Staff

An Amazing Team

If you're a volunteer here at Grace, it's very likely you've gotten to know (by email) one or more of the fine people below. To the rest of the world, welcome and meet our team! When you’re working with a super keen, super hard-working staff it is hard to get them to lift their heads from the keyboard to brag about themselves. Here is a chance to put a face/description to an email!

Kimberly Olson

Executive Director

"Impressed by the military culture, I knew I wanted to be a part of an organization that instilled pride and commitment...I found that when I joined the U.S. Air Force. Being a part of the first generation of female military pilots certainly had its challenges, but I’d like to think that our generation not only opened doors for women, we took those doors off the hinges. After 25 years of service, becoming a command pilot with 3,700 hours of flying time in six different aircraft, and commanding a KC-135 air refueling squadron, and serving in Iraq, I retired as a colonel. My family and I moved to Texas, near my husband's hometown. Here is where I met the wonderful founder of Grace After Fire, who inspired me to get involved with Grace's exceptional mission of helping women and families. Now, I am truly honored to serve our veterans as Grace's Executive Director. Our excellent Board of Directors, dedicated staff members, and generous partners are committed to helping women who hurt. Hope you'll get involved too."

Lil Serafine 

Director of Operations

Lil's military experience is as a family member. Her father was a 30 year veteran of the Air Force and Army serving in World War II and the Korean War. Her mother was a civil service employee at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX.  She brings 25 years of nonprofit management and financial development experience to Grace. Most recently, she was Regional Executive Director at Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic), a nonprofit founded in 1948 to help World War II Veterans who were visually impaired or blinded from the war.

Lisa Skier

Chief of Staff

Having served in the military (Air Force) for over 13 years and as a current member of the ISS (Standby Reserves) and a veteran of the first Gulf Conflict, I am excited to be joining a team of like minded individuals to help a group of people in their time of need. While in the Air Force I served as a Weather Equipment Technician (E-5) and continued, after graduating, on an ROTC Scholarship, from college as an Administrative and Operations Officer.

I am a native Californian but a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. I come from a long line of military veterans - and family who continue to serve. I have a daughter, step-daughter and step-son along with 5 grandchildren. I am married to a wonderful man who puts up with my love of travel! I am also the secretary for my son-in-law’s Family Readiness Group (FRG) .

Stacy Keyte

North Texas Outreach Coordinator

 
Stacy enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard during high school and attended basic training in the summer between her junior and senior year. What an experience for a girl that had never been on a plane, much less traveled out of state! Joining the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG) helped change that and allowed her to see many places during 12 years of service. She served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005-2006. She also served on homeland security and hurricane response missions. Her husband is still a member of the TXARNG and is an OIF veteran as well. He has served on various homeland security, hurricane and other state-side missions. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a BBA degree in May 2010 and plans on pursuing a Master’s degree in Marketing. Her service in the Army National Guard gives her the unique experience of understanding issues that face our National Guard, Reserve Soldiers and their families. Stacy has been an active participant in the Family Readiness program and is passionate about helping others.

Michelle Rosales-Kneubuhl

Tarrant County Outreach Coordinator

Graduated from Austin High School is Austin, TX in May of ‘95 and by August of that same year she joined the United States Marine Corp and served for 13 years. She was stationed at El Toro and Miramar California as well as Iwakuni, Japan. She was trained in Meridian, Mississippi and attended the Sergeant’s Course in Camp Lejune in North Carolina. Michelle is an Expert Rifle marksman, recognized as first class in physical fitness and achieved a grey belt in Marine Corps Martial Arts. Prior to joining Grace, Michelle was with workforce development at the Texas Workforce Commission in Fort Worth.

Tammy Figueroa 

Central Texas Outreach Coordinator

Tammy Figueroa is a Gulf War Veteran and served in the United States Army for 7 ½ years as an Operating Room Specialist and Headquarters Office Manager at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She has serviced veterans for over six years as a Lead Technical Recruiter, Military Advisor and Evaluator, Coordinator of Veterans Affairs and a Veterans Employment Representative.

In addition, Tammy has reached out to communities on behalf of veterans and family members both voluntarily and as part of job requirements.· Tammy’s motivation and dedication in assisting veterans in assessing services they are entitled to has become a main priority. She stands by the motto, “No one cares what you know until they know that you care.” (Benjamin Franklin)

Chaunte Shepherd

Bexar County Outreach Coordinator

Growing up as an Air Force dependent in a family steeped in military tradition, it was said that my family bled blue. Therefore; upon graduating high school early at the age of 17, and continuing in my parent’s footsteps, I took the oath of enlistment in March of 2000 to serve in the United States Air Force with honor and integrity. I have not looked back once; even with the hardships my family has endured through multiple deployments and extended separations. I faithfully served as an active duty member for over 8 years in the logistics career field which allotted me the time to explore my passion in helping myself and others through physical fitness and health. Tapping into my passion, I decided to join the Air Force Reserves as a medical technician and physical training facilitator. Currently serving as a reservist has afforded me the time to complete my Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Grand Canyon University, and to begin my Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in government and policy. My military career has allowed me to experience first-hand, the challenges and struggles that service members face and has enhanced my awareness and given me a true appreciation for the sacrifices selflessly made