Leadership and Staff
Interim Executive Director
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.
Valerie Gonzalez
Manager of Outreach and Engagement
Valerie Gonzalez
Valerie is not new to the nonprofit world, however, she has transitioned from the world of college access and higher education into the world of serving women of domestic violence.
Valerie previously served with the Texas Christian University chapter of the College Advising Corps where she served as the Senior College Adviser at Western Hills High School. During her time serving the CAC, Valerie worked on a number of national projects including an episode of This American Life with host Ira Glass, and a featured blog post with Bill Gates.
Valerie holds a Bachelor's of Science in Film/Television/Digital Media & Political Science as well as a Master's of Liberal Arts from Texas Christian University. She plans to work towards receiving a doctoral degree in Nonprofit Administration/Management in the next few years.
Nadine Hernandez
Assistant Director of Programs
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.
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.
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.
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.