Nonprofit Ambassador Council

chair

Rachel Mallernee

Rachel Mallernee is the Lead Philanthropy Advisor for Texas Children’s Hospital – North Austin. The mission of Texas Children's Hospital to create a healthier future for children and women throughout our global community by leading in patient care, education and research.

Rachel has nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, raising millions of dollars for cancer research and support, adults with disabilities and their families, early literacy and education and now healthcare focused on children and women. She has been in leadership positions, managed staff and led searches, and has extensive experience working on strategic planning and funding planning and execution. Prior to diving into the nonprofit space, Rachel had a successful insurance and communication solutions sales career in Houston, where she grew up. Since moving to the Austin area in 2006, Rachel has served the community in a variety of ways. She was on the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Austin Chapter Board of Directors for 7 years serving in several positions including Membership Chair, Programs Chair and Mentorship Chair. Rachel was part of the leadership team and served as President in 2018 (President-elect in 2017 and Immediate Past President in 2019). She continues to mentor and support fundraisers in our community and is passionate about aligning donors with the causes they love in order to make a positive impact in our community. Rachel is graduate of Leadership Austin 43 Essentials Class of 2021 and is the current Nonprofit Advisory Board Chair representing the nonprofit community on the I Live Here I Give Here Board of Directors.

Rachel lives in Pflugerville with her husband, Louie Mallernee, her daughter Stella and fur-baby, Penny.

Jonnyka Bormann

Jonnyka Clouds Bormann (she/her) is a development professional, entrepreneur, certified yoga and meditation instructor, and fine artist. In 2014 she moved to Austin from Boston where she studied Clinical Psychology, worked in pediatric palliative care and was Lead Yoga Instructor for a Harvard Medical School scientific study. Jonnyka grew up in Dallas, TX and called Los Angeles home for 20 years. There she earned her BFA at Otis College of Design, taught yoga and meditation, and worked in both fashion and entertainment. She is currently the Chief Development Officer at American YouthWorks, a nonprofit that connects young adults with education and career training, and Co-founder of The Onikas, a textile design studio that partners with block print artisan in India and collaborates with a collective of women weavers in Ecuador. In addition, she is the Wellness Advisor for The Decolonizing Project, a Miami Beach-based think tank. In order to relax and restore Jonnyka practices mindfulness, retail therapy supporting small businesses, and enjoys listening to the birds and trees in her backyard with her husband Carmen and their three cats Judd, Joey and Vinny.

ann ciccollela

Ann is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Texas department of Theatre and Dance, and has taught at St. Edwards University. As a director at Zachary Scott Theatre Center, Ann directed: Cabaret, The Vagina Monologues, Full Gallop, Closer, Master Class, and Misery. In Zilker park, she staged Sondheim's Into the Woods (1990), and for Austin Shakespeare A Midsummer Night's Dream (1992). In Austin, she also directed Hedda Gabler, and Other People's Money, as well as productions of her scripts as a playwright.

Before moving to Austin, Ann served as associate director for SHAKESPEARE ON WHEELS, from the University of Maryland Baltimore Country for three years. For ten years, she led the Renaissance Theater Company as Artistic Director, producing and directing Off-Broadway and along the East Coast with shows ranging from Romeo and Juliet, to Oedipus Rex to Cyrano de Bergerac.

In New York, she directed Measure for Measure in Washington Square Park, The Oresteia at the New York Shakespeare Ensemble, and Checkov's The Seagull. Ann is a graduate of NYU in Dramatic Literature, History of Theater and Cinema.

On August 9, 2007 Ann Ciccolella was hired as the Artistic Director of Austin Shakespeare. Later that day, City Council member Mike Martinez, and Austin City Manager Toby Futrell presented Ciccolella with a "Distinguished Service Award" for her advocacy in building the creative community of Austin.

Ciccolella arrived at Austin Shakespeare following an eight-year tenure at Austin’s Zachary Scott Theatre as managing director. A long-standing arts enthusiast, she has worked with the Austin Circle of Theatres and the Renaissance Theatre Company, while frequently lecturing at The University of Texas at Austin and teaching at St. Edward’s University. As a driving force in the community, Ciccolella worked intensely with voters to garner $32.5 million in bonds for Austin’s arts facilities.

christina collazo

Christina Collazo’s experience growing up in poverty in the Rio Grande Valley has given her an appreciation of the importance of strong education and support systems for women and children. Christina holds a BA in International Relations with a focus in Latin American Studies from St. Edward’s University, where she was a McNair Research Scholar. She holds a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Austin Community College, and serves on advisory committees at Armstrong Community Music School, I Live Here, I Give Here, and Earl Maxwell Scholars Program.

Christina founded Todos Juntos Learning Center (TJ) in 2009 and has worked together with her team to establish an innovative and collaborative Dual-Generation Family Learning Center focused on community, education, and trust. At TJ, Christina and her team have conceptualized, co-designed, and brought to practice numerous cutting edge programs and services, impacting the health, financial, and educational trajectory of parenting immigrant and refugee families facing complex barriers to wellbeing related to language, legal documentation, employment barriers, and more.

Renée Hanson malone

Renée Hanson Malone has 15 years of management, resource development, and communications experience, raising millions of dollars and community support for underserved populations in Austin, TX. Her greatest strengths are donor development, communications, corporate giving, special events, grant writing, program development, and public relations.

Renée received her M.A. in Latin American Studies and was employed as a Lecturer by the Latin American Studies and Spanish Departments at the University of Kansas. Much of her work in Austin has been dedicated to strengthening and diversifying funding sources in order to expand services to underserved populations.

Before joining Austin Smiles, Renée served as the Chief Development Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area. Before that, she was the Director of Development for the Austin Child Guidance Center, the Grants Development Specialist at Easter Seals Central Texas and the Education Program Director/Grant Writer for Manos de Cristo.

She currently serves as the Board President of LOLA-Local Opera Local Artists. In addition, she is a current Board member for Vela and serves on the Non-Profit Advisory Council for I Live Here I Give Here. Renée was a member of Impact Austin from 2015-2017. She volunteered as the international matching grants coordinator for the Rotary Club of Austin Downtown and is a past board member of Austin Cops for Charities.

Making a difference in the world and inspiring others to support humanity is her life’s work. She has always admired Austin Smiles’ work in the community. She is honored to join the team and be a part of our life-changing work for so many children in need.

Allison johnson

Allison Johnson fell for Austin when she arrived here to obtain her MBA from the University of Texas and became committed to the nonprofit community over the next 10 years while working in marketing and communications at Generation SERVE. Allison is thrilled to help Pease Park Conservancy members connect with nature, right here in the middle of the city, in all of the ways that keep us healthy and connected - through play, reflection, volunteerism, and learning.

Shea Little

Executive Director
Big Medium

Adam mckeivier, cae

Adam McKeivier, CAE, serves as an Account Executive at SAM. In this position, he leverages his broad-based experience to help organizations fulfill their mission through a diverse range of executive support, board governance, fundraising, development, and strategic execution.

Adam started his career in association management in 2011 with a focus on strategic partnerships and business development. Prior to joining SAM, he led all fundraising and development efforts for the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT), an organization dedicated to meeting the unique needs of gifted and talented individuals. He also served as the Director of Corporate Partnerships at the Texas Restaurant Association and Education Foundation, a statewide organization working to support educational opportunities for high school culinary arts and management students.

Adam earned his bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from Texas State University, and earned his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2017.

A Leadership Austin Emerge alumnus, Adam remains active in both regional and national professional organizations, including the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

Adam is a native Austinite.

Angela Osborn, cfre, cfrm

VP of Marketing & Development
Austin Parks Foundation

ashley pierce

Chief Marketing Officer
United Way For Greater Austin

Lauren Portley

Lauren Portley has over 17 years of outstanding revenue, managerial and promotional achievements in the non-profit industry.  She currently serves as the Chief Development Officer for Caritas of Austin — an Austin-based organization whose mission since 1964 is to make homelessness rare, brief and non-reoccurring. Each year, Caritas serves thousands of families who do not have a stable place to call home.

Prior to her current role, Lauren served as the Vice President of Development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas for over 5 years.  While there she oversaw all fundraising objectives as well as successfully launching a multi-year, major gifts program, a $5M capacity campaign and increased annual Gala revenue by 56%. She is also familiar with the San Antonio market through her work with the American Heart Association and March of Dimes.    

Lauren is a graduate of Texas State University (2003) with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Sociology.  

In her personal time, she enjoys spending time with her son Easton Jack (6) and dog Montgomery (Monty), painting and learning the banjo.  She looks forward to more international travel, new experiences and trying new foods.  

Elizabeth wrona

Senior Director of Development
Wayside Schools