Faith Ward is a proud Waco native and a founding board member of the Waco Hanan Foundation. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Aviation Sciences from Baylor University but soon realized her true calling was in community impact and service. Wanting to contribute more directly to her hometown, Faith went on to earn a Master’s degree in Community Development from Prairie View A&M University. After a short time working in education, Faith recognized a deeper need for programming that specifically supported and uplifted young girls in the Waco area. That vision led her to help create the Waco Hanan Foundation, a space where mentorship and character-building are at the heart of every initiative. Faith continues to dedicate her time to mentoring young women and giving back to the city she calls home.

Justin Rice has been a Waco resident for eighteen years. In 2014, he graduated from Baylor University with his Bachelor of Arts in History with a Political Science Minor. In 2019, he graduated from Tarleton State University with his Master of Public Administration. Justin describes himself as a man of many hats. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., where he serves as Keeper of Records and Seal for the Omicron Upsilon Chapter. He is a subscribing silver life member of the Waco NAACP, where he serves as the Treasurer. He serves as a volunteer for many different groups around the city, including the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo and the United Way of Waco-McLennan County. He is also a third-year mentor of high school students through the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce's LEAD Mentoring program. His currently works for the City of Waco's Department of Housing and Community Development. He is married to Makayla Rice, AuD. They have one child

Ivette Padron is a proud Waco native and a graduate of the University of North Texas, where she earned a degree in Integrative Studies with concentrations in Business, Sociology, and Human Development and Family Science. Her professional background includes working with the Upward Bound program through Region 12 and, for the past two years, serving as the Coordinator for the Duncan Scholars Program at Waco Foundation. Through her work, Ivette supports first-generation and underrepresented students as they transition into college and persist through graduation. With deep roots in Waco and a strong commitment to mentorship and educational equity, she is passionate about giving back to the community that shaped her by helping develop the next generation of leaders.

Briann “Bri” Gonzalez is an operations professional with a background in nonprofit operations and social work. She currently serves as the Talent Operations Specialist at AxisCare. A proud Waco resident since 2018 with years of experience in mission-driven spaces, Briann is drawn to work that strengthens community infrastructure and supports the long-term flourishing of young people. Her values deeply align with the Waco Hanan Foundation’s mission to nurture the next generation.

Carlie Brown currently serves as Program Manager for the LeadershipPlenty Institute of Waco, where she equips emerging leaders with the tools to drive meaningful change in their communities. She brings a background in leadership development, organizational strategy, and community engagement. With experience across nonprofit, academic, and civic sectors, Carlie excels at fostering environments that support growth and impact. Carlie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and Rhetoric with minors in Business Administration and Leadership from Baylor University. In both her professional and volunteer roles, she is passionate about supporting community-based solutions and creating spaces where people feel empowered to lead. Outside of work, she enjoys writing, traveling, cooking, and advocating for animal welfare. Carlie also serves on the Local Advisory Team for Isaiah 117 House, the Fundraising and Development Committee for the ABC Clinic, and on the Health Community Investment Council for United Way McLennan County.

CyAndria is a Waco native and currently serves as a tax accountant while actively pursuing her CPA licensure. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she also demonstrated leadership as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In that role, she dedicated significant time to community service, mentorship, and strengthening the connection between student-athletes and the broader campus community. After returning to Waco, CyAndria earned her Master’s degree in Accounting from Tarleton State University. Her commitment to service and excellence extends beyond her professional life—she remains deeply engaged in her community. In her personal time, she enjoys quality time with her family, fiancé, and young son.

Jalisa Jackson currently serves as a Senior Clinical Research Assistant with Baylor Scott and White Health. She works with military veterans and firefighters across Waco and the state of Texas to ensure they have access to evidence-based therapy services at no charge. She is passionate about creating and further developing ways within spaces of education, research and healthcare to assist those who are often marginalized or otherwise left out of the conversation or denied a seat at the table they very much deserve to be a part of. She hopes to contribute her experiences and knowledge to bolstering the mission of the Waco Hanan Foundation.

ory is a compassionate leader with a strong commitment to service, healing, and youth empowerment. A Baylor University graduate with a B.A. in Medical Humanities, she currently serves as a Senior Administrative Associate at The University of Texas at Austin. Beyond her professional work, Jory has long been dedicated to mentoring youth through her church, college organizations in Waco, and various jobs. She finds deep joy in supporting young people in the communities she serves. Jory is a board member of the Bakari Foundation, where she helps provide healing experiences for families impacted by violence—honoring the memory of her brother, Bakari Henderson. She also serves as Content Management Director for Bakari Luxury Sportswear, helping carry forward his vision. Her work is grounded in empathy, resilience, and connection—values that align with the mission of the Waco Hanan Foundation to empower and uplift young girls in the Waco area.

Hayate Ali, NP

Victoria Vasquez, M.Ed

Makayla Rice, Au.D