Charles retired in 2013 after 33 years as General Counsel of Austin Industries, Inc., one of the largest construction companies in the U.S. Since retiring, he has been Of Counsel at Slates Harwell LLP, serving as an arbitrator in construction disputes and litigation. Before joining Austin Industries in 1980, Charles was an assistant district attorney and felony prosecutor in the Travis County District Attorney’s office. Charles received a Bachelor of Journalism from UT-Austin in 1971 and his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1975. He enjoys theatre and the visual arts, and he is a supporter of the Department of Theatre and Dance. Charles was born and raised in Hondo, Texas and his family traces its ancestry back to the earliest Texas settlers.
Sheri holds degrees in journalism from Texas Tech and petroleum engineering from UT-Austin, as well as a Master of Liberal Arts from Rice University. She is an active volunteer, serving on the advisory board of the Glasscock School of Continuing Education at Rice University, UTHealth Houston, UTHealth School of Nursing in Houston, and the Center for Medicine After the Holocaust in Houston. Sheri recently moved to Austin after living in Houston for 38 years and is “just getting started” on her community involvement through memberships with KUT, KMFA, Texas Performing Arts Inner Circle, and the Austin Chamber Music Center.
After obtaining a BA in Art History from UT-Austin in 2004, Sarah, a Dallas native, moved to New York City. She applied her degree in the commercial and entrepreneurial spaces of luxury fashion and consumer brand development at a prominent agency. Sarah returned to Austin in 2009 to pursue her career in strategic brand development and design. With a profound curiosity in the contemporary arts, in addition to Sarah’s brand consulting practice, she is presently retained by a handful of commercial and private residential clients to source and procure art. Art and design have forever saturated Sarah’s career, and her ceaseless desire to explore and learn about new art and design approaches navigates her own practice today.
Brent received his BFA in Studio Art in 1993 and his MBA in 2005 from UT-Austin. He is the founder and CEO of Oaxaca Interests, LLC, a real estate operator, developer, and investment firm focused on the urban core of key high-growth Texas markets. In September 2022, Brent founded Oaxaca Interests’ newest venture, HiFAB, a new manufacturing plant located in Grand Prairie, Texas that will be dedicated to creating high-end modular homes. Haciendas, homes designed by San Antonio’s celebrated architecture firm Lake|Flato, will be HiFAB’s first product.
Dallas was Mary’s home until she moved to Santa Fe, NM 20 years ago. Mary studied art history and studio art in college (UT-Austin) and high school (Hockaday/Dallas). She is a painter and clothing designer using her hand-painted fabrics. She has also sold fabrics to designers to use for upholstery and decorative pieces. Currently, Mary is a Real Estate Broker with Sotheby’s in Santa Fe. In Dallas, Mary was an active volunteer with Crystal Charity Ball, Junior League, the Dallas SPCA, and was co-chairman of the Cattle Baron’s Ball. In Santa Fe, Mary and her husband Chuck are members of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
Laura is a respected public policy strategist and strategic communicator with more than 15 years of experience in developing and executing highly effective legislative campaigns. In 2006, the San Antonio Express-News named her one of the state's top five lobbyists. Prior to starting her own private practice, Laura worked at an independent lobby firm where she represented a wide range of clients. She also worked at the international law firm of Thompson & Knight where she successfully represented corporate clients, organized an international trade mission and led a successful legislative effort to authorize groundwater contamination laws. Laura received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from The University of Texas at Austin, and she is a member of Texas Women for the Arts, an arts advocacy group under the Texas Cultural Trust.
Elisabeth is a co-founder and principal designer at ecco interior design in Houston, TX. In addition to her thriving business, Elisabeth is an active volunteer with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, serving in various roles and memberships in modern and contemporary art, art education, and the Family Circle, as well was a member of the Rice Design Alliance. Her past volunteer experience includes serving as a trustee of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and a trustee of the Houston Symphony.
Wayne is a Partner and Managing Director at Beacon Pointe Advisors and taps into his vast experience, industry acclaim and relationship-based partnerships with clients to provide top of the line service and expertise in wealth management. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Wayne served as the President and Managing Partner for Benchmark Private Wealth Management. Wayne, a sixth generation Texan, received his BA from the University of Texas at Austin and holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation. Wayne, his wife and children reside in Dallas, where he serves various non-profit organizations.
Following a career in K-12 education, Tania is an active advocate for the arts and education in El Paso, TX. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and is currently in candidacy for a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Foundations also at UTEP. Tania currently serves on the boards of the Texas Cultural Trust, Texas Women for the Arts, the Tom Lea Institute: Arts & Culture Programming, Kids Excel El Paso, and the Cornudas Mountain Foundation. Her past community involvement includes work with the UTEP Development Board, the University of New Mexico School of Architecture, Junior League of El PASO and the Women’s Fund of El Paso.
Helen Sharp is an innovator in the world of public relations and brand-story development for emerging, mission-driven brands. She's worked with impactful, sustainable businesses such as the Surfrider Foundation, 1% for the Planet, Repurpose and LastObject. She is the founder of Be Influential, a specialized public relations agency for a better world. Helen also maintains a ceramics studio out of her home and sells her work to stores around Texas.
Laura is the founder and president of Rosebud Meal Kits and executive director of its nonprofit arm, Rosebud Eastside Alliance, providing fresh, high-quality meal kits to underserved families in Austin. Laura was also involved in the development of two murals in East Austin. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in social work from UT-Austin.
Megan was born and raised in Fort Worth before attending UT-Austin and earning a Bachelor of Nursing in 2004. Upon graduating, she worked at Memorial Herman in the Houston Medical Center. In 2006 Megan married her husband and moved to Greenwich, CT where they lived and worked before moving to the UK. The Zafereo family lived in London for 13 years and during that time welcomed three children and enjoyed lots of travel. In 2020 they returned to Texas. Megan is continuing her nursing career at St. David’s in the recovery room. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her children and volunteering at the Assistance League of Austin.