Aware Awake Alive is Growing!

We’ve recently welcomed three new members to our team. Kelley Newberry has joined our staff, and Derry Swanger and Todd Hanna have joined our Board of Directors.

Kelley Newberry has joined Aware Awake Alive as Development Associate. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Kelley spent four years as the Special Events and Grants Officer for the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to her work at UT, Kelley began her development career as the grants manager for Project Tomorrow, a California-based education nonprofit. Before her transition into development, Kelley taught middle school English. Kelley is a member of the Dell Children’s Trust and a volunteer with the SFA Society. Natives of Austin, Kelley and her husband Joe are happy to be raising their two children here.

Derry Swanger, the newly elected treasurer of Aware Awake Alive, is a partner with the law firm of GSRP and is board certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Council, and serves as a legal advisor to the Ballet Austin Foundation. Mr. Swanger graduated from SMU School of Law in 1984 after receiving his B.B.A. in Accounting, with highest honors, from The University of Texas at Austin in 1981.

Todd Hanna, a native of Austin and a graduate of Austin High School and the University of Texas at Austin, has experience in the commercial construction and insurance industries. He served for several years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. In 2008, Todd became President and CEO of Explore Austin, a non-profit whose mission is to “change the lives of underserved youth through leadership, mentoring, and adventure.” Remaining on the Board of Directors of Explore Austin, Todd recently joined Aquila Commercial, a full service real estate firm in Austin. Todd also serves on the Board of Directors of The American Red Cross of Central Texas, Trinity Episcopal School and the LBJ Future Forum.