Doreen J. Wise, Ed.D. (Chair) is founder and CEO of Medical Research Consultants of Houston, Texas. Dr. Wise is a charter member and past president of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) and served as editor and contributing author of AALNC’s core curriculum textbook. She also founded the Texas Center for the Missing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of issues related to missing and abducted children.

James Gaeta is the Director of Financial Aid at Southwestern University. Mr. Gaeta earned a B.B.A. from Southwestern before serving with distinction in their Office of Admissions. He is a strong proponent of the liberal arts and is committed to helping disadvantaged students find ways to attend colleges and universities.

Shana M. Ellison is a process engineer, independent consultant and software developer. Ellison earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from San Jose State University. She volunteers extensively with College Forward and other local nonprofits.

Henry B. “Hank” Ewert, nationally recognized in the field of college counseling and admissions, served as Director of College Counseling at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School for 25 years. He is a past president of the College Board's Southwest Regional Council, a charter member of the Texas Association of College Admission Counseling (TACAC) and Chairman of their Summer Institute committee. Mr. Ewert has represented Texas on the Board of the National Association of College Admission Counseling in five separate years. He currently provides college counseling services at Academic Answers in Austin.

Jackie Mata is the founding Executive Director of the KDK-Harman Foundation. Jackie has significant background in the areas of finance, investment management, and taxation, as she is a CPA and Certified Financial Planner.  Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Mata was the Director of Wealth Management Services at an Austin-based investment management firm for five years.  She graduated from Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with a BA in Accounting. Jackie serves as Vice-Chairman of the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas.

Lisa Fielder (Ex Officio) is College Forward's Executive Director and co-founder. Lisa has a lifelong commitment to education and a genuine affection for teenagers. A member of the Greater Austin Chamber’s Matriculation Task Force, Lisa has impacted hundreds of college-bound students in Central Texas and was named a “Local Hero” in 2006 by the Bank of America Foundation for her catalytic innovations in education access. Lisa is a devoted member of the Texas and National Associations of College Admission Counselors and past Board Chair of the Texas Center for the Missing.