Board of Directors

Maria grew up in Montclair, New Jersey and also lived in Southern California. She moved to Austin seven years ago. Prior to becoming a stay at home mom, her professional background was in Case Management and Behavioral Counseling, primarily working with at-risk youth. She has a passion for volunteering, especially when benefiting the foster care community and animal shelters. Maria is married to her husband Jeff and has two teenage kids, Avery and Lucas.  

Originally from Santiago, Chile, Max moved to the United States with his mother when he was 8 years old. After attending school and working in various cities in North and Latin America, he now calls Austin home and is committed to contributing to Carrying Hope’s Board and to the organization’s notable mission. 

Joy King is an HR Professional with over 15 years of experience. She has served in both Director and Manager roles for two Universities as well as in the hospitality industry.  She is a graduate of Purdue University where she earned a BS in Management with a focus on International Business and Economics. She also holds a BA in Spanish and has experience teaching bilingual and Spanish classes for local school districts. Joy has two children and enjoys traveling, outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.

Stasha is a mother of two small children and a community pharmacist. Since moving to Austin in 2012, she has served on various professional and academic committees. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading library books, watching reality shows, and most importantly, spending quality time with her family and friends.

Patti grew up in Irving, Texas before obtaining her Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Texas A&M University. She worked in juvenile corrections for three years before becoming a special education teacher. Patti then received her Master’s Degree in Counseling and moved into working as a school counselor. Patti has worked in education for 28 years, serving students and families. Patti is very excited to continue her passion of helping others while on the board of Carrying Hope.

Christina Oliver is a communicator, strategist and professional problem solver. She is a senior member of leadership at the Lower Colorado River Authority, a public utility that serves over one million Texans. In this role she is responsible for the organization’s strategic plan and as well as the long-term strategic technology roadmaps and investments. She received her MBA from Southern Methodist University and holds a BA in Political Science from Texas State University. She calls the Texas Hill Country home and spends her free time playing tennis, traveling and air traffic controlling her son’s robust extra-curricular schedule. 

Susanne Kerns is a writer living in Austin, Texas with her husband and two children. In addition to co-hosting the Mom & … Podcast, she also runs “Informed Parents of Austin,” a group she founded to advocate for LGBTQIA+ students, families and staff in Austin and serves on the board of GLSEN and the Austin ISD School Health Advisory Council.

Luke Thomas is an attorney at Gunderson Dettmer where he helps entrepreneurs and venture capital investors start, grow and sell their businesses.  Luke earned his JD from the University of Texas, his MBA and BA (Finance) from Texas Tech University and holds the CFA designation.  Luke spends his free time with his wife Holly and two young boys exploring the great outdoors.

Caroline is a native Texan who grew up in the Hill Country just North of San Antonio. She received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas San Antonio, as well as a bachelor’s degree of Health and Sciences and her master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas Health and Science Center. She is an accomplished Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Marketing Specialist, but most recently has spent her time as “logistics manager of fun activities” for her two young children. Caroline’s passion for working and volunteering with children in foster care and emergency shelters began at a young age. She continues her work with local youth by aligning her values and expertise to support Carrying Hope and their incredible mission.

Gabrielle is an accomplished HR leader, concentrating in Mergers and Acquisitions for a Fortune 500 tech company. With over 20 years of professional experience, she is intent on driving meaningful change for organizational success and has a knack for finding efficiencies and getting agreement on solving some of the most complex issues. She is eager to further Carrying Hope’s mission, helping impacted children and teens across Texas. Gabrielle calls Austin home and enjoys catching some live music, hiking with the family dog, volunteering, cooking up new creations, entertaining friends and navigating raising an active teenager.

Originally from Missouri, Anna has been in Texas for eight years. She is a proud graduate of Trinity University and now works as a Business Analyst for an insurance company. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog and rock climbing. As a long time supporter of Carrying Hope, Anna is excited to be on the board and continue her non-profit experience by becoming a more active member of the Carrying Hope community.

Leticia Holberg is a native Texan and graduate of The University of Texas. After teaching elementary school for ten years, she chose to stay home to raise her three children. She enjoys her role creating graphics and leading communication between the school and community.

Tiffany Johnson is a practicing attorney of 20 years and has spent the majority of her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Houston fighting for justice for the most vulnerable victims, including children of all ages. Her passion for seeking justice for children has transitioned to serving as a board member for Carrying Hope and helping this much needed organization in achieving its goals of providing comfort and support to foster children in their greatest time of need.

Brittany has more than a decade of high-level experience in government and public policy, having worked with top federal officials, candidates, and C-Suite executives. Currently, she is a consultant at Accenture in the strategy and consulting public service practice. Previously, Brittany served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the National Economic Council in The White House. She also held roles at DC-based lobbying firm BGR Group and the United States Senate, including serving as an analyst on the Senate Budget Committee and speechwriter for Senator John Cornyn. Brittany successfully managed a startup nonprofit Urban Avenues, leading strategic initiatives, building effective teams, and driving change. An Alabama native, Brittany graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Political Science. She resides in Houston, Texas with her husband, Coalter. A member of the Junior League of Houston, Brittany can be found volunteering with local community organizations, traveling, or playing tennis in her free time.

Tim Hayes is a native Texan and graduate of Lamar University. He has served in Harris County Law Enforcement for 16 years and is currently assigned as a Homicide Detective. He serves as a deacon at Second Baptist Church. Tim and his wife, Michelle, are foster adoptive parents, and they have five children, Dominic, Faith, Hope, Aniyah, and Genesis.  

Marie Johnson is retired from a 43-year career supporting the NASA Johnson Space Center. She worked for many aerospace companies including Lockheed Martin, DB Consulting, and Mori Associates. She completed her career as the Deputy Program Manager of the Communications, Outreach, Multimedia and Information Technologies contract. She is a graduate from East Tennessee State University where she received a BS in Mathematics. Marie has a long history of volunteering in the Houston area for organizations such as Crisis Hotline, Girl Scouts, Odyssey of the Mind, and the Ronald McDonald House. Marie has two children and two grandchildren. She enjoys traveling and volunteer work.

Leslie Tronche is an attorney at Beck Redden LLP, where she practices commercial litigation. She received her J.D. from Baylor University and her B.A. in journalism from Texas Christian University. She’s a native East Texan and lives in Houston with her husband and two children. In her spare time, Leslie loves to travel and shop for antiques.

Shawnica Pollard-Moss was born and raised in Houma, Louisiana and officially became a Texan to The Woodlands area after Hurricane Katrina. She graduated from Loyola University-New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science, holds a Master of Science in Public Health-Environmental Health Sciences from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and received her Executive Business Administration Certificate from the University of Notre Dame. Shawnica has served on JLTW’s inaugural Diversity and Inclusion committee and later became the first black to serve as the Diversity and Inclusion Chair of Inaugural Mentorship Director for the JLTW Mentorship Program. Shawnica is a notable league member for AJLI, an Executive Board member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. South Central Region, The Woodlands Chapter, and is a Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She takes great pride in being a role model for others, works hard to pave the way for other women and children, and continues to break barriers today by helping other females.