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Homegrown Leadership: Neeley Graduate Community Partners Program Builds Fort Worth’s Next Generation of Leaders

Current MBA candidates from community and business organizations advance their careers through Neeley’s Graduate Community Partners program, with the next enrollment cycle approaching.

March 12, 2026

By Victoria Ruiz Sandoval
Content Creator, Neeley Communications

At the TCU Neeley School of Business, leadership development extends beyond the classroom and deep into the community. Through the Graduate Community Partners program, emerging leaders from local organizations are pursuing MBA degrees while continuing to serve Fort Worth. Participating organizations nominate rising leaders, providing scholarship support as they advance their education at Neeley.

The program brings together professionals across industries who share a commitment to strengthening the Fort Worth community through leadership, service and collaboration. The current cohort represents organizations across the city’s business, nonprofit and civic sectors, with participants continuing to serve their communities while advancing their business education.

Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Monica Anguiano (Full-time MBA, Class of 2028) works as a senior financial analyst with extensive expertise in financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting. Anguiano earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Tarleton State University. She is enrolled in the full-time MBA program at Neeley.

Anguiano is an active member of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, an organization committed to creating economic opportunities and advancing the success of Hispanic-owned businesses and professionals in the region.

Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce

Tia ColeTia Cole (Full-time MBA, Class of 2027) is the founder and CEO of the Cole Lab, a development company offering coaching, programs, and curriculum focused on leadership, personal growth, and executive development. Cole earned a Master’s in English from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is currently pursuing her MBA at the TCU Neeley School of Business.

Cole is a member of the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic and business development for its members and creating wealth in the communities it serves.

Leadership Fort Worth

Jessica LlanesJessica Llanes (Full-time MBA, Class of 2026) is a content strategist at GM Financial, where she has led major initiative including the launch of Cadillac Financial in the United States and Canada. She also has extensive experience in advertising, digital marketing, journalism, project management, and more. Llanes earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University and has been awarded a scholarship to join the accelerated full-time MBA program at Neeley.

KayLeigh NavaKayLeigh Nava (Full-time MBA, Class of 2027) is an educator with experience in early childhood education, literacy development, and professional learning facilitation. She has served as a first-grade teacher and earned both a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Education in Language and Literacy from Texas Christian University. Nava is currently pursuing her MBA through the Full-time MBA program at the TCU Neeley School of Business.

Llanes and Nava are members of Leadership Fort Worth, a nonprofit organization that educates, empowers, and connects diverse leaders to build a vibrant and sustainable community.

Junior League of Fort Worth

Sarra KadriSarra Kadri (Full-time MBA, Class of 2027) a full-time MBA candidate at Neeley, is a clinical professional with over eight years of experience in the healthcare and clinical research industries. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Oran 1 Ahmed Ben Bella in Algeria and has overseen numerous clinical research studies to help create standards and guidelines for clinical services and programs.

Kadri is a member of the Junior League of Fort Worth, an organization dedicated to advancing women's leadership for meaningful community impact through collaboration, volunteer action, and training.

Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas

Martha SoteloMartha Sotelo (Full-time MBA, Class of 2026) is a marketing communications leader with experience in brand management, community engagement, and strategic communications. She recently served as chief communications officer at Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth (RMHFW), where she led public relations, social media, content strategy and partnerships. Sotelo received her bachelor's degree in communication at the University of Texas at Arlington and has been awarded a scholarship to join the accelerated full-time MBA program at Neeley.

Courtney ThompsonCourtney Thompson (Professional MBA) is a nurse practitioner clinical director at R3 Wound Care and Hyperbarics with extensive experience in trauma critical care, wound management and academic instruction. She also serves as an adjunct faculty at Tarrant County College – Trinity River Campus. Thompson earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Texas Christian University and a master's in science in nursing from Walden University. Thompson will be pursuing her professional MBA and health policy certificate at the TCU Neeley School of Business.

Sotelo and Thompson are both members of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in public, corporate, and civic life through education, personal, and professional development.

United Way of Tarrant County

Shanin MarshallShanin Marshall (Professional MBA) is an accounting professional with experience in financial management, grant accounting, and compliance. He currently serves as a Senior Grant Accountant at United Way of Tarrant County, where he prepares financial statements, reconciles accounts, and supports budgeting and reporting for grants and organizational operations. Marshall earned a bachelor's in accounting from Southern Illinois University and is pursuing his MBA through the TCU Neeley School of Business Accelerated Professional MBA program.

Josef Sprinkle (Professional MBA) is a real estate professional specializing in lease-up strategy, sales operations, and community development. As Corporate Pre-Leasing and Development Administrator at Integrated Real Estate Group, he leads marketing efforts and operational setups. Sprinkle earned his Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from Texas Christian University. He will pursue his professional MBA through the online program.

Cintia VeraCintia Vera (Full-time MBA, Class of 2027) is a real estate and operations professional with experience in property management, construction oversight, and event coordination. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at FEMCA Properties, where she leads strategic operations across the company’s property management, construction, and investment divisions. Vera holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies from Texas Christian University and is currently enrolled in TCU’s Full-time MBA program.

Victor MendozaVictor Mendoza (Full-time MBA, Class of 2027) works for Fisher Investments as a senior account executive, where he serves as a link between clients and the firm, focusing on client acquisition, cross-border collaboration, and team development. In his role, he has mentored new hires, designed training programs, and contributed to international initiatives to strengthen client engagement. Mendoza earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of North Texas and will be joining the TCU Neeley School of Business through the Full-time MBA program.

Marshall, Sprinkle, Vera, and Mendoza are members of United Way of Tarrant County, a nonprofit organization that brings the community together to tackle challenges and improve education, financial stability, and health resources.