The Nominating Committee of the Houston Audubon Board of Directors recommends the following slate for election to the Board of Directors. The voting period is April 22-May 21, 2023. Write-in candidates will be allowed.
New Board Members:
Catherine Lee Clarke, CFA
Catherine is a Director with Hirtle Callaghan, an investment office for endowments, foundations, and philanthropic families. She leads the firm’s efforts in the Western Region and specializes in helping non-profits think holistically about endowment management, ensuring that investments are directly aligned with the operational and financial profile of the organization.
Catherine began her career at the MIT Investment Management Company, the organization charged with investing MIT's endowment and pension funds. She then managed a long/short event-driven strategy within a family office. Prior to joining Hirtle Callaghan, she was a Senior Investment Advisor with Sentinel Trust in Houston advising ultra-high net worth families and foundations on investment strategy.
Catherine holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Wellesley College and is a CFA Charterholder. She is active with the Houston Estate and Financial Forum, the Houston CFA Society, and has presented on investing and governance topics at the Institute for Private Investors, Philanthropy Southwest, and the University of Texas Law School’s Nonprofits Institute. She serves on the finance committees of Houston Audubon and the Hermann Park Conservancy and is a Texas Master Naturalist.
Officers:
Bill Matthews, President-Elect
Bill joined the Board in 2020. He served on the Executive Committee as Secretary for 2 years. He has also served as Chair of the Development Committee and Thank You Note Committee and has also served as a member of the Nominating Committee, Risk Management Committee, Land Conservation Committee, and Avian Affair Host Committee. In addition, he participates in High Island workdays and a visitor service volunteer at Smith Oaks Sanctuary.
Renewing Board Members:
Skip Almoney, Director
Skip was a previous board member who joined the Board again in 2019. His previous appointments including Vice-President for programs and field trips and executive director search committee. Today he serves on the Land Conservation Committee, Nominating Committee, Avian Affair Host Committee, and leads 3 monthly bird surveys. He has served on a Birdathon team for many years. In addition, he regularly participates in High Island workdays, is a visitor service volunteer at Smith Oaks Sanctuary, and a volunteer at the ER and Ann Taylor Park workdays.
Lucy Barrow, Secretary
Lucy joined the Board in 2019. She currently serves on the DEIB Committee, Thank You Note Committee, Risk Management Committee, Avian Affair Host and Planning Committees, and Land Trust Alliance Renewal Committee. She has also been involved in the BP land acquisition, bylaws review and revision, and previously served on the Development Committee. She is a frequent event volunteer.
Tony Dang, Director
Tony joined the Board in 2021. He currently serves on the Avian Affair Host Committee and Finance Committee. He previously served on the Nominating Committee and was a member of the Young Professionals Advisory Council. In addition, he regularly participates in High Island workdays and visitor service volunteer at Smith Oaks Sanctuary.
Rob Jones, Director
Rob joined the board in 2021. He currently serves as Chair, Land Conservation Committee, Avian Affair Host Committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee.
Eric Mayer, Director
Eric joined the Board in 2021. He is currently the Co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee and member of the DEIB Committee and Avian Affair Host Committee. He also volunteers at our High Island sanctuaries.
Margaret Pierce, Director
Margaret joined the board in 2021. She currently serves on the Finance Committee and the Avian Affair Host and Planning Committees.
Sam Smith, Director
Sam was a board member from 2013-2014, joined again in 2016 and served as President from 2019-2021. He is currently a member of the Land Conservation Committee. Sam is a Past-President, Avian Affair Host Committee member and also previously served as Chair of the Oversight Committee for the High Island Master Plan and Projects at Smith Oaks and Morse Field Station. In addition, he regularly participates in High Island workdays and a visitor service volunteer at Smith Oaks Sanctuary.
Bob Westendarp, Treasurer
Bob was first elected in 2017. He has served as Treasurer for one year and plans to serve again. He has also served as the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committees, and a member of the Avian Affair Host Committee and Strategic Planning Committee.
