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OUR BOARD

MEGAN GALL

CHAIR

BUSINESS CHANGE MANAGER, EXXONMOBIL

CHAIR

Megan has over 20 years of experience helping international organizations achieve complex goals. Her expertise includes driving continuous improvement, implementing world-class processes, managing risk, leading multiple transformations, and handling challenging situations with confidence. Megan obtained an MBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and studied Accounting at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. Megan is passionate about education with years of experience as a volunteer tutor. Through her life experiences of traveling and volunteering, Megan is very thankful for her life broadening experiences and is dedicated to helping students access Fantastic Learning Opportunities.

FRANCIS LIM

VICE CHAIR

MANAGING DIRECTOR, SCOTIABANK

VICE CHAIR

With over 20 years in the financial services industry, Francis is passionate about the clients he banks and the people that drive the success of his team. His expertise is in business development, credit, treasury services, investment banking, and asset management for residential and commercial mortgage originators, REITs, and mortgage servicers. He also has extensive experience serving clients the in oil and gas, utilities, and commodity trading industries.Francis received a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance and Bachelor’s degree in Business in Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. A native Houstonian, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son, daughter, and three dogs.

VICTORIA ANDREWS

MEMBER

PARTNER, LEARNING DESIGN, GETTING SMART

MEMBER

Learning, leading, and laughing are a few of Victoria passions and her role as Partner, Learning Design at Getting Smart, an organization focused on accelerating and amplifying innovations in education, allows her ample opportunity for each of them. Previously, she was the Assistant Director at Westchester Academy for International Studies, an International Baccalaureate School and guided students and staff through virtual and in person learning. She also served as a Dean at Energy Institute High School, a magnet school with a project-based learning focus on energy. During her time at Energy Institute High School, Victoria was the Discover U FLO Coordinator and matched students to experiential learning trips. Additionally, she developed an internship program for multiple grade levels, coordinated field trips, and collaborated with community and business partners. Victoria finds joy in serving diverse groups, facilitating growth opportunities, holidays with her family, traveling to distant lands, and scoring vintage clothing.

PATRICIA DONNELLY

MEMBER

DIVISION DIRECTOR, MACQUARIE GROUP

MEMBER

Patricia Donnelly is a Division Director at Macquarie Group and a senior legal advisor with more than 30 years of experience guiding corporate clients and developing risk-mitigation strategies. She brings deep expertise in contract drafting and negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and start-up formation, along with experience managing complex projects and advising on HR/employment matters, crisis mitigation, and external communications.

ROSS HARGIS

MEMBER

SENIOR MANAGER, DELOITTE

MEMBER

Ross is a Senior Manager in Deloitte’s Accounting Controls & Reporting Advisory Practice with over a decade of experience serving public and private companies in the U.S. and U.K. A proud Houston native and Katy ISD graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Science in Accounting from Texas A&M University. He brings to DiscoverU a strong foundation in financial literacy, ethical decision-making, and project management.

EDGAR (“EDDIE”) HERNANDEZ

MEMBER

ENFORCEMENT COUNSEL, HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION

MEMBER

Eddie Hernandez is Enforcement Counsel for Houston First Corporation, a local government corporation, where he oversees risk and advises on legislative initiatives. He has a range of professional experiences, from litigating multi-million-dollar lawsuits to passing state-level legislation. In the past, he coordinated a political campaign, drafted long-term development plans for a locality, and assisted with multiple ambassadorial ceremonies. Eddie has a Bachelor's from Austin College, where he was selected as a Fulbright Semi-Finalist and highlighted by his alma mater as one of 175 alumni most likely to impact the world. In parallel, Eddie received his Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center, where he was designated an Irene Merker Rosenberg Juvenile Law Scholar and selected for his University's Center for Children, Law, and Policy. Additionally, Eddie is a graduate of Leadership Houston and the Houston Young Lawyers Leadership Academy. Currently, Eddie sits on Houston's FIFA Sustainability Committee and is a Big Brother for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston. In his free time, he reads, exercises, and devotes himself to his life goal of improving the lives of five million people.

MARC LERMA

MEMBER

DIRECTOR of M&A and CORPORATE STRATEGY

MEMBER

Marc is an M&A and corporate strategy leader with deep experience across private equity, investment banking, and corporate development. He’s passionate about helping organizations scale, strengthen their teams, and unlock new avenues for growth. Outside the office he’s an outdoor enthusiast and proud Houston foodie.

GREGORY LITTLE JR.

MEMBER

LEAD PRINCIPAL, YES PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MEMBER

Gregory Little Jr. is the Principal of YES Prep White Oak Secondary and has more than 10 years of experience leading high-performing middle and high school teams and campuses. He is known for building strong school culture and driving campus improvement through strategic planning and a focus on excellent instruction. Gregory has also served as a junior board member for Teach for America–Houston and co-founded the region’s African American Affinity Group, reflecting his commitment to equity and opportunity in education.

BRANDY MCBETH

MEMBER

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER, ARKEMA INC.

MEMBER

Brandy has 20 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, supporting several functions to include Production Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Executive Account Management. Her education includes an AAS in Process Technology- Lamar Institute of Technology and a BS in Environmental Policy and Management- Kaplan University. She has expertise in building solid strategic industry partnerships and enhancing profit channels. Brandy also serves as a corporate industry liaison, providing resources to many local community organizations to promote industry career exposure and mentorship. She is passionate about introducing youth to STEM opportunities and teaching about the various career paths that exists within the chemical industry.

SINERIA ORDÓÑEZ

MEMBER

SENIOR MANAGER, DIVERSE MARKETS, CHARLES SCHWAB BANK

MEMBER

Sineria works at Charles Schwab Bank as the Senior Manager, Diverse Markets. She has experience working across different industries in Marketing and Media, Insurance, Entrepreneurship, Education, and Non- Profit. Sineria is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.A. in International Studies and has a Master of Science in Project Management from St. Edward’s University.

JEVON WOODEN

MEMBER

CEO, BrightMind Consulting Group

MEMBER

Jevon Wooden is a leadership and workplace culture advisor, author, and coach who specializes in the intersection of emotional intelligence and business strategy. A Bronze Star recipient and U.S. Army veteran, Jevon blends resilience with deep empathy to help organizations build cultures where people feel valued and empowered. His approach is rooted in authenticity and his signature 5Y Framework, designed to help leaders achieve sustainable growth while fostering high-performing, human-centric teams. Jevon’s insights have been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company, solidifying his role as a trusted partner for organizations looking to bridge the gap between strategic results and meaningful workplace connection. Whether through advising, coaching, or speaking, Jevon is committed to helping leaders unlock their full potential by leading with heart.

OUR ADVISORY COUNCIL

STEVE AMSTUTZ

DISCOVERU CO-FOUNDER

KARLY BUCHANAN

SENIOR DIRECTOR HUMAN RESOURCES, NEXTDECADE

AMBER RAMIREZ HOFFMAN

DISCOVERU ALUM PARENT

PAUL POSOLI

FOUNDER, CAREERSPRING

JAMIE BAILEY

EVP & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT UT MEDICAL BRANCH

SHELLEY GRAHMANN

VP, SASOL

ANDREW KAPRAL

DIRECTOR, HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DATA SCIENCE INSTITUTE AT UH

DR. BOBBI SAMUELS

FUNDER, THE SAMUELS FAMILY FOUNDATION

NADIA BRUNER

FOUNDER, SUTTLE FREEMAN

EMILY SKETCH HAINES

FORMER DISCOVERU DIRECTOR

MONICA PIQUET-RODRIGUEZ

DISCOVERU CO-FOUNDER

BETH SPECK

DISCOVERU ALUM FLO COORDINATOR

7676 HILLMONT STREET, STE 320, HOUSTON, TX 77040

 346-327-7510

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"While on the Leading the Way FLO, I learned what it takes to struggle through hardships I wasn't accustomed to.  Another important thing I learned is that some of the technology today isn't necessary in our lives. Yes, things like cell phones are amazing for communication but it's all about connecting with someone right next to you that matters. What better way to do that than to go into the Grand Canyon and travel through it with strangers who will eventually become your best friends."

Cristian Plancarte, Yes Prep Eisenhower '20

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