The Raise Your Hand Texas staff team is made up of a diverse, passionate group dedicated to ensuring every Texas child has access to a high-quality, free public education. Connect with us and join us in this mission.
Alison Badgett
Executive DirectorAlison became Executive Director of Raise Your Hand Texas in May 2016, after serving as the organization’s Director of Research and Strategic Development since 2014. She has been the chief executive of several public policy and advocacy organizations.
Cody Huie
Vice President of ProgramsCody is the Vice President of Programs for Raise Your Hand Texas. Cody worked at the Texas Center for District and School Support at Education Service Center Region 13 developing training and resources for thousands of district and campus leaders around the state.
David Anderson
General Counsel and Policy AnalystDavid joined Raise Your Hand Texas in 2014 after retiring from 20 years as General Counsel to the Texas Education Agency. He is recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Certification in Administrative Law. David trains for triathlons, practices Ashtanga yoga, and plays the Japanese game “Go.”
Debra Salge
Chief Administrative OfficerDebra has been with Raise Your Hand Texas since its inception in 2007. She brings to her role a wealth of administrative, financial, project management, and philanthropic experience, including 28 years serving as Executive Assistant to the Chairman and CEO at H-E-B.
Petri Darby, APR
Vice President of MarketingPetri joined Raise Your Hand Texas in 2013. His 20-year career includes spearheading marketing, communications, and digital strategy in the Make-A-Wish national office, running his own creative marketing shop, and other agency and corporate stints.
Jennifer Jendrzey
Director of Strategic Learning and EvaluationJennifer's research efforts focus on blended learning in alignment with her management of the Raise Your Hand's Raising Blended Learners initiative. Before joining Raise Your Hand, she worked at the Texas Education Agency and was an Education Pioneers Fellow as a human capital analyst.
Thea Ulrich-Lewis
Program ManagerThea, a member of the 2009 Teach for America Corps in the Rio Grande Valley, joined the Raise Your Hand Texas research team in April 2016. The Brooklyn native moved to Austin to complete a Master’s degree in public affairs at the University of Texas.
Marcela Andrés
Program DirectorMarcela, a former teacher and charter school operations manager, joined the Raise Your Hand Texas team in July of 2016. Her experience as a child in an underserved community fuels her passion to advocate for equity in public education.
Laura Heinauer
Public Affairs AssociateLaura, who has written about politics and schools for nearly 20 years, joined Raise Your Hand Texas in 2017 as a Public Affairs Associate specializing in policy-related communications and media relations.
Joel Goudeau
Visual Design StrategistJoel has left his mark across Texas with his flair for graphic design. At Raise Your Hand Texas, he uses his illustration, photography, and multimedia design skills to help lead the organization’s branding and “look and feel” across print and digital platforms.
Anne Bannister
Digital ProducerAnne, a filmmaker, photographer, and narrative storyteller joined the Raise Your Hand Texas marketing team in June 2014. As a Digital Producer, Anne uses her talents to craft, shoot, and edit the stories that give voice to educators, and bridge the gap between the Capitol and campus communities.
Briana Mascitelli
Operations ManagerAs operations manager for Raise Your Hand Texas, Briana facilitates day-to-day activities — from managing financial reports and human resources to assisting with projects in the marketing and program departments.
