Finance & Operations Team
Jeff Stover

Vice President, Finance and Operations
Jeff has more than 30 years of experience in financial leadership across corporate, academic, and nonprofit sectors. Known for his strong financial acumen, Jeff excels in strategic thinking, business strategy development, financial reporting, and applying financial concepts to guide sound decision-making.
Before joining E3 Alliance, Jeff worked as assistant dean for fiscal administration in the Department of Education and Human Development at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He also served as the inaugural chief financial and administrative officer at Texas Global, the University of Texas at Austin’s international programs office. In these roles, Jeff led major financial operations. He managed budgets and forecasts, oversaw contracts, ensured endowment compliance, and handled internal controls and staffing. Jeff also held leadership roles at IBM, Ricoh, and Dell Technologies earlier in his career. These positions gave him a deep understanding of operational excellence and business strategy.
Jeff earned an MBA from St. Edward’s University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Texas A&M University. He is also a certified public accountant. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys traveling, cooking, and baking. He has a strong appreciation for different cultures around the world.

Christie Hepburn

Senior Director of Operations
Christie got a call from Susan Dawson in 2008 asking if she would support upcoming Deliberative Dialogue work. She’s been connected to E3 Alliance ever since. With roles spanning from collective impact and transformation services, to communications and operations, Christie brings her passion for education and learning, her dedication to human connection, and her penchant for organization to every role.
Prior to joining E3, Christie worked in public schools for 15 years after receiving her master’s degree in Bilingual Special Education at The University of Texas at Austin. In her earlier days, Christie was a Peace Corps volunteer in Micronesia.

Mackenzie Allen

Executive Assistant and Board Liaison
Mackenzie joined E3 Alliance after previously working with Vacasa as their Office Coordinator. She has also worked with the City of Austin, St. Edward’s University, and H&R Block in various administration roles.
Mackenzie holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from St. Edward’s University.

Jill Camba

Accountant
Jill has over 15 years of experience in a variety of industries including banking and nonprofit sectors. During tax season, Jill volunteers her time preparing tax returns for seniors and lower income individuals at Bell County community centers.
Jill has bachelor’s in Accounting and is completing coursework to prepare for the CPA exam.

Patsy Lockett

Grant & Earned Revenue Accounting Manager

Lydia Nelson, M.A., PMP

Project Manager
Lydia brings over 10 years of diverse experience in education, engagement, and research to E3 Alliance, which has centered on developing collaborative processes to enhance experiences and systems.
Before joining E3 Alliance, Lydia taught undergraduate courses at Arizona State University and The University of Texas at Austin and worked as a multidisciplinary communications consultant. Most recently, she managed strategic projects and community partnerships for the Creative Learning Initiative in Austin ISD, a citywide collective-impact model to advance arts access in education.
Lydia is a proud New Englander raised by two public school teachers. She earned a Project Management Professional certification, a master’s degree in communication from Arizona State University, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Western Kentucky University, where she competed on the national champion forensics team and was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by the Commonwealth in recognition of her service and accomplishments. In her free time, Lydia is a passionate participant in Austin’s vibrant arts scene.

Emily Pickens

Operations Manager
Emily Pickens comes to E3 Alliance from a local nonprofit, Women in Neuroscience, where she was the director of programs. She brings a strong background in neurologic music therapy and business, and a lifelong passion for service, volunteerism, and advocacy. She uses her unique skills and experiences to find creative, intentional, and focused ways to get the job done. Emily is passionate about collaboration, connecting people with opportunities, and creating equitable systems of operation.
A Florida native, Emily completed her undergraduate degree in Music Therapy at The Florida State University before relocating to Austin in 2012, where she has since made her mark on the community. In 2019, she enhanced her qualifications with a master’s in business administration from Texas State University, focusing on non-profit management.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Emily enjoys singing, spending time with her husband, their dog, and 13 chickens. She loves exploring the Green Belt, binge-watching old seasons of Survivor, cooking delectable meals, and getting lost in the latest thriller by Harlan Coben.

Daniel Choung

Susan Dawson Fellow
Daniel Choung is pursuing a master’s degree in exercise physiology and serves as the education benchmark and metrics data research fellow. His work focuses on leveraging his background to collect, analyze, and interpret data related to student performance, school outcomes, and systemic indicators in education.

Yousef Elsayed

Susan Dawson Fellow
Yousef Elsayed is a Ph.D. candidate in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Education. As an education policy fellow, he will explore the intersection of STEM and education policy to inform and influence the future of STEM education.

Catalina Vasquez

Susan Dawson Fellow
Catalina Vasquez is a doctoral candidate in higher education leadership and policy. As the data resources and competitor analysis research fellow, her research delves into data resources and competitor analysis, providing strategic insights crucial for developing and strengthening community partnerships.
