Our Team

Isabel is a native Houstonian committed to improving her city. She brings extensive board service experience, currently serving as a Trustee for the Menil Foundation and the Houston Symphony, and as a member of the Latin American Arts Committee at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Isabel’s past board service includes St. John’s School, the Alley Theatre, and the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston. She is an active member of the Garden Club of Houston, working to maintain public gardens throughout the city. Additionally, she has volunteered at many Houston-based organizations, including the Beacon, Star of Hope, and BEAR – Be A Resource for CPS Kids.

Isabel holds a BA from New York University. She and her husband, Ransom, live in Houston and have four adult daughters.

With over 20 years of experience, Ann oversees the overall management and leadership of the foundation. She works closely with the Board of Trustees to determine the foundation’s strategy and focus.

Prior to joining The Brown Foundation, Ann served as Executive Vice President; Executive Director (interim); and Vice President for Advancement for YES Prep Public Schools, an award-winning public charter school network. Before joining YES Prep, Ann was the founding Managing Director for Education Pioneers–Houston and a consultant for McKinsey & Company, where she served public and private sector clients on a variety of strategic and organizational issues.

Ann holds a BA in Sociology and Political Science, magna cum laude, and a doctorate in History from Rice University. She and her husband have lived in Houston for many years and have two children.

As Chief Grants Officer, Ryan works in partnership with foundation members, staff, grantees, and community partners to ensure the Foundation’s grantmaking efforts are impactful, effective, and efficient.

Prior to joining The Brown Foundation, Ryan served in various roles in school, education nonprofit, and museum settings. He moved to Texas through Teach For America and started his career as a middle school English teacher in Houston’s East End. Ryan then spent 10 years in Central Texas, primarily in San Antonio, leading recruitment and then teacher leadership efforts for Teach For America. In 2014, Ryan helped launch The DoSeum, San Antonio’s Museum for Kids, as its founding Vice President for Education. He returned to Houston in 2018 and served as Chief of Staff for IDEA Public Schools before joining the Brown Foundation team in 2019.

Ryan has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri and a Master’s in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Ryan and his partner Sandra live in Houston’s East End with their son and two dogs.

Jacklyn joined The Brown Foundation over a decade ago, and she currently serves as Chief Financial Officer. She manages the Foundation’s financial and administrative functions—including accounting, budgeting, payroll, risk management, human resources, and facility functions.

Prior to joining The Brown Foundation, Jacklyn spent more than nine years with BKD, LLP, as an Audit Manager. During her time there, she specialized in the non-profit, governmental, and real estate industries and managed the local office’s non-profit audit team. Jacklyn also created the firm’s intern program, which grew to more than 20 interns during her tenure, and was responsible for intern recruiting, training, evaluating, and hiring.

Jacklyn graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting, and she is a certified public accountant. She and her husband have lived in the Houston area for many years and have two children, ages 11 and 9.

As Director of Grants Management and Evaluation, Robert oversees both the technical components of grantmaking at the Foundation and the analysis of grant reporting and programmatic results.

Previously, Robert managed grants reporting, program, and administrative duties on the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation. For over 10 years, Robert’s career has been devoted to serving Houstonians and Texans at-large. Robert began at BakerRipley helping Houston Independent School District families with children in Head Start programs. He then helped connect families to schools by managing a database and creating and operating a successful call center reaching tens of thousands of families in Houston, San Antonio, and Austin at Families Empowered.

Robert attained his BA in Psychology at UC Berkeley and a MA in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Prior to joining The Brown Foundation, Sherene served as the Managing Director of Alumni Leadership & Engagement for Teach For America Houston where she oversaw the support and engagement of 1700+ Teach For America (TFA) alumni working towards educational equity and excellence for Houston children. Sherene has also been a member of TFA’s Recruitment team and their Talent Acquisition team. She was a 2005 TFA Houston corps member where she taught third grade at Houston ISD’s Mabel B. Wesley Elementary School.

Prior to her work with TFA alumni, Sherene was a clinical social worker at the Trauma and Grief Center at UT Health under Dr. Julie Kaplow. Sherene holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology as well as a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. She is the proud mom of an amazing son and enjoys reading and traveling when she can. Sherene values and enjoys voluntarism as a member of the Junior League of Houston.