FOUNDER
COMMUNITY MEMBER. LIFELONG TEXAN.
In addition to being a mother of two girls and two boys (three currently in college and one in an Austin Charter School), Dana is a career educator. Dana graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in Geography and a Minor in Anthropology in 2002, and since then, she has accumulated extensive experience as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator, Advanced Placement (AP) Grader and Instructor, and more recently becoming a Texas Certified Principal.
Her career highlights include being selected as a Texas Charter Schools Fellow in the TEA Charter School Incubator Project, serving as a Leader in Residence at the Meridian IB World School, writing a children's book about the Geography of Texas, facilitating educational camps at the Bob Bullock History Museum, and serving as a Learning Specialist at the University of Texas at Austin, where she developed online educational courses for over 3,000 students from more than 100 countries while managing a body of adjunct Social Studies instructors.
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Dana raised her children and worked the majority of her career in Lake Travis ISD.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling the world with her family, students, and colleagues, engaging in humanitarian work from mission trips to Guatemala to education and clean water access in East Africa. Dana is committed to promoting Texas' women's role in the global economy while encouraging all students to reach their highest potential.
SUMIT MEHTA
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
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Sumit graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BA in Economics with Honors and a Minor in Physics and Math. He went on to earn his MBA from the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Sumit has served on a number of boards and enjoyed mentoring a variety of start-ups, in addition to being a CEO,
Interim CFO, and AIF.
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Sumit is passionate about financial literacy and looks forward to empowering the next generation of young women leaders.
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Carmen Champion
Board Member
San Jacinto College professor, art historian and curator, Carmen is also a fine art appraiser specializing in American Modern and Contemporary art with expertise in Texas Regionalism. Carmen leads our community outreach partnerships. ​
Tracey Vickery
College Planning Advisor
Founding Board Member of the Girls' School of Austin, Admissions Strategist, International Admissions Specialist and owner of GetReadyU, Tracy leads our college planning program.
Jamie Biel
Engineering & Science Curriculum Advisor
A born educator and naturalist, Jamie enjoyed a career as a high school science teacher, then experienced the business world as Director of Science and Sustainability at a local distillery.
Indu
Seetharaman
Board Member
Data Scientist and mother of two lovely children!
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Kelly Bonani
 Wellness Advisor
Kelly is currently a Social Work graduate student, registered yoga instructor, and is the proud mama of three silly cats! ​ ​
Kim Cameron
Board Member
An ACC Nursing Professor, Kim has been active in her community for the past two decades.
Isabella Knight
Creative
Advisor
Isabella is a passionate photographer and videographer with diverse expertise ranging from capturing product images to creating compelling documentaries. Isabella learned English upon moving to Texas from Brazil!​
Shams Alkamil
Community OutreachÂ
Data analysis, curriculum writer, and child development specialist. Passionate about the art of impulsively publishing books.  Shams leads our development. ​ ​
Tara Banton
Humanities Advisor
Tara taught AP English Literature, Humanities, and writing intervention for fourteen years. Since that time, Tara has been passing what she has learned about authentic learning on to teachers as a coach. In her 23 years in education, Tara has grown passionate about making sure that educational models prepare students for life by shifting as progress calls for it, remaining open, fluid, and targeting skills that allow for flexibility, facility,and success in a global economy.