Shawn Schulze was named as Regional Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Gulf Coast Region in January 2024. Prior to this appointment, Shawn was the Chief Executive Officer of the Louisiana Region. Initially, Shawn joined the American Red Cross in 2018 as the Regional Chief Operating Officer for the Colorado and Wyoming Region and has served in interim roles as Executive Director for Southeastern Colorado as well as the Colorado and Wyoming Service to the Armed Forces and International Service Director.
His disaster deployments in the Red Cross include serving as the Chief of Staff for both the 2020 Oregon fires and the 2021 Kentucky Tornado response as well as numerous responses in Colorado, Louisiana, and Texas.
Shawn has a long history of professional, government and public service experience. Before joining the Red Cross, his past positions include serving as Deputy Director for the Southwest Region of AmeriCorps (National Civilian Community Corps), Government Contractor- Deputy Operations Manager at U.S. Northern Command, and retiring from the U.S. Army after 23-years of service. He has learned to cultivate partnerships that yield win-win scenarios, renewed confidence with elected and community leaders, and continual engagement of both internal and external stakeholders.
Shawn served in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army during his 23-year military career. He received his commission through Officer Candidate School (OCS), graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Over the course of his military service, he held many leadership positions and deployed to combat zones numerous times. He served as commander of hundreds of troops and government civilians in 3 commands throughout Germany, Colorado, and Kansas. Shawn served in the Special Operations Command, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Strategic Air Command, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, the 127th Aviation Brigade and the 1st and 4th Armored Division.
Shawn graduated, Cum Laude, from the University of Texas and holds a master’s degree in finance from Webster University in St Louis. He has been married for more than 34 years and together, he and his wife have three grown children and two grandchildren.
Susan joined the Red Cross in 2011, transitioning from volunteer to paid staff. In her current position, she serves on an Operations Team that services 47-counties in Central and Southern Ohio. She served an interim role with International Services and Service to the Armed Forces and her most recent roles include Interim Regional COO in Central and Southern Ohio Region and Interim Regional COO for our region. She developed a passion for serving when a major weather event hit her region and she was able to see the mission in action. Susan brings years of experience and knowledge to the Texas Gulf Coast Region, and she looks forward to joining the team. With the support of our current operations team, Susan will support our workforce and ensure that our clients get what they need, when they need it.
Hansel Ibarra is the Community Disaster Risk Reduction Manager at the American Red Cross of South Texas, with eight years of experience working with local, state, federal, and non-profit organizations to empower vulnerable communities. In his role, Hansel works on forging collaborative relationships with partners and working with them to design enhancements that will increase the partner’s steady-state capacity and capabilities and their ability to provide community services before, during, and after disasters. Specializing in health, hunger, and housing initiatives, Hansel focuses on creating more resilient communities in disaster-prone areas where families face the added burden of societal inequities. Hansel earned a master’s in Public Affairs (MPA) from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2019. Hansel is bilingual in English and Spanish and based in the Harlingen, Texas, office.
Brittney Rochell is the Regional Communications Director. Brittney serves the Texas Gulf Coast Region as well as is a member of the National Spokesperson team for the American Red Cross. Brittney is an energetic, creative, and innovative public relations professional with experience in media relations, internal and external communications distribution, and crisis communications. Brittney joined the Red Cross in April 2017 as the Regional Manager of Communications with a goal of helping raise the public’s awareness of the Red Cross and the mission. In August of 2017, she was promoted to the Regional Director of Communications and Marketing where she developed a strategy to increase the visibility of the Red Cross across Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. She comes to the Gulf Coast region with a wealth of knowledge and experience on brand management and creating a strong following and visibility for the Red Cross. She obtained an associate’s degree in Interdisciplinary Sciences from Cameron University, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agricultural Communications from Oklahoma State University.
Kimberly is the region’s Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Director. In this role she helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to, the challenges of military service. She also supports military veterans in their reintegration journey by providing resiliency workshops, and works hand-in-hand with veterans’ hospitals and homes connecting them with resources and social services. Working with the military and their families is a natural fit for Kimberly since she too is an Army veteran. Her military experience stoked a passion for helping military members and communities by way of civilian positions with the Department of Defense, the Army and Texas National Guard, and the National Guard Bureau. She can proudly say that her career’s work has allowed her to be a key contributor in writing policy and doctrine for veterans’ programs and continues to work in the best interest of veterans by identifying gaps in services offered in the community and then facilitating solutions. Kimberly was born and raised in Alaska where she hiked, fished, and camped her way through childhood. After graduation, she joined the Army National Guard and then the Army Reserve. She currently resides in Houston with her loving husband and enjoys spending as much time as possible with her three children and four grandchildren and enjoys taking them on outdoor adventures.
Asekun Kuforiji joined the Texas Gulf Coast leadership team as Regional Volunteer Services Officer in March 2022. He started with the American Red Cross as volunteer in the Southwest and Rocky Mountains Division as the Divisional Volunteer Recruitment Lead in 2019. Before joining the American Red Cross, he was the Head of Talent Engagement at Diageo, where he spent 6 years of his career shaping and leading human resources initiatives. He also worked at Adecco as an HR Consultant.
Asekun started off his career in the non-profit sector in several student and graduate positions over 20 years ago. He is a Senior Professional in Human Resources, International (SPHRi) of the Human Resource Certificate Institute- HRCI. He was awarded a certificate in Entrepreneurship by the Harvard University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management and Toxicology. Asekun loves to play chess and soccer, and currently resides in Richmond, Texas.
Angelina R. Garcia serves as the Executive Director of the Coastal Bend Chapter of the American Red Cross. Angelina (Angie) is a non-profit leader with over 26 years of experience. In her recent service to the community, Angelina served as Senior Director of Programs and Grants and Acting Executive Director during multiple periods of transition with Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi and Mother Teresa Shelter. As the Senior Director of Programs & Grants Angelina focused on sustaining essential services and oversight of the Long-Term Disaster response to Hurricane Harvey. Her professional experiences include serving as the Community Outreach Coordinator for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, where she managed care teams comprised of Registered Nurses and Patient Navigators ensuring the continuum of care for patients discharging from in-patient care.
Angelina’s commitment to the community includes appointments to the Corpus Christi Mayor’s Fitness Council – Community Outreach/Special Events, West Oso School Health Advisory Council, Success by 6 Coalition – United Way of the Coastal Bend and recognized as LULAC Council #1, “2022 Outstanding Community Leader”. Angelina has a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. She is a life-long resident of Corpus Christi where she enjoys time with her two Children and three grandchildren!
Mia Bendixsen serves as the Executive Director for the Coastal Plains Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mia has more than 20 years’ experience in non-profit fundraising and management, as well as in direct mail, communications and fundraising for political campaigns. Mia can translate and convey highly-technical concepts and ideas into successful campaigns, marketing strategies and fundraising initiatives for non-profit, political and corporate clients. Among her non-profit positions, Mia has served as the Director of Development for the Boy Scouts Cradle of Liberty Council in Philadelphia, the Director of Philanthropy for the Humane Society of the United States for New England, and Managing Director, Hadassah Mountain Southwest which covers 10 states and 40 Chapters and two regions. She has also served on boards for organizations supporting women’s issues and animal advocacy issues.
Bendixsen holds a J.D. from Boston University School of Law, a B.A. in Film and Television Production from Loyola Marymount University, and attended the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. Mia is an avid scuba diver, hiker, dog rescuer, traveler and writer. She began her service with the Red Cross starting December 21, 2022.
Kayla Gonzalez serves as the Executive Director of the South Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross. Kayla is a non-profit leader with several years of experience. In her recent service to the community, Kayla served as the American Red Cross Volunteer Service recruiter for the South Texas Chapter. As the Volunteer Service recruiter Kayla focused on recruiting new volunteers to help us serve our communities in their time of need. Kayla’s commitment to the community includes working as the Branch Manager at a Staffing agency and served as the Interim Executive Director for the Boys and Girls Club of Los Fresnos.
Kayla holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix and recently received her certificate in Human Resources Management. She is a life-long resident of Harlingen where she enjoys time with her time with her husband and children!
Kimberly Cline serves as the Executive Director for the Southeast and Deep East Chapter of the American Red Cross. Kimberly (Kim) has built strong relationships within the Red Cross team and the broader Gulf Coast Region, leveraging her experience in sales, management, and community relations to grow the chapter’s volunteer base and donor participation. With a deep appreciation for the connections she has built over the years—ranging from elected officials to emergency management teams and local organizations—she is bringing people together in support of the Red Cross mission.
Recognizing that volunteers and funding are critical to sustaining disaster relief efforts, Kim is committed to implementing strategic outreach initiatives. She aims to engage the community through social media, events, and partnerships, ensuring that more people understand how they can contribute to the mission. Collaboration is key for her, and she has learned from regional leaders and successful chapters to bring best practices to the Southeast/Deep East Texas Chapter.
