Board Members

Ms. Stacie D. McDavid, Board Chair and Presiding Officer

Stacie McDavid of Fort Worth is the chief executive officer of McDavid Companies, a real estate and investment company which her family owns. She is a member of the National Cutting Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, National Reined Cow Horse Association, and the Texas Real Estate Association. Additionally, Stacie is a member of the MD Anderson Board of Visitors, vice president of the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, committee member of the MD Anderson Living Legends, board member of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and former co-capital campaign chair of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Stacie received a Bachelor of Science from Texas Woman’s University

Dr. Crystal Wright, Vice Chair and Asst. Presiding Officer

Crystal Wright of Houston is a physician and associate professor of anesthesiology in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is also the Director of Professionalism, Support, and Standards in the Chief Academic Office at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is president of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, committee chair for the Harris County Medical Society, and board member and committee chair for the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Additionally, she is a board of trustee member for River Oaks Baptist School and an advisory board member of Dress for Success – Houston. Wright received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and a Doctor of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine.

Ms. Ellen Amirkhan

Ellen Amirkhan of Dallas is president of Dallas’ historic Oriental Rug Cleaning Co., Inc., a business founded by her grandfather in 1911. She is a founding member and instructor for the Association of Rug Care Specialists, a member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), a former president of the ISA North Texas Chapter, and a former president and board member of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration. Additionally, she is a member and donor of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Dallas Woman’s Forum. Amirkhan was a member of TWU’s Track and Field team. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Liberal Arts from Southern Methodist University.

Ms. Bernadette C. Coleman

Bernadette Coleman of Denton is an occupational therapist for the Denton County Special Education Cooperative. She is a member of the Texas Occupational Therapy Association and the New Horizons Ariel Club of Denton, treasurer for the Denton High School Cheer Booster Club, a member of the Denton High School PTSA  member and a team manager for Destination Imagination at Denton High School. Additionally, Bernadette is a former hospitality chair for Denton High School and Newton Rayzor Elementary, former secretary and programs chair for the Calhoun Middle School Parent Teacher Association (PTA), former council delegate for Sam Houston Elementary PTA, and a former troop cookie coordinator for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. Bernadette received a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University.

Mr. Bob Hyde

Robert “Bob” Hyde of Irving currently serves as the managing director of a private business, MAH-REH LLC. He is a former financial industry officer possessing decades of experience within Wealth Management, Public Policy and Regulatory Compliance disciplines. Bob currently serves as a volunteer member within the Saint Vincent DePaul Society serving the local Irving Texas community and the Holy Family of Nazareth Irving Parish finance committee. He also serves as a business community representative within the Collin College Business Roundtable as its Co-Chairperson. Bob continues to serve as a Regent of the Texas Women’s University System, his term began in 2019. He is a former board member of the Dallas Friday Group, the Dallas Regional Chamber Public Policy Committee, the Alzheimer's Association Greater Dallas Chapter and the University of Dallas National Alumni Board and the university’s Church of the Incarnation finance committee. Bob also served as a business community representative for the Irving Independent School District Improvement Committee and the City of Irving Bond Committee. He also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Dallas County. Bob received a Bachelor of Arts - secondary education and economics from the University of Dallas. He is also a graduate of the University of Virginia Graduate School of Bank Management.

Ms. Jill Jester

Jill E. Jester of Denton is an attorney and shareholder of Minor & Jester, P.C. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Denton County Bar Association, and Real Estate, Probate & Trusts Law Section. Jill is Chair of the Denton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a member of the Denton Economic Development Partnership Board, Denton Black Chamber of Commerce, and past-Chair of the City of Denton’s Downtown Taskforce. Additionally, she co-chaired the Health Services of North Texas’ Capital Campaign, is a member of the Denton Benefit League, Denton City Federation of Women’s Clubs, and North Central Texas College Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. Jill received a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from the University of Oklahoma and a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law.

Ms. Janelle Shepard

Janelle Shepard of Weatherford recently retired as the Continuum of Care Officer at Texas Health Resources. After 40+ years in the healthcare industry, she is a board certified case manager by the American Nurses Credentialing Center,  a past member of the American Case Management Association, American College of Healthcare Executives, American Association of Managed Care Nurses, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Association. Janelle is a former gubernatorial appointee on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and a former gubernatorial appointee and board secretary for the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. She received an Associate of Arts in nursing from San Bernardino Valley College, Bachelor of Science in nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington, and a Master of Business Administration in healthcare management from Western Governors University. In retirement, Janelle volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Parker County, serves as an election judge, loves playing with her 4 grandchildren, traveling and playing the piano.

Ms. Mary P. Wilson

Mary Pincoffs Wilson of Austin is involved in her family’s privately run business. She is a former chair of the Texas Woman's University Board of Regents and past president of Les Amis de Hospice Austin Board of Directors and West Austin Youth Association. Mary is a former foster family chair for Helping Hand Home for Children and former chair of Austin High School's Guidance Committee. Additionally, she is a past member of the Helping Hand Home for Children Board of Directors and the Alzheimer's Association of Austin Gala Committee. Mary received a Bachelor of Arts in English from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in teaching from Emory University.

Ms. Kathleen Wu

Kathleen Wu of Dallas is a real estate transactions attorney in the Dallas office of the international law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. Kathleen is known for a sophisticated understanding of her clients’ businesses, successfully guiding them through the execution of legal and business matters, and anticipating and planning for what might be needed as an issue evolves. In addition to her legal practice, she is active in civic and philanthropic organizations, serving on the board of directors for, among other organizations, the Business Council for the Arts, Rebuilding Together, and the United State Tennis Association Foundation. Because of her passion and energy, Kathleen is frequently tapped to serve in leadership positions on those boards, either as an officer or to spearhead strategically important initiatives. In both her professional and her volunteer work, Kathleen’s reputation as a trusted advisor has attracted a loyal and far-reaching audience for her work and insights. She is also a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion and frequently speaks and writes on those issues, both in the legal profession and more broadly. Kathleen has a demonstrated and strong record of serving in leadership roles and in organizations dedicated to promoting a more just and equitable society.

Ms. Jianna Covarelli, Student Regent

Jianna Covarelli is a second generation American and first generation college student pursuing both a Bachelor of Social Work with a generalist’s certification and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with an emphasis in legal studies, with plans to attend law school post graduation. As a Pioneer, Jianna has a long history of service, both on and off campus. She formerly served as a Texas Senator in a national youth senate, and co-authored a criminal justice bill ensuring protection of DV victims which passed, and was later presented to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. Most recently, she represented Texas Woman’s University as a part of the American Delegation at the Reykjavik Global Forum for female political leaders. On campus, Jianna served as Secretary of Recruitment and Chair of the Retreat Committee for the Athenian Honors Society; she has hosted a campus leader talk for the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy; and is an active member of Omicron Delta Kappa and the Barrister’s Club.