Leadership

Denisha Jenkins

Executive Director

Denisha Jenkins is the new Executive Director of The New Philanthropists (TNP), where she leads the organization's work to advance more diverse, equitable, and representative nonprofit board leadership across Central Texas.

For more than 15 years, Denisha has worked alongside leaders and organizations navigating change—organizational transitions, restructures, rapid growth, and the moments that test not only strategy, but culture, values, and people. Through her work as the founder of Kardia Advisory Group, an organizational resilience and inclusive leadership development consultancy, she has helped leaders and organizations strengthen their capacity to navigate complexity, build more inclusive cultures, and lead through change with intention. Denisha believes leadership is revealed not when everything is going according to plan, but when the path is uncertain, the stakes are high, and the people most often overlooked are watching to see whether you will show up for them. That belief has shaped her approach to leadership and deepened her conviction that organizational resilience and equity cannot be separated. She understands that resilient organizations must be willing to examine who has access, whose voice shapes culture and decisions, and whose dignity is protected when circumstances become difficult. For Denisha, equity is not separate from resilience—it is essential to it. Resilience is not about returning to who you were before disruption; it is about becoming wiser, more capable, and more just because of what you have experienced. That perspective now informs her leadership of TNP. Denisha is focused on building on the organization's impact, deepening relationships across Central Texas, and expanding access to meaningful nonprofit board leadership. She is committed to cultivating boards where diverse leadership is not simply present, but valued, supported, and positioned to shape stronger organizations and better serve their communities.

Show more +

Mando Rayo

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Mando Rayo’s experience is deep-rooted in over 20 years of uplifting and recognizing Latinx & BIPOC communities. Mando is the co-founder and Managing Director at The New Philanthropists and works on an equity-centered approach to leadership development, resource gathering, nonprofit capacity building and relationship building in Central Texas.

As co-founder of The New Philanthropists (TNP), a nonprofit that works to create a more inclusive and equitable nonprofit sector, Mando takes on the necessary work that leads to sustainable and systemic change and creating cultural shifts on nonprofit boards that lead to authentic representation, and in helping organizations develop inclusion strategies at the leadership level. Mando's inclusive leadership goes beyond TNP's mission as he is also a digital story-teller, producer and partner for IDENTITY Network. This project is ignited by his upbringing in Texas as a Mexican-American and how he can inspire and build bridges through the showcasing of untold stories and experiences of communities of color. Lastly, but never to be forgotten, Mando also serves as the "Taco Journalist," producer and author of books & shows including: The Tacos of Texas book, PBS docu-series and KUT Podcast and the United Tacos of America TV Show on El Rey Network. Listen to the Tacos of Texas Podcast on NPR, Texas Standard and KUT Austin, where ever you get your podcasts.

Show more +

Dr. Choquette Peterson

Board Member

Dr. Choquette Peterson is a social entrepreneur, educator, and advocate committed to advancing social justice and racial equity. She is the Founder and CEO of the RISE Center for Liberation in Early Childhood Education, a national nonprofit working to build racially just systems for children under the age of eight. In this role, she leads efforts that span direct services, workforce development, educator training, and policy advocacy.

Dr. Hamilton also serves as Chair of the City of Austin’s Early Childhood Council, appointed by Mayor Kirk Watson, and helped shape the Success by Six Coalition 2024–2029 Strategic Plan for the United Way of Central Texas—laying out bold goals to transform early childhood experiences across the region. In addition, she is the Founder of The Liberation Studio, a coaching and consulting firm that helps leaders of color thrive while advancing social impact. Her career has included senior leadership roles such as Managing Director of Culture, Diversity and Organizational Effectiveness for KIPP Texas Public Schools; Chief Operating Officer of KIPP Austin Public Schools; and Vice President of Operations at the Austin Area Urban League. She also served in student affairs and diversity roles at the University of Texas at Austin. Most proudly, her journey began as a Teach for America corps member, teaching 7th grade Language Arts and Social Studies in Philadelphia. Dr. Hamilton holds a B.A. in Sociology and African American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, an M.S. in Elementary Education from St. Joseph's University, a Master of Governmental Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Planning from the University of Texas at Austin. Outside of her professional life, she finds joy in cheering on her two teenage sons at basketball games, walking her Maltipoo, and teaching indoor cycling.

Show more +

Jen Pavich

Board Chair

Jen Pavich, MA, PCC is an Executive Coach & Facilitator who has held leadership roles in corporate, education, and nonprofit organizations. Jen has served on several nonprofit boards, including as board co-chair for both YWCA of Greater Austin and WoMN ACT (formerly the Minnesota Women's Consortium).

Jen spent her teenage years in Austin and was thrilled to finally return in 2015. Her experience in advocacy and policy work has enabled her to take part in conversations about economic and gender justice, equity, and anti-racism for over 15 years.

Show more +

Sierra Randall

Board Treasurer

Sierra Randall is a dedicated educator, researcher, and fundraising professional. Recognizing the power of community engagement from an early age, she completed her first grant project at the age of 16 after securing $50,000 from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

to oversee the creation of a website for her small hometown in Nebraska. Specializing in Applied Sociology, she graduated with a bachelor's degree from Bard College at Simon's Rock in 2013. Sierra has gone on to work with various social advocacy and affordable housing organizations, including Foundation Communities, the Willa Cather Foundation, and Multicultural BRIDGE. As part of her ongoing commitment to community leadership, Sierra serves as a board member for Capacity Catalyst and Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center and sits on the Strategic Advisors Committee for the Intersectional Professionals Network. She currently works as Director of Development at Jeremiah Program Austin.

Show more +

Kali Adams

Board Secretary

Kali is a strategic and proactive leader who drives program and systems-level change grounded in social justice, community building, and a person-centered approach. A lifelong public servant, Kali has focused her career on eliminating homelessness locally and across the state of Texas.

Being born, raised, and shaped by Austin, Kali is deeply passionate and committed to helping transform our city into a better, stronger community for all of its people. Kali previously served on the board of the YWCA of Greater Austin, including two years as board co-chair. She holds a B.A. in International Development and Social Change and an M.A. in Community Development and Planning from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Kali is an avid nature enthusiast and animal lover who’s always down to chat about gardening, share favorite local hiking spots, or swap adorable pet photos.

Show more +

Brion Oaks

Board Member

Brion Oaks is the Executive Director of Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE), where he leads statewide efforts to advance environmental justice, build grassroots power, and hold polluters accountable. In this role, he guides TCE’s vision, strategy, and partnerships to ensure Texas communities, especially those most impacted by environmental harm, have a powerful voice in shaping a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable future.

Before joining TCE, Brion served as Vice President of Operations and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Charles Butt Foundation, where he strengthened organizational culture and strategy to advance the foundation’s mission of ensuring every Texas classroom has a high-performing teacher. He also served as Vice President of Health Equity at the American Heart Association and was the inaugural Chief Equity Officer for the City of Austin, where he built the Equity Office into a nationally recognized department supporting 42 city agencies and 15,000 employees. Brion is known for creating equity frameworks and facilitating dialogue that turn equity into a shared organizational value. His leadership has been internationally recognized, including invitations to present in Europe on the role of Equity Offices in government. He also co-chaired Austin’s Reimagining Public Safety Initiative, helping develop community-driven recommendations to address racial disparities in policing. Throughout his career, Brion has championed the belief that those most impacted by an issue hold the best solutions. From advancing guaranteed income programs designed with racial equity at the center, to ensuring people with lived experience are compensated for their service in policymaking, he has consistently worked alongside communities to co-create transformative change. Brion earned his B.S. in Political Science from the University of Houston and his M.P.A. from Texas State University. His career has been dedicated to advancing racial equity, environmental justice, and community-driven solutions, always working toward a vision of a society where all people can achieve their full potential, regardless of social identity, ability, or circumstance.

Show more +