Jen Biundo, MPaff, CPH

Jen Biundo is a statistics wonk who loves few things more than a good data visualization. At Healthy Futures of Texas, Jen serves as the Senior Director, Research & Policy where she works to develop evidence-based public policy priorities and foster collaboration with stakeholders and partners throughout the state. She started her career as a small town newspaper reporter and managing editor. After clocking thousands of hours covering city council and school board meetings, she decided to shift from an observer to a shaper of public policy and earned a Master’s Degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining Healthy Futures, she served for five years as a data and budget analyst for the Legislative Budget Board, focusing on health and human services and public education. 

Mathew Briones

Mathew Briones is a devoted husband, father, and author dedicated to inspiring and making a positive impact on others’ lives. His book, ‘Meant for More,’ offers a unique perspective on teaching and education through the lens of his Christian faith. With a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University Kingsville (2016), Mathew has passionately worked with youth in various capacities, including teaching, teen facilitation, and youth pastoring. Currently, he serves as a chapter leader for Majesty Outdoors in Alice, Texas, a mentorship program supporting youth who lack a father figure in their lives.

Lucero Chavez, LMSW

Lucero Chavez is a dedicated psychotherapist at Hope Family Health Center, bringing three years of professional experience to her role. Born and raised in Reynosa, Mexico, Lucero’s deep connection to her cultural roots fuels her commitment to providing empathetic and attentive care to those she serves. Her passion for making clients feel heard, welcomed, and valued is a cornerstone of her therapeutic approach. In addition to her work at Hope Family Health Center, Lucero has actively contributed to her community through volunteer efforts with organizations such as CASA of Hidalgo County and Catholic Charities RGV Humanitarian Respite Center. These experiences have further honed her ability to support individuals in various stages of their healing journey, reflecting her unwavering dedication to fostering emotional well-being and resilience.

Lucas Enrique Espinoza, Ph.D.

Lucas Enrique Espinoza is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and the Assistant Director of Faculty Advocacy for the Office for Advocacy & Violence Prevention to which he provides direct campus-based advocacy services to faculty and staff at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He teaches in the undergraduate criminal justice program, the undergraduate social justice minor program, and the graduate criminal justice program. Lucas earned his Ph.D. in Sociology with concentrations in Social Organization/Disorganization and Multicultural Women’s & Gender Studies from Texas Woman’s University. His area of research specialization is on violence and resistance, particularly intimate partner violence (IPV), historical violence/resistance (e.g., human trafficking, raids, revolutions, etc.), and education/pedagogy (e.g., praxis) for criminal justice students. He researches Mexican American/Latina/Hispanic women who experience IPV, gender issues (i.e., sexuality, and reproductive justice/access), social justice/human rights, and law enforcement culture.

Luis Enrique Espinoza, Ph.D., MPH, MCHES, CPH

Luis Enrique Espinoza is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi where he currently teaches courses in the healthcare administration program and the new public health programs (Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health programs). Luis earned his PhD in Sociology with concentrations in Social Stratification and Health Education & Health Promotion from Texas Woman’s University. Dr. Espinoza also earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from The University of North Texas Health Science Center. Additionally, he is credentialed as a master certified health education specialist (MCHES®) and is certified in public health (CPH). Dr. Espinoza’s research focuses on minority women’s health equity and social justice, which includes contraceptive use, intimate partner violence, and disaster response. 

Miguel Garza, LCDC

Miguel Garza serves as the Divisional Director of Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery programs at Behavioral Health Solutions. He graduated from The University of Texas Pan American with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2009 and a Master’s degree in Sociology in 2011. Miguel received his license in Chemical Dependency Counseling in 2013 and has been providing drug and alcohol counseling services to adolescents and adults since 2011. He has experience working in private, non-profit, and state organizations which includes inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Miguel also has 10 years of experience working with specialty court programs such as DWI, drug, and re-entry. He has been employed with Behavioral Health Solutions South Texas for 3 years and is currently serving as the Divisional Director of Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery programs.

Joette Garza-Garibay, MHA

Joette Garza-Garibay earned a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word. In 2007, she began her career in health education with the NIH HEALTHY Study, promoting Type 2 Diabetes prevention among middle school students in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD). By 2009, Ms. Garza-Garibay joined the City of San Antonio’s Metro Health District as a health program specialist for Project WORTH, concentrating on teen pregnancy prevention efforts and positive youth development. In 2015, the UT Teen Health team at UT Health San Antonio benefitted from her experience when she came on board as a program coordinator, providing training and technical assistance in evidence-based programming, reaching out and educating youth about healthy decisions and choices. She now serves as UT Teen Health’s program manager. Her expertise includes teaching, conducting evidence-based program training, and providing technical assistance to community partners.

Amparo Gil-Ortega

Amparo Gil-Ortega graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Communication and a Master of Arts in Communication. She was an educator and enjoyed teaching public speaking courses at UTSA.  Ms. Gil-Ortega created a safe-learning environment at Wood Middle School as a teacher for an after-school program.  She is currently a health educator for UT Teen Health, UT Health San Antonio.  Her cultivation of strong connections with partners at ISDs, youth-serving organizations, and juvenile justice systems was essential to reach and better inform youth and the community on relevant health matters and accessible teen-friendly services.  She is passionate about health education, empowering youth voices, and ensuring a safe learning environment for everyone. She enjoys watching horror movies, reading books, and spending time with her cat Kirby.

Jackie Joy Ho-Shing

For more than nine years, Jackie Joy Ho-Shing has served as an educator and advocate in South Texas, focusing on enabling youth to access sexual reproductive healthcare through education. She is involved in creating, organizing, and delivering community presentations on various reproductive health topics, emphasizing healthy human sexuality and the services provided by Access Esperanza Clinics. Jackie Joy’s dedication extends to addressing the intersectionality of race, nationality, gender, sexuality, housing stability, and other elements of individuals’ identities that may not receive adequate recognition or support. Currently pursuing a master’s in education with a concentration in Diversity, Equity & Social Justice in Education at UTEP, her expertise lies in nonprofit organizations, grassroots organizing, coalition building, fundraising, and community engagement.

Patricia Lerma, M.A.

Genesis Lezama

Denise Lewis, CHW

Denise Lewis is a Training Manager at Healthy Futures of Texas where she provides training and technical assistance on sexual health education and related topics to Health Educators, Youth Serving Adults, Caregivers, and Community Organizations. Her work also includes developing standardized training for Healthy Futures of Texas and community partners. During her professional career, Denise has been trained as a facilitator and certified as a trainer, in various sex education curricula, of which she has implemented amongst students and adults. Over the years, she has enhanced and spearheaded youth development programs and contributed towards curriculum development. Denise thoroughly enjoys training youth serving professionals across Texas, in program facilitation and other sexual health topics. 

Jennifer Newell

Jennifer Newell is a seasoned healthcare entrepreneur with a wealth of experience spanning nearly 15 years in healthcare and higher education marketing. She set out to establish Betty’s Co. in mid-2019, officially forming the company in January of 2020. Betty’s Co. is Jennifer’s brainchild, a women’s health company for women+ in their teens and twenties inspired by her own struggles with women’s health and navigating the healthcare system as a young adult. Betty’s provides the care young women need from period until pregnancy, with a vision to normalize “women’s health” for younger women+.  

Roxanne Ramirez, LCSW-S

Roxanne Ramirez is the Executive Director at Hope Family Health Center, Founder of The Healing Centre, Adjunct Faculty at the UTRGV School of Social Work and a Leadership Coach with the Zera Coaching Team. Roxanne is passionate about Community and believes that collaboration between strong partners paves the way to collective healing.  Roxanne is a Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Trainer and Coach, alumni of Leadership McAllen, serves as the Secretary for the Texas Association for Free and Charitable Clinics and as the Chair of the Hidalgo County Mental Health Coalition. Her passion for providing psychoeducation and improving mental health literacy has been the propelling force for her to use her voice in local, state and national forums as the Spokesperson for HOPE and Mental Health Matters. She is determined to reduce stigma regarding trauma and offer hope for healing by sharing weekly topics with the community via Therapy Talk with Roxanne.  

Paris Rangel, Ph.D.

Paris Rangel (she/her) has maintained a three-year tenure at Healthy Futures of Texas. In 2020 as the Program Coordinator for the Texas Foster Youth Health Initiative, Dr. Rangel initiated collaborations with child welfare agencies and disseminated sexual and reproductive health education to caregivers, professionals and youth. In 2022, she transitioned to the Talk About It Texas Campus Conversations program as a Program Manager of Higher Education. She manages the project statewide by establishing, implementing and sustaining the program with Title X clinics, community-based organizations, community colleges and universities. Dr. Rangel received her doctorate degree in Human Services, Leadership and Organizational Management at Capella University and has been a community and religious-based sign language interpreter for more than 10 years.

Amanda M. Rodriguez, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Amanda M. Rodriguez is a graduate of UT Health Houston with a Master of Science degree in Nursing and board-certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. With more than a decade of experience as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, she has extensive experience working with and advocating for underserved populations. Her expertise lies in providing comprehensive and empathetic healthcare, with a focus on developing personalized treatment plans. She currently is employed at the UT Health RGV Student Health Center offering a full range of family practice services, including insertion, and removing long-acting reversible contraception. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing program at UT Health Houston with a focus on improving women’s health care, by investigating ways to improve rates of cervical cancer screening.

Britny Rodriguez

Britny Rodriguez graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. With six years of experience in branding, digital marketing, and social media strategy, Britny currently leads the marketing initiatives at UT Teen Health, where she focuses on creating impactful campaigns that resonate with young audiences and promote positive health outcomes. She understands the importance of guiding adolescents and young adults towards healthy, balanced, and responsible social media use. This commitment extends beyond her professional life, as she actively supports her nieces and nephews in navigating their own journeys with confidence and creativity. Britny enjoys fitness, sewing, fashion, and spending time with her family.

Pharr Police Officer Jacklyn Rodriguez

Officer Jacklyn Rodriguez has been a police officer with the Pharr Police Department for nine years, serving for five years as a patrolwoman and four years as a mental health officer. In her role as a mental health officer, she helps people facing serious emotional or mental issues, often responding to these sensitive cases and helping keep people from hurting themselves or others in the community. The Pharr Police Mental Health Unit has made such a tremendous impact in the community since its inception, that it was awarded the Texas Mental Health Organization of the Year in 2022. Jacklyn also provides training to other officers on topics such as Crisis Intervention, De-escalation, Mental health Office Course, and Negotiation. She is the lead negotiator for the Pharr Police Negotiations team. 

Elsa Roman, LPC-A, PS, MHPS

Elsa Roman has worked as a peer support specialist, peer support specialist supervisor, advocate, peer trainer, consultant, and leader in the peer movement. She has combined her lived experience, education, work experience, cultural background, and interest to promote and develop culturally competent services, career opportunities, and trauma-sensitive training grounded in achieving cultural diversity issues for Hispanic peers in Texas. She is a loving wife and mother of three boys.

Annie M. Romero

Annie M. Romero is the Deputy Director at the Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department overseeing Probation and Community-Based Programs. She graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2001. She has over twenty years of experience working in the field of juvenile justice. After graduating from UTPA, she worked as Juvenile Probation Officer then got promoted to be an Administrator to oversee juvenile justice programs and staff. In 2010, Annie submitted a grant proposal to the Governor’s Office in order to fund a Juvenile Justice Border Gang Prevention/Intervention Program. This grant award for two years allowed CCJJD to address the gang problem in the City of Harlingen. In 2011, she assisted CCJJD with implementing a community-based Harlingen Outreach Center where at-risk youths could go to afterschool and in the evening hours to participate in recreational activities, mentoring services, and counseling services. Annie collaborated with agencies that provided substance abuse counseling, GED services, job placement services, anger management counseling, nutrition classes, and Zumba classes. In 2022, she was able to submit a federal grant that got awarded to the department in order to implement a Juvenile Specialty Court which currently addresses mental health and substance use.

Angela Tanguma, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Angela Tanguma is a board-certified Family Nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and is a member of NPWH, ACOG, AANP, NAMS and TNP. She began her career in nursing in 2005. In 2010 I obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree from The University of Texas at Brownsville. In 2017, she completed a Master’s of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner degree from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She has special interests in women’s health and, for the last 13 years, has dedicated her professional career towards the focus of women’s care. She currently works with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, providing women’s care mainly to underserved women, and is part of a state grant by the name of Healthy Mujeres that works in early prenatal care and pregnancy prevention. She also works with various groups stakeholders of my community to help expand women being served.

Rick Venecia, CEO

A lifelong Mission resident, Rick Venecia is the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Mission. He has also served on various civic boards including Greater Gold Foundation, Leadership Mission, and City of Mission’s Parks and Recreation Board. Rick is currently serving a two-year term on the The Professional Association’s National Board of Directors. He has been involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Mission for over 40 years. Initially as a club member then a full time staff and volunteer coach, and now the club’s Chief Executive Officer.