Our Mission
The mission of Foster Angels is to improve the lives of children in foster care ensuring each child has their basic needs met and providing life-enhancing, life-enriching opportunities whenever possible.
We could not carry out our mission without the collaboration of child advocates throughout South Texas. Help us show our appreciation for them by writing a thank you note to them today.
![Untitled design (3)](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Untitled-design-3.png)
How We Started
In 1999 Ted Oakley sought out to impact the lives of children by creating a relationship with Child Protective Services in Corpus Christi, and buying the things children needed. Quickly thereafter, Ted founded Foster Angels of South Texas. Eleven years later, Ted’s daughter, Sarah Smith, saw the same needs of children appearing in Austin during her career as a teacher and Foster Angels of Central Texas was founded in 2010.
![Untitled design (4)](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Untitled-design-4.png)
Meet the Team
Rio Grande Valley
Board of Directors
![Ted Oakley](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ted-oakley.jpg)
Ted Oakley
Founder and Chairman Emeritus
![Chase Carlisle](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/chase-carlisle.jpg)
Chase Carlisle
President
![Sally Wallace](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sally-wallace.jpg)
Sally Wallace
Vice President
![Courtney Bechtol](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/courtney-bechtol.jpg)
Courtney Bechtol
Treasurer
![Carol Kirkland](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/carol-kirkland.jpg)
Carol Kirkland
Secretary
![Rajan Ahuja](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/rajan-ahuja-150x150.jpg)
Rajan Ahuja
Past President
![Patricia Bates](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Tricia-150x150.png)
Patricia Bates
![Lilia Bruni Wetsel](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Wetsel-Lilia-WBCA-22-02-150x150.jpg)
Lilia Bruni Wetsel
Laredo
![Anne Dobson](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Anne-Dobson-150x150.jpg)
Anne Dobson
![Ben Donnell](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ben-Donnell-150x150.jpg)
Ben Donnell
![Dos Gates](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Dos-Gates-150x150.png)
Dos Gates
![Mandy Hagy](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Mandy-Hagy-150x150.png)
Mandy Hagy
![Sarah Jones](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Sarah-150x150.png)
Sarah Jones
Rio Grande Valley
![Richard Leshin](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/richard-leshin-150x150.jpg)
Richard Leshin
![Dr. Barry McBurnett](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/barry-mcburnett-150x150.jpg)
Dr. Barry McBurnett
![Leslie McClanahan](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/leslie-mcclanahan-150x150.jpg)
Leslie McClanahan
![Dr. Nikki Nisbet](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lilia-150x150.png)
Dr. Nikki Nisbet
![Elizabeth Owens](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Beth-150x150.png)
Elizabeth Owens
![Courtney Sanchez](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Courtney-150x150.png)
Courtney Sanchez
![Michael Sasser](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Michael-Sasser--150x150.jpeg)
Michael Sasser
![Marcus Veazey](https://fosterangelsstx.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/marcus-veazey-150x150.jpg)
Marcus Veazey
Advisory Board
Marty Berry
Christina Hawn
Mike McNeil
Dane Bruun
Susan Karp
Alice Oakley
David Engel
Sheila Lawrence
Phyllis Stephenson
Diane Gates
Matt Layton
Rick Valls, Jr.
Mayor Paulette Guajardo
Nelda Martinez