Ambassadors

Alexander Williams
Sustainable Visionary
Meet Alexander Williams, the visionary Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Aura Rainwater, where sustainability and innovation converge to catalyze transformative solutions. With over a decade of industry leadership and unwavering commitment to ethical business practices, Alexander curates a team of like-minded individuals to shape a future rooted in sustainability and environmental consciousness.
As a captivating Keynote Speaker, he enlightens nationwide audiences on sustainability, hydration, environmental justice, and rainwater harvesting, leaving lasting impacts. Alexander’s advocacy for equitable access to pristine water sources and inclusive decision-making is a hallmark of his leadership. He pioneers rainwater harvesting innovation, offering unparalleled expertise.
Alexander believes Aura Rainwater represents not only a solution to water needs but the key to true body hydration. Join him in this sustainable journey!

Alina Tapia Romero
Owner of Eazy Start Insurance Agency
Alina Tapia Romero is a Licensed Commercial Insurance Specialist Agency Owner in Austin, TX. With 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, Alina is an independent agent committed to finding you the best rate by working with multiple carriers. Her passion extends beyond making a sale; she am dedicated to educating her clients about the coverages they purchase, ensuring they understand their policies fully. At Eazy Start Insurance Agency, personalized service and informed decision-making are at the heart of what we do.

Debra Gaines
Owner of Gaines Royal Transport
Debra is a resilient entrepreneur who has built a diverse portfolio of businesses. She is the owner of Gaines Royal Transport (GRT), a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) business built on hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to improving access to healthcare. Her journey as a business owner has shaped her into both a self-motivator and a source of inspiration for others navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. Through her work, Debra is especially passionate about serving the elderly and individuals with driving disabilities, recognizing the vital role transportation plays in their ability to access medical care, attend appointments, and maintain independence.
Her dedication to helping these communities is at the heart of her business, where she strives to provide safe, reliable, and compassionate transportation with a royal-like touch. Through the support of EGBI, Debra has expanded her business acumen, gaining valuable insights that have fueled her passion for community service and further strengthened her resolve as a small business advocate. Debra is committed to empowering others in entrepreneurial spaces, particularly those with a shared commitment to making a positive impact on vulnerable populations.

Ivan Garcia
VP of Lending
Ivan Garcia is the Vice President of Lending and Community Manager at SouthStar Bank, bringing 15 years of expertise in mortgage lending. He is committed to expanding SouthStar Bank’s presence in Austin’s Eastern Crescent and is passionate about creating homeownership opportunities in historically underserved communities. Ivan also serves as the Government Affairs Chair for the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) Austin Chapter and was recognized as a NAHREP Top 100 Regional Loan Officer in 2021.

Jesus Nevarez
AVP Branch Manager
Jesus is a AVP Branch Manager at Keystone Bank, where he manages the retail side for the Austin location. He is responsible for the day-to-day operation, expanding the business of the branch and small business development.
He has been working in banking for over ten years across the state of Texas. Jesus focuses on developing deep ties in the communities he works, and helping persons reach their financial goals. He has worked on a variety of entrepreneurship programs and financial literacy classes, delivering them in person and virtual platforms.

Kitty Bird
Owner of Kitty Bird Photo
I’m Kitty Bird, an Austin-based event photographer capturing the energy of business events, retreats, and community gatherings. My specialty is shooting how it felt to be there, delivering people-centered images that focus on real connection and engagement. Described as a “snappy ninja with a camera” and a “fly on the wall with a big smile,” I blend in to secure authentic moments that turn into powerful, evergreen marketing assets for your brand. Drop me into the middle of the action with my camera and I’ve found my happy place.

Maria Elena Rivera
Owner of Monarca Bookkeeping & Tax Services LLC
Maria Elena Rivera is the Owner and Founder of Monarca Bookkeeping & Tax Services LLC, bringing over two decades of experience in financial reporting, bookkeeping operations, and tax support services. She specializes in streamlining financial processes, developing efficient procedures, and training teams to maintain accurate records and compliance across complex, multi-entity businesses.
She specializes in full-cycle bookkeeping, payroll and payroll tax compliance, financial reporting, month-end and year-end close, sales tax, and income tax preparation support. Maria Elena is highly skilled in QuickBooks Online, Pro, Enterprise, and Accountant editions, and is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, known for her ability to review, clean up, and optimize financial records to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
With deep expertise in general ledger maintenance and financial analysis, Maria Elena helps business owners gain clarity and confidence in their financial information. She is committed to operational excellence, integrity, and fostering financial clarity for her clients.

Miranda Collins
Owner of I Am Ready Swim
Miranda Collins is the owner of ‘I Am Ready Swim,’ a commercial aquatics company servicing pools all over Austin and surrounding areas. The company offers lifeguards, pool monitors, and pool maintenance. Miranda is married to her high school sweetheart, Dajour Collins, who is now a co-owner and runs most of the pool monitors and all the pool maintenance.
They have over 40 different locations and are expanding to the San Antonio area as well. They love mentoring and helping others and currently have over 235 employees, whom they absolutely adore. During the off-season, Miranda and Dajour love to travel, attend as many football games as possible, and explore other business ventures, including their recent endeavor into commercial real estate. In the future, they would like to franchise their business and start a non-profit to help and mentor the youth.

Yolis Rodríguez
Owner of Yolis Salon
Yolis Rodríguez was born in Mexico, she is a mother of three and has been married for 31 years. She graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León with a degree in Public Relations and became a licensed Cosmetology Instructor in Texas in 2018, starting her own beauty business 19 years ago.
She currently leads a team of three and serves as an ambassador for a major haircare brand. Yolis offers free classes to over 117,000 stylists and is actively involved in non-profit organizations. Her business has been recognized by Expertise and recommended by Google.
In her free time, she enjoys exercising and hiking. Her goal is to continue educating new stylists and supporting entrepreneurs in pursuing their dreams. Her story is a testament to resilience and determination, showing that limits can be broken and fears overcome on the path to success.
Texas Mutual awards $4.5M to 66 nonprofits supporting working families
Texas Mutual has selected 66 Texas nonprofits to receive over $4.5 million in grants for their dedication to helping working families get the support and health care they need. Nonprofit organizations were invited to apply for a generational learning grant between...
Meet intern Jade George
By Salem Mata-Diaz Things do not always go according to plan, but what matters is what you make of those experiences. Jade, an intern at EGBI, has no interest in working a 9-5 office job and does not see herself pursuing a community-centered career. She was placed at...
Meet intern Salem M.
By Jade George Salem M. has been an intern for about 5 weeks with Economic Growth Business Incubator(EGBI). She got into the internship by applying through Summer Youth Employment Program with Travis County. Her personal interests in...

