Board of Directors
This cohort of pivotal San Antonio leaders shares a passion for education and a belief that we can make a positive change in one generation.
Elaine Mendoza
Elaine Mendoza is the Founder, President, and CEO of Conceptual MindWorks Inc. (CMI), a San Antonio-based biotechnology and medical informatics company. Since its founding in 1990, CMI has developed innovative solutions in areas including chemical/biological defense, trauma medicine, and population health, and now focuses on the development and deployment of the electronic health record platform Sevocity. Mendoza holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University.
A dedicated community leader, Mendoza has served on numerous boards and commissions advancing education, health care, and economic development, including the Board of Regents of the Texas A&M University System, the UP Partnership, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System, and the US Congressional Commission on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in STEM. She was appointed founding Board Chair of Pre-K 4 SA by Mayor Julián Castro and continues in this role through reappointments by subsequent mayors.
Jeanne Russell
Jeanne Russell is the founding Executive Director of the Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST Schools), a network of innovative, career-connected partnership schools designed to nurture local talent and expand economic opportunity in San Antonio. Under her leadership, CAST has grown into a system of career-themed campuses that integrate project-based learning, industry partnerships, and real-world experiences to prepare students for college, career, and lifelong success.
A former teacher, award-winning investigative reporter, and public sector leader, Russell has helped shape transformative education initiatives across the region. She played a key role in the development of Pre-K 4 SA and other collaborative efforts that strengthen educational pathways and advance economic mobility for students and families.
Diana Rodriguez-Ruiz, M.Ed.
Diana Rodriguez-Ruiz is an educational leader with 18 years of experience advancing high-quality, equitable learning opportunities for young children. She serves as Assistant Principal at Graebner Dual Language Academy in San Antonio Independent School District, leading instructional systems that support bilingualism, biliteracy, and strong academic foundations.
She has served as a Dual Language and Special Education teacher and campus administrator, creating inclusive, research-aligned early learning environments. Recognized for her leadership and impact, she has received awards including Linguistically Responsive Assistant Principal of the Year, the Heights Hero Award, and Community Champion recognition from the San Antonio Spurs. Rodriguez-Ruiz brings practitioner insight, strategic perspective, and a steadfast belief in the foundational role of early childhood education to her service as a Board Member for Pre-K 4 SA.
Joseph De La Garza Jr.
Joseph “Joe” De La Garza Jr. brings more than 40 years of experience in banking and commercial lending. He currently serves as a Business Development Officer with LiftFund, supporting small businesses seeking access to capital, and previously retired from Jefferson Bank as Senior Vice President in Commercial Lending. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles across multiple financial institutions in San Antonio.
A graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio with a BBA in Accounting, De La Garza has remained deeply engaged in the community. He has served on numerous advisory boards and commissions, including as 2019 Board Chair of the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and on the boards of AVANCE San Antonio, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonio Local Development Company, and Barrio Comprehensive Family Health Clinic. A San Antonio native, he comes from a family rooted in public education.
Richard Perez
Richard Perez is President of the San Antonio Medical Foundation, where he leads efforts to advance health care, biomedical science, and community well-being through stewardship in the South Texas Medical Center. With more than two decades of experience in public service, his work is driven by a deep commitment to the San Antonio community.
Perez holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Texas State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas. His career includes leadership roles with the City of Laredo, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, San Antonio City Council, and regional planning and economic development initiatives. A founding member of the Pre-K 4 SA Board, he brings a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and advancing opportunities for children and families.
Andrea Greimel
Andrea Greimel is a retired early childhood bilingual educator with 36 years of classroom experience in the field, including positions in Mexico, Edgewood ISD, and San Antonio ISD. During the course of her career, Ms. Greimel has devoted much of her time outside the instructional day to three passions: the development and implementation of high-quality early childhood education programs, high-quality dual language programs, and the development of robust and authentic collaboration among educators and parents of young children in the educational process.
In Mexico, Ms. Greimel was part of the foundational team in establishing a dual language school serving students from Pre-K to Preparatory. In Edgewood ISD, Ms. Greimel, along with colleagues, wrote the initial grant for the introduction of the 3-year-old program, as well as for one of the first dual language magnet school programs in Texas.
This program was unique in that it drew students to the Westside from across the city. At San Antonio ISD, Ms. Greimel collaborated with colleagues to sustain and upgrade another historic dual language program so that it could acquire In-district charter status, welcoming students from across the county. She was central to the collaborative, campuswide development of the early childhood curriculum at Carvajal Early Childhood Center. There she also introduced an innovative model for authentic parent and family engagement, called Family Literacy Events, which won a national award from the National Center of Families Learning, sponsored by Toyota.
Vacant
Dr. Hurley is excited about what the future of early education can bring. As a previous member of the SA 2020 Education Task Force, representing Texas A&M University-San Antonio, she is interested in assisting with the development of educational programs that will increase the education level of San Antonio residents and contribute toward the economic development of the city.
A graduate of the Houston public school system, she brings with her a Ph.D. in business, Master of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston. Currently serving as the dean of the College of Business at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, she has over 20 years of experience in public higher education and has represented the university in many capacities in the educational community at both a local and state level. Her credits include several awards and grants, involvement in numerous education efforts and published articles in Contemporary Perspectives on Technological Innovation, Management and Policy, Southwest Teaching &Learning Journal, and International Journal of Applied Management and Technology, among others.
Frances Guzman
As one of San Antonio’s retired educators, Frances has focused on educational advocacy, staff development, and served as both an administrator and classroom teacher. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in history and Spanish with a minor in secondary education. She has a master’s degree in elementary education with an elementary certification. Frances has also completed all coursework for a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction and obtained an administration mid-management and supervision certification. Additionally, she has served on many advisory boards and commissions during her professional career.
These associations include Head Start board, National Parenting Education Network, SAAABE/TABE (bilingual education), PTA leadership, and a Mayor’s Commission on Women and Families. Frances has been an advocate for education from infancy to adulthood. She has worked in family leadership, early childhood education, bilingual education, drop-out prevention, and curriculum development, and has been involved in all aspects of education including as teacher, administrator and board member.
Dr. Shari Albright
Dr. Albright serves as the Murchison Distinguished Professor in Education and chair of the Department of Education at Trinity University. In June 2018, Dr. Albright led the organization Raise Your Hand Texas as the executive director. Prior, she was the executive director of education at the Asia Society and chief executive officer of the Asia Society International Studies Schools Network, a national network of small, internationally-themed schools in urban, underserved communities, dedicated to preparing college ready, globally competent citizens. Shari also served as the principal of a public magnet school in San Antonio, Texas—the International School of the Americas—and was named the Texas High School Principal of the Year for 2004 by the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. In 2004, her school was awarded the Goldman Sachs Prize in international education.
She also served as an elementary school administrator, central office administrator, and elementary teacher in East Central ISD prior to teaching on the faculty of Trinity University. She earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Trinity University and her doctorate in educational leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Dr. Richard Middleton
As a lifelong San Antonian and backed by a career focused on community service for more than two decades, Richard is proud to be serving as the President and CEO of The San Antonio Medical Foundation.
Gaining a taste for business and community from a young age, Richard earned a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from Texas State University in San Marcos and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. His experience has taken him to Austin, Laredo, Washington, D.C., and finally to San Antonio, where he was a small business owner, an elected San Antonio City Council member and Chamber of Commerce President. He has helped execute impactful change and is excited to continue to help build community through his volunteer service.
Jan Kirby
Jan Kirby is an early childhood education professional with decades of experience supporting children and families in San Antonio. She began her career teaching kindergarten and later focused on preschool programs for children with disabilities, earning certifications in Early Childhood Handicapped education, ESL, and interpretation. Kirby also holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
A long-time resident of District 10, Kirby has been actively engaged in her community, serving on the Northern Hills HOA board for 18 years and volunteering with organizations such as Morgan’s Wonderland. Her deep commitment to early childhood education and inclusive learning informs her work in supporting programs that foster the development and success of young learners.