Rick Byrd

Executive Director

Rick Byrd started his career with the YMCA of Greater Houston as a Program Director at the Post Oak YMCA. Since then, he has held a variety of positions, within the organization, including Executive Director of the Weekley Family YMCA, District Executive Director and most recently as the Vice President for Development/Executive Director of the YMCA of Greater Houston Endowment Foundation. During his tenure, Rick has been recognized for his fundraising achievements as well as leadership capabilities. Rick also has a proven track-record of organizational revenue growth, board and volunteer development, strategic planning and positive community relations.

Rick currently serves as Treasurer for the Houston Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is the President and founding member of the Wilchester Neighborhood Men’s Club, a 501 (c) 3, non-profit, with a mission to give back to the community and those in need. Rick is married to Susan and they have two children, Alexander and Elizabeth. They both are actively involved in their community and local schools. Rick also enjoys coaching his children in various sports throughout the year.

Deandrea Dillard

Associate Executive Director

Corporate Development

Deon Dillard is a native Houstonian and proud graduate of Sam Houston State University. She spent over 12 years as a Pharmaceutical Representative before making the transition to non-profit. Deon has worked in non-profit for five years and has a very successful track record in managing galas, walks, luncheons, and community service projects. She really enjoys working with people and making a difference in the community. She will celebrate 18 years of marriage in 2017 and is the proud mother of two teenagers.

Ty Denney

Market Director

Ty Denney joins the JDRF team with over 25 years of nonprofit experience in domestic and globally focused organizations. With a commitment to engage in the alleviation of human suffering, Ty’s career has included project management in war-torn regions of the Middle East, leadership of education initiatives for urban youth, and pastoral leadership for two congregations. In 2017 he became the Executive Director for Path International, working to bring education and medical care to impoverished communities in East Africa. Most recently, upon transitioning to the Austin area, Ty joined the board and became the initial staff member of The Georgetown Education Foundation.

“I am thrilled to join the JDRF team of staff and volunteers to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes in the Austin area. The mission inspires me as we focus on bringing a cure and hope to the families that suffer from this disease. Significant work remains to be done and I can’t wait to contribute my passion, background and skills to the effort!”

Ty studied business administration at Baylor University and theology at Fuller Seminary. Ty and Erica, a nurse at the Heart Hospital of Austin, have two kids in college and one who will graduate high school this year. Ty loves spending time with his family, being involved in his community, and exploring the live music and ethnic food scene of the Austin area.

Aaron Robinson

Development Manager

Aaron started volunteering for nonprofits as a freshman in high school, and has continued his community involvement through extensive coaching, teaching, and volunteer work within every community he’s lived in since.

Aaron graduated from California State University Chico in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in exercise physiology. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College West in 2011.

During graduate school, Aaron met his wife Breanna while she was serving in the United States Coast Guard. They now have four children, Brooks (10) Jeselin (6) Whitley (3) and Cade (1).

Six weeks after moving to Texas in 2021 his son Brooks went into DKA and was ultimately diagnosed with T1D. Not yet knowing anybody or having any sort of established support system locally, the JDRF community immediately filled that void. Two short years later in December of 2022, his daughter Jeselin was also diagnosed with T1D.

“Throughout the hiring process with JDRF, I was asked how I felt about this transition in my career. My response was simple. My family has lived and breathed T1D daily for over two years now, a transition wasn’t made with this new career, it was made at the hospital the minute my son was diagnosed.”

When not busy coaching youth sports you can find Aaron testing new recipes in the kitchen or searching for a new restaurant to try.

“I came to central Texas for the live music and food scene but ultimately fell in love with the people. I’m excited to be a part of the T1D community here in Austin. I know firsthand how this disease consumes entire families, and I’m excited to give back and help the very community that took us in when our T1D journey first started.”

Brooke Schiller

Development Coordinator

Brooke found the Austin T1D community through JDRF when she moved there in 2017 and has been fully committed to finding a cure for the disease that she lives with every day. Brooke and her husband Erik joined the Austin JDRF Ride Team and spent 4 years cycling and fundraising together but now he stays home watching their young son while she rides on.  Brooke studied Nutrition at Colorado State University and is passionate about locally grown food and sustainable approaches to eating. As a Registered Dietician, she has professional expertise with the National School Lunch program and event coordination.

Sarah Mason-Fagg

Development Manager

Development Manager leading the JDRF One Walk Program for the Austin & South Central Texas markets of the Southern Texas Chapter. She grew up in San Antonio and over the last 20 years has worked in hospitality, non-profit, and sales. Sarah lives in San Antonio with her husband, Kevin. They have two daughters, Hannah (18) who will be attending Texas A&M Corpus Christi in the fall, and Charlotte (5) who is obsessed with dinosaurs and will start Kindergarten in the fall. “I am looking forward to working with this incredible team and our community to create a world without type one!”

Tamara Luera

Development Manager

Tamara, a native Houstonian with a degree from St. Edward’s University, is excited to return to JDRF as Development Manager leading the JDRF One Walk program in the Houston area. Over the last 10 years, she has found great success in nonprofit work with her ability to build authentic relationships and passion for helping others. Tamara has a genuine desire to help elevate local organizations reach their goals. Tamara loves all things Houston sports and is going into her third year as a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Committeeman!

Samantha Lutzenberger

Development Manager

Samantha comes to JDRF with over 20 years of experience in understanding the highs and lows of Type 1 Diabetes. Her career started with working as a Clinical Specialist and Registered Dietitian. However, she has many years of personal experience; Samantha was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 8 and since then has made it her life’s mission to help others with Diabetes navigate the challenges and provide support in their journey. Samantha has been participating in JDRF walks since her diagnosis and with her family would walk in celebration of her Diabetes Anniversary. In addition, she volunteered with Camp Independence during her High School and Collegiate years, giving children with Type 1 and their families an opportunity to gain confidence in managing Diabetes.

Samantha has led and organized multiple philanthropy events for the speech and hearing impaired through her Sorority, Delta Zeta, as both a collegiate leader and alumni volunteer advisor. She is also a member of the San Antonio Delta Zeta Alumni chapter where she has participated as a member of the host chapter for the Panhellenic Association of San Antonio’s Annual Scholarship Luncheon.

“I am beyond excited to be able to work for JDRF and be able to utilize my experiences and skills to create a network of support for the Type 1 Diabetes communities of San Antonio and Austin. It is truly an honor to work with a team that shares the same passion that I have for providing hope and inspiration to this community, which is what I received at all the walks I’ve attended. Now I am happy to say it is now my time to do the same with others as a part of the JDRF family.”

Samantha is a graduate of St. Mary’s University, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and the University of the Incarnate Word. She is born and raised a San Antonian and currently lives there with her husband, Cole, and their two dogs Luna and Rio.

Mandy Porter

Development Manager

Mandy Porter joined JDRF in March 2023. She is a native Houstonian and brings over 15 years of non-profit fundraising experience to the organization.

After graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas with a bachelor’s in business administration, she began her non-profit development career. Mandy has worked with several Houston non-profit organizations including St. John’s School, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and the Lone Star Flight Museum. She and her husband Chuck are parents to two boys: Charlie (9) and Drake (5).

Madeline Dicks

Community Engagement Manager, Houston

Maddy Dicks comes to us with a background in dietetics and 25 years of experience as a type one diabetic herself.  She is very excited and proud to work in an organization that has improved the lives of T1Ds across the globe.

Maddy is a graduate from Texas Tech University. She moved to Houston with her husband Bronson and chocolate lab Charlotte after completing her dietetic internship in 2019.  As a long time diabetic, Maddy looks forward to engaging with the type one community as we search for a cure together.

Poplar Yuan

Development Assistant

Poplar Yuan is an experienced exclusive assistant and event planner with a proven track record of successfully organizing and executing a wide range of tasks and events.

With expertise in logistics coordination, marketing, and vendor management, Poplar has a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. Armed with a master’s degree in international journalism from Baylor University, Poplar brings strong communication skills to the table.

In her free time, Poplar enjoys staying up to date with the latest event industry trends. She also loves photography and Lego.