FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dan Leal, Executive Director
(512) 323-6371 (phone)
dan@seedlingmentors.org
Seedling Names ACC Vice President Tucker as Board Chair
Austin, TX. August 3, 2021 – Seedling, a non-profit organization providing school-based mentoring for children who have an incarcerated parent, has named Austin Community College Vice President of Human Resources Gerry Tucker as its volunteer Board President. Seedling has also added six new Board members with corporate backgrounds to help elevate the organization’s visibility in Central Texas.
Seedling, which was founded in 1997 by Austin attorney John Blazier, has provided mentoring for children who have a parent in prison or jail since 2005 Each year Seedling makes matches of trained volunteer mentors with almost 700 children in Austin ISD, Pflugerville ISD, KIPP Public Schools, Del Valle ISD, and Hays Consolidated ISD.
Ms. Tucker has served on the Seedling Board of Directors for the past three years. She has served on several non-profit Boards of Directors, often in a leadership role, including Leadership Austin, Austin Community Foundation, Mueller Foundation, Town Lake Links, Inc., and other boards. Ms. Tucker has led the Human Resources Department at Austin Community College for the past 23 years. Ms. Tucker is an author, freelance contributor to the Austin- American Statesman, speaker, and active community volunteer.
“It is incumbent upon all of us to make a difference in our community. Focusing on education and our youth ensures we can make the greatest contribution to our community and its future. Seedling focuses on both areas and has made a significant difference in the lives of these young students,” Ms. Tucker said.
This month, Seedling also announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors. Seedling’s newest Board members include Ms. Danica Ferrell, Ms. Molly MacNeil, and Mr. Duane Ewing. Ms. Ferrell is currently a digital marketer for Whole Foods Market and a Seedling mentor. Ms. MacNeil is the Chief of Staff for Safeguard Global, a multinational providing global payroll and employment outsourcing and is also a Seedling mentor. Mr. Ewing is a technology executive at Quest Software and has held various roles in business development and marketing in the technology industry. In February, Seedling also welcomed Farmers Insurance Agent Reginald Mahadeo, Dell’s Darlene Owens, and Workrise’s Siri Chakka to its Board of Directors.
About Seedling: Seedling has provided school-based mentoring for over 2300 Central Texas children impacted by parental incarceration since 2005. Seedling is seeking mentors to serve children during the 2021-22 school year as schools allows mentors to return campuses. Seedling is a 501 (C) (3) non- profit organization, Tax ID #74-2841791. Donations are tax deductible. To learn more about Seedling or to become a mentor visit Seedling’s website at seedlingmentors.org or call (512) 323-6371.
To learn more about the Seedling Board of Directors click here.