Leadership and Staff
Bliss Coulter
Bliss Coulter is an achievement-driven executive who has dedicated over 15 years experience working to empower survivors of domestic violence, low income individuals, and families through innovative programming, leadership and strategic vision.
In 2019, Bliss was named the CEO of The Ladder Alliance. In her first year, she was able to double the amount of operating cash and reserve, transformed the annual golf event from the traditional green grass fundraiser to TopGolf, which increased new attendees by 80% and helped The Ladder Alliance achieve the “Best Place for Working Parents in 2020″ designation award.
Mrs. Coulter spent her first year at the helm doing an environmental scan/assessment of what it would take to advance The Ladder Alliance to the next level and devised a well-executed plan to ensure agency elevation. By placing substantial emphasis on capacity building, scalable and equitable community change, diversifying the existing funding portfolio and having clear outcome goals The Ladder Alliance has seen tremendous success over the past year.
Mrs. Coulter has a passion and extensive experience for serving the community in various roles, from mentoring youth and other emerging leaders, engaging key stakeholders at all levels, to creating avenues for systems change.
Bliss received her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Texas Women’s University with a major in Counseling and Development. She previously graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree and has her certification in Business Management. Bliss is a licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas and a National Certified Counselor.
When Bliss is not working, she enjoys spending time with her wife Ashleigh, her son Stetson and her horses at her ranch.
Susan Smith
Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations
Susan Smith
Susan Smith has more than 35 years of service in non-profit advancement. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Texas Christian University in English with a minor in Art History. Both disciplines remain Susan’s passions. She has been the Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations for The Ladder Alliance since 2012. In her fundraising roles, Susan has been devoted to making a difference in the lives of others.
Director of Programs and Operations
Jessica Seidel MS, NCC, LPC
Jessica is a fastidious and compassionate director who has dedicated more than 10 years in the nonprofit field. As a Program Director she has built and maintained community relationships with local organizations and school districts, coordinated class schedules, managed 7 programs including 3 grant local and state-funded programs and has managed over 60 staff.
Utilizing her degree, background, and experiences, Jessica comes to The Ladder Alliance with a wealth of knowledge in both program management and helping individuals in a variety of capacities.
Jessica received her Master of Science Degree in Clinical Counseling from Texas Woman’s University with a major in Counseling and Development. She previously graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
Jessica is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas and a National Board-Certified Counselor.
When Jessica is not working she spends her time with her husband Michael, daughter Sophie along with her two basset hounds and enjoys her few moments of peace and quiet to read and teach herself crochet.
Director of Development
Katie Purcell
Katie Purcell is a seasoned fundraising and development professional with over 6 years of nonprofit leadership experience, 5 years in the sports industry, and 13 years in results-oriented environments. Katie graduated from the University of Oklahoma majoring in Communication with a minor in Business. As a Director of Development, Katie has coordinated over 18 successful charity events in the DFW area. She thrives in donor cultivation and retention, marketing, media, fundraising, program support, and major gift giving.
In her spare time, Katie is an avid waterfowl hunter and enjoys spending time in nature with her rescued red lab, Chance. She also enjoys giving back to the special needs community by volunteering or going on outings with her special friends.
Keri Heskett
Program Coordinator
Keri Heskett
Keri comes to us from the world of education. She has been a coach, teacher and school counselor for the last 20 years. Having taught Technology Applications, BCIS and BIM, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the curriculum side of our organization as our Program Coordinator. As a school counselor, Keri was the sole counselor for a K-12 district serving 300 students and before that, she was a counselor in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department serving 300 incarcerated youth in the Gainesville facility. Those experiences gave her knowledge of scheduling, testing, college and career readiness, as well as fostering her compassion for helping others.
Keri received her Master of Science degree in Counseling and Development from Texas Woman’s University. She received her certification as a principal from Angelo State University. Keri completed her undergraduate degree in Education from Midwestern State University.
When Keri is not working, she likes to spend her time with her husband Chris and her daughters Peyton and Madison. Keri enjoys traveling, reading, shopping and decorating. Her oldest daughter, Madison, is in the BSN program at Midwestern State University. Keri’s youngest daughter, Peyton, will be a Senior in high school at Covington ISD where her father is the Superintendent.
Nadine Hernandez
Administrative Assistant
Nadine Hernandez
Nadine is starting her new career in the non-profit environment. She has made her path as a first-generation Hispanic graduate from Texas A&M University, where she earned a BA in Anthropology. Currently, Nadine is working on her MBA concentrating in International Business from Texas A&M International University. She started her professional career as an Administrative Assistant at Plygem Windows in Bryan, Tx and is brining 3 years of experience. Her background in Anthropology helped develop a passion for learning about different cultures and has motivated her to delve into learning the Korean language in her spare time. Nadine’s goal is to become trilingual, as she is already fluent in English and Spanish. Nadine hopes to use her studies and passions to help those in need.
When she is not working or studying, Nadine enjoys traveling, binge watching Korean dramas and anime, and listening to her favorite artists BTS and Twice. Additionally, Nadine enjoys art activities as she is an avid dancer, and occasionally picks up a paint brush and canvas.
Alex Dominguez
Computer Skills Instructor
Alex Dominguez
Alex has worked with various schools and organizations, as an educator for English as a Second Language programs, secondary school computer tech, and refugee English survival courses. In his spare time, Alex volunteers to help immigrant citizens secure a legal pathway through volunteer programs, and is passionate about fighting for the rights of those less fortunate. Along with his volunteer efforts, Alex is an avid visitor of art museums in his hometown of Fort Worth, loves to cook at home with his fiancé, and enjoys attending rock concerts. Alex has been with The Ladder Alliance since 2019 as an IT Instructor.
Ruben Herrera
Bilingual Computer Skills Instructor
Ruben Herrera
Ruben has more than 16 years of experience in the IT industry along with 12 years of experience in business management and customer service. Ruben developed a passion for technology at a young age, by the time he was 14 he wrote his first program on a Commodore 64 computer. Since then, Ruben has found a love for helping others in sharing his passion of computers and technology and helping spark excitement in those that he teaches.
JENNIFER GOULETTE
Computer Skills Instructor
Jennifer Goulette
Jennifer has over 15 years of experience as a computer instructor. After graduating from UTEP, she began her career in an accounting department but soon discovered a passion for helping others when it came to teaching her colleagues new software or learning new tips and tricks in Microsoft Excel. She began her teaching career as a GED instructor, which led to technology instruction shortly thereafter, and continued for the next 10 years. After moving to North Texas in 2009, she continued her career as an adjunct instructor working for Weatherford College for 7 years. She is currently enjoying her new position as a Computer Skills Instructor with The Ladder Alliance. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys a good true crime book or tv show and spending time with her husband and two girls.