Our Team

With over 20 years of experience, Ann oversees the overall management and leadership of the foundation. She works closely with the Board of Trustees to determine the foundation’s strategy and focus.

Prior to joining The Brown Foundation, Ann served as Executive Vice President; Executive Director (interim); and Vice President for Advancement for YES Prep Public Schools, an award-winning public charter school network. Before joining YES Prep, Ann was the founding Managing Director for Education Pioneers–Houston and a consultant for McKinsey & Company, where she served public and private sector clients on a variety of strategic and organizational issues.

Ann holds a BA in Sociology and Political Science, magna cum laude, and a doctorate in History from Rice University. She and her husband have lived in Houston for many years and have two children.

As Grants Officer, Ryan partners with trustees, staff, and grantees to ensure that our grantmaking process is effective and efficient.

Ryan has 15 years of experience serving nonprofit organizations and a longstanding commitment to empowering communities. He started his career as a Teach for America corps member in the East End of Houston, and he then led Teach for America’s recruitment efforts in Texas and Louisiana before moving to San Antonio to help launch a new Teach for America chapter. In 2014, Ryan moved into museum education and helped launch The DoSeum, San Antonio’s Museum for Kids, as its founding Vice President of Education. Most recently, he served as Chief of Staff for IDEA Public Schools, the nation’s fastest-growing charter school system.

Ryan has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri and a Master’s in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Jacklyn joined The Brown Foundation over a decade ago, and she currently serves as Chief Financial Officer. She manages the Foundation’s financial and administrative functions—including accounting, budgeting, payroll, risk management, human resources, and facility functions.

Prior to joining The Brown Foundation, Jacklyn spent more than nine years with BKD, LLP, as an Audit Manager. During her time there, she specialized in the non-profit, governmental, and real estate industries and managed the local office’s non-profit audit team. Jacklyn also created the firm’s intern program, which grew to more than 20 interns during her tenure, and was responsible for intern recruiting, training, evaluating, and hiring.

Jacklyn graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting, and she is a certified public accountant. She and her husband have lived in the Houston area for many years and have two children, ages 11 and 9.

As Chief Investment Officer, Gwen collaborates with the investment committee to monitor, manage, and report on The Brown Foundation’s endowment assets.

Gwen has over 43 years of not-for-profit administrative and financial experience, and she has extensive building project management experience as well. Previously, she has served in numerous financial, investment, and administrative positions at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and The Corcoran Gallery and School of Art in Washington, D.C.

Gwen received her Bachelor’s from Connecticut College and her MBA from The Wharton School of Business and Finance at The University of Pennsylvania. Gwen lives in Galveston with her two standard poodles, Sasha and Walker. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering with many Galveston organizations.

As Director of Grants Management and Evaluation, Robert oversees both the technical components of grantmaking at the Foundation and the analysis of grant reporting and programmatic results.

Previously, Robert managed grants reporting, program and administrative duties on the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation. For over 10 years, Robert’s career has been devoted to serving Houstonians and Texans at-large. Robert began at BakerRipley helping Houston Independent School District families with children in Head Start programs. He then helped connect families to schools by managing a database and creating and operating a successful call center reaching tens of thousands of families in Houston, San Antonio, and Austin at Families Empowered.

Robert attained his BA in Psychology at UC Berkeley and a MA in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Prior to joining The Brown Foundation, Sherene served as the Managing Director of Alumni Leadership & Engagement for Teach For America Houston where she oversaw the support and engagement of 1700+ Teach For America (TFA) alumni working towards educational equity and excellence for Houston children. Sherene has also been a member of TFA’s Recruitment team and their Talent Acquisition team. She was a 2005 TFA Houston corps member where taught third grade at Houston ISD’s Mabel B. Wesley Elementary School.

Prior to her work with TFA alumni, Sherene was a clinical social worker at the Trauma and Grief Center at UT Health under Dr. Julie Kaplow. Sherene holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology as well as a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. She is the proud mom of an amazing 13-year-old son and enjoys reading and travelling when she can. Sherene values and enjoys voluntarism as a member of the Junior League of Houston.

Chereze oversees all aspects of accounting and financial reporting. She is also responsible for negotiating, recording, and maintaining oil and gas mineral interest records, and she works with the Executive Director to evaluate and manage IT needs.

Over her 28 years with The Brown Foundation, Chereze has held a number of roles. During her tenure, she has been responsible for office management, building facilities, and human resources, among other various functions.

Chereze graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. A native Houstonian, she and her husband have three sons and four grandchildren.

As Accounting & Projects Coordinator, Jewell assists with the accounting process, special projects and reporting.

Jewell joined The Brown Foundation in 2017. Previously, she held accounting and administrative positions, where she was responsible for creating reports, processing payments, and reconciling accounts.

Jewell graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She and her husband live in Houston with their 8-year-old son.

As Office Manager, Elizabeth oversees The Brown Foundation’s day-to-day function. She manages schedules, greets guests, and works closely with both the grants and accounting department to assist in project execution.

Elizabeth has worked in customer service and administration for over 10 years. A native Houstonian, she and her husband have two rescue dogs.

As Grants Consultant, Jodie provides support on special grants made by the Foundation.

Jodie has worked at The Brown Foundation since 2001. Prior to joining The Brown Foundation, she worked for the Junior League of Houston.

Jodie attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she received her Bachelor of Business Administration. She and her husband have three children and two grandchildren.