First Annual Gathering of Central Texas Leaders

Markman provides strategic oversight and planning for the university’s credit-bearing programs and non-credit open-enrollment, certificate and custom programs aimed at non-traditional students. Beyond the UT Austin campus, he is probably best known as the co-host of KUT’s “Two Guys on Your Head” radio show and podcast, where he and Butler School of Music professor Bob Duke explore the human mind with a unique mix of research, humor and everyday relevance. More about Markman.

Duke is also the Head of Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin. He has worked closely with children at-risk, both in public schools and through the juvenile justice system. He has authored behavior analysis software and multiple books including Brain Briefs, which he co-authored with Art Markman, his co-host on the public radio program and podcast Two Guys on Your Head. More about Duke.

McInroy is an award-winning show creator, host, and executive producer. McInroy believes it is important that Public Media directly connects with the community it serves. Many of her programs combine the talent, and knowledge of the Austin community with the production arm of KUT/X Public Media to produce content that bridges the gap between the public and higher education including the podcast Two Guys on Your Head. More about McInroy.

Levine’s work connects transportation planning and critical social science research. Her mixed-methods approach to transportation challenges links mobility justice with accessible urban systems, focusing on access to opportunity for disabled people and marginalized communities. She is passionate about planning inclusive public spaces and transportation systems. Previously, Dr. Levine conducted research on equity practices at public transit agencies in the U.S., measures of access to opportunity for MPOs and state DOTs, and the relationship between racial equity and public transit. More about Levine.

Smith has been in Executive Nonprofit Leadership for more than 25 years in Austin, Texas, leading mission-focused and results-driven organizations to substantial growth. His philosophy for nonprofit leadership is that while there are many factors that go into a successful organization, one common thread through all is reaching out to diverse parts of the community to collaboratively find solutions that create real impact. More about Smith.

An experienced food bank executive, Vatske came to the Central Texas Food Bank from Feeding South Florida (FSF)—the country's fifth largest food bank—where she was Executive Vice President. In her new CEO position, Sari also sits on the Feeding Texas Board of Directors. During her tenure with Feeding South Florida, Sari was named a “Top 100 Most Influential Business Leaders” by Palm Beach Illustrated Magazine in 2021, “Top Workplace Professional” by the Sun-Sentinel in 2016 and was named to “40 Under 40” by the South Florida Business journal in 2014. More about Vatske.

Latson brings more than 15 years of experience as a leader and advocate for businesses with an emphasis on Central Texas manufacturing to his new position with Opportunity Austin. In 2013, he founded the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, a business group that promotes the regional manufacturing community through advocacy, workforce development and networking. Latson serves on Gov. Greg Abbott’s Semiconductor Taskforce and is a board member of organizations including the Capital Area Economic Development District. More about Latson.

Leurig founded Texas Water Trade in 2018, bringing a decade of experience in sustainable water finance, long-range water planning and water transactions. Previously, she directed the Texas Environmental Flows Initiative, a collaboration of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, the Harte Research Institute, The Nature Conservancy and several other groups, to purchase water for the bays and estuaries of the Texas Gulf Coast. She serves as founding Board Chair of Vida Water PBC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Texas Water Trade, which aims to provide clean and affordable drinking water for underserved populations in Texas. More about Leurig.

Goodin’s 35+ year career in the transportation field spans both research and practice, bringing innovative and practical solutions to transportation challenges using a research-based approach. Ginger served more than two decades in research and leadership positions at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Her specific research expertise covered various forms of road pricing -- managed lanes, high-occupancy toll (HOT)/express lanes and road user fees – as well as automated/connected vehicle policy. More about Goodin.

For more than two decade Alvarez has served Austin in a variety of elected and appointed positions. Trained as an industrial engineer and later community and regional planning, he brings a detailed and systems orientation to CAN's work in data and public policy for the benefit of all residents. He was previously elected the Austin City Council and the ACC Board of Trustees. More about Alvarez.

Linares-Moeller’s civic and political achievements span the past 42 years. She spent 12 years in state government management with the last five serving as the first Executive Director of the Texas Lottery Commission. Her work in affordable housing began in 2013 as the fundraising consultant for the highly successful Keep Austin Affordable bond campaign. More about Linares-Moeller.

Mace is the Executive Director and Chief Water Policy Officer at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Geography and Environmental Science at Texas State University. He has over 30 years of experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, stakeholder processes, and water policy, mostly in Texas. Before joining Texas State University in 2017, he worked at the Texas Water Development Board for 18 years ending his career there as the Deputy Executive Administrator for the Water Science & Conservation office. More about Mace.

In addition to having served as the first Chairman of the Texas DMV and a TxDOT Commissioner, Victor has spent many decades providing leadership in the DFW region as a business owner and civic stalwart. He currently serves as Executive Director for the Tarrant County Transportation Coalition.

Judge Brown presides over the Travis County Commissioners Court which oversees the county’s $1.4 billion annual budget, acts as the County’s chief administrator, and is the Director of Emergency Management for the County. Since taking office, Judge Brown has significantly increased resources to historically underserved communities, including starting a mass COVID-19 vaccination effort prioritizing communities of color. During winter storm Uri, Judge Brown directed additional food, water, and utility support to the hardest hit areas in Travis County. More about Brown.

Relatively new to the office of County Judge, taking office January 1, 2023, Judge Sakai spent two and half decades in service as a court judge, where he created revolutionary new programs that protected children and put struggling families back together, implemented several cost-saving protocols, and innovative programs, and brought together key stakeholders to find viable solutions to countless programs. Judge Sakai is leaning into his experience redesigning systems as he works to update Bexar County government to provide greater transparency and efficiency. More about Sakai.