Kate is a result’s oriented entrepreneurial leader with almost 30 years of experience. Proven at exceeding fundraising goals she has administered effective policies and created positive work environments wherever her career has taken her. Kate’s start in fundraising was at The Children’s Storefront School in Harlem, N.Y. The Storefront was a unique pre-k – 8 th grade private school for 150 students in the heart of New York City’s East Harlem. All funds were raised from private donors annually and it was here that Kate learned every aspect of fundraising from some of the best in the business. Her journey continued at Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation where she helped to manage a Broadway Tickets service joining her lifelong knowledge and expertise on all things Broadway with her love of sales and fundraising. She and her family then moved to Houston where Kate was the Development Manager for Camp For All in Burton TX, an incredible barrier-free facility that serves chronically ill and disabled children and adults year round. After Camp For All, Kate returned to her roots in the arts working with Houston Arts Alliance, the city’s arts council, helping her to formally fall in love with this artsy, funky, quirky and diverse city that she and her family now consider home. Kate’s next move was to Teen and Family Services, as their Director of Development where she raised money for teens suffering from substance use disorders and mental heath issues. Kate is thrilled to be the new Executive Director of RaiseUp Families and feels as if her career has come full circle from her early days of learning all aspects of fundraising in Harlem. The work that RUF is doing to help end the generational curse of poverty is very dear to her heart, and she feels blessed every day to be able to help RUF grow the scope of services currently provided to the families we serve.
As a Social Worker, Telisa has a passion for working with children and families. For more than 15 years she has helped change the trajectory of their lives and has the ability to relate to the families of RaiseUp Families. "I know what anxiety and depression feels like and it is my mission to help these families gain the self-sufficiency, self-awareness and self-confidence by utilizing coping skills to decrease their anxiety and depression." says Telisa.
Koralee Boucher, Community Engagement Manager, focuses on creating relationships through networking and social media, bringing awareness to both families in need and donors searching for a way to impact our community. She has over 25 years of experience assisting families with improving their lives, whether it be in the real estate and finance industry, or through her experience in community engagement.
When she is not working with RaiseUp Families, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She loves sports, travel, and photography. Her passion for photography has spanned over several decades and she takes every opportunity to capture those special moments.
Maritza Garcia is a bilingual Case Manager with Raiseup Families. Maritza has 15 years of experience in working with the elderly, families, and caregivers. She has a Bachelor’s Degree as a generalist Social Work, with a minor in social gerontology, and a certificate in applied gerontology from California State University of Los Angeles. It’s part of Maritza’s nature to care for and help others. Maritza’s goal is to make sure children and their families get connected to resources available to them in the community to bring stability and self-sufficiency to families. When working with individuals, Mrs. Garcia focuses on using a strength-based approach. She feels this will help individuals see their full potential and see the strengths in their lives which they could continue to build upon. Maritza enjoys traveling and camping with her 2 children and husband.
JT Graham is Case Manager with 9 years of service in the Human Services field. He is a Social Worker with a MSW from the University of South Carolina. Always having a solution-based approach, he is very passionate about advocating for his clients. JT possesses a wide spectrum of clinical knowledge from his previous years of experience. Before becoming a part of the RaiseUp Families team, JT served as a Support Coordinator at a Non-Profit organization in Charlotte, NC. He loves to serve the families in his community by being an advocate promoting resiliency and self-sufficiency. In his spare time, JT loves to travel, spend time with his family, and eat delicious food.
With over two decades of experience in relationship development, marketing strategy, and communication, Maria brings a wealth of expertise to RaiseUp Families.
Her history includes managing million-dollar budgets, exceeding client expectations, and fostering meaningful connections. Her commitment to delivering exceptional service with integrity, respect, and kindness sets her apart.
Beyond her professional achievements, Maria's passion for empowering others shines through. As a dedicated parent and community leader, she is adept at navigating challenges with grace and efficiency.
Outside of work, Maria loves spending time with her family on camping trips, reading, travel and good food. Her two greatest accomplishments are named Lucia & Mateo.
