Leadership

Meet the people who guide our organization

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The Team

Dwayne Smetzer

Chief Executive Officer

Dwayne obtained an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and brings three decades of non profit experience to WAP. He firmly believes in the business philosophy of Servant Leadership, incorporating it into his managerial style and promoting it throughout the company.

Melissa Holt, PHR

Vice President of Human Resources

Melissa brings two decades of experience in employee relations, team building, talent acquisition, and organizational development, with a focus on diversifying staff. She enjoys volunteering at her two daughters’ school and in her community, hiking, playing guitar, creating stained glass suncatchers, and woodworking.

Scott Shipman

Vice President of Administration and Grants Management

Scott obtained his Bachelors Degree from Texas State and has more than two decades of experience in customer service, project management, and quality management. As Operations Director, he oversees our grant-funded initiatives. Scott also moonlights as a popular local theater actor in Austin.

Scott Terres, LPC, PhD

Vice President of Alliance Work Partners

Scott started at WAP as a Call Center Agent and worked his way to the top of our EAP division. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Austin and has a PhD in Family Sciences with a concentration in Family Therapy.

Sasan Sadat-Sharifi

Vice President of Technology and Process Improvement

Sasan has been coding apps and building systems since the age of seven. He served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marines and applies that mission-focused mindset to his work at WAP. Sasan enjoys time with family, landscape photography, thought experiments and problem solving.

Tameka Alexander, MSW

Call Center Director

Tameka believes in the philosophy of “reach one, teach one”, and wants everyone to live up to their full potential. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and Social Work, bringing 15+ years of experience working in behavioral health, crisis management, and the foster care system.

Dalia Tirado

Youth Advocacy Director

Dalia is part of the village it takes to raise a child. Overseeing three youth programs under the Youth Advocacy banner, she believes in creating opportunities for all youth and their families by using strength-based approaches to help clients reach their full potential.

Nicola Leach

Account Services Director

With more than two decades of customer service experience, Nicola leads a team of Account Managers in support of our EAP division. She oversees the retention of 450+ EAP contracts covering over 700,000 lives nationwide. In addition, Nicola produces a variety of monthly EAP publications.

Stacy Pritt

Coordinated Training Services Director

Stacy believes showing kindness and taking a personal interest in individuals can empower and transform lives. When she’s not advocating for others, creatively solving problems, or growing the PAL® program, Stacy can be found holding a pencil, palette knife, or camera…and probably singing off key.

Yen Nguyen

Child Care Food Program Director

Yen obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition from the University of Oklahoma. For more than two decades, she has supported the Child Care Food Program at WAP, subsidizing healthy food choices at independent child care centers around the State of Oklahoma.