Board of Directors
Nancy Bridges
Nancy has devoted her career to the field of education and is a natural cheerleader for all children and youth. Throughout her tenure with the Grand Prairie Independent School District, she regularly supported nonprofits that served her students. Nancy joined the Children First Board of Directors in August 2020 and almost immediately began lending her talents to several committees. She was recently elected to the board of trustees for GPISD.
Doug Bryan
Doug brings over 30 years of entrepreneurial business experience and community service to his role as a Children First board member, always with a “service above self” mentality. As co-owner of Insight College and Financial Solutions, Doug’s planning, marketing, and financial expertise serve our agency well.
Reyes Flores
In his professional life, Reyes is co-owner of Encompass Business Solutions. Joining us in February 2013, Reyes brings a passion to see the work of mental health agencies provide care with excellence and dignity.
Richard Whitman
Richard is a well-known and respected mortgage professional. He joined the Children First board in February of 2009 and has actively led by example from day one. Richard is a true champion for children, also serving on the board of directors for Dallas Children’s Charities.
Sammie Walker
Sammie Walker has devoted her life to educating and uplifting children throughout her professional career as a retired school teacher and school counselor. She has continued to inspire students as an adjunct professor at North Lake College. Children First is now benefiting from her considerable talents, professionalism and attention to excellence.
Sharon Boshart
Sharon brings a true spirit of service to her role as a community advocate after a successful career in administration at Lone Star Park of Grand Prairie. She also lends a wealth of knowledge about fundraising and foundations as a longtime member of the Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation.
Karen Caton
Karen is a retired attorney and business owner, now residing in Arlington. She has over 35 years of legal experience focusing on business organizations and trust and estate planning. She was the first attorney in Collin County to achieve Board Certification in Estate Planning and Probate Law, and she has served in numerous leadership positions with nonprofit organizations. As a past president of the McKinney Education Foundation, and the founder of Dream Alliance, a private foundation, she brings experience in nonprofit organization and endowment development, and a heart for community service.
Suzana Delgado-Gray
Suzana recently joined Children First’s Board of Directors in January 2022. She comes to us with a wealth of nonprofit management, community engagement, and fundraising experience through her most recent position as district Vice President of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. Suzana is now the Chief Operating Officer of Girls, Inc. Tarrant County, and feels strongly about continuing her work serving children and families.
Julie DeBaun
Julie DeBaun serves as the Director of Marketing for The David Nicklas Organ Donor Awareness Foundation. Hailing from Grand Prairie, TX, Julie’s marketing journey commenced early when she took on the role of Editor-in-Chief for the Geep, Grand Prairie High School’s yearbook. Throughout her career, she achieved remarkable milestones, even working as an on-air reporter for ESPN. Her comprehensive expertise makes her a distinguished marketing professional, well-versed in a wide array of domains.
Clayton Fisher
Clayton is a Certified Financial Planner with the Dix–Fisher Financial Consulting Group of US Capital Advisors. He has served on the Children First Board of Directors since 2009 and provided strong and positive leadership as the 2019 President.
Meagan Godfrey
Meagan is a Public Information Officer with the City of Grand Prairie, under the Tourism division. She brings a great set of marketing skills, along with a passion for nonprofit work, which she hopes to use to further develop Children First’s public relations. Meagan recently joined the Board of Directors in January 2022.
Don Goldsmith
Don Goldsmith is an active community servant. He joined the Children First Board of Directors in May 2003, making him one of our most tenured directors. He currently serves on the Nominating Committee.
Jeff Kehr
New to North Texas, and to our Board of Directors, Jeff is the current General Manager of the Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie. He brings over 20 years of experience in the event planning business, and feels strongly about giving back to the community. Serving Children First is a perfect match for his commitment to help others. He will be an important part of our facilities team and we look forward to his leadership in the years to come.
Emily Liles
Emily is an avid community volunteer and was awarded the Texas PTA Lifetime Membership Award for her hours of service with various local PTAs. She has a focus on education as well as child safety and well-being. She currently holds a position with the GPISD Board of Trustees, with an additional role as Vice President. Children First recently welcomed Emily as a Board Director in February 2022 and we are excited to partner on initiatives to improve our agency’s focus.
Michelle Madden
Michelle serves Grand Prairie as the President of the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce. She is also a very active community volunteer, working with other children and family related organizations in the area. Having served on our Board of Directors since August 2017, Michelle has very generously used her talents and excitement to further the combined efforts of the board, to engage the local business community in Children First’s fundraising efforts.
Prudence Mathis
Prudence is the Public Relations and Awareness Director for the David Nicklas Organ Donor Awareness Foundation. She shares her heart and energy with several nonprofits and is one of the most enthusiastic community servants to ever grace the Children First Board of Directors. She has served Children First since February 2008.
Julie Ramirez
Julie Ramirez is well known in the community as a successful realtor and dedicated servant leader. Early in her career, she began volunteering for PTAs, the YMCA, the Board of Realtors, and other local organizations. In January 2020, Julie joined the Children First Board of Directors, and we are blessed to have her energy and passion to further our vision of hope and healing for all.
Chief Daniel Scesney
Daniel Scesney joined the Children First Board of Directors in March 2017 shortly after his promotion to Assistant Chief in the Grand Prairie Police Department. Sworn in as Grand Prairie’s new Police Chief as of January 2020, Chief Scesney has reaffirmed his commitment to support and guide Children First. Under his leadership, the Grand Prairie Police Department’s Annual Car Show benefiting Children First was established in 2018, and has proven to be an exciting event for fundraising and child abuse prevention awareness.
Mildred Walker
Mildred Walker is the original owner of The Oasis at Joe Pool Lake and Lynn Creek Marina, a popular local tourist attraction. She is also a founding member of our agency’s board of directors who returned to us in February 2010. Mildred’s many years of business experience and board leadership are a true asset to our board and to those we serve.
Shelley Whatley
Shelley is new to the Children First Board of Directors, joining in January 2022. She is a local licensed realtor with RE/Max Elite who has lived and worked in the community for many years, and has established relationships with area school districts. Having previously worked for Children First, and also in a volunteer capacity, Shelley has a heart for the agency’s mission and serving children’s causes.
Gail Wills
Gail is a Past-President who has served multiple terms in that role for Children First. Her long history with this agency, and her expertise as a CPA, is a great asset in charting the direction of the agency. Her commitment to the work of this agency is clearly evident in every aspect of board service.