Leadership
Board of Directors
The Foundation is governed by a 24 member Board of Directors representing the seven counties of the Coastal Bend. At least two members serve from each county, selected for their leadership, professional expertise, and commitment to philanthropy in our region. Current members include:
ARANSAS COUNTY
Amanda Kellar
Blake McDavid
BEE COUNTY
Laura Fischer
Kirkby Townsend, CPA — Investment Chair
JIM WELLS COUNTY
Osbert Blow, M.D., Ph.D., FACS
Hon. Karin Knolle — Grants Chair
KLEBERG COUNTY
James H. Clement III
Brad Womack
NUECES COUNTY
Melody Nixon-Bice
Pamela Leming Brower, CPA — Treasurer/Finance Chair
Sarah Fisher
Ken Griffin
Al Jones
Richard L. Leshin
Hon. Joe McComb
Leah Pagan Olivarri — Secretary
Richard F. Scanio — Chair
C. Michelle Unda — Vice Chair
Karen O’Connor Urban — Past Chair
Todd Walter
REFUGIO COUNTY
Hon. Deborah Bauer
Hon. Robert Blaschke
SAN PATRICIO COUNTY
Nathan Taggart
Kelly Whatley — Scholarship Chair
Staff
The Foundation’s staff oversees daily operations and works closely with donors, nonprofit partners, and community leaders to carry out the Foundation’s mission across the Coastal Bend.
Karen W. Selim, J.D.
President & CEO
kselim@cbcfoundation.org
Tracy M. Ramirez
Vice President – Operations / Coastal Bend Day of Giving
tramirez@cbcfoundation.org
LaRue Espinoza
Office Manager
lespinoza@cbcfoundation.org
Lauren Ayala Garza, J.D.
Program Development Director
lagarza@cbcfoundation.org
Alyssa Monette, MAcc, CPA
Financial Director
amonette@cbcfoundation.org
Krystal E. Thomasson
Grants / Scholarships Director
kthomasson@cbcfoundation.org