Our Team
Our people share our passion.
The Dream Come True Foundation is made possible by a combination of dedicated staff, committed board members, trusted mentors, and resilient Dream Achievers. United in our mission, vision, and values, we work side by side to eliminate obstacles, build bridges, and make dreams come true.
Board of Directors
Lorie Ledesma-Ramirez
Board President |
Amazon Web Services
Lorie Ledesma-Ramirez
Lorie is a proven leader with over 30 years of experience in IT and public service, now bringing her expertise and passion to the Dream Come True Foundation as its President.
After dedicating nearly three decades to Texas State Government providing IT Services, Lorie transitioned to Amazon Web Services (AWS), where she focuses on helping state and local governments enhance citizen experiences through cloud modernization. Her extensive background in both public service and cutting-edge technology uniquely positions her to lead the Foundation's mission of empowering individuals to achieve sustainable independence.
Throughout her career, Lorie has attributed her success to a supportive community of mentors and champions. This experience has fueled her dedication to mentorship, a cornerstone of the Dream Come True Foundation's approach. As President, she is committed to scaling the Foundation's impact, ensuring that more individuals have the opportunity to realize their potential and break the cycle of poverty.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lorie finds joy and inspiration in her family life. She has been married to her husband Daniel for 29 years. They are both multi-generational Austinites, and together they are proud parents to their daughters, Ashley and Juliana.
Throughout her career, Lorie has attributed her success to a supportive community of mentors and champions. This experience has fueled her dedication to mentorship, a cornerstone of the Dream Come True Foundation's approach. As President, she is committed to scaling the Foundation's impact, ensuring that more individuals have the opportunity to realize their potential and break the cycle of poverty.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lorie finds joy and inspiration in her family life. She has been married to her husband Daniel for 29 years. They are both multi-generational Austinites, and together they are proud parents to their daughters, Ashley and Juliana.
Heather Bailey
Board Secretary and Past President | HBailey Group
Heather Bailey
With nearly 40 years of utility operations, finance, accounting, and auditing experience, Heather Bailey has worked as a regulator, utility executive and consultant. She is a respected leader in the industry and has consulted on operations, financial, regulatory, and strategic issues, as well as 19 years managing various operations at one of the largest public power organizations in the country. Throughout her career she has worked with political organizations and has a proven track record of providing vision as well as collaborating with regulatory and legislative officials on policy issues. She has spent the last five years helping the city of Boulder Colorado evaluate and implement a plan for taking over the electric system serving the city and creating a model for the utility of the future. Over the years she has followed her personal passions for animals, the environment, and education through her work on the Boards of Austin Pets Alive, Save Town Lake, PTA, and Dream Come True. She is a lifelong Austinite, lover of the outdoors, and has fostered dogs for many years. She served as a mentor for Dream Come True and was Dream Come True’s first Board Treasurer. She is married with two sons in college.
Yvette Niemeyer
Board Member | Development Chair
Yvette Niemeyer
Yvette Niemeyer has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the University of Texas at Austin. She has an extensive experience in the private sector, including GTE Mobilecomm, Dell, 3M, Hewlett Packard, Ascension Healthcare, as well as with the public at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas Department of Transportation, the University of Texas System, and the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston.
Her professional background spans the PC and printer manufacturing, finance, telecommunications, transportation, state, academic and healthcare systems in technical roles and as a Senior Technical Project Manager and Program Manager.
For the last ten years she has volunteered her services with organizations such as the Global Austin non-profit, who through various State Department programs share our economy, architecture, environment, city government, technology, and entrepreneurial culture with international visitors to the capital of Texas. Most recently she assisted with the Colin’s Hope Foundation whose mission is to save children from drowning and has joined The Dream Come True Foundation to lift individuals out of poverty.
Her professional background spans the PC and printer manufacturing, finance, telecommunications, transportation, state, academic and healthcare systems in technical roles and as a Senior Technical Project Manager and Program Manager.
For the last ten years she has volunteered her services with organizations such as the Global Austin non-profit, who through various State Department programs share our economy, architecture, environment, city government, technology, and entrepreneurial culture with international visitors to the capital of Texas. Most recently she assisted with the Colin’s Hope Foundation whose mission is to save children from drowning and has joined The Dream Come True Foundation to lift individuals out of poverty.
Lindsay Taylor
Board Member | Program Services Chair
Lindsay Taylor
Michael Rayos
Board Vice President and Past President | SADA Cloud Security Solutions
Michael Rayos
Michael Rayos is the Dream Come True Foundation's first achiever to join our board of directors. Michael has gained recognition for his leadership and example of true success, where his experience and expertise proved to be invaluable. Michael served as outgoing Board Chair and President and continues to drive the Foundation's mission with continued service as Vice President.
As a Dream Achiever, Michael understands the importance of an education and a strong support system. He completed his degree in Network Engineering in May of 2017 and was offered a permanent position with Indeed after serving as an intern. His experience led him to become a Cloud Security Engineer with SADA.
Being a single dad of three, Michael is no stranger to hard work and perseverance. Michael has been such a strong and positive force within the Dream Come True family, and will continue to be an asset as we work together to change lives.
As a Dream Achiever, Michael understands the importance of an education and a strong support system. He completed his degree in Network Engineering in May of 2017 and was offered a permanent position with Indeed after serving as an intern. His experience led him to become a Cloud Security Engineer with SADA.
Being a single dad of three, Michael is no stranger to hard work and perseverance. Michael has been such a strong and positive force within the Dream Come True family, and will continue to be an asset as we work together to change lives.
Sam Myers
Board Treasurer | Proactive Finance Group, LLC
Sam Myers
Sam earned a BBA from the University of Texas at Austin in 1978 (Business Honors Program-Accounting) and a MBA from University of Texas at Austin in1979. He has a vast range of experience in the financial industry includes audit work for Ernst & Young and a role as general manager/controller for Cone Biotech. He worked as an independent consultant for seven years before taking a position with Proactive Finance Group where he still works today.
Since 1980, Sam has been active in various activities and committees at Tarrytown United Methodist Church and its outreach projects in the Austin area. He is an avid runner and has been involved with various other civic and professional associations over the past 30 years.
Since 1980, Sam has been active in various activities and committees at Tarrytown United Methodist Church and its outreach projects in the Austin area. He is an avid runner and has been involved with various other civic and professional associations over the past 30 years.
Carmella Lucero
Board Member
Carmella Lucero
Carmella has over 30 years of nonprofit experience, bringing invaluable expertise and passionate commitment to our mission.
Currently serving as the Social Service Director in a skilled nursing facility in Houston. She’s been an Executive Director, a case manger and special investigator (child welfare) for the state. Holding previous roles with MHMR Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association and LifeWorks, Carmella has an extensive background in mental health services, youth development, and program management.
Carmella has had a long-standing relationship with our foundation since 2007. As an alumna to the program, Carmella graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin Texas and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. After graduating from the program, Carmella continued to carry on the Foundation’s mission by volunteering in program development where she proved to be instrumental in community outreach, partner engagement, and fundraising. As an alumna of our foundation, she brings a unique perspective to the Board as she has a profound understanding of our mission's meaningful impact to our Dream Achievers.
Currently serving as the Social Service Director in a skilled nursing facility in Houston. She’s been an Executive Director, a case manger and special investigator (child welfare) for the state. Holding previous roles with MHMR Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association and LifeWorks, Carmella has an extensive background in mental health services, youth development, and program management.
Carmella has had a long-standing relationship with our foundation since 2007. As an alumna to the program, Carmella graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin Texas and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. After graduating from the program, Carmella continued to carry on the Foundation’s mission by volunteering in program development where she proved to be instrumental in community outreach, partner engagement, and fundraising. As an alumna of our foundation, she brings a unique perspective to the Board as she has a profound understanding of our mission's meaningful impact to our Dream Achievers.
Vantage Advisory Committee
Bob Riazzi
Bob Riazzi joined The Dream Come True Foundation to lead strategic expansion along with operations, community outreach, and fundraising. He retired as the executive director at the end of 2023. Prior to joining The Dream Come True Foundation, Bob spent more than thirty years in business and nonprofit markets leading software technologies and services start-ups and business units within large global companies. Bob served at companies such as ReachForce, Charity Dynamics, AT&T, NCR, Dell, and 3Com/Tippingpoint as CEO, GM and VP growing and scaling organizations with a key focus on client, employee and constituent success.
As The Dream Come True Foundation continues to see an increase in the need for our services, especially for low-income families, Bob’s vision and leadership with the Vantage Advisory Committee will enable the organization to create even more social impact by growing our programs, building partnerships, and expanding our reach.
Bob lives in Austin with his wife Carol and is thrilled to have his three kids and their families also living in Austin. Bob graduated from The University of Florida, with BSBS- Finance, and enjoys road biking, fly fishing and playing frisbee with their Goldendoodle, Isabella.