New Community Investment team members to play vital role in fostering and supporting relationships with grantees and community partners in Central Texas
This year has marked a time of growth and evolution at the Foundation reflecting transformative shifts within our grantmaking processes to center equity at the heart of our work. In February we launched a new strategic plan, Pathways to Health Equity: Addressing Needs Today and Building a Healthier Tomorrow, designed to harness the collective power of all Foundation teams and resources to advance health equity. Included in the strategic plan is the commitment to investing in operational infrastructure to ensure we’re working toward achieving the greatest impact in the communities we serve. This commitment has translated into growth across the Foundation including the addition of three new Program Officers joining the Community Investments team.
We’re excited to announce our team members, Tasha Banks, Michelle Castillo, and Joycelyn Jurado, and share how their background and perspectives will play an important role in the effective, collaborative, and community-driven implementation of our strategic plan. As Program Officers, Tasha, Michelle, and Joycelyn will manage bodies of work and support grantees across the Foundation’s community impact goal areas: access to care, economic stability, and community driven change. They will also play a vital role in ensuring lived experience and community voices are authentically reflected and strategically informing our work.
Meet the Team
Tasha Banks, MSc
Program Officer
Prior to joining the Foundation in 2024, Tasha was the Assistant Director for the Division of Community Engagement and Health Equity for the Department of Population Health at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School where she led strategic and operational community-driven projects for the division.
Tasha has also served in leadership roles at Southwest Key Programs and the Amala Foundation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Science in Global Health and Medical Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
“My work before joining St. David’s Foundation was very focused on health equity and community engagement, and I really hope to continue to bring forward that passion for Central Texas. I look forward to doing more intentional community engagement and thinking about ways that we can make our processes even more community-driven, ensuring we incorporate their feedback to address their needs.” – Tasha Banks, Program Officer
Michelle Castillo, EdM
Program Officer
Prior to joining the Foundation, Michelle held positions in nonprofit leadership, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing. Most recently, she served as Deputy Director for the Children’s Defense Fund – Texas where she led the development of strategic campaigns for health, immigration, and youth justice.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Government and Ethnic Studies from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University.
“We are stronger when we work together. As we continue working toward advancing health equity and the Foundation continues to evolve its practices, it excites me to think about ways we can authentically bring the community into our grantmaking efforts.” – Michelle Castillo, Program Officer
Joycelyn Jurado, MEd
Program Officer
Joycelyn joined the Foundation in 2022 as a Program Associate and became a Program Officer in 2024. Previously, Joycelyn held leadership positions at Central Texas nonprofits where she developed and led programs and initiatives with partnerships among residents, community-based organizations, non-profits, foundations, local education agencies, institutes of higher education and technical assistance providers.
She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Education from Columbia University.
“I hope that my lived experience of being in grantee shoes helps make my role as a Program Officer more empathetic, authentic, and responsive. I hope that I’m able to bring forward community voices, perspectives, and solutions in my work at St. David’s Foundation.” – Joycelyn Jurado, Program Officer