Lisa Dow
Executive Director
View BioLisa Dow joined Aware Awake Alive as Executive Director in September 2013, bringing with her over 20 years of project management and program development experience. She was drawn to the organization’s peer-driven message and life saving mission for young people. Lisa began her career in marketing with Frost Bank in San Antonio and Guaranty National Bank in Austin before working in law firm recruiting. She was the Co-founder and Chair for the RAD (Resisting Alcohol and Drugs) program at Anderson High School and has extensively served community and nonprofit organizations in myriad capacities, including National Charity League, Helping Hand Society, and Friends of Hospice Austin. Most recently, Lisa served as Classroom Coaching Coordinator for Austin Partners in Education, where she managed a reading program that included 85 volunteers and 100 students. Previously, she acted as a grants coordinator for Bosque Arts Center, researching funding possibilities and assisting with grant writing for a $5M capital campaign. Prior to that, Lisa acted as Interim Director of School and Teacher Programs at the Blanton Museum of Art. Lisa is a graduate of Leadership Austin's ESSENTIAL Class and is an avid cyclist.
Melinda Gonzales Boe
Development Director
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Melinda Gonzales Boe, Development Director, joined Aware Awake Alive in April 2015. She is excited to be a part of the AAA family and help advance such a wonderful mission.
A native Texan, Melinda has spent the past 10 years working in and volunteering for nonprofits in the Dallas and Austin areas. She began her career as an Americorps VISTA member for the UNT America Reads Program in Denton, Texas and has since gained a strong background in nonprofit development and communications, serving with national and local-based nonprofits including Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society and the St. Paul Medical Foundation at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Most recently, Melinda served as a consultant for a couple of Austin-based small nonprofits, helping to develop and manage their development and communications plans. Since moving to Austin, she has enjoyed getting more involved in the community. Currently, she serves as a member of the Junior League of Austin, Austin Children’s Services Guild Leadership Team, Cine Las Americas Board of Directors and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network - Austin Chapter Board of Directors.
Melinda holds an MA in Communication Studies from the University of North Texas (UNT) and a BA in Communications from the University of Texas at Austin. She also completed graduate level coursework in nonprofit and volunteer management at UNT.
Kate Tolliver
Administrative Assistant
View BioKate Tolliver joined Aware Awake Alive as Administrative Assistant in October 2015. As a life-long nonprofit professional, she has a passion for mission of Aware Awake Alive. Kate recently completed the Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management through the Center for Community Based and Nonprofit Organizations at Austin Community College. Kate has worked in the nonprofit space for over 25 years and has experience with both direct service and executive-level leadership.
Shannon Kostecka
Programs Manager
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Shannon joined Aware Awake Alive as the Programming Manager in March 2015. She previously served as the Program Coordinator at Texas AHEC East – Waco Region, a nonprofit focused on making communities healthier. Prior to joining the AHEC team, she served as the Marketing Coordinator at Lake Granbury Medical Center where she was responsible for the coordination of monthly events and development of marketing collateral for hospital service lines.
She is a graduate from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Her past experiences include a wealth of knowledge and experience within the health care industry and nonprofit sector. Her background ranges from developing and implementing educational programs for both youth and adults to collaborating with community leaders to enhance public knowledge of local issues.
Shannon is excited to be part of Aware Awake Alive’s team and looking forward to promoting the mission of the organization on a local and national level.
Andrene Kaiwi-Lenting
University Liaison
View BioAndrene Kaiwi-Lenting (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) is the University Liaison for Aware Awake Alive and joined the team in November, 2011. She resides in San Luis Obispo, California where she is the Assistant Director for Student Life & Leadership at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). She coordinates orientation and transition programs for new students and their family members. Orientation Programs, at Cal Poly, is nationally recognized for its student leaders and volunteerism, its community relations, and its ability to outreach to new students in transition. Orientation Programs produces three major programs -- Open House Preview Weekend, summer orientation sessions, and the Week of Welcome (WOW). Andrene is also a part-time faculty member for the School of Education Graduate Program in Counseling & Guidance for Higher Education. As an active member and leader of the National Orientation Director's Association (NODA) she has served the association in many leadership roles, including annual conference host, on the board of directors, as regional coordinator of four states, as faculty for the Orientation Professionals Institute and as the association's president.
Elise Erb
Intern
View BioElise Erb is excited to be helping Aware Awake Alive however she can while working on a master’s in art education from The University of Texas. She recently moved to Austin after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where Aware Awake Alive was a constant presence on campus. She has a bachelor’s degree in history and was very active in campus life during her time at Cal Poly. Elise is thrilled to be working with an organization saving lives in two of her favorite cities.