our team + board

Ricquel Archer is a first-generation college graduate and nonprofit executive with 15 years of expertise in fundraising, digital marketing, and program design. She founded Create + Collaborate to inspire the next generation of leaders to thrive in school, career, and life.

A proud first-generation Latina raised in Southside Fort Worth, Laura Soriano brings deep community roots to her role at Create + Co. She leads volunteer engagement with a steadfast commitment to equity, connection, and belonging for every student and family served.

Shelby Johnson is a first-generation college graduate, two-time TCU alumna, and adjunct professor at Tarrant County College. Her classroom experience and firsthand understanding of student development directly inform Create + Co's committee strategy and youth programming efforts.

Dominique Cooke is a first-generation college graduate, TCU Communication Studies alumna, and founding Program Director at Create + Co. She leads all curriculum design and development while mentoring students in partner schools across the Create + Co network.

Angela LeBlanc is a seasoned operations and strategy leader who spent a decade scaling a $50M traveling exhibit company. She brings big-picture thinking and hands-on execution to Create + Collaborate's mission.

Dr. Sharla Horton is a 20-year leadership strategist, owner of Lifted Consulting and Strategy, and co-founder of School Leadership for Social Justice. A lifelong Fort Worth advocate, she guides Create + Co's strategic planning with bold vision and equity-centered expertise.

Raquel Perez is a first-generation college graduate and founding board member with 20 years of nonprofit leadership in grant management, strategic planning, and program design. She guides our development strategy with precision and purpose.

Kevin Foster is a first-generation college graduate and Chief Operating Officer at Hope Farm Inc., bringing 30 years of nonprofit leadership and deep expertise in operations and governance.

Quinton 'Q' Phillips is a first-generation college graduate, Executive Director of Community Frontline, and adjunct professor at TCU with nearly 30 years in education, advocacy, and community development across Fort Worth and beyond.

Jessica Hassler is a first-generation college graduate and organizational development leader with 18 years at Chick-fil-A and a Master's in Organizational Development. Her expertise in leadership development and team culture strengthens Create + Co's internal operations.

Dr. Jamal Williams brings 20 years of expertise in higher education student success and early access programming to Create + Collaborate's board, providing insight and guidance rooted in decades of experience serving students.

Dr. Timeka Gordon is Director of Student Identity and Engagement at TCU, with 20 years in student affairs and social justice leadership. A UTA Outstanding Leadership Award recipient, she brings deep expertise in identity-centered student empowerment to Create + Co's board.

Mia Moss is the owner of Black Coffee, Fort Worth's first woman Black-owned coffee shop and a Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 honoree. Her entrepreneurial spirit and community investment make her a powerful voice for economic empowerment at Create + Co.

Madelin Martinez is a first-generation college graduate, founding Create + Co member, and UT Arlington alumna with dual degrees in Marketing and Management. As the founding Alumni Association President, she’s connecting the organization's mission to its growing alumni community.