Meet the Board

OUR BOARD

Brenda Lee Knowles was born in Anson, Texas. She graduated high school at South San Antonio West Campus. Brenda graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1985 with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. After graduating, she attended the University of Houston School of Law where she received her Doctorate of Jurisprudence (JD) in May of 1988 and was admitted to the Texas Bar in November of 1988. Brenda has been in the private practice of law since March of 1989.
Currently, she represents children, as an Attorney ad Litem and/or Guardian ad litem, who are in the Child Welfare system and families who are adopting children who are in the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. If you ask her how she likes her job she will tell you “it is not a job it is a ministry - God is in Control.” Brenda is a co-founder and the President of YTIA. She is actively involved in her church, Grace First Baptist Church. Brenda is married to Willis Knowles and they have one daughter.

Mary Elizabeth Fuentes Valdez is a native San Antonian who graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/English. After working at the University of Texas Health Science Center for seven years, she returned to school and obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin in 1989. She was licensed later that same year. She began a successful law practice in 1989. She was appointed as a Municipal Court Judge (part-time) for the City of San Antonio in December of 1993, a position which she held until she resigned in April of 2012. Mary has served on the Board of “Dare to Love”, an agency associated with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, served as President of the Mexican-American Bar Association in 1999, and, until recently, was actively involved in community organizations, including Bexar County Master Gardeners and the Television Ministry at First Baptist Church. Mary is a co-founder of YTIA and is the Vice-President and Secretary of the organization. She is married to Richard Valdez.

Steven N. Harkiewicz was born in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from Divine Child High School in Dearborn, Michigan in 1975. Upon high school graduation he moved to San Antonio to attend St. Mary’s University. Steven graduated Magna Cum Laude, with an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1979. He attended St. Mary’s Law School and graduated in May of 1982 with a Juris Doctor Degree, and he was admitted to the Texas Bar in November of 1982. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals. He has been in the private practice of law since February of 1983, practicing primarily in the areas of Criminal and Family Law for over 32 years, and Child Welfare Law for over 25 years as well. Steven is married to Antonia Harkiewicz and has three daughters. He has served as Treasurer for YTIA since 2013. He has previously served as Treasurer of the Booster Club of Madison High School.

Dr. Joshua Anzaldúa was born and raised in the inner-city West Side of San Antonio, Texas. He is a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in the Edgewood Independent School District and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Texas A&M University, a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Anzaldúa began his leadership career in education and nonprofit sectors, working with organizations such as the College Advising Corps, Upward Bound, the San Antonio Education Partnership, and UT Health San Antonio. He also served as Associate Director of the Joint Admission Medical Program, Technical Assistance Manager with Excelencia in Education, and National Grant Manager with Mi Familia Vota Education Fund.Dr. Anzaldúa is deeply passionate about supporting youth in their educational and career pursuits, fostering their potential, drive, and capacity to achieve their academic, professional, and personal aspirations. He began his tenure on the YTIA Board on January 2, 2016.

Becky A. Brooks grew up in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Lee M. Thurston High School in 1972, she enlisted in the United States Air Force. Becky was both Active Duty and Reserve for 31 years. She served on active duty during the Vietnam Era, Operations Desert Storm and Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant in 2003. Becky earned her Bachelors and Masters of Social Work from Southwest Texas State University. After working with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Child Protective Services for 18 years, specializing in youth/teens, Becky retired in 2016. She began serving on the YTIA Board in 2017. Becky volunteers with Alliance of Therapy Dogs and the Northeast Senior Center. Becky practices the traditional Korean Martial Art of Kuk Sool Won and assists with teaching the children/youth at the martial arts school. Becky is married to husband, Marty. Becky and Marty have one daughter.

Christina Cortez was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Christina attended various high schools as she lived in foster care. She landed at one of the best placements ever, South Texas Children’s Home in Pettus, Texas. She graduated high school with the help of her amazing foster parents (Pat and Sonya Thompson) and wonderful CPS caseworker (Josie Martinez).Christina is a graduate of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling. Additionally, she is a graduate of Lamar University earning her doctorate in Educational Leadership. None of these degrees would be possible without the support of her husband, Jerome Cortez. Christina has been married for twenty-five years and is blessed with three wonderful children (Christian, Marissa, and Anessa). Christina has worked in higher education for twenty-one years and has served many roles to assist students in achieving their academic goals. She had the pleasure of serving as the Foster Care Liaison in her role as Director of Advising and was able to assist students through the various obstacles of obtaining a college education after being a ward of the State of Texas. Christina is actively involved in extracurricular activities with her children and church. She began her tenure on the YTIA Board on January 2, 2020.

Selene M. Gomez is the daughter of immigrants who came to this country from Guadalajara, Jalisco. Her family settled in Los Angeles, California, where Selene was born and raised. She went to Karen Wagner High School in San Antonio, TX and is a graduate of Texas A&M University-College Station, TX. After obtaining her Bachelors Degree in Human Resources & Development with minors in Business and in Communications she moved back to San Antonio and became part of the executive board for San Antonio Immigrant Youth Movement (SAIYM). Selene joined former Congressman Pete P. Gallego’s staff who represented Texas Congressional District 23 from 2012 to 2014. She maintained relationships with all federal agencies and was the lead in immigration affairs. Selene became part of the inaugural cohort for the New Leaders Council fellowship in 2016 and is now a proud member of the NLC-San Antonio Alumni Chapter. Additionally, she is a current member of the Mexican Consulate’s community council and is currently enrolled in the University of Texas at San Antonio to obtain her Master’s in Public Administration with a Non-Profit Organization certification. Selene managed the San Antonio office of Mi Familia Vota Education Fund from December 2014 until 2018. Selene is currently the National Outreach Director for VoteRiders. Selene joined the YTIA Board in 2017.

Odilia Hernandez was born in Brownsville, Texas and is a proud graduate of Hanna High School. She has resided in San Antonio since late 1997. She fostered her brother through his graduation from Holmes High School due to his necessity to move to San Antonio. Odilia supported her brother and they lived on their own while Odilia attended UTSA and obtained her BA in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Juvenile Delinquency. This experience awoke a passion to do more for others, especially for young people in need, and she started working for Families Especial (a child placing agency) for which she took on the role of Marketing and Case Manager. Odilia’s role with Families Especial exposed her to a wide spectrum of the process of children’s placement through the foster care system. This passion for helping children and youths led her to the doors of YTIA in which she has occupied a role as a Board Member since 2016. Odilia is skilled in Management through the banking industry, and she has become a successful team builder. Odilia obtained her Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Odilia is currently the Operations Manager for Garda World. She is married and has two beautiful children, who are growing up with their mother’s passion for helping others.

Dr. Alfred G. Pérez focuses on improving outcomes for youth with foster care histories, emphasizing permanency and the transition to adulthood. As Director of Community Science and Impact at ETR, he advances health equity and youth engagement. His career spans academia, government, and nonprofits, with key roles in Arizona's child welfare reform, the creation of the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD), and speaking at the White House for the Foster Care Independence Act. He also staffed the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care, shaping national policy that continues to influence the field. Dr. Pérez began his term of office with the YTIA Board on January 2, 2025.

Gilbert Perez III grew up in Texas and graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He began his career in child protection services, where he spent two years advocating for disadvantaged children. Afterward, he ventured into real estate, founding his own group before transitioning to financial services to support his fathers practice, which boasts over 2,600 clients. In his free time, Gilbert enjoys playing golf and pickleball, going for walks, and savoring coffee and panesito on Sundays. He is passionate about helping others and making a positive impact in his community. Gilbert lives in Texas and values quality time with family and friends. He began his term of office with the YTIA Board on January 2, 2025.

DISTINGUISHED JUDICIARY MEMBERS

Stephanie Boyd is a native of Louisiana. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Masters degree in Business. She attended St. Mary's University School of Law and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in May of 1997. Stephanie was in the private practice of law until she became an Assistant District Attorney for Bexar County, Texas. As of January 1, 2019, Stephanie became the Presiding Judge of the 187th Judicial District Court in Bexar County.

Yolanda T. Huff is a native Texan, having been born in Taylor, Texas. She was raised in North Carolina, since she was an “Army brat.” She attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1989. She worked for Lt. Governor Bill Hobby from 1990 to 1993. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in May of 1996 and was licensed to practice law in 1997. She was in the solo practice of law from 1997 until 2019. She is a Board member of the Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center, Vice President of the San Antonio Black Lawyer’s Association, and a member of SADCLA, and the Children’s Court Attorney Association. Although she practiced in several areas of the law, she has always had a heart for children in foster care. She became a member of the Board of Directors of YTIA in 2014. As of January 1, 2019 Yolanda became the Presiding Judge of County Court at Law No. 12 in Bexar County.