Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

About Us

ABOUT

Fulfilling the needs of all LISD students and staff

LEEF-Staff
Great Nonprofits

LEEF enriches the educational experience for all students and staff of the Leander Independent School District.

Every student will be prepared for life after high school; whether they attend college, enter the workforce, or obtain technical training.

Our history

In 2007, a group of 12 Leander ISD volunteers recognized that state funds alone were not enough to provide the high-quality public education every child deserves. With $17,000 and a vision to improve education for all Leander ISD students and staff the Founders launched LEEF’s first program, innovative classroom grants for teachers.

Since its inception, LEEF has raised nearly $5 million through partnerships with businesses, families, community members and Leander ISD employees.

Today, LEEF is a vital resource for one of the largest public school districts in Central Texas, and has invested nearly $4 million directly into programs for Leander ISD students and staff.

Staff

Shannon Darby

Executive Director

Board of Directors

LEEF’s Board of Directors is dedicated to advancing district-aligned goals for Leander ISD students and staff.

To ensure alignment with district initiatives, the board includes representatives from the Board of Trustees, a district educator, and the Superintendent.

Board members, nominated by the LEEF’s committee, typically have experience in nonprofit financial, advisory, or volunteer roles. Interested candidates can apply for review, with new members elected each June.

Chris Clark

Chris Clark, Ex Officio

LISD Superintendent

Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia

Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia, Ex Officio

LISD School Board Trustee

Nekosi Nelson, Ex Officio

LISD School Board Trustee

Tara LeDay

Tara LeDay, President

Husch Blackwell

Rhonda Bly

Rhonda Bly, VP Development

Satterfield & Pontikes

Martin Cano, VP Finance

TRS

Christy Diver, Secretary

Community Member

Mike Vermeeren

Mike Vermeeren, VP Programs

Cushing Terrell

LEEF Jane Hatter

Jane Hatter, VP Marketing

Community Member

Jennifer Hayhurst

Ascension Seton Williamson Foundation

Denise Geiger

Leander ISD

Laura Balla

Ascension Seton Cedar Park

Joseph Alvarez

PBK Architects

LEEF Heidi Cisneros

Heidi Cisneros

Structures

Dinesh Salem-Natarajan

Executive Advisory Services

Joshua Russell

The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts

Anne Duffy

Cedar Park City Council

Courtney Harper LEEF

Courtney Harper

Community Member

Rayan Horak

Toyota of Cedar Park

Luis Cortez

Next Level Urgent Care

Matt Pitcher LEEF

Matt Pitcher

Charles Schwab

Trey Swor

Joeris