Since 2020, Sam has been responsible for the stewardship of real estate assets and initiatives at the Rice Real Estate Company, the real estate arm of Rice University.
Prior to joining Rice, Sam was VP of Programs for the Houston Land Bank where he led the affordable housing development programs in partnership with private home builders. Sam has also previously led various public policy initiatives for the Houston City Council, serving as chief of staff for Houston's Vice Mayor pro tem.
Sam holds a BS in political science from the University of Houston and is actively involved in community and economic development efforts around the city. Sam has served on the MCC board since 2022 and was elected chair in January 2026.
Shannon is the founder of Sovereignty and Justice Law, PLLC, an Indigenous rights law firm and also serves as a recurring legal commentator on PBS NewsHour, PBS Twin Cities, and Court TV. She holds a PhD in African and African American Studies and an AM in English from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, as well as a JD from Yale Law School. She earned her AB, magna cum laude, from Dartmouth College, where she graduated as a Senior Fellow with highest honors.
Shannon is the author of Tactics for Racial Justice: Building an Antiracist Organization and Community (Routledge, 2021) and her writing has appeared in The Hill, Jezebel, Science, and other publications.
Shannon is a supporter of the Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy where her involvement has included serving as Auction Co-Chair for galas and providing feedback on future plans and initiatives. Shannon is also a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator.
In her free time, Shannon enjoys Native American fancy shawl powwow dancing as well as two-needle and single-needle appliqué beadwork.
Suzane is a healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience across domestic and international markets, spanning nonprofit, private, and publicly traded organizations. She currently focuses on building strategic partnerships at Texas Children’s Hospital to expand access to care for mothers and children.
Throughout her career, Suzane has helped launch and grow a range of mission-driven initiatives, including hospitals, medical schools, nursing programs, and philanthropic foundations. Her experience gives her a unique perspective on building partnerships, navigating complex systems, and creating sustainable community impact.
Suzane is passionate about strengthening communities by improving access to services that address the social determinants of health.
Jerry has worked overseeing Legacy Community Health’s real estate portfolio for the past 16 years. In this role, he manages all real estate assets from site selection to development, ensuring every property best serves Legacy’s growing patient population with accessible, high-quality care.
Legacy Community Health is one of MCC’s founding partners, and Jerry brings a deep commitment to creating spaces that foster healing, dignity, and opportunity for underserved communities. From his work at Legacy, Jerry brings valuable insight and perspective to MCC’s board, strengthening the organization’s connection to the community and deepening its long-term impact.
Cathy is the Dean and Elizabeth D. Rockwell Chair of the College of Education at the University of Houston. She is also Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Executive Director of the Institute for Educational Policy Research and Evaluation, and Director for the University of Houston Education Research Center. Cathy’s work focuses on how school testing, education policies, and college readiness systems shape students’ learning experiences and opportunities, especially for students in underserved communities.
Prior to joining the University of Houston, Cathy worked as a research associate for the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University; as a senior research associate for the Center for the Study of Testing, Evaluation and Educational Policy’s National Board on Educational Testing and Public Policy at Boston College; and as a teacher at Jefferson Davis (now Northside) High School in the Houston Independent School District. Cathy holds a PhD from Boston College, a master’s in education from the University of Houston and a BA from Rice University.
Jose was born in Honduras and came to Houston at the age of 8. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and a J.D. from the South Texas College of Law.
Jose’s law practice focuses on a wide variety of personal injury cases and pro bono work in Houston. He has been recognized by the Mayor and the City of Houston for his work and received the 2026 Big Brother of the Year Award for Inspiring Community Impact.
Jose’s hobbies include travel and learning about different cultures. And he’s a true foodie.
Ann is the Chief Talent Officer at KIPP Texas, an MCC founding partner organization. In this and her previous role as Chief Development Officer at KIPP, Ann has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to expanding educational opportunities. She has led strategic initiatives focused on organizational growth, real estate development and construction, advocacy efforts, and building strong community partnerships.
Ann’s leadership was pivotal in Kipp’s Rise Together campaign, an ambitious effort that met its $85 million fundraising goal one year ahead of schedule. The campaign expanded KIPP’s capacity to serve 16,000 additional students.
A graduate of Oakwood University, an HBCU, Ann started her career teaching kindergarten in Houston. Her journey in education includes roles such as Chief Human Resources Officer for the Houston Independent School District and Executive Director of Teach For America Houston. Ann has been recognized as a transformative leader, participating in the Pahara Fellowship and the Greenhouse E3 program to further her impact in education reform. She was named the United Negro College Fund's local Alumna of the Year in 2008 and received the organization's national One to Watch Award.
Dedicated to lifelong learning, Ann is also a Broad Fellow, a member of the American Leadership Forum , and an active participant in educational leadership programs.
Collette is the Senior Vice President and Controller at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), bringing over 20 years of experience in nonprofit finance, community development, and organizational leadership. She oversees complex accounting functions, multi-entity consolidated reporting, federal grant compliance, and a high-performing accounting team that supports LISC’s national mission.
Throughout her career, Collette has led major financial system implementations, strengthened internal controls, improved fiscal reporting practices, and developed policies that enhance operational efficiency and transparency. Her expertise in accounting, financial systems, and strategic planning allows her to bring a thoughtful, systems-oriented perspective to MCC’s board. She is passionate about supporting sustainable growth, strong financial stewardship, and initiatives that expand opportunity for families and strengthen neighborhoods.
Collette holds a bachelor's degree from Baruch College. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and exploring Houston’s vibrant food scene.
With over 30 years of financial leadership experience, David currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at Bell Geospace in Houston. He holds a BBA in Accounting from Texas A&M University and is a licensed CPA.
David’s focus, both in his career and as the MCC board treasurer, is on driving strategic growth, strengthening financial operations, and supporting long-term organizational success.
Outside of work, David enjoys golf, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Julie is the pastor at Gethsemane, a campus of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, where she has ministered for over 17 years. St. Luke's was an MCC founding partner in 2016, working alongside KIPP Texas, the YMCA, and Legacy Healthcare to provide hope and expanded opportunities in the Sharpstown/Gulfton community.
Julie has served on the MCC board since 2023 and brings both connectivity and experience in nonprofit leadership, community partnerships, and strategic planning. She is passionate about developing collaborative solutions that address residents’ needs and creating opportunities in the community. She holds a bachelor’s degree in the College of Engineering from Texas A&M University.
Outside of her ministry and board work, Julie enjoys traveling, playing with her grandchildren, and family game nights.
Anil serves as Houston Banking/Lending Practice Co-Lead and Senior Banking Director at Northern Trust, bringing 25 years of experience in commercial lending, financial strategy, business development, and transaction advisory. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles at major financial institutions, working with clients across a range of industries including energy, chemicals, utilities, exploration and production, oilfield services, and midstream operations.
Anil is known for cultivating strong client relationships and developing tailored credit and capital market solutions that help organizations navigate complex financial decisions and achieve sustainable growth. His extensive experience in banking and finance provides valuable insight into organizational strategy, risk management, and long-term financial planning to the MCC board.
A committed community leader, Anil has served on the board of Veritas Christian Academy since 2020. He previously served as a board member of Southwest Schools and on the Houston Advisory Committee for LiftFund. He is also an alumnus of Leadership Houston and United Way's Project Blueprint.
Anil holds a BBA in finance from the University of St. Thomas Cameron School of Business and a MBA from Texas A&M University. Outside of work, he enjoys investing in his community and supporting initiatives that create long-term opportunities for families.
Arianne is Vice President and Chief Culture & Engagement Officer at Houston Methodist where she leads system-wide efforts to strengthen organizational culture and advance a shared vision for safety, quality, service, and innovation. She brings a people-centered, strategic approach to building strong organizations and meaningful partnerships.
Before joining Houston Methodist, Arianne held leadership roles at Syracuse University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Rockefeller University, and the National Association of Black Automotive Suppliers. She began her career in television journalism and later practiced labor and employment law, bringing a unique multidisciplinary perspective to her work.
Arianne brings expertise in organizational culture, leadership development, and strategic engagement to the MCC board. She currently serves on advisory boards for Best Buddies International and the University of Houston.
Arianne holds a JD from Wayne State University, an MA from Syracuse University, and a BA from Hampton University. In her free time, she enjoys staying active, and supporting community and leadership development initiatives.
Joe is the Head of Business Development for PNC Bank's Escrow & Transaction Agency services.
Joe joined PNC in 2013 as a Retirement Business Development Officer in Institutional Asset Management and later became North Texas Market Director in 2017 and Texas Regional Director in 2022. Joe began his career with T. Rowe Price as an investment counselor and assistant branch manager.
Joe holds a BA in economics from Wabash College and an MBA in investment management from DePaul University. In addition to his MCC board service, Joe serves on the board of BridgeYear, a Houston nonprofit that connects students with corporate employers.
Matt is a Houston-based attorney and founder of the Mendez Law Office, a full-service firm rooted in the Gulfton community. His practice focuses on immigration, criminal defense, and personal injury—areas where he is deeply committed to helping working families and small business owners navigate complex legal challenges with clarity and integrity.
As both a lawyer and entrepreneur, Matt built his firm from the ground up with a focus on accessibility, efficiency, and results. Today, the Mendez Law Office is a trusted resource within Houston’s Spanish-speaking community, known for its professionalism, honesty, and dedicated advocacy.
Matt brings a strong community perspective along with legal expertise and a deep understanding of the barriers many families face to the MCC board.
Matt holds a BA in government from the University of Texas at Austin and a JD from the South Texas College of Law in Houston. He is passionate about investing in his community and building lasting trust through service. Matt and his wife live in Houston with their two children.
Shamsa is a community-driven leader whose life and work have been shaped by her family’s entrepreneurial journey to succeed after arriving in the United States as refugees from Uganda. She is committed to paying it forward and expanding pathways for individuals and families to thrive. Until November 2025, she led fundraising, donor engagement, and partnerships at MCC with both heart and hustle.
Shamsa currently works as Chief Investment Officer for her family's office, Salsha, Inc. Prior to working at MCC, she served as Director of Community and Government Affairs at Westmont Hospitality Group, where she launched affordable housing and community engagement initiatives. Earlier in her career, she taught at KIPP Connect High School in Gulfton, where she developed a strong connection to the neighborhood’s diversity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Shamsa brings expertise in development, partnerships, and community-centered strategy, along with a deep understanding of the Gulfton community to the MCC board. Shamsa holds a BA from Rice University and a master’s in city and regional planning from UNC-Chapel Hill. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Hermann Park Conservancy.
Outside of work, Shamsa enjoys running in the park, dancing with her son, and sharing her love of music—from Motown to cumbia—with her family and friends.