Chief Executive Officer

Matthew brings nearly 20 years of experience working in schools and nonprofits to his role as CEO. Matt has spent his career revitalizing and growing the organizations in which he works, whether that’s leading Catholic Schools in the growing Diocese of Dallas, or teaching the next generation of education leaders at the University of Oklahoma or the University of Dallas. Matt has also served on a number of boards of nonprofits in the DFW area.

Matt graduated from the University of Notre Dame and received his Master of Education from the same. He earned his doctorate at the University of Oklahoma.

To contact Matt directly please email: matt.vereecke@jehfoundationfw.org

Vice President of Programs

A mental health advocate with lived experience, suicide loss survivor, and adept in her field, Kristi has been asked to speak locally and nationally on suicide prevention and the power of QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). More than 10,000 people have been trained by Kristi to use this framework and prevent suicide. Kristi is also an expert in sharing this message with youth, as a Hope Squad Master Trainer. Kristi currently provides program and implementation support for 120 Hope Squad campuses across 23 districts in North Texas.

Trained in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), SAMA De-Escalation, ASIST, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) and Mental Health First Aid, Kristi understands the importance of knowing the most up-to-date ways to intervene, prevent suicide, and care for those who have lost someone

When she isn’t working, Kristi enjoys going to the theater, reading and Taco Tuesday. Her coolest title, however, is Mommy to her amazing daughter, Layla Jan.

To contact Kristi directly please email: k.wiley@jehfoundationfw.org

Director of Operations

Rachael Brown is passionately in love with Fort Worth, where she was born and raised. Her working background includes various businesses, restaurants, and nonprofits across the city. Along with her passion for organization, her ability to see many different views and "think outside the box" is what makes her a great asset to any team.

Rachael earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration at Tarrant County College, and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Entrepreneurial Management. 

Outside of The Foundation, Rachael enjoys being active in the community. Whether she is exploring with her family, putting together philanthropic drives for the community, or trying every new restaurant opening, she frequently meets and connects with the people of Fort Worth.

To contact Rachael directly please email: r.brown@jehfoundationfw.org

Director of Development 

Christa Streebin’s love for nonprofit work began in college, when she spearheaded her University of Oklahoma sorority’s annual fundraiser to great success. Since then, she has served 18 years in the nonprofit sector, eventually returning to her native Fort Worth and serving at such community beacons as the Fort Worth Zoo and the Center for Transforming Lives. Her development work has included raising funds for new Zoo exhibits and giving societies, producing annual events, and building strategic fundraising campaigns.

When Christa isn’t working, she enjoys spending time outside with her husband and two daughters along with their four-legged family members, Cosmo & Max. She is an enneagram 1 and recovering perfectionist with a passion for dessert. 

To contact Christa directly please email: c.streebin@jehfoundationfw.org

Program Manager                                

LaTasha Jackson is a renaissance woman who brings a wealth of knowledge to the Foundation, and who has career experience ranging from public health to education. The one consistent element of her career has been her love for people and a desire to touch lives positively daily. LaTasha was born, raised, and still lives in Fort Worth, TX. She is a mom to three amazing children, two boys and one girl.

LaTasha’s personal connection to the mission has solidified over the last several years as personal encounters with depression and each of her children having a friend or classmate who lost their life to suicide ignited a new purpose and determination to change the lives of those in her community. LaTasha is passionate about breaking through the cultural barriers that are often the norm in communities of color, especially in the Black/ African American community, when it relates to depression and suicide. As the Program Manager and certified Hope Squad Trainer, LaTasha ensures that our school peer-to-peer programs are supported. She continues to fine-tune her skill set by being a QPR-certified trainer and gatekeeper, being trained in ASIST (suicide first aid), and Soul Shop for the Black church.

When she isn’t working, LaTasha enjoys working in her church ministry, relaxing on the beach, sporting events, and concerts. She is an extreme Dallas Mavs and NCAA basketball fan, traveling all over the Southeast and Midwest to attend as many March Madness events as possible every year.

To contact LaTasha directly please email: l.jackson@jehfoundationfw.org

Bilingual Program Manager

Ivonne Uquillas brings 10 years of community engagement experience to her role. She was born in Quito, Ecuador and was raised in the Chicagoland area. Her passion for community engagement stems from her time as an undergraduate student at Northern Illinois University (NIU) where she led multiple student organizations. While at NIU she graduated with her Masters in Education in School Counseling and obtained her Professional Educator License. 

As a professional, Ivonne began her career advancing educational opportunities for students ranging from elementary to high school. Working at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and St. Charles Community School District, Ivonne helped students navigate financial aid, college admissions, and scholarship processes. She also took pride in her ability to bridge language gaps between Spanish speaking families and the school system.  

In the field of mental health, Ivonne has five years experience in a clinical and school setting during her counseling training and also as a professional working at the Alzheimer’s Association in Fort Worth. At the Association, Ivonne served as Bilingual Program Manager and Dementia Care Specialist. Due to her exposure to different communities and needs, mental health was the common denominator and is what led her to seek a role in The Foundation. 

Outside her work, Ivonne spends time with her family and seeks opportunities to nutrition herself and family through food, play, and exercise. 

To contact Ivonne directly please email: i.uquillas@jehfoundationfw.org

Program Support

Ebonie’s professional background is a tapestry woven of pieces of her personal, volunteer, and academic experiences. Her experiences have centered around in-school and out-of-school time, as well as the non-profit, retail, and hospitality industries. With over fifteen years of experience in volunteer and community training and engagement, Ebonie has successfully developed, created, assessed, and overseen Out-of-School-Time programs. She has also implemented a successful Parent Involvement program at a Title I elementary school. Ebonie is passionate about the power of connection and community. She aims to integrate these values into her professional endeavors.

As an advocate, speaker, and trainer, Ebonie seeks to use her lived experiences as she’s navigated finding hope being a multiple suicide attempt survivor, family member of suicide attempt survivors, and familial caregiver to bring awareness to suicide and mental health.

Ebonie has a Certification of Culinary Arts from Texas State Technical College -Waco, a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in Public Affairs and Community Service from the University of North Texas, and is pursuing a Master of Social Work at Baylor University. She is fulfilling her advanced community practice internship with the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation.