Board Members
Jessi Rock
Founder
Jessica received her Bachelor of Social Sciences from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and is also certified in non-profit management. Since the inception of A Small Miracle Foundation in 2004, she has served as its Founder and Executive Director until March of 2015. Jessica has also worked with children in various forms throughout her life, first as a nanny and later as an after school tutor. She also has years of experience as an office manager and, later in her career, as an Environmental Services Director at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, California. She is now back in her home state of Texas, where she devotes her time to her daughter, as a stay at home mom, and still loyally serves A Small Miracle Foundation as a Board Member.
Gayle Anderson
Board Chair
Currently Chief Financial Officer for the Dallas Zoo, Gayle received her MBA from UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management and was a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California. Previous positions include Chief Financial Officer of Match.com and Vice President of Studio Planning at The Walt Disney Company. She also serves on the boards of two other nonprofit organizations, Villages in Partnership and Richardson Symphony Orchestra, and leads their respective Finance Committees.
Lori Foster
Treasurer
Lori is the newest member of our board joining us in early 2019. She brings with her experience of having served as treasurer of several non-profit boards over the years. Lori has her own accounting business where she specializes in small businesses including non-profits. Lori makes her home in Addison with her husband Steve and two daughters.
Dr. Leslie Russell
Dr. Russell is currently an Elementary administrator for Garland ISD. She has been an educator for almost 30 years and has a Bachelors in Education, a Masters in Educational Administration and a Doctorate in Education as well. As a person who has been directly impacted by cancer the work that ASMF does is very important to her
Susan Pool
Secretary
Susan is currently a healthcare consultant. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Lyon College (formerly known as Arkansas College) and Masters in Healthcare Administration from Texas Woman’s University. Susan has over thirty-five years of management experience in healthcare. She has also served in various positions on the Parent Board and executive board of a private school.
Lisa Leach
Coming Soon
Dr. Lavonne Wesley
Vice Chair
Dr. Wesley is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a private practice in Richardson, Texas. She is a former Assistant Professor in the Division of Psychology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas where she also served as member of the Graduate Studies Committee. She also prevoiusly served as Board Chairperson of a local private school.