Our Mission

The mission of Foster Angels is to improve the lives of children in foster care ensuring each child has their basic needs met and providing life-enhancing, life-enriching opportunities whenever possible.
See how we carry out our mission every day.

How We Started

In 1999 Ted Oakley sought out to impact the lives of children in the care of Child Protective Services when he founded Foster Angels of South Texas. 11 years later, Ted’s daughter, Sarah Smith, saw the same needs of children appearing in Austin during her career as a teacher and so Foster Angels of Central Texas was founded in 2010.

Meet the Team

Tania Leskovar-Owens

Tania Leskovar-Owens

Executive Director

Maggie Sheppard

Maggie Sheppard

Director of Partnerships & Communications

Emily Seay

Emily Seay

Program Director

Molly McIntire

Molly McIntire

Development & Grants Manager

Shaheem Lilly

Shaheem Lilly

Program Manager

Bliss Boaz

Bliss Boaz

Program & Events Coordinator

Board of Directors

Suzy Balagia

Suzy Balagia

President

Allison Edwards

Allison Edwards

Vice President

Blair McBride

Blair McBride

Secretary

Stephanie Phillips

Stephanie Phillips

Treasurer

Thom Farrell

Thom Farrell

Past President

Ted Oakley

Ted Oakley

Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus

Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith

Co-Founder

Jon Berry

Jon Berry

Quan Cosby

Quan Cosby

Danielle Delgadillo

Danielle Delgadillo

Lina Flake

Lina Flake

Patrick Flynn

Patrick Flynn

Jay Hanna

Jay Hanna

Shannon Hicks

Shannon Hicks

Steve Hicks

Steve Hicks

Marcella Maxwell Keebler

Marcella Maxwell Keebler

Melissa Morrow

Melissa Morrow

MP Mueller

MP Mueller

Allen Plunkett

Allen Plunkett

Alexandria Sooch

Alexandria Sooch

Richard Suttle

Richard Suttle

Robin Ward, Ph.D.

Robin Ward, Ph.D.

Dr. George Willeford

Dr. George Willeford

Eric Wright

Eric Wright

Advisory Board

Laura Beckworth

Leon Chen

JJ Gottsch

Cuatro Groos

John Hampton

Richard Leshin

Derek Lewis

Vilma Luna

Hannah Nokes

Kathy Petet

Gary Valdez

Bill Walker

Contact Us

info@fosterangelsctx.org | (512) 732-2329

Physical Address
Foster Angels of Central Texas
101 Westlake Drive Suite 210
Austin, TX 78746

Mailing Address
Foster Angels of Central Texas
P.O. Box 152575
Austin, TX 78715

Stay in Touch

Read our annual impact reports: 2023 | 2022 | 2021

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement

The mission of Foster Angels of Central Texas is to improve the lives of all children who are experiencing time in foster care. We do not discriminate based on gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, race, religion, or national origin. We see each child for who they are – as individuals, and address their individual needs as such.  

Children in the child welfare system are disproportionately impacted by racism and Foster Angels works to eliminate barriers for the families, youth, and children we serve. We will always uphold our commitment to a simple and efficient process so that we can quickly respond to needs ultimately building on our foundation of trust with those we serve, Child Protective Services, and other nonprofit partners. 

We are stronger as a group when diversity and uniqueness are valued, and we strive for equity in our staff and team. These workplace values will directly impact our work so that every child in foster care can thrive.