Leadership
Executive Leadership
Tracey Hardwick
Founder and Executive Director
Tracey Hardwick is the Founder and Executive Director of Together We Thrive. Since 2017, Tracey has helped bring the mission of providing a consistent influence for at risk youth across North Texas to fruition. Prior to starting Together We Thrive, Tracey worked in journalism and broadcasting for 25 years. Tracey has been married to Kirk Hardwick for 34 years and have 4 children together - Luke, Landon, Lacey and Genevieve.
Todd Bloom
Chairman of the Board
Todd Bloom is a certified Private Wealth Advisor for Leading Edge Advisors, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. In this role, Todd guides his clients to reach dreams they never thought they could achieve. Prior to his career in the financial sector, Todd worked in nuclear engineering. Todd joined the leadership team for Together We Thrive in 2018, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board. Todd’s other philanthropic activities include serving on the Board of the Prince of Peace Christian School, leadership of Humanility (an organization that supports homeless children in the Philippines), and leading various mission trips to Southeast Asia. Todd and wife Sherri have been married for thirty years and have two sons, David and John.
Andrew Wagnitz
Co-Chairman of the Board
Andrew Wagnitz is the Head of Technology at Allied Gaming and Entertainment. A cutting edge gaming and entertainment production company. He prides 20 years of leading technology initiatives in broadcast, live production and online integration. Today, his focuses are in executing and innovating the traditional broadcast workflows to support the high demand and the ever-changing gaming industry. Andrew is an entrepreneur and innovator at heart. He has had several local businesses in his home of North Texas in the last 20 years.
Andrew began his support of Together We Thrive in early 2018 after meeting Tracey on a mission trip to Ethiopia. He joined the board later that year.
Amber Wagenknecht
Secretary
Amber uses her sales and organizational adoption expertise in her role as a Sales Coach at Deloitte coaching teams in sales strategy, orals coaching, competitive intelligence, pricing and sales training to increase the probability of winning the pursuit. She graduated with a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin. Beyond the workplace, Amber serves on the My Possibilities Foundation board helping to raise funds to support their HIPsters, Hugely Important People (adults) with intellectual disabilities. She is also the Chair Emeritus of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Innovation Lab having served 8 years ending in 2024. Amber and her boyfriend, Brian, live in West Plano with their 2 rescues; Ahsoka and Roxanne enjoying all things Formula1, NFL and she enjoys scuba diving with her youngest son, Reese.
Adam Hassan
Treasurer
Adam Hassan is a Managing Partner at Torchy’s Tacos. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in industrial and organizational psychology with an emphasis in child behavior, Adam found an amazing career in running and operating restaurants across the country. Adam and his wife have been married for 11 years and have 2 girls together. Adam says being a girl dad is the best thing ever. Adam loves networking and serving his community whether it be through his local PTA or serving with non-profits in his community. Adam’s childhood gives him a unique understanding of the youth we work with and gives him a special heart for the mission of Together We Thrive.
Jill Sawtelle
Human Resources
Jill is a Society of Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Prior to her recent retirement from corporate HR, she enjoyed heading up HR operations within the aviation and corporate coaching industries. Jill is especially passionate about a holistic approach to HR and looks forward to bringing her relationship building style to our team. When she is not collaborating on human resource issues, Jill can be found managing five Dallas-based bands with her husband, Trey. She’s also actively involved with her daughter, Grace, in National Charity League and is enjoying her son, Mac, in his senior year of high school and the numerous activities that it involves. Any spare moments are dedicated to her five rescue dogs.
Board of Directors
Michael Fork
Director
Michael uses his technical and leadership background in his role as Product Leader at Meta. Beyond the workplace, Michael serves as Leadership Council Chairman for his local Safe Families for Children chapter. Michael, along with his wife Bethany, and their four children – Caleb, Aiden, Mason, and Alyssa – share a passion and soft spot for the youngest and most vulnerable youth in their community and work together as a family to make a difference. When Michael isn’t working or serving, you’ll find he and Bethany at their kids’ practices and competitions or traveling somewhere. Their favorite adventure is the annual road trip seeking out “where the people aren’t” – dispersed camping across national forests and national grasslands where, the worse the road, the more likely you are to find the Fork family down it!
Sean Horan
Director
Sean grew up in Tampa, Florida, before attending the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. Following college, Sean attended Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville, Tennessee. Now, as an associate at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Sean focuses his corporate practice on mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance issues. Sean has assisted Together We Thrive with various legal matters over the past year and joined the board in August of 2022. Sean lives in Dallas with his girlfriend Ariana, and their golden retriever Dakota. In their spare time, Sean and Ariana enjoy taking Dakota for walks at Griggs Park, seeing live music, and exploring all the great restaurants Dallas has to offer.
Melanie Kirton
Director
Melanie Kirton, owner of Financial Affairs LLC, has over 12 years of experience in non-profit accounting. She has worked for organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Give Kids The World and SafeHaven of Tarrant County. With each of these organizations, Melanie was in a senior leadership role within the finance department.
Financial Affairs LLC works exclusively with non-profit organizations across the United States. The organizations we support vary from startup non-profits ($500k and under operating budget) and well-established non-profits ($2m+ operating budget). Financial Affairs LLC provides services from monthly accounting support including transaction allocations and monthly financial reports to CFO-services including operating budget preparation, KPI tracking, cash flow forecasting and much more.
Nicole Parker-Beggs
Director
Nicole is an experienced I-O Psychologist dedicated to fostering harmonious work environments and promoting personal and professional growth. With a passion for learning and sharing knowledge, she leverages her expertise in diverse public and private organizations to create safe spaces for individuals to develop self-awareness, enhance skills, and transform behaviors.
Nicole holds a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from Sacred Heart University, where she honed her expertise in understanding human behavior and organizational dynamics. She also possesses a Bachelor of Arts in International Trade from the University of Central Arkansas, which has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of global business practices.
With a deep commitment to facilitating positive change, Nicole continues to make a significant impact by helping individuals and organizations thrive. Her unique blend of psychological expertise, leadership, and diverse industry experience positions her as a valuable asset in fostering personal and professional growth within any organization.
Shelley Reynolds
Director
Shelley Reynolds spent the first 21 years of her life in Hillsdale Michigan, where she was born.
She graduated with a marketing degree from Hillsdale College in 1988.
Shelley married her husband, Jeff in December of 1989.They have three boys. Jacob, is their oldest, 30 and married to Jess. They live in Miami and are having Jeff and Shelley’s first granddaughter in September. They are so excited! Their middle son is Zachary, 27 and married to McKenzie. They live in Frisco. Lucas is 25 and lives in Dallas but works in Plano and is Jeff’s golfing buddy.
Shelley’s work career has mainly been focused around real estate. Her first two jobs were in retail site selection and feasibility studies. Her husband’s job moved them around the country quite a bit, so she started doing “Chip and Joanna style” house flipping before that was such a thing. They moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1996 where she started her building career. As she was getting ready to start her second house, her husband came home with “one more move” where they ended up in Dallas or Frisco to be exact in 1999. Shelley started her custom building company and has built or remodeled over 75 homes in the past 20 years. In 2018, she got her real estate license more to buy and sell for her projects, but recently has been doing more transactions for family and friends.
After a health scare in 2020, she decided to slow down and is doing one or two smaller construction projects a year. This allows her time to volunteer more at our church, Preston Trail, travel back to Michigan where she is a Member of The Women’s Commissioner’s at Hillsdale College, and help her favorite charity, Together We Thrive. She is back playing competitive tennis and getting out to play more golf. Shelley is truly trying to enjoy life and give more as she believes, “we never know what tomorrow will bring.”
Advisors
Sally Cooper
Legal
Sally grew up in Austin, Texas before attending Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Following college, Sally worked for several years as a SAT/ACT/AP tutor in Austin before moving to Dallas. When Sally moved to Dallas she took a job as a paralegal and was accepted to SMU Dedman School of Law where she attended the evening program while continuing to work as a paralegal. Now a third year associate at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Sally focuses her corporate practice on mergers and acquisitions. Sally has assisted Together We Thrive with various legal matters for the past three years, and looks forward to being a member of the board. In her spare time, Sally and her husband enjoy trivia and traveling to visit family and friends.
Joe Evarts
Business Management
Joe is a leader in the banking industry and currently serves as the Chief of Experience and Digital Officer at UBank. Throughout his career, Joe has excelled in performance and innovation, implementing effective ideas such as the Surprise and Delight Program at Capitol One, which was recognized by the Inspire the Way award. Faith is a very present value of Joe’s as evidenced by his pursuit of a church ministries degree in Psychology while youth pastoring for most of his undergrad studies. Joe holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and is in the process of a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Texas. Joe lives in Oak Leaf, Texas with his wife Kenita. They have three children, Jack and twins Jacob and Sydney and several animals including Rosco (the Dog), Kevin and Carl (the finicky felines), and …… 14 chickens (and yes, they all have names - Sydney saw to that.) Joe enjoys everything in the outdoors: camping, fishing and gardening just to name a few. Joe joined the Together We Thrive Board of Directors in August of 2022.
Kirk Hardwick
Business Management
Follower of Christ, husband, and father of 4, Kirk Hardwick is a 35-year veteran in the retail and CPG industry. Kirk cut his teeth in retail at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, where he enjoyed a 15-year tenure at Sam’s Club. There, he held various executive positions in merchandising and operations and ended his career in Puerto Rico, where he served as an officer and Country Director for Sam’s Club in the International Division. In 2001, Kirk ventured out on his own and began his entrepreneurial career when he started LLL Marketing; a sales, consulting, and marketing company. Kirk currently serves as VP Sales in the natural beverage space for a national innovation company strategically aligned with The Coca-Cola Company to manufacture and incubate start up brands and bring them to scale at retail.
Luke Hardwick
Business Management
Follower of Christ, husband, and father of 4, Kirk Hardwick is a 35-year veteran in the retail and CPG industry. Kirk cut his teeth in retail at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, where he enjoyed a 15-year tenure at Sam’s Club. There, he held various executive positions in merchandising and operations and ended his career in Puerto Rico, where he served as an officer and Country Director for Sam’s Club in the International Division. In 2001, Kirk ventured out on his own and began his entrepreneurial career when he started LLL Marketing; a sales, consulting, and marketing company. Kirk currently serves as VP Sales in the natural beverage space for a national innovation company strategically aligned with The Coca-Cola Company to manufacture and incubate start up brands and bring them to scale at retail.
Luane McWhorter
Business Management
Luane McWhorter is the proud owner of Grand Spa, Sutera Spa and Spa Vela. She is active in her community and supports many local charities. McWhorter started her career in the cosmetics' industry working for several skincare and cosmetic companies as an account executive with department stores and spa's as her clients.
In her private life McWhorter is married with three children and three grandchildren.
Her husband is in the Power Sports business as well as a Ranch owner that raises Bulls for the PBR.
McWhorter is a member of Success North Dallas, as well as being part of Rotary and Chamber groups. She has supported Crystal Charity, Cattlebarons, New Friends New Life as well as Together We Thrive over the years.
Luane has served as a Board Member for Together We Thrive since 2019, and has provided leadership for our annual Casino Night.
Christine Metcalf
Legal
Chrissy Williford Metcalf is a corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) partner at O’Melveny & Myers LLP in Dallas, Texas. In her legal practice, Chrissy represents buyers and sellers in private M&A transactions across a wide variety of industries and also acts as outside general counsel to a number of clients. Outside of work, Chrissy and her husband, Mike, spend their time trying to keep up with their young son, Parker, and trying to keep their two dogs, Cosmo and Marvin, from causing too much trouble. Chrissy has been involved with Together We Thrive since the organization started its work in North Texas and provides counsel as a legal advisor for the board of directors. Chrissy also serves on the board of directors and the development committee for the Cancer Support Community North Texas.
Christopher Staine
Legal
Christopher Staine has been involved with Together We Thrive since its formation and currently serves as a legal advisor to the Board of Directors. In that capacity, Mr. Staine provides advice and counsel to the Board of Directors on nonprofit governance matters and legal issues that may arise from time to time.
Outside of Together We Thrive, Mr. Staine is a shareholder and director in Crowe & Dunlevy’s Dallas office. He is a trial lawyer that represents individuals and companies in a wide range of commercial disputes in state, federal, and bankruptcy courts throughout the country. He focuses his litigation practice and regularly advises clients in the areas of commercial, bankruptcy, banking, creditor’s rights, and oil and gas litigation. He prides himself on bringing a balanced and pragmatic approach to every matter to create value for his clients, both inside and outside the courtroom. A champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, Mr. Staine also serves as Chair of Crowe & Dunlevy’s Diversity Committee and is actively involved in many of the firm’s diversity initiatives at the national and local levels.
Staff
Rochelle Harrison
Program Manager
Rochelle Harrison
Program Manager
Rochelle’s background is in child welfare, where she worked as a CPS Investigator for the Department of Family Services for four years. Rochelle became certified as a Life coach in 2021. From there, she began coaching children, singles, and couples that were working through life’s challenges. Rochelle changed her focus during time in Las Vegas where she saw an increase in youth crime and sexual exploitation reports.
Rochelle describes herself as a nurturing and compassionate motivator. She is passionate about supporting and encouraging youth. She understands that sometimes life is difficult and often requires the ability to shift and redirect. Youth sometimes lack life skills and do not have the support they need. Life Coaches are able to assist with coping skills, self-esteem, conflict resolution and guidance. Rochelle shared, “Our youth are sometimes at a disadvantage, and it leaves them underserved. I care about them becoming well rounded, informed, and confident young adults.”
Rochelle said her absolute favorite thing to do is eat and cook. She enjoys spending time with her fiancé, family and friends. She drawn to helping others in any way possible, through advising, mentoring with other non-profits and volunteering in the community. Rochelle travels as often as she can! Her dream is to vacation in Italy, Turks and Caicos and Barbados.
Amanda Muscatell
Social Media Director
Amanda Muscatell has served as the Social Media Director for Together We Thrive since 2022. Prior to her time with Together We Thrive, Amanda provided marketing leadership at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association where she worked to raise awareness and garner support for the profession of athletic training. Amanda is passionate about supporting youth and wants to make an impact for at risk youth in North Texas. Amanda and her husband, Travis, have two children together. Amanda is an active member in her church and volunteers at the Alliance for Children in Tarrant County.
Shannon Sharp
Campus Relations
Shannon Sharp is Together We Thrive’s Volunteer Coordinator. Shannon has been married for 30 years to her husband, Paul. Together, they have two amazing daughters. Shannon was a public school educator for 20 years, and the majority of her career was devoted to the classroom.
Shannon was also involved in a mentoring opportunity through Rockwall ISD and became a mentor to a young girl who is now considered her Bonus Daughter. This young woman has been an integral part of their lives for more than 10 years, and she now has two precious young girls for the Sharps to love as well.
As empty nesters, the Sharps recently moved to the big city of Dallas after calling Rockwall home for almost 20 years. Although Shannon no longer work as an educator, she is continuing her passion for helping youth become a positive, productive, and viable part of society.
Shannon was specifically searching for an organization to volunteer where she could influence young individuals in a positive, safe, and sustainable way. Shannon met Tracey for lunch and the rest is history! Shannon aligns with Together We Thrive’s mission statement because it is exactly what it takes to fully support and walk alongside youth to earn their respect and high level of trust. At the end of the day, Shannon wants to be an inspiration to youth who can begin to believe in themselves and say, “I didn’t give up”. Shannon doesn’t think anyone can ever look back on life and say, “I’ve spent too much time with my kids”. Shannon shared, “I firmly believe we have an opportunity through Together We Thrive to embrace, commit, and devote TIME with youth who don’t have adults that spend quality time with them. For me, the benefits of serving are endless!”
Our leadership team strives to support, care for, and advocate for our Life Coaches, the youth we serve, and communities we work in. Our Life Coaches are carefully selected, highly educated, and compassionate individuals with experience working with vulnerable youth.