Six new advisory board leaders have been named by the DHA for the Opportunity Rising Foundation, charged with helping improve the lives of young people through education.
The foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization founded in 1997 by DHA, formerly the Dallas Housing Authority, to provide education-related programs and scholarships for DHA clients and residents.
From its beginning, the foundation has provided more than $1.5 million in scholarships and assisted roughly 2,000 students through internships, mentorships, and college tours, DHA said in a release.
Ten diverse community leaders comprise the advisory board, all tasked with offering their expertise in academics, business, community relations, economic development, healthcare, and nonprofits. The board’s mission is to help the foundation reach more students, while expanding youths’ exposure to educational opportunities that can help them achieve self-sufficiency.
The new advisory board members are:
- Ashley Brundage, MSSW, senior vice president of community impact at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
- Clarisa Duran Lindenmeyer, executive business strategist
- Claudia Muniz, CFO at The JIREH Group
- Danielle Wesley, MHA, PMP, CSSBB, senior director, school & virtual health program for Children’s Health
- Erin Offord, senior director of programs for Big Thought
- Froswa’ Booker-Drew, PHD, director of community affairs & strategic alliances for the State Fair of Texas
The original Opportunity Rising Foundation advisory board leaders are:
- Byron D. Johnson, sales executive for Enterprise Holdings
- Drexell Owusu, senior vice president of education and workforce for the Dallas Regional Chamber
- Nakia Douglas, executive director of TRIO and pre-collegiate programs at UNT Dallas
- Scott Fawcett, founder and CEO of Empowered Consulting
In its 22 years of existence, the Opportunity Rising Foundation has made a measurable impact on the community. A recent survey of scholars who received educational support from the foundation garnered these statistics:
- 71 percent are first generation college students
- 52 percent earned their bachelor’s or master’s degree
- 77 percent are currently employed
- 76 percent no longer receive government assistance
“I am excited to have these talented leaders join the Opportunity Rising Foundation advisory board,” said Troy Broussard, DHA president and CEO, in a statement. “They each have a passion for contributing to our great city and believe that education is a key ingredient to alleviating poverty. I look forward to working with them to advance our foundation’s mission to help the families we serve rise to their full potential.”
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