Advisory Board
The Advisory Board of Directors is essential in promoting the Red Cross mission as ambassadors, supporting strategic planning and fundraising efforts.
Executive Coach
After nearly two decades building a career in human resources, executive coaching, and nonprofit leadership, Stephanie Valadez learned that her greatest purpose has always been helping people navigate change with confidence and care.
Today, as the Owner and Senior Care Advisor at Assisted Living Locators, Valadez helps families find the right senior living community for their loved ones — including independent living, assisted living, memory care and respite care options. Her mission is to make the process easier, more informed and completely stress-free for families.
Previously, Valadez held leadership roles at Heidelberg Materials North America, Per Scholas and North Texas LEAD. She continues to stay connected through volunteer service with Metrocrest Services and on the Advisory Board for the American Red Cross North Texas Region.
She was drawn to the organization through blood donor drives with a former employer and her mom’s dedication to blood donation. As Valadez enters her second year on the American Red Cross Advisory Board, she is excited to continue learning and to serve the Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.
Director, Corporate Communications
McKesson
Joe Urby is a seasoned strategic communications leader with over 16 years of experience in transforming corporate culture, enhancing operations, and driving results for global companies. Currently, he serves as the Director of Corporate Communications at McKesson Corporation, where he leads executive, internal, and external communications strategies. Joe is dedicated to strengthening McKesson’s reputation, positioning the company as a partner of choice and the best place to work in healthcare, and shaping the industry landscape through compelling storytelling and advocacy.
Previously, he spent 11 years at AT&T, where he held several roles in strategy, project management, and communications. His expertise in aligning people strategies with business objectives and building executive voice has consistently delivered high employee satisfaction and business value.
Joe graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, with a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Development.
Anne Clarke is a nonprofit leader and emergency preparedness advocate focused on expanding access to lifesaving education and supporting vulnerable populations across underserved communities.
She began her career in the oil, gas and mining sector, managing government relations and stakeholder engagement across Sub-Saharan Africa. She later joined the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), a development think tank headquartered in New York, where she managed the Resource Governance Index across six African countries and co-led a World Bank-funded gender and energy initiative spanning 12 countries.
Today, Clarke is the Founder of Empowered Futures Africa, a nonprofit advancing CPR education, emergency preparedness and healthcare advocacy, with a goal of training 10,000 youths in CPR by 2026. She also leads The Anne Clarke Foundation, which supports widows and vulnerable children in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Clarke volunteers with the American Red Cross North Texas Region and holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in International Law and Diplomacy from Babcock University.
Shah Danish is a Healthcare Technology Analyst at Baylor Scott & White Health, one of Texas’s largest not-for-profit health systems, where he works at the intersection of clinical software and data analytics. Specializing in Epic, he builds clinical solutions, configures Epic workflows, and develops reports that help care teams make better, faster decisions. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and brings a deep passion for using technology to improve healthcare delivery at scale.
Beyond his professional work, Danish serves as a Board Liaison for the ICF Free Health Clinic in Frisco, a volunteer-run clinic that provides free, comprehensive care to underserved communities. This hands-on experience, witnessing firsthand the gaps in healthcare access and the difference compassionate service makes, draws him to the American Red Cross. He sees the mission of the Red Cross of immediate, dignified relief as an extension of the values that guide his community work and looks forward to serving the North Texas community he calls home.
Dr. Maya Fernandez has worked in healthcare management and higher education industries for most of her career. She is a Fulbright Specialist with the U.S. Department of State. Dr. Fernandez is drawn to the American Red Cross because of the organization's mission and vision to give back to the community. It combines her love of teaching with a focus on health and wellness.
Sandra Garcia is a business professional and community leader with expertise in nonprofit leadership, supplier diversity and commercial development. She currently serves at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport as a Development and Leasing Project Manager, where she supports commercial development projects and strategic partnerships that contribute to the airport’s continued growth and community impact.
As a volunteer leader and nonprofit board member, Garcia actively supports community-building and creating opportunities initiatives in North Texas outside of her work. Her passion for helping others stems from her own experiences and her firm belief that it is important to support others in times of need.
Garcia is drawn to the work of the American Red Cross because of its dedication to providing help, relief and hope to people and families in need. She values organizations that lead with compassion, service, and community impact. She is excited about the opportunity to contribute her leadership and community engagement experience in meaningful ways.
Jeremy A. Graham is a Dallas-based business development and partnership leader with experience working across workforce development, technology and community engagement. In his current role with Year Up United, he works closely with corporate leaders and community partners to create career opportunities for young adults and strengthen long-term partnerships that drive meaningful impact.
Graham’s professional background has centered on relationship-building, strategic partnerships, leadership engagement and connecting people and organizations around a common mission. He enjoys bringing structure, communication and practical problem-solving to the table, especially in environments where collaboration and service matter.
What draws Graham to the American Red Cross is the organization’s commitment to serving communities during critical moments. He respects organizations that lead with action, discipline, and compassion, and values opportunities to contribute his professional experience in ways that support people beyond business outcomes alone. Serving on the Advisory Board allows Graham to continue growing as a leader while contributing to an organization with real impact and purpose.
Donovan Hargett is a Technology Consultant at Quorum Software, where he works at the intersection of business and technology on integration projects with midstream oil and gas companies. As a functional lead and subject-matter expert, Donovan translates business requirements into product design specifications and partners with engineering teams through delivery, with projects ranging from post-M&A system consolidations to platform enhancements.
Donovan earned his degree in Engineering Information Technology from the University of Missouri, where he was involved in the annual Homecoming Blood Drive, the largest student-run Red Cross blood drive in the nation. Outside of work, Donovan is an ultra-runner and serves on the board of Recovery Resource Council.
He is honored to join the American Red Cross Young Professionals Advisory Board and contribute to its mission across the Dallas community.
As a communications professional with 15+ years of experience in creating impactful content for global brands, Valerie Martinez loves helping organizations connect with people in authentic, meaningful ways.
She has supported the Red Cross mission both as a former North Texas employee and a volunteer for over 10 years. Sharing critical information during crises and amplifying the voices of impacted communities as a Public Affairs lead have resonated deeply with her.
Martinez is passionate about service, clear communication and bringing people together when it matters most.
Director, Strategy and Growth Initiatives
Baylor Scott and White Medical Center Frisco at PGA Parkway
Ami Mehta Patel, MBA serves as the Director of Strategy and Growth at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Frisco at PGA Parkway, where she oversees strategic planning and leads the development of key service lines across the campus. Ami brings a strong passion for advancing healthcare and is committed to initiatives that drive meaningful change. Her forward-thinking leadership supports the medical center’s growth while delivering new, impactful services to the community. Ami is a Dallas native who graduated from Greenhill School, obtained a degree in Finance from the University of Texas in Austin, and has a Masters of Business Administration with a focus in healthcare. Ami previously served as Director of Cardiovascular Services at Ascension Via Christi Health System in Wichita, Kansas and Senior Manager and Consultant at The Advisory Board Company, a healthcare consulting firm based in Washington, D.C.
CEO
The Coherence Collective
Brittney is the Founder and CEO of The Coherence Collective, a social impact consulting firm committed to empowering organizations to accelerate the pace of change by guiding them through strategic problem-solving and fostering authentic partnerships to achieve their goals.
Brittney leverages her extensive expertise in strategy, operations, adult learning, and social innovation to ask hard questions and facilitate conversations around transformative solutions that empower organizations and senior leaders to create sustainable change with measurable results. Her approach combines root cause analysis & strategic foresight with a genuine connection to the communities most affected by the issues, ensuring every initiative is meaningful and impactful.
Brittney holds graduate degrees in Agriculture and Education Administration. She is a staunch advocate for STEM education and HBCUs, having attended Delaware State University as a USDA-1890 Scholar. Brittney is actively involved in the community and keeps a pulse on issues that resonate deeply with her through her work on various boards. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., serves on the Young Professionals Advisory Board for the Red Cross of North Texas, chairs the Emerging Leaders Steering Committee for the United Way of Tarrant County, and is Chair-Elect of the National Juneteenth Museum.
Known for both her sharp wit and as a quiet force who skillfully navigates complex challenges, Brittney remains dedicated to work that will leave the world better for those who come after her. Brittney resides in North Texas with her family and finds joy in spending time resting near bodies of water, exploring the bayou, blowing bubbles in the wind, and jumping on trampolines.
Jessica Shaw is a strategic finance and operations leader with 15 years of experience driving transformation across finance, governance, risk, security, and compliance. Throughout her career, she has led organizations through complexity, strengthened resilience, and enhanced decision-making in highly regulated environments.
She is drawn to the American Red Cross for its extraordinary mission and direct impact on communities. She is honored to contribute her professional expertise, leadership perspective, and commitment to service to support the North Texas Region.
Founder/CEO
Bridge by HOPE Foundation
Dr. Christal-Joy “CJ” Turner has dedicated her life and career to promoting student success and equity, and to advocating for underserved communities. Born and raised in Arlington, Texas, she began her commitment to service at a young age and carried it with her as she grew into various leadership roles.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience and Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University, followed by a Master’s in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of North Texas, specializing in Research, Methodology, and Statistics.
Dr. Turner has been a fierce advocate for minority student access and retention in higher education. Her passion for community impact led to the founding of The Bridge by H.O.P.E (Helping Others through Positive Education) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting minority and first-generation students by equipping them with the tools, skills and motivation to succeed. Her work has been featured in media outlets, and her 2019 book Keep Going addresses post-graduate depression, toxic work environments and navigating life transitions through mentorship and resilience.
Dr. Turner exemplifies perseverance and service by using education and advocacy. She served in various leadership roles, presented research nationally, mentored thousands globally and developed programs bridging aspiration and achievement. As a passionate servant leader, Dr. Turner brings compassion, lived experience, and a scholarly perspective to the American Red Cross NTX Advisory Board, further amplifying her mission to uplift communities and ensure access to safety, dignity, education, and hope.
Jasmine Yarbrough is a Birmingham, AL native who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. After graduating, she proudly served her country for eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Signal Support Specialist, receiving an honorable discharge, while also working as an accountant.
In 2017, Jasmine relocated to Texas and has made the Dallas area her new home. She is currently an Internal Auditor, where she evaluates company processes and procedures, tests internal controls for operating effectiveness, and assesses risk. She is also pursuing her certification as a Certified Internal Auditor.
Yarborough is deeply committed to community involvement. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Junior League of Dallas, Habitat for Humanity, where she is currently a Core Volunteer Trainee and The Stewpot, assisting in the Second Chance kitchen. She is excited about this new chapter of service, continuing to advance the mission of the American Red Cross.
In her free time, Yarborough enjoys attending performing arts events, watching classic and reality TV and spending time with friends.