We are a team dedicated to supporting our LEADers as they spread the important message of empathy, kindness, and compassion to students and teachers.
Lauren Rowe serves as Executive Director of To Be Like Me. A results-driven leader with deep roots in advocacy and community engagement, she brings more than two decades of nonprofit leadership experience to the role.
Prior to joining To Be Like Me, Lauren served as Executive Director of Lone Star CASA, where she spearheaded innovative fundraising initiatives, expanded programming for children and families, and led development of a statewide model to improve outcomes for vulnerable youth. She also modernized organizational infrastructure, strengthened governance practices, and built strategic partnerships across nonprofit, government, and community sectors.
Earlier in her career, Lauren served as Director of Child & Club Safety for Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Southwest Region, advising more than 200 organizations across eight states. She also held national leadership roles at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), overseeing victim services strategy, program development, and nationwide training initiatives.
Lauren holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Texas A&M University. A longtime Richardson resident and parent of two elementary-age children, she is passionate about expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities and the meaningful work To Be Like Me brings to schools and communities across the region.
Greg joins To Be Like Me after a thirty-year career in healthcare, with a passion for nonprofits and for our mission. He’s a graduate of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Trinity University’s Master’s program in healthcare administration. Greg has spent his entire career in and around nonprofits, working with them as clients and as a board member and founder, including organizations such as Forerunner Mentoring Program, Lake Highlands Young Life, American Cancer Society, and YMCA of the Rockies. Greg is a leader in the men’s ministry and teaching team at Park Cities Baptist Church and is a fledgling writer, working on a couple of books right now based on his corporate and volunteer experience. He lives in Dallas with his wife, Lisa, and has three children, a Texas Aggie, a Colorado State Ram, and an Auburn Tiger. When not working, Greg loves to read, cook, and do just about anything outside, and his German Shorthaired Pointer, June, keeps him and Lisa busy for sure!
Joanne Huffstetler graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Texas A&M and went on to earn her Master’s in Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders, graduating magna cum laude, from the University of Texas at Dallas. Joanne worked as an Early Intervention Specialist for over thirty years, during which she served as a program administrator and director. Currently, Joanne was selected to be a part of the 2025 Texas Partners in Policymaking through the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. She lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband, Andrew. Joanne is the legal guardian of her brother, who has a disability, and has two adult sons. She is passionate about helping other families and siblings who are caring for their loved ones.
Kelly Dowling graduated with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. She was an Early Intervention Specialist with Texas Early Childhood Intervention programs in the Dallas area for five years, before transitioning to being a stay-at-home parent for her own children. While working with the Texas ECI programs she served families and children with developmental delays and disabilities helping to assess their needs, coordinate services, and provide family support and education. Kelly and her husband Shaun live in Richardson with their two sons but love finding places to hike and camp around the U.S., every chance they get.
Josee Moser graduated with a B.S. In Teaching and Learning, with a minor in Special Education from the University of Houston. After college, she was in public education for 10 + years as a Special Education Teacher, Special Olympics Coach, and 18 + Program Coordinator, split between the Houston area and Highland Park HS. In 2021, Josee and her husband, Chance, relocated to Lake Highlands, so Chance could continue to pursue his law career in Intellectual Property. After their relocation, Josee has continued to work with adults with disabilities as a job/life coach for corporations. In her spare time, Josee loves to travel, camp, and hike in the mountains.
Shawnett Viani studies Criminal Justice and Public Policy at the University of North Texas in Denton, with plans to attend Law school one day. Shawnett has a strong passion for disability advocacy, law and policy, books, and puzzles. She holds the title as Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2020, is a graduate from the Texas Partners in Policymaking Academy and Disability Law & Policy Fellowship program. In May of 2024, Shawnett won the 2024 Brian Spann LEADer of the Year Award. Shawnett is a LEADer for To Be Like Me; sharing her journey living with disabilities and assists Kelly, the Operations Coordinator, with Volunteer and Outreach. She also works in Denton as a caseworker assisting the vulnerable in her community and advocating for basic resources. She loves helping educate the public about disabilities, empathy, compassion, and the urgent needs for universal design. In her free time, she enjoys puzzling, reading a good book, and caring for her family.
Hollis Owens graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience from Washington and Lee University in Virginia and went on to get her Masters in Physical Therapy from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas in 2000 where she was the recipient of the Marge Barre Award for Clinical and Academic Excellence. Hollis was a pediatric physical therapist for 20 years. Over the years, Hollis had the opportunity to work with patients in clinical research trials, inpatient, outpatient, home health, and school-based physical therapy. Hollis is a graduate of Leadership Richardson Class of 37, a Paul Harris Fellow in Richardson East Rotary, has a certificate in Nonprofit Management from CNM, and was recently awarded the 2024 Charmaine Solomon Service Award recipient from My Possibilities. Hollis lives in Richardson, Texas with her husband Brian and four daughters.
