BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Susie Soriano Duarte is a proud native Austinite who was born and raised in East Austin. She is the proud mother of three adult children and grandmother to two granddaughters, whose love continues to inspire her commitment to building a stronger, more connected community.

After attending private school and business college, Susie began her career as an intern with the Texas Attorney General's Office, Child Support Division. She accepted a full-time position in September 1994 and dedicated 19 years to serving Texas families before transferring to the Texas Department of Transportation in 2013. After a distinguished 29-year career in state government, she retired in April 2023.

As the Founder and President of Yo Soy ATX, Susie leads a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting individuals and families with free clothing, community resources, wellness initiatives and opportunities that strengthen neighborhoods throughout Austin. 

Wellness has always been an important part of Susie's life. As a member of the non-profit Twenty Six Two Marathon Club, she has completed numerous half marathons and four full marathons. Her passion for healthy living has inspired her to organize free wellness events, including community walks, bike rides, swimming gatherings, clothing swaps, networking events and family-friendly activities that encourage people of all ages to stay active, build friendships, and improve their overall well-being.

For Susie, community service is more than volunteering, it's a lifelong calling. Whether she's connecting someone with essential resources, organizing outreach events, mentoring others, or simply taking the time to listen, she believes that even the smallest act of kindness can create a lasting impact.

Her passion for serving others was shaped by the people who raised her.

"My grandmother, parents, and the aunt and uncle who helped raise me taught me the values of kindness, wellness, responsibility, and, most importantly, stability. We didn't have much growing up, but we were surrounded by love, and that has shaped the person I am today. If I can give back to my community by helping others feel seen, supported, and appreciated, it truly makes my heart happy."

Grace Borrego serves as Vice President of the organization, bringing a strong foundation of leadership, organization, and a passion for serving others. Professionally, she is a Program Analyst with the Department of the Air Force at Tinker Air Force Base, where she is recognized for her problem-solving abilities, commitment to excellence, and collaborative leadership.

Grace believes that the strongest communities are built on family, integrity, respect, honesty, loyalty, and a dedicated work ethic. Throughout her career and personal life, she has enjoyed mentoring others, sharing knowledge, and helping people succeed. She leads with compassion, values meaningful relationships, and strives to make a positive impact wherever she serves.

A lifelong learner, Grace has a passion for self-sufficiency, gardening, and creating from scratch. She enjoys growing her own produce, preserving food through canning, dehydrating, and pickling, and experimenting with homemade recipes ranging from handcrafted soap to fresh pasta. Naturally curious, she is always looking for better ways to learn, improve, and share practical knowledge with others. Whether tending her garden, preparing meals for family and friends, or tackling a new DIY project, Grace approaches every challenge with dedication, creativity, and a servant’s heart.

When she isn’t working or volunteering, Grace enjoys spending time at the lake, fishing, boating, and embracing the RV lifestyle. She loves hosting family and friends, creating spaces where people feel welcomed, connected, and cared for. She believes that some of life’s greatest moments are found around the dinner table, on the water, or simply enjoying time with the people you love.

Of all her accomplishments, Grace considers raising her children to be her greatest achievement. They remain her deepest source of pride and inspiration and continue to motivate her to lead with humility, kindness, and purpose.

As Vice President, Grace is committed to helping build an organization that serves with purpose, leads with integrity, and creates a lasting, positive impact in the community. She is honored to contribute her experience, heart for service, and dedication to strengthening the organization and the people it serves.

Angela Duran Lozano comes from a family with deep roots in Austin, where a legacy of hospitality and service has helped shape her heart for others.

She has a compassionate gift for seeing people as they are, listening well, and offering thoughtful encouragement that helps others discover their strengths and move forward with confidence.

Her heart for serving others has taken her near and far—from drilling water wells and providing disaster relief to serving alongside Native American communities—always with the goal of uplifting communities through service that inspires hope, maintains dignity, and creates lasting change.

Angela brings that same heart to her service on the Yo Soy ATX Board of Directors, where she is passionate about advancing the organization's mission to inspire, empower, and support Austin families.

JoAnn Teneyuca Perez is an Austin native and seasoned accounting professional with over two decades of experience in public accounting and private industry. She currently serves as a senior accounting professional at Millan & Co., where she specializes in full-cycle bookkeeping, financial reporting, complex reconciliations, and payroll.

In addition to her accounting career, JoAnn is the co-owner of J&R Hauling, a locally owned trucking and hauling company serving Austin and the surrounding communities. Her extensive financial and business experience brings a strong foundation of fiscal responsibility, organization, and financial oversight to her role as Treasurer.

JoAnn is proud to give back to her community through her service on the board. Outside of her professional and community commitments, she enjoys traveling, spending time on the water, and making memories with her family.

Melissa is a native East Austinite who serves as the Community Outreach leader for YoSoyATX. She is passionate about connecting people with resources, building community partnerships, and expanding opportunities for those served by the organization. 

Melissa has also served as President of Capital of Texas Team Survivor since 2023 and has been a patient navigator within the breast cancer community for nearly a decade. 

Through outreach, advocacy, and leadership, she is committed to strengthening community engagement and creating positive impact throughout the Austin community.

Melinda Cisneros is passionate about serving others, building meaningful relationships, and making a positive difference in her community. Her career has been dedicated to public education, where she has supported school districts, led impactful projects, and advocated for student success. Today, she continues that mission as a Customer Service Technical Consultant with Skyward Inc., helping education leaders leverage technology solutions that support schools and students.

As a Texas elected official, Melinda is committed to servant leadership, strong governance, and creating opportunities for students, families, and communities to thrive. As a proud business owner, she also brings a passion for entrepreneurship, connection, and empowering others.

Above all, Melinda values family, lifelong learning, and the relationships that shape her journey. Whether serving her community, supporting education leaders, growing her business, or mentoring others, she strives to lead with integrity, authenticity, and a commitment to creating a lasting, positive impact.

Jeannette Martinez Cantu is a retired Executive Assistant with more than 30 years of service to the State of Texas. Throughout her career, she supported executive leadership at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division, the Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

Following her retirement, Jeannette enjoys traveling with family and friends and cherishes spending quality time with her 10 grandchildren.

Jeannette is honored to serve on the Yo Soy ATX Board of Directors as the Fundraising Chair, where she is committed to helping build community partnerships, support fundraising efforts, and advance the organization’s mission of serving the Austin community.