Our Leadership
Natalynne Walton
Founder & Executive Director
My journey began with a mother that was a very loving, nurturing and insightful woman. She shared a lot of her wisdom with me throughout my childhood and gave me all of the tools she felt I needed to become a successful independent woman. I received a Master’s in Education, was selected as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and voted DISD Teacher of the Year, to name a few of my accomplishments. The disease of addiction robbed me of all the positive things in my life for which I had worked. Instead of prosperity, my addiction took me to a place of emotional, spiritual and physical bankruptcy. It was not until I reached a place of
extreme hopelessness that I realized that jails/institutions were not a part of the vision my mother had for me. This is when I sought help to recover. In June of 2003 I began a new journey that involved walking a totally different path. I began praying for direction and realized that my passion for children was still there. I also discovered a new passion which involved working with women suffering from the same disease that so impacted my adult life. Through prayer, my vision became clear. I wanted to give women and children the same hope, comfort and stability that had sustained me growing up. It was with this vision that Hopeful Solutions was born.
Board Of Directors
Sidney Burkins
Board Member since 2019
Sidney is passionate in his beliefs that everyone should be given the tools and resources to meet their personal best. With a professional background in finance, organizational and human capital management, he strives to be a servant to those we serve at Hopeful Solutions. Since joining Hopeful Solutions, Sidney’s roles have included governance committee chairperson, and most recently board chairman. Prior to Hopeful Solutions, his volunteer affiliations have included Literacy Instructions for Texas (LIFT), Dallas Peace Center and the Dallas Life Foundation. Sidney holds a multidisciplinary BAAS degree in management from the University of North Texas and a MS degree in human resources management from Southern New Hampshire University.
Gregory Kissentaner, MBA
Board Member since 2020
Has over 18 years of experience in project management. He brings business skills that will add value and contribute to our financial and organizational goals. He is certified as a Project Management Professional and has a MBA in Information Technology Management. In addition to his professional skills and attributes, he is passionate about volunteering, especially with populations.
Sean Williams, MBA
Board Member since 2020
Sean Williams has 26 years of experience in the receivable management industry. He has been a Managing Member at Williams Rush & Associates since 2011. The team at WRA has a passion for giving back to the community. His goal is make a difference in the lives of others. Sean can relate to the struggles of the mothers at Hopeful Solutions. He overcame homelessness and sought help for substance abuse. Then went on to a earn his BS and a MBA from Texas A&M. His company has partnered with Hopeful Solutions for the last 5 years on different projects for the organization. During this time, he was impressed with the transformational leadership at Hopeful Solutions, and the impact it is having on the lives of the women and children that it serves.
Matt Meredith
Board Member since 2021
Matt Meredith is the Owner/President of GreenBean IT and has over 15 years of experience in the IT and Marketing industries. He has always had a passion for helping others. Whether it’s helping entrepreneurs and business owners grow and maintain their businesses or giving back to the community and local non-profit organizations. Single mothers and children have always held a special place in his heart, and he was inspired by the impact Hopeful Solutions has been making in the lives of their struggling families. That’s why it was a no-brainer for him to take on a role as a Board Member of Hopeful Solutions.
Aura Vasquez
Board Member since 2023
Aura Vasquez is a Business Banker at Frost Bank. In her role, she has responsibilities for helping local businesses and other organizations find financial solutions to business and operational challenges and take advantage of new and emerging opportunities for growth. Her specific focus is small business lending. Aura joined Frost in 2010 as a part-time teller, and has since held other roles as Personal Banker and Relationship Administrative Specialist. Aura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Texas at Dallas. Most importantly, Aura is a mother and has a passion for helping single mothers and their children get access to support and resources to help them succeed.”
Pauline Mims
Board Member since 2023
Pauline Mims is originally from Buffalo, NY and has been with the UAW (United Auto Workers) for 23 years. She transferred to Texas in 2006 to UAW Local 276 GM Arlington Truck Plant where she is a team leader in the Body Shop. She is an active member of Labor Union Leadership as the UAW Local 276 Political and Legislative Committee Chair, UAW Region 8 Women’s Council Chair for Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas, Aflcio Tarrant County Central Labor Council Executive Board UAW Delegate, President of CLUW (Coalition of Labor Union Women) State of Texas and a host of other roles within the labor movement. Her reason for joining the board is this: “I was introduced to Hopeful Solutions while still in its developmental stage as the newly appointed Chair of the UAW local 276 Women’s committee. Hopeful Solutions was an organization for women and Natalynne's story was powerful and very similar to my personal experience as a family member who survived the disease of addiction. My family member is now 32 years sober due to a praying mother and the support of organizations like Hopeful Solutions. As a board member this is my opportunity to pay it forward and I am honored to do so.”
Learn More About Us
Hopeful Solutions
P.O. Box 270674
Dallas, Texas 75227
972.982.2005
Hopeful Solutions is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization.
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