Patton Dodd has lived all over the country, but he and his family finally found home in San Antonio a few years ago—and if he has it his way, San Antonio will be home for good.
Patton’s background is a mix of journalism and academia. After completing a doctorate in religion and literature at Boston University, Patton transitioned into a journalism career, covering a range of topics from sports to movies to politics to church movements to poverty and economics. What tied it all together was a passion for stories about change: how people and places, ideas and institutions shift and develop—and how they can change for the good.
Patton loves listening and learning, especially to and from his fellow San Antonians.
Elizabeth Coffee nurtures a deep love for San Antonio. The city formed her, and now she strives to be part of forming it. Her love of San Antonio is rooted in loving its people—diverse, everchanging, dynamic, and compassionate, San Antonians inspire her.
Elizabeth’s work experience reflects a decade working alongside religious non-profits and leaders through community engagement predominately in San Antonio and South Texas. She is a master’s student studying philanthropic studies at Indiana University in the Lilly School of Philanthropy and is a research associate for the Lake Institute of Faith and Giving. Through study and professional experience, she has made deep investments in the work of convening, connecting, and collaborating, always valuing the process of incorporating community voice.
Elizabeth believes that community repair comes from the work of building trust amongst each other.
Erica grew up in San Antonio and its neighborhoods run through her veins. She has fond memories of riding her bike through Beacon Hill, swimming at San Pedro Pool, and being “pushed” over the ghost tracks in a friend’s car on the Southside.
Her love for San Antonio and its people led to her attending the University of Texas at San Antonio to complete her Bachelors Degree in Sociology. Erica has worked in public service, non-profits, and faith-based organizations. From office administration to fundraising to volunteer coordination and project management, her desire has always been the same – to be a part of positive change in the community that built her. She believes that understanding and change can come from listening to one another with grace and humility. And she looks forward to creating the spaces and opportunities for these conversations to happen.
Gabrielle started her professional career here in San Antonio after graduating from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in Religion. Community-focused positions and projects have taken her all over the city. As a result, she quickly fell in love with the culture and the people of San Antonio. The friendships discovered and the generous hospitality experienced made it easy to call San Antonio home. Gabrielle’s background in community engagement, marketing, and full-time vocational ministry has given her a unique ability to cultivate spaces of belonging, understanding, and connection among diverse groups of people.
Gabrielle believes narrative change and innovative action require authentic connections across social, racial, and economic barriers. She’s excited to work with the H.E.Butt Foundation to facilitate Shared Tables that build relational bridges in San Antonio.
Steve Drukker, MD, is married to Nancye, and they have two grown children. Steve has been a partner in The San Antonio Group since 1997, practicing in the specialty of hand and wrist surgery. At church, he has taught classes to kids of all ages. In his community, he has served on the board at Geneva School of Boerne. Steve has been on the executive management committee at his practice for 8 years and helped develop a mentorship program for undergraduate students of color interested in pursuing medicine.
Frances Gonzalez serves as the San Antonio Area Program Officer for Asset Funders Network. Her efforts have contributed toward programs providing access to affordable housing, community economic development, social and human resources in San Antonio and at the federal level. Frances also served as Deputy and Interim Chief of Staff for the Honorable Julián Castro, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C. Prior to HUD, she served as Mayor Julián Castro’s Assistant to the Mayor for Policy.
Jessica Monet Kemp was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. She accepted her call to ministry October 27, 2013, at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in San Antonio. Jessica graduated from the University of Houston and George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco. Jessica obtained the Masters of Divinity, with a concentration in Theology. She currently serves at Antioch as the Minister of Children, Youth, and Young Adults. Jessica says that her call is to preach the gospel and sing to God.
Sarah Woolsey is the founder and executive director of The Impact Guild, a design lab cultivating a community of changemakers and social entrepreneurs, equipping them as problem-solvers in our communities. With a background in strategy, branding, and design, Sarah spent years working in the nonprofit, for-profit, and startup realms. Sarah’s recent hobby is learning everything she can about regenerative agriculture and experimenting in her home garden with the help of their two girls.
Dr. Carey H. Latimore was a dear friend and trusted partner in our work, and we were so saddened by his sudden passing. You can learn more about his incredible life and work here and here. Dr. Latimore an Associate Professor of History at Trinity University and an Associate Minister at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church. His latest book, Unshakeable Faith: African American Stories of Redemption, Hope, and Community, is a historical exploration of the faith and stories of African Americans.
