ecosystems. Daisy is passionate about social justice and innovation, and she uses her expertise in curriculum design and adult learning to empower educators and education leaders to transform their communities. She has co-founded and led several initiatives and programs that support teachers of color, promote culturally sustaining pedagogy, and foster radical community-centered evaluation. Daisy believes in the power of education in nurturing resistance and dismantling systems of oppression. Read more about Daisy Han here.
Denisha Jenkins, Founder and CEO
For over 15 years, Denisha Jenkins has developed talent, designed programs, and facilitated trainings and workshops on diversity-related topics within the education, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and trade industries in the U.S. and abroad. She founded and leads Kardia Advisory, a consultancy that is Black-owned and led by women of color, specializing in developing and mobilizing Inclusive Leaders to "BOUNCE FORWARD" for social and business success. As the lead process consultant for Kardia Advisory, she focuses on vision development, strategy creation, and stakeholder engagement across governmental, nonprofit, and private sector organizations. Denisha is a public speaker who also provides services related to executive coaching, change management, and content strategy. Learn more about Denisha Jenkins here.
Ricki Wax, Global Equity Program Manager
Ricki currently works as a Global Equity Program Manager for Google Search and supports DEI initiatives across Knowledge and Information organizations. She’s responsible for operational rigor, end to end execution and influencing key decision makers. Ricki was awarded Austin’s 40 under 40 award for her servant leadership within the Austin community and board service for Impact Austin. She has managed to turn her passion for solving complex problems into a successful consulting business. She partners with executives, leaders, women and marginalized groups on how to close the gender pay gap, break down systemic barriers to equity and foster a sense of belonging for everyone. Ricki is a self published author of the book 99 Prompts to Mindfulness & Well-Being. Read more about Ricki Wax here.
Panel 2: Creating Authentic and Effective Nonprofit Partnerships
Unleash the power of collaboration! This panel discussion dives into the art of forming effective partnerships between nonprofits to achieve greater impact together.
Moderator:
Ami Kane, Interim Executive Director
Ami Kane is from the Indianapolis area, where her passion for girl services began. Her commitment to girls was further inspired by over four years of work with Girls Incorporated of Greater Indianapolis. After arriving in Austin in late 2009, Ami worked briefly with Foundation Communities before going back to her girl service roots with Girls Empowerment Network. Ami joined Impact Austin in 2015 and volunteered for several years as leader for Girls Giving Grants. She now serves on Impact Austin's Board of Directors. Ami is a Certified Fund Raising Executive. Read more about Ami Kane here.
Panelists:
Melinda Gonzales Boe, Director of Development
Currently serving as the Director of Development at Central Texas Food Bank, Melinda Gonzales Boe has a significant background in nonprofit development and communications. Her career began with a position as an Americorps VISTA member for the UNT America Reads Program in Denton, Texas, and expanded through various roles with national and local nonprofits including Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society, the St. Paul Medical Foundation at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and AVANCE-Austin. She currently volunteers with the Hispanic Women's Network of Texas, Grant Professionals Association, Junior League of Austin, and ZACH Theatre. Melinda is a Certified Fund Raising Executive. Learn more about Melinda Gonzales Boe here.
Hermes Camacho, Deputy Director
Hermes Camacho is the Deputy Director of Austin Soundwaves, an arts education nonprofit based on El Sistema that serves more than 1,100 students and 30+ schools and programs yearly. As a composer and conductor, his music has been performed throughout the U.S., Europe, and Australia, garnering awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, Vermont Arts Council, New Music USA, American Composters Forum, ASCAP, and others. Hermes previously served as an adjunct professor of theory/composition at the University of the Incarnate Word and as content and product lead at a music education startup in Austin. Read more about Dr. Hermes Camacho here.
Cristina Garza, Executive Director
Prior to joining AVANCE-Austin as Executive Director, Cristina served as Director of Social Impact for the Mission Economic Development Corporation (EDC) where she curated and led all STEAM and entrepreneurship initiatives for this EDC. Through this work, Cristina committed herself to improving the financial mobility of area residents, and fostering progressive and equitable economic development practices. Cristina was named Code.Org’s 2019 Champion of Computer Science. She is also a 2017 Next City Vanguard and named by CityLab Latino one of the Top 20 Young Civic Leaders of 2017. Before her career in economic development, Cristina worked in education at museums in New York City, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rubin of Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Historical Society, and the Brooklyn Museum. Learn more about Cristina Garza here.
Shane Woods, Executive Director
Long before leading Girlstart, Shane Woods began her career as a middle school science teacher in the Fort Worth ISD. In her 17 years with the district, Shane made her mark in every position she held, from department chair to K-12 Science Director, to Assistant Principal. From 2019-2022, Shane acted as the Senior Director of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas STEM Center of Excellence. She joined Girlstart in 2022 as Executive Director and founded brainSTEM Consultants that same year. Shane remains active in the formal and informal education community as a nationally recognized and award-winning leader and speaker in science education, equity in STEM, and leadership. Read more about Shane Woods here.
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