Deputy Director, Policy, Educate Texas
pgarza@cftexas.org
737-708-8155
Priscilla is the Deputy Director of Policy for Educate Texas, focusing on K-12 policy within our college and career readiness and effective teaching impact areas. Before CFT, Priscilla worked for two years as the deputy director at an organizing nonprofit called Stand for Children, Texas. Prior to that, she was the director of the strategic initiative at the Texas Education Agency, focusing on teacher preparation, development, evaluation, mentoring and selection. Priscilla started her career as a middle school teacher in Boston, New York and Austin. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Harvard University, a master’s of public administration from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, and she is enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Leadership Policy and Planning at the University of Texas, Austin.
Community Leadership / Board ServiceWithin CFT, she serves as the Creating Fun Together Austin representative and on the CEO Advisory Council.
Joined CFT2013
2013
Favorite Aspect of CFT"I am committed to the mission and the work we do to bring communities together to improve outcomes for students and communities." Favorite Quote“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore." — Cesar Chavez
"I am committed to the mission and the work we do to bring communities together to improve outcomes for students and communities."
Favorite Quote“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore."
“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore."
President & CEO
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Executive Director, Educate Texas
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Chief Relationship Officer
Chief Giving Day Officer
Managing Director, Educate Texas
Director, North Texas Giving Day & Gift Processing/Constituent Records
Associate, Programs, Educate Texas
Business Analyst
Associate, Insights & Analytics, Educate Texas
Executive Assistant to the President/CEO and CFO
Director of Charitable Giving, Collin County
Administrative Assistant, Facilities/IT
Marketing & Communications Associate, Educate Texas
Senior Director, Philanthropy
Facilities and Events Manager
Donor Relations Officer
Coordinator
Project Associate, Development, Educate Texas
Staff Accountant
Deputy Director, Programs, Best In Class, Educate Texas
Relationships Events Manager
Community Philanthropy Director
Business Engagement Director, CFT for Business
Deputy Director, Development, Educate Texas
Deputy Director, RGV FOCUS, Educate Texas
Donor Engagement Officer
Chief Investment Officer
Texas Education Grantmakers Advocacy Consortium
Manager, Gift Processing and Constituent Records
Project Assistant
Executive Assistant, Relationships
Chief Information Officer
Director, Programs, Educate Texas
Senior Director, Property and Facilities
Community Philanthropy Officer
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
North Texas Giving Day Coordinator
Managing Director, Finance and Administration, Educate Texas
Director of Sponsorships and Nonprofit Relations
Investment Officer
Deputy Director, Programs, Educate Texas
Senior Officer, Donor Engagement
Director, Marketing, Educate Texas
Senior Director of Administration and Corporate Secretary
Director of Charitable Gift Planning
Associate, Best In Class, Educate Texas
Nonprofit Relations Associate
Administrative Assistant
Scholarships Associate
Senior Director, Insights and Analytics, Educate Texas
Palacios Area Fund Coordinator
Disbursement Administrator
Strategic Initiatives Officer
Director of Donor Services
Front Desk Coordinator
Grants Administrator
Advisor Relations Officer
Finance Assistant, Educate Texas
Community Engagement Officer
Senior Coordinator, Gift Processing and Constituent Records
Senior Director of Donor Relations & Fund Administration
Marketing Manager
Investments Administrator
Deputy Director, Finance, Educate Texas
Senior Accounts Payable Administrator
Human Resources Director
Community Impact Specialist
Senior Director, Programs, Educate Texas
HR Administrative Assistant
North Texas Giving Day Data Administration Specialist
Director of Accounting
Deputy Director, Strategy, Educate Texas
Sr. Officer, Community Philanthropy
Executive Assistant, Educate Texas
Philanthropy Associate
Vice President, Accounting
Philanthropy Operations Manager
Manager, Employee Engagement
Program Assistant, Educate Texas
Deputy Director, College and Career Readiness, Educate Texas
Director, Texas College Access Network, Educate Texas
Human Resources Manager
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Glast, Phillips & Murray PC
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Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) works with families, companies and nonprofits to build thriving communities locally and across the state through a variety of charitable funds and strategic initiatives. The foundation professionally manages over 1,000 charitable funds and runs several key initiatives like Educate Texas, North Texas Giving Day and the W. W. Caruth, Jr. Fund. CFT has awarded more than $1.7 billion in grants since its founding in 1953.