MAMAs Do! Boards, Orgs, and Gifts
The Board of Directors of the Mother Attorney Mentoring Association is what we refer to in sports as a “deep bench.” The board members lead the organization in planning events, coordinating sponsor donations, networking with fellow MAMAs to make connections, providing business referrals on the MAMAs Facebook page, and countless other tasks that often go unnoticed in the seamless perfection of the final event or work product. In addition, several MAMAs board members are involved in, give to, or serve other organizations as active members or supporters, Fellows or donors, and board members.
Christine Andresen of the CHA Law Group PC is the Austin LGBT Bar Vice-President, a Fellow of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys, and is Former Chair of the Court Appointed Family Advocated Section of the Austin Bar.
Andrea Leyva Batista of Vinson & Elkins LLP and Eleanor Ruffner of the Law Office of Eleanor Ruffner are Fellows and Board Members of the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization which provides grants each year to organizations that provide legal services to women, families, and children. To become a Fellow of the Foundation, click here. Batista has served as a volunteer mentor for the Women’s Law Caucus at the University of Texas School of Law for three years.
Sandy Taleghany Bayne of Bayne Law serves as a board member of the Austin Young Lawyers Association, is co-chair of the Fitness Committee of the Austin Bar and serves on the events committee of the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association.
Kimberly Gdula of Jackson Walker LLP has served on the Bench Bar Committee for the Austin Bar for three years and is active in the Rotary Club of Austin.
Amber MacIver of Erskin & Blackburn participates in Anonymous Angels, a program run by Erskin & Blackburn to provide Christmas gifts to 550 children at Galindo Elementary School each year. To register to participate, click here.
Jessica Neufeld of Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr PC serves as an Executive Board Member of Virtual Builders. Neufeld is also actively involved in Foster Angels of Central Texas, the Austin Diaper Bank, and KUT.
Ashley Phillips of Thompson & Knight LLC regularly supports Girls Empowerment Network of Austin, Little Helping Hands, Mainspring Schools, and WeViva.
Stephanie Potter of Naman Howell Smith & Lee is an active member of the Junior League of Austin since 2010 and the Junior League since 2008. Stephanie has held various leadership roles in the Junior League of Austin, including chairing several community projects, serving on the community council, serving as a Capital Campaign ambassador, sponsoring new League members, and providing placement advice to other members. The Junior League of Austin is a diverse group of 2,400 dedicated women working to make Austin a better place. The Junior League of Austin is a non-profit organization formed in 1934 committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. It partners with 29 non-profit agencies and programs throughout the Austin area and provides volunteers and/or financial support. In 2016 alone, it will invest more than $780,000 and 100,000 volunteer hours in improving our community. You can support the Junior League of Austin here.
Eleanor Ruffner also serves as the co-chair of the Austin Bar’s CLE committee.
Lauren Schoenbaum of The Schoenbaum Firm, PLLC served as Board Member of the Austin Diaper Bank and serves as a volunteer at SafePlace, Pro Bono legal work for PeopleFund, and the Magellan International School. Schoenbaum is also an Austin Bar Foundation Fellow and member of the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association.
Jana Terry of Beckstead Terry, PLLC is heavily involved in Little Helping Hands, an organization focused on community service which awards a signed certificate for 25 hours of service in a year to participating children. Terry is also involved in a leadership program through Seton Cove, a spirituality center (affiliated the Seton system of hospitals).
