Staff
The staff at Girlstart is a group of amazing women with incredible dedication, vision and leadership.
Tamara Hudgins
Executive Director
Tamara's professional background is in nonprofit management and development. She has managed and raised support for educational organizations, and was executive director of a community foundation serving Williamson County, Texas before joining Girlstart. Before her move to Texas in late 2005, Tamara was executive director of a nonprofit that served more than 11,000 Chicago teachers and children every week.
Tamara is passionate about creating educational programs that improve teaching and learning, as well as maintaining civic vitality. She received her Ph.D. in Art History at Charles University in Prague, and earned M.A. and B.A. degrees in Art History from School of the Art Institute and Ohio State University, respectively. She has taught at the graduate level at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Central European University, and the Prague College of Studies in Art and Architecture.
Tamara's faves:
- Favorite Coffee House Drink: Black tea (w/ sugar and sometimes milk)
- Favorite TV Show: Good Eats
- Favorite Color: #612E8E
 Sharlym Aquino
Program Assistant
Sharlym is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations. She is excited to join Girlstart and support their mission to empower young girls.
Sharlym's faves:
- Favorite Coffee House Drink: White Chocolate Mocha
- Favorite TV Show: Project Runway
- Favorite Color: #FFFF00
Jessica Cook
Development Manager
A Seattle native, Jessica Cook holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Whitman College in Washington State. Before moving to Austin and coming to work at Girlstart in 2002, Jessica served as the Program Administrator for the Associated Kyoto Program, sending American undergraduates to study in Kyoto, Japan. Jessica is dedicated to helping people improve their lives through education and she is thrilled to use her grant writing and fundraising experience to help young women embrace a bright, empowered future.
Jessica's faves:
- Favorite Coffee House Drink- Vanilla Latte
- Favorite TV Show- Cash Cab
- Favorite Color- #08088A
 Robin Murphy
Development Director
A native of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Robin Murphy has over 10 years of successful work history in the organization and coordination of large scale public events including special events expertise in not-for-profit fundraisers and retail promotions.
Robin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. For the past four years, Robin worked as the Development Director at AIDS Services of Austin where she was responsible for implementing all major fundraising events, agency marketing campaigns, donor cultivation, individual and corporate fundraising efforts. Robin is thrilled to be a part of the Girlstart team.
Robin's faves:
- Favorite Coffee House Drink: Cappuccino
- Favorite TV Show: DEXTER
- Favorite Color: #81BEF7
Julie Shannan
Deputy Director
Over the past ten years, Julie Shannan has created, launched and managed some of the most innovative and effective informal education programs for girls, parents and teachers. Before being named Girlstart’s Interim ED, Ms. Shannan served as the Deputy Director for the past seven years and recently won the prestigious “Austin Under 40” Award for leadership in Youth and Education. Ms. Shannan graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and has developed nationally recognized science and technology programs that have been funded by Oprah’s Angel Network, the Texas Education Agency and the National Science Foundation. Ms. Shannan has presented at the Texas Conference for Women, The Conference for Science Teachers Association, Expanding Your Horizons, Society of Women Engineers, Women in Technology International, and the National Science Teachers Association promoting opportunities for girls in math, science, engineering, and technology.
In addition, she has been featured in Austin Monthly, Mothering Magazine, The Austin American Statesman, Austin Business Journal, San Antonio Business Journal, CosmoGirl, and was named Austin DOVIA Volunteer Manager of the Year in 2003. Ms. Shannan’s passion for science and math drive her to constantly create cutting edge programs that spark girls’ intellect and creativity while engaging the Central Texas community in the process.
Julie's faves:
- Favorite Coffee House Drink: Earl Grey Tea
- Favorite TV Show: The Office
- Favorite Color: #04B4AE
 Katelyn Wamsted
Program Manager/Summer Camp Director
Katelyn Wamsted received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas A&M University. For the past 7 years, Katelyn has worked and volunteered to promote teamwork and self esteem among others. Her background in marketing and passion for empowering girls brings a unique and fun perspective to Girlstart programs. Katelyn is excited to bring her logistic skills to the Girlstart team.
Katelyn's faves:
- Favorite Coffee House Drink: Hmmm…frozen
- Favorite TV Show: Bones
- Favorite Color: #FF0080
Deanna Buckley
Science Specialist
Deanna Buckley received her Bachelor of Science and Master's degree in Science Education with an emphasis in biology and chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Science and Mathematics Education at the University of Texas. Deanna has over 17 years of classroom experience and she has served as the technology coordinator for the Center for Science and Mathematics Education at the University of Southern Mississippi, Field Coordinator for the Delta Rural Systemic Initiative, and has extensive training from exemplary programs such as the Exploratorium's Inquiry Institute in San Francisco and Cold Spring Harbor's DNA literacy program in New York.
Elida Madrigal
Parent Liaison
Elida Madrigal holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, an Elementary Teaching Certificate, and her Master's of Education from Texas Christian University. She brings her experience as a Certified Bilingual Teacher as well as the Program Administrator for the Austin Capital Area Community Leadership Council. Elida has been recruiting Hispanic high school students for the Austin Capital Area Community Leadership Council for many years and was awarded the Outstanding Hispanic Woman Service Award from the Mexican American Business and Professional Women's Association.
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Annual Report
