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Board of Directors

2014 2013
Karla D. Brown
Karla D. Brown (President/Founder) is a former educator with over 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher and administrator in southeast Texas and southern California. She has served as Adjunct Professor at Texas Southern University and California Baptist University preparing pre-service educators. She holds a doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Southern University and credits her academic and professional experiences with giving her the inspiration to see the vision of the organization to fruition.
Marchelle Brown Hensley
Marchelle Brown Hensley (Treasurer) graduated from Texas Southern University with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting, and currently works as a Financial Analyst at The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, formally known as MHMRA of Harris County.She has worked in the Non-Profit arena, holding varying positions of authority within the Accounting field, for close to two decades. Along with working in the accounting field she has fully committed to giving back, and began outreach efforts that involved college awareness and college tours for middle and high school kids over a decade ago. She is also very active in the public school arena and currently serves as the Treasurer for the Stafford High School JROTC Booster Club. She is very fond of fundraising and leaves no stone unturned to raise money and awareness for a worthy cause. She and her family have been praised as top earners in the Stafford Elementary School fundraisers three times consecutively, in the last four years. Marchelle resides in Stafford, TX with her two children Corey and Rainee.
Terri Chiplin-Leach
Terri Chiplin-Leach (Secretary) has over 25 years of experience as a public school secretary and office manager. She is skilled in many software packages and information technology specific to human capital and operations management including: iFAS, EPES, AESOP, SAP, and People Soft. She is detailed oriented and a meticulous records keeper. Terri is also recognized for her superior office management and event-planning.
Chris Hudson
Chris Hudson is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a degree in Marketing. He was drafted into the National Football League (NFL) by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He continued his professional football career with the Chicago Bears (1999 – 2000) and the Atlanta Falcons from 2000 – 2002. He opened a Denny’s Restaurant in Memphis, TN (2001). In 2008, he became part-owner of a Choice Hotel (Econo Lodge). Chris opened his second Denny’s Restaurant during the year 2011. He volunteers with the Boy’s and Girl’s Club and he continues community-building efforts in his home city of Houston, Texas.
Wendy E. Reece

Wendy E. Reece is the Director of Operations for EDP Engineers & Inspectors.  She and her husband, Gerald C. Reece, P.E. established the firm in 2004.  She is responsible for supervision of all Marketing, Finances, Business Development, and Contractor Services.  She has held other professional positions, such as, Business Development Manager for Kipcon Southwest, Development Director for the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, and Social Studies Content Specialist for Houston ISD. 

Wendy has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a BA in History from Texas Southern University.  Being a long-time community volunteer and supporter provided an opportunity of Wendy to use all of her background and experience to form a non-profit agency, Ivy Development, where she serves as Board President.

Wendy and Gerald live in Missouri City with their two sons: Joshua and Jackson.