Our Team
Mary Edna González, PhD, Executive Director
Dr. Mary Edna González (she/her/ella) has dedicated her life to promoting social change through her community engagement, professional experiences and academic background. Over the past decade, Mary has helped classrooms, organizations, and companies, embrace and understand how to strategically support transformative change.
Mary received her bachelor’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master’s Degree from St. Edward’s University, and her Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction- Cultural Studies in Education at UT-Austin.
Previously, she has worked at the National Hispanic Institute, the University of Texas at Austin, and as the Assistant Dean for Student Multicultural Affairs at Southwestern University. Most recently, Dr. González was the Assistant Director for the Partnership for the Future of Learning at the National Public Education Support Fund. Currently she is the Executive Director for the Mexican American School Board Association.
Most recently, Mary was awarded the “Champion for Children” title by the Equity Center, a Texas-based nonprofit organization that strives to create a more equitable public school finance system, as well as the “Leadership Award” by Equality Texas for her leadership advocating for LGBTQ equality. In 2015, she was the youngest inductee into the El Paso Women’s Hall of Fame.
In her individual capacity as a Texas resident, she serves in the Texas House of Representatives as State Representative for House District 75 (El Paso County). Mary serves as the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, as well as on the Public Education Committee in the Texas House. She is currently serving her second term as Vice Chair for the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, and the Chair of the new Texas House LGBTQ Caucus. Nationally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, and as Co-Chair for the Board of Latino Legislative Leaders.
Mary lives in the community she grew up in on the Texas/Mexico border, surrounded by goats, horses, and dogs.
Dr. Betty Jean Taylor, Chief Strategy Officer
Dr. Betty Jeanne Taylor is a mission-driven leader, committed to systemic change and improving educational environments and outcomes. With more than 25 years of experience, she has led university initiatives related to inclusive environments, student success, faculty recruitment and retention, and organizational development, through strategic planning, programming, and policy/praxis implementation.
She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Practice in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin, teaching and advising in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, and as Chief Strategy Officer for MASBA, School Board Members for Latino Equity, where she leads strategic organizational and programmatic initiatives.
Dr. Taylor has held leadership roles at UT Austin including Assistant Vice President for the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Director of Diversity Education Initiatives, and Director of Greek Life and Education, and for professional organizations as Regional Director and Steering Team Member. The foundation of her work has been leading cross-functional teams to identify critical issues, build relationships, develop solutions, and implement data-driven strategies, enhancing sense of belonging for students, staff, and faculty.
She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from The University of Texas at Austin and received a B.S. in Communication and an M.S. in Higher Education from Florida State University. Her research interests focus on inclusive climates, sense of belonging, learning methodologies, and recruitment/retention. Recent publication includes co-authored works in the text A House Where All Belong: Redesigning Education Abroad for Inclusive Excellence (2022) and journal Education and Urban Society (2021). As a lifelong learner, she has a strong commitment to continuing her own personal and professional development.
Lesley Rivas López, Director of Special Projects
Lesley Rivas López (she/her/ella) is a graduate student in the Department of Education Leadership and Policy at The University of Texas at Austin. She currently serves as a Mentoring Coordinator and Research Assistant for Project MALES (Mentoring to Achieve Latino Academic Success), a research-based mentorship program for boys and young men of color in the Austin area. Her research interests include the educational access and attainment of Latinx students across the pipeline, ethnic studies, and educational equity for underserved students through policy reform and the building of culturally-responsive support models.
Lesley earned her M.Ed. in Education Policy from UT-Austin and a B.A. in Latinx Studies and Spanish from the University of Michigan. She is originally from Chicago, Illinois and is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. Being a first-generation Latina scholar, Lesley is deeply passionate about changing the educational opportunities for her community through her research and advocacy efforts.
As the operations specialist, Lesley manages membership and sponsorship processes.
Adriel Bustillos, Director of Operations
Adriel Bustillos (him/his/él) embodies the fusion of his first-generation student status with his second-generation American identity, proudly representing El Paso, TX, while navigating the academic landscape at the University of Texas at Austin. Pursuing a dual major in Business Administration and Government, he delves into the intricate dynamics of free-market economies and their profound societal implications. His exploration encompasses the realms of consumerism, educational accessibility, and standards of living, fueled by an unwavering commitment to comprehending and enhancing the world around him.
Adriel’s journey is marked by impactful experiences, including his role as a Democratic Development Fellow in Panama City with International IDEA, where he contributed to fostering democratic principles. Additionally, he has had the honor of serving as a Legislative Aide to Representative Mary E. González in the Texas House of Representatives, actively engaging in the legislative process to enact positive change in his community.
Pedro Ortiz Menchaca, Organization Support Specialist
Sarai Flores, Policy Fellow
Sarai Flores (she/her/ella) is an incoming second-year Master of Public Affairs student at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Passionate about social change, she focuses her studies on Immigration and Latino Policy. Sarai plans to attend law school to specialize in immigration law. She joins MASBA in furtherance of her dream to advocate for the Latino community.
Guilleremo Gudino, Policy Fellow
Guilleremo Gudino (he/him/él) is a Master’s student at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in public affairs. His policy interests include education, criminal justice, and immigration. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Guilleremo’s unique perspective is shaped by his experiences in one of the state’s most dynamic cities. He aspires to a career as an attorney, continuing his advocacy for impactful policy changes and justice. Outside his academic endeavors, Guilleremo enjoys exploring new culinary experiences, playing tennis, traveling, and shopping.