Our Staff
Matthew Vereecke, Ed. D. Chief Executive Officer
Matthew Vereecke, Ed. D., is the Chief Executive Officer and brings to the role nearly 20 years of experience working in schools and non-profits. Matt is known for his strategic vision and organizational development skills, and has spent his career revitalizing and growing the organizations in which he works.
Matt’s work experience includes educational administration leadership at schools and the superintendent level for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Dallas, a growing school system with approximately 15,000 students across nearly 40 different schools. Matt also has taught the next generation of educational leaders in an adjunct capacity at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Dallas, and has served on a number of boards of non-profits in the DFW area.
Matt graduated from the University of Notre Dame and received his Master of Education from the same. He earned his doctorate at the University of Oklahoma.
Matt is thrilled to be a part of the great work being done at the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation and is excited to lead the organization as it brings hope to those in need.
To contact Matt directly please email: matt.vereecke@jehfoundationfw.org
Kristi Wiley
Vice President of Programs
Kristi Wiley, MFA is the Vice President of Programs for The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation in Fort Worth, TX. Kristi is QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) certified and has trained more than 10,000 people to be gatekeepers and recognize the warning signs for suicide. She is also a Hope Squad Master Trainer, training under Dr. Greg Hudnall, Founder of Hope Squad. Kristi currently provides program and implementation support for 120 Hope Squad campuses across 23 districts in North Texas.
A mental health advocate with lived experience, suicide loss survivor, and adept in her field, Kristi has been asked to speak locally and nationally on suicide prevention and the power of QPR. Most recently, she was a panel presenter for the 5th Annual Women’s Cardiovascular & Brain Health Symposium, panelist for the 4th Annual Advancing Behavioral Health Collaboratives Summit, Strong Schools: Advancing Student Wellness and Resiliency in Texas, and speaker for the REMOTE K12 Conference held by Arizona State University. You can also hear her on podcasts and tv/radio stations across North Texas discussing the need for suicide prevention and offering education on what anyone can do to save a life from suicide.
Trained in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), SAMA De-Escalation, ASIST, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) and Mental Health First Aid, Kristi understands the necessity of continuing education and the importance of knowing the most up-to-date modalities in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
When she isn’t working, Kristi enjoys going to the theater, reading and Taco Tuesday. Her coolest title, however, is Mommy to her amazing daughter, Layla Jan.
To contact Kristi directly please email: k.wiley@jehfoundationfw.org
Rachael Brown Director of Operations
Rachael Brown was born and raised in Fort Worth, and is passionately in love with this city. Her working background includes various businesses, restaurants, and non-profits. Along with her passion for organization and diligence in creating structure, her ability to see many different views and "think outside the box" is what makes her skillful.
Rachael earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration at Tarrant County College, and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Entrepreneurial Management.
Outside of the Foundation, Rachael enjoys being active in the community. Whether she is exploring with her family, putting together philanthropic drives for the community, or trying every new restaurant opening - she is always out meeting the citizens of the city.
To contact Rachael directly please email: r.brown@jehfoundationfw.org
Christa Streebin Director of Development
Christa Streebin is the Director of Development and brings 15 years of expertise in the non-profit sector. She is a native of Fort Worth and received her degree from the University of Oklahoma in Journalism with emphasis on Public Relations. Her love for non-profit work began in college when she spearheaded her sorority’s annual fundraiser that garnered marked success.
After college, Christa moved back to Fort Worth and began her career at the Fort Worth Zoo. She was an integral part of supporting new exhibit fundraising, producing the annual gala, and assisting with project management for new exhibits. After 12 years, multiple capital campaigns and new exhibit openings, she moved to social services. Christa began her work supporting women and children experiencing homelessness at the Center for Transforming Lives. There she helped grow their giving societies, annual events, and helped secure leadership donors for their capital campaign.
Christa is a mental health advocate and is thrilled to join the Jordan Elizabeth Harris staff. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters. Additionally, she serves on the All Saints’ Episcopal School Advancement Committee and greatly enjoys being a part of a Mom’s Small Group with Christ Chapel Bible Church.
To contact Christa directly please email: c.streebin@jehfoundationfw.org
David Umanzor Program Manager for BIPOC Initiatives
David Umanzor, a second generation Honduran–American, was born and raised in the DFW Metroplex. Growing up in a bicultural household allowed him to appreciate the diversity of culture and ethnicity. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies from Southwestern Assemblies of God University.
David is a suicide prevention instructor, trained interventionist, and advocate for mental health issues faced by Latinos in Tarrant County. As an instructor, David has trained over 2,500 people in QPR and is adept at presenting for large, small, and diverse audiences. He always considers his audience when speaking and uses humor to form a connection with listeners, as well as make the difficult topic of suicide more relatable and accessible to a variety of audiences.
With his ASIST certification, David is able to provide insight when teaching about how to facilitate the “suicide conversation” with someone in need.
As an advocate, David has partnered with community groups, organizations, and individuals to raise awareness around the need for suicide prevention in the Latino community. Most notably, David has worked with the Mexican Consulate General of Dallas, Univision D/FW, and the Arlington Latino Resource Coalition.
To contact David directly please email: david.umanzor@jehfoundationfw.org
LaTasha Jackson Program Coordinator
LaTasha Jackson is a renaissance woman who brings a wealth of knowledge to the Foundation, and who has career experience ranging from public health to education. The one consistent element of her career has been her love for people and a desire to touch lives in a positive way daily. LaTasha has been blessed to provide support to pregnant and parenting teens, to work in behavior intervention in area school districts, to serve directly as a preschool teacher, as a long-term substitute for 7th and 8th-grade students, and most recently supporting early childhood and special education consultants. LaTasha’s personal connection to the mission has solidified over the last several years as personal encounters with depression and each of her children having a friend or classmate who lost their lives to suicide igniting a new purpose and determination to change the lives of those in her community.
LaTasha was born, raised, and still lives in Fort Worth, TX. She is a mom to three amazing children, two boys and one girl, who have all managed to keep her busy with football, basketball, girl scouts, cheer, dance, choir, and theatre. Both sons have graduated high school, attended college, and are enjoying their adult lives; her daughter is headed into her senior year of high school and is excited about touring colleges this fall.
When she isn’t working, LaTasha enjoys working in her church ministry, relaxing on the beach, sporting events, and concerts. She is an extreme Dallas Mavs and NCAA basketball fan, traveling all over the Southeast and Midwest to attend as many March Madness events as possible every year.
To contact LaTasha directly please email: l.jackson@jehfoundationfw.org
