Meet the PIP Team!

Val Rios  | Executive Director

Val (she/her/ella) is thrilled to be a part of the Partners in Parenting team. She has held an array of positions in the corporate and non-profit world. Prior to moving back to Austin, she lived abroad and knows the value of having a supportive community around you when transitioning to parenting. She is excited about bringing her leadership skills to the table in order to propel Partners in Parenting forward. In her spare time, you can find her practicing Iyengar yoga. Together with her own special partner in parenting, Floris, they have one spunky little girl and an active little boy.

 

Ali Tepper  |  Deputy Director

Ali (she/her) brings a wealth of experience empowering parents and strengthening the parent-child connection through research-based, and empathetic, practices. As an avid supporter of parents and children, Ali has dedicated her career to making a meaningful impact on improving families' lives. Her experience includes being a curriculum director at an educational nonprofit focused on literacy and leadership building and a program specialist at a parent support nonprofit training early educators and parents on trauma-responsive tools to improve social-emotional well-being. Ali grew up in sunny Florida, moved to the bright lights of NYC, and has since settled in lovely Dripping Springs, TX with her husband, Taylor. Ali has three kiddos that keep her laughing and busy. You might spot her around Austin enjoying hot yoga, or checking out a new live music spot.

 

Jenna Williamson  |  Marketing Manager

Jenna (she/her) has been an advocate for youth, families, and parents in the Austin area within the nonprofit world for more than a decade. Before PIP, she served in a variety of roles as a mental health counselor, youth educator, parent support specialist, and creative. Jenna is thrilled to have a key role in expanding PIP’s parent support services through creative marketing, brand management, graphic design, outreach, events, and community partnerships. Outside of work, you may spot Jenna at the garden center or exploring Austin’s parks, bakeries, coffee shops, or libraries with her family.

 

Liz Crawford  |  Program Experience Manager

Liz (she/her) believes wholeheartedly in the mission and values of PIP.  She brings a wealth of knowledge within consumer-focused solutions and strong interpersonal skills to assess the needs of clients and make recommendations to ensure satisfaction. In her downtime, she enjoys learning, crafting, event planning, and spending time with her “crazy family”. 

 

Mari Valladares  |  Bilingual Program Experience Manager

Mari (she/her/ella) is passionate about equality, raising kids in a conscious way, parenting support, and books. Specialized in Psychology of Human Development, she used to work with underserved communities in her native Venezuela by giving workshops for children, helping them develop literacy skills and emotional support, encouraging  them to discover the world through books. As a mom she truly believes that it’s easier if we create bonds with other parents to feel understood and less isolated. She has been in Austin since 2014, where she has grown fond of the walking trails and outdoor dining patios or enjoying live local music with her family. She is the mother of a lovely little girl, and you can probably find them reading books in the library.

 

Acacia Tatro |  Program Experience Manager

Acacia (she/her) moved to Austin over 11 years ago from Vermont and has since built her career supporting families in the community. With experience as a nanny and postpartum doula, she is passionate about building strong, supportive connections for parents. After joining a PIP group when her son was born, Acacia experienced firsthand the importance of community and is excited to now serve families in her role as Program Experience Specialist. Acacia lives in East Austin with her partner and their curious toddler. In her free time you’ll find Acacia exploring Austin’s parks and restaurants with her family or curled up with a book.

2025 Board of Directors

Claudia Arniella (President) (she/her/ella)

Claudia is a storyteller, facilitator, and communications strategist who helps mission-driven organizations build creative, dynamic, and impactful programs for diverse audiences. She has 18 years of experience in outreach and engagement for community programs including reproductive healthcare, education, immigrant services, and planning efforts for parks, trails, and transit. In addition to running a communications consulting business, Q’ente Communications, Claudia is passionate about building networks of support for women, mothers, and caretakers through gathering and connection. She lives in East Austin with her partner, daughter, and two cats.

 

Shelley Mattingly (2025 Chair) (she/her/hers)

Shelley grew up around the midwest and spent her early adult years on the East Coast as well as abroad in Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, and the UK.  After five years practicing corporate law in London and New York, she moved to Austin in 2009, where she switched gears and joined a nonprofit, working to implement aid programs in Ethiopia while also diving into the world of philanthropy.  She welcomed her first daughter in 2014 and shortly after participated in one of the very first PIP groups.  Without extended family in Austin and having experienced anxiety throughout her pregnancy and postpartum, Shelley knows how important it is to have a network of support as a new parent and is thrilled to further PIP's mission by serving on the board.  Now the proud mom of two girls, Shelley continues her philanthropic work.

 

Gaurav Jain (Governance Committee) (he/him)

Gaurav is a Senior Manager (IT Program Management) at Charles Schwab, where he leads projects panning Investor, Advisor, Retirement, Regulatory, Digital, and Technology segments. Born and raised in India, Gaurav holds an MBA and MS in Information Systems from Bryant University, a BS in Computer Science from Providence College, and several technology certifications. He is committed to charitable causes focused on underrepresented and diverse communities and have strong interests in fine arts and creative work. He currently lives with his wife and 2 kids in Northwest Austin. In his free time, you will find Gaurav either hiking, attending band, orchestra, or choir concerts of the local high school, and help judging the Speech, Debate, or Geography Bee events.

Verónica Gómez (Programs Committee) (she/her/ella)

Hola, my name is Veronica Gomez I have 3 children: Camila, David, and the youngest is Misael. My husband's name is Javier. I currently live in Pflugerville. I love spending time with my family, going for walks, and listening to music. Helping out means a lot to me, it's a way to give back to our community. Being a volunteer has helped me connect with many moms. For me, family is very important and teaching my children to be good to others is very important.

 

Angie Max (Chair, Programs Committee) (she/her/hers)

Living life on both coasts led Angie to plant roots in Austin, where she's raising a spirited two-year-old with her partner, Mark, thanks in part to the incredible support from the Partners in Parenting group. When she's not sparking innovation and focusing on enterprise wide digital transformations at PwC, you might find her diving into her passion for making sure technology treats everyone fairly. She's also the first to jump at the chance to host get-togethers, explore new places with her family, soak up Austin's lively scene, or hit the pause button for camping adventures whenever the Texas weather says 'go'. 

 

Dr. Gabrielle Wagabaza (she/her)

Gabrielle was born in Portland, Maine, and now resides in Austin as a licensed Chiropractor in the state of Texas. She holds
additional certification in TMJ care, Pre/Postnatal & infant care, and transformative soft tissue therapies, including cupping, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and trigger point therapy. With a profound understanding of the body, Dr. Gabrielle guides her patients toward a deeper connection with the health of their nervous system. She supports individuals, families, and little ones of all ages feel their very best in the biggest times of transition.

Nena Khir (she/her/ella)

Nena Khir, a native of Durango, Mexico, holds a degree in engineering. She moved to the United States to pursue her professional goals, but her journey took an unexpected and meaningful turn. After starting a family, Nena wanted to focus on raising her two children. Having her first son was a particularly challenging time for her, as she felt lost without a supportive community. This experience has made PIP especially meaningful to her, and she is excited to be part of the organization.

During this transformative period, Nena discovered a profound passion for writing, inspired by her children and the creativity of her own inner child. She has written and published two children’s books. This newfound path has enabled her to channel her experiences and aspirations into compelling stories, where she continues to share her unique voice and perspective.

 

Jessica Mason (Secretary) (she/her)

Born and raised in Michigan, followed by stints on both coasts, Jessica made her way to Austin with her partner in 2018. Shortly after, they welcomed their daughter in the midst of the pandemic with no family nearby, and found much-needed connection and community through a Partners in Parenting Newborn Group. Jessica has since become a passionate advocate and PIP volunteer group facilitator. She is absolutely thrilled to continue her commitment to supporting Austin parents as a Board Member. With over a decade of experience in brand marketing for mission-driven organizations such as Whole Foods Market, EPIC, and currently GoodPop, Jessica is eager to apply her leadership and marketing expertise to amplify PIP's work. When she's not slinging popsicles, she's often reading, going to concerts, and exploring Austin's parks with her two under three. 

Erin McKay (Treasurer) (she/her)

Erin is originally from New Orleans but spent time in Houston and London while growing up, before coming to Austin to attend the University of Texas. She is a CPA with a master’s degree in accounting and over 13 years of experience, including time spent in both public accounting and working as a Controller for a private company. She is currently an Audit Manager in Maxwell Locke & Ritter’s Financial Statement Advisory and Assurance Practice where she enjoys working with a wide variety of clients. She served on PIP’s Finance Committee for two years before joining the Board, and she is eager to use her skillset to serve PIP in a greater capacity. In her free time, she enjoys running, crafting, being outdoors, and spending time with her family: her husband, their two sons, and their dog, a rhodesian ridgeback named Murphy.

 


Flory Mejia (she/her/ella)
Flory Mejia, a proud mother, is a dedicated advocate for new parents. She became a group leader with Partners in Parenting (PIP) before joining the board, work she will continue while serving in this leadership role. Through her experience guiding mothers in the program, she has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of community support. She is passionate about creating spaces where parents can recognize and address challenges like postpartum depression and anxiety—topics that are often overlooked in the Latinx community.

 

Jose Quintero (he/him/ello)

Originally from Guadalajara, Antonio moved to the U.S. to pursue a degree in Industrial Engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso. After relocating to Austin, he spent five years as an engineer before transitioning into project and program management, where he now leads cross-functional teams and complex initiatives. Community has always been central to Antonio’s life, beginning with helping establish his college’s first student organization dedicated to supporting the Latino community. He continues that commitment today through leadership roles, including serving in the Hispanic employee resource group and as Vice President of Education and a founding member of the Applied Materials Toastmasters club. As a new dad, Antonio participated in a PIP group and found the support invaluable during his transition into parenthood. He joined the PIP board to help advance the organization’s mission and ensure more families feel seen, supported, and empowered.

 

Leo Xicum Ku (he/him)

Leo is a proud parent of three children who finds deep joy in everyday parenting. He is passionate about teaching the values of community, kindness, empathy, and love, weaving mindfulness, meditation, and wellness practices into family life to support lifelong well-being.

He believes raising happy, kind children is a shared journey, valuing the exchange of ideas while learning alongside his community. Professionally, Leo works as an Executive Assistant at Owlchemy Labs, supporting leadership through thoughtful organization, clear communication, and strong operational partnership.

Beyond work, Leo enjoys biking, spending time outdoors, and exploring life with his kids, encouraging curiosity, confidence, and compassion at every step.

 

Kristina Phillips (she/her)


Kristina is a design leader, researcher, and strategic thinker who helps organizations build user-centered products and teams that drive meaningful impact. She has over a decade of experience leading design, UX research, and content strategy across fintech, healthcare, and consumer technology—from founding design organizations and scaling research teams to shaping AI-powered banking solutions and telehealth innovations. In addition to her work transforming digital experiences at companies like Visa and Everlyhealth, Kristina is passionate about coaching her kids’ soccer teams, playing tennis, and fostering community through the multiple book clubs she hosts. She lives in Hyde Park with her two kids, husband, and hermit crab

 

Hilary Bentsen (she/her)

Ms. Bentsen, CPA, is a seasoned executive leader with more than 20 years of experience in finance, operations, and strategic planning. She currently serves as President of Texas Legal Protection Plan, Inc., where she leads organizational growth, governance, and long-term strategy.

Hilary brings deep expertise in nonprofit leadership, governance, and operational excellence, with a passion for building strong, mission-driven organizations. She joined the Partners in Parenting Board because she believes deeply in the power of connection, education, and support for parents navigating the challenges of raising children.

Hilary lives in Austin with her twin teenage boys. She enjoys running Lady Bird Lake, volunteering with her sons, and traveling with her family.

 

Jeni Putalavage-Ross (she/her)

Jeni is a community-focused leader with more than 20 years of experience across customer success, operations, and marketing roles at startups and global organizations. Her work centers on building strong teams, thoughtful systems, and programs that support people through major life transitions. Today, she works as a Realtor in Austin, helping families navigate change with clarity and care and leads communications for a local nonprofit.

Jeni joined the board of PIP because she believes strongly in the power of connection, shared learning, and honest support for parents at every stage.

Jeni lives in Austin’s North Loop neighborhood with her husband, three middle school aged daughters (including a set of identical twins), and a much-loved family cat. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her running group, traveling, and cheering on her girls.

 

2026 Board Committees and Members

Executive Committee

  • Claudia Arniella (President)

  • Shelley Mattingly (Past President)

  • Erin McKay (Treasurer)

  • Jessica Mason (Secretary)

Finance Committee

  • Erin McKay (Chair)

  • Jose Quintero

  • Hilary Bentsen

Fundraising & Donor Committee

  • Claudia Arniella (Chair)

  • Jeni Putalavage-Ross

  • Kristina Phillips

  • Angie Max

Governance Committee

  • Shelley Mattingly (Chair)

  • Jessica Mason

  • Gabrielle Wagabaza

  • Gaurav Jain

    • Grants Sub Committee Member: Allie Townshend-Pena

Special Events & Outreach Committee

  • Nena Khir (Chair)

  • Flory Mejia

  • Veronica Gomez

  • Leo Xicum Ku

FOUNDERS

CAROLYN OPPS

Carolyn was born and raised in Minnesota, attended college at Drake University in Iowa, and received a Master's Degree at DePaul University in Chicago. She spent eight years living and teaching in Chicago, but decided to move to Austin in 2006. Following three years of teaching 4th grade, she and her husband decided to throw caution to the wind and travel around the world for a year. After returning to Austin she continued her teaching career for several years before devoting herself to PIP as the Program Coordinator after co-founding the organization in 2014. Carolyn continues to serve as a devoted volunteer. In addition, she has two children that keep her days full!

KRISTA MILLER

Fresh from the new parenting experience, and so grateful for the group of women that inspired her to form her own village of support, Krista co-founded and launched Partners in Parenting in 2014 as the next chapter in her journey. Krista spent the first two years of the organization in the role of Executive Director.