Neil Bush
Neil Bush is an international businessman who is active in service. He serves as chairman of the Points of Light board of directors, where he expands his father’s vision of inspiring, equipping and mobilizing volunteers to increase capacity for vital social services and for finding innovative solutions that lift individuals, strengthen families, and renew communities.
Neil chairs both the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, dedicated to helping all Houstonians realize their fullest potential through literacy, and the Bush China U.S. Relations Foundation, which convenes a conference that brings together leaders from the United States and China forging cooperation on issues of global importance. Neil serves on the advisory boards of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M, the Houston Salvation Army and the Asia Society Texas Center.
In his professional life, Neil develops international business opportunities. He is chairman of Singhaiyi, a Singapore company investing in U.S. real estate; co-chairman of CIIC, a property development business in China; and chairman of A&A Consulting, a global platform that attracts Asian capital for investments in health care, education and food in the United States.
Neil and his wife, Maria, have six wonderful children and they are proud that the family passion for service has passed on to the next generation. Neil’s daughter, Lauren Bush Lauren, is founder and CEO of FEED Projects, a nonprofit that has provided over 93 million meals that are served in schools in Africa through the UN World Food Programme. His son, Pierce Bush, mentors an inner-city youngsters and leads the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters agency in the United States.
Neil earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.
Robert F. Ashcraft, PhD
Dr. Robert F. Ashcraft is the executive director of the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation at Arizona State University (ASU), the Saguaro Professor of Civic Enterprise in ASU’s School of Community Resources and Development (SCRD), and a Senior Global Futures Scholar, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory.
In 2017, he was named the Saguaro Professor of Civic Enterprise, the first named Foundation Professor in the history of SCRD, in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, in recognition of outstanding contributions to ASU’s values and commitment to social purpose enshrined in the University Charter; awarded through the ASU Provost’s Eminent Scholar fund for Endowed Chairs/Professors.
Robert’s global reputation is a testament to his pioneering work, which has significantly advanced the understanding and practice of leaders in nonprofit/philanthropic organizations. Under his guidance, the ASU Lodestar Center has emerged as a beacon of nonprofit academic and practitioner excellence, renowned for its research, education, leadership programs, technical assistance, and conference activities. This global influence has been instrumental in building the capacity of the social sector, empowering those who lead, manage, and support nonprofits.
His commitment to the social sector extends beyond academia. He serves on numerous boards, aligning academic and community-based priorities. His teaching in nonprofit management and philanthropy, including the capstone course for ASU’s graduate degree program, reflects his dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders. His research interests have led to publications on vital topics such as nonprofit and social entrepreneurship education models, collaboration strategies, and volunteer management. He has secured over $60 million in external resources from individuals, foundations, and corporate and government entities. These resources, including earned income strategies, have significantly expanded the range of nonprofit and philanthropic programs through ASU.
Robert has been named one of the most influential leaders in the nonprofit sector by the Nonprofit Times as a member of its “Power and Influence Top 50” list.
More detailed bio: https://search.asu.edu/profile/8197 and, https://lodestar.asu.edu
Chris Bugbee
As Chief Operating Officer for OneStar Foundation, Chris Bugbee serves in an executive leadership role with oversight over OneStar’s programmatic, financial, budget and human resource functions. He serves as a senior advisor to the CEO providing strategic oversight of the administration of the $14 million AmeriCorps*Texas grant program and the $100 million Rebuild Texas Fund, and implementation of the Texas Faith-Based and Community Initiative, including statewide efforts to strengthen the nonprofit sector in Texas.
Before joining OneStar in 2006, Chris was appointed to serve in Washington as Deputy Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He also served at the White House as Associate Director in the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and as a Senior Intergovernmental Officer for the U.S. Secretary of Labor.
During his time at the White House, Chris was responsible for overseeing the implementation of several of the President’s key State of the Union initiatives, a prisoner reentry program and a program designed to provide mentoring for children of prisoners.
In 2008, Chris was selected by the Governor of Texas to participate in the Governor’s Executive Development Program, a leadership program for top executives in state government. In 2014 and 2015, Chris was recognized as a finalist for the Austin Business Journal’s “Best Nonprofit CFO/COO” Award.
Chris is a native Texan and holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in public service and administration from the George Bush School of Government and Public Service. Chris is married and currently resides in Austin with his wife and two sons.
Doug French
Doug French, Chief Executive Officer of Stylecraft Builders, chose to make a career in his family business after earning a Master’s in Business Administration from Baylor University with honors, and previously earning his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M Magna Cum Laude.
In addition to his leadership at Stylecraft, Doug is dedicated to community involvement. He is a past board chair for United Way, a board member for SOS Ministries, a member of the Blinn College Advisory Committee, and a member of Declaration Church, as well as serving in other volunteer positions. He and his wife Kara enjoy traveling, watching Aggie sports, and spending time with their daughter Hadleigh and son Benton. Doug’s passion for equipping and developing strong employees has helped continue to define Stylecraft’s reputation as a company dedicated to integrity and quality.
Roxanne Saldaña Jones
As President and CEO of UWT, Roxanne Saldaña Jones leads the voluntary state association of local United Ways in Texas. With nearly 60 members across the state, UWT serves as the collective voice of a system that strives toward collaborative, lasting community-level change. Roxanne brings strong non-profit leadership to UWT as an established convener and partner in the sector and has been in the sector for over 20 years in various capacities. Roxanne is well versed in community collaboration, strategic growth models, community needs assessments, business planning, management of cross-sector collaboration, as well as many other proven efforts that support community and nonprofit growth. Roxanne’s background is in management, and she has coordinated the combined campaigns for the State of Texas and the City of Austin and served as a private strategic consultant. She is trained in negotiation, facilitation, and is a United Way certified instructor. Roxanne is native to Austin and attended the University of Texas at Austin and St. Edward’s University, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Masters of Business Administration.
