Meet Our Board
Shirleen Galinsuga, President
Expertise: Public Relations and Marketing
Ms. Galinsuga is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with a proven record of launching and scaling successful healthcare ventures. As the founder of three companies spanning home health, hospice care, and wound care services, she has led operations, marketing, and community engagement initiatives that strengthened brand trust and expanded client reach. Her insight into organizational growth, team development, and sustainable service models adds a vital perspective to advancing the charter’s mission.
Sarah Bajek, Secretary
Expertise: Human Resources
Ms. Bajek is a seasoned human resources executive with over two decades of experience driving large-scale organizational transformation, workforce strategy, and corporate social responsibility. As the former Vice President of Human Resources at Creative Werks, she led enterprise-wide talent development initiatives and operational improvements that fueled sustained growth. Her strategic leadership and deep expertise in organizational design and people systems strengthen the board’s capacity to scale with purpose and integrity.
Christopher Chapa, Treasurer
Expertise: Finance
Mr. Chapa is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Chartered Financial Consultant® with over 8 years of experience helping families and professionals achieve financial security. At First Command Financial Services, he specializes in strategic financial planning, investment management, & values-based stewardship. Holding advanced designations—including the Certified Kingdom Advisor®—Christopher blends technical expertise with a principled approach to leadership. His insight into budgeting, long-term planning, and ethical financial management strengthens the school’s commitment to accountability, sustainability, and wise stewardship of resources.
Atty. Norma Bazan
Expertise: Governance and Law
Atty. Bazán is a board-certified legal expert and lifelong public servant with deep roots in the Fort Worth community. She currently serves the residents of Tarrant County as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney, following a distinguished four-year tenure as a Supervising Attorney at Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas. A former Pro Tem Municipal Court Judge for the City of Fort Worth and past President of the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, she has spent over twenty-five years as a dedicated advocate for community welfare and victims of domestic violence. Her extensive expertise in local governance and policy compliance provides a vital foundation for ensuring organizational integrity and long-term excellence for the Academy.
Dr. Teri Conley
Expertise: Governance and Educational Leadership
Dr. Conley is a veteran education leader and former campus principal with nearly 30 years of experience advancing student outcomes across public schools, nonprofits, and state-funded initiatives. In her current role at Public Consulting Group, she leads strategic program design, data systems implementation, and cross-district partnerships that drive scalable, evidence-based solutions. Dr. Conley’s deep expertise in systems thinking and educational innovation brings a valuable lens to designing sustainable school models that deliver lasting impact.
Selina Lopez
Expertise: Real Estate, Facilities and Public Relations
Born and raised in Fort Worth, Ms. Lopez is a dedicated community advocate with a deep-rooted commitment to local excellence. A former educator with Fort Worth ISD, she spent 9 years empowering students with the skills and confidence needed for college and career success before transitioning to her current role as a professional Realtor. Today, she seamlessly combines her instructional background with her real estate expertise to support the Academy’s mission of providing high-quality, community-focused education. Known for her professionalism and attention to detail, Ms. Lopez brings both heart and strategic insight to the board, ensuring the Academy remains a pillar of service for Fort Worth families.
Atty. Stacy Parada
Expertise: Law and Governance
Atty. Parada is a licensed Oklahoma attorney and a graduate of Oklahoma City University School of Law, currently working on obtaining her Texas license. She has experience in court and legal practice settings, mainly focusing on complex legal research, trial advocacy, and procedural work. She is also involved in pro bono efforts, helping aspiring business owners with business formation and assisting established businesses with issues related to unauthorized use of creative content on online platforms. Outside her legal work, Atty. Parada mentors college students to promote leadership and professional growth within community spaces. As a Mansfield ISD graduate, she gives back to Tarrant County as a founding board member of The Peak International STEM Academy, supporting board operations to broaden access to STEM education in Fort Worth.
Dr. LadéLeon (Layla) Porter
Expertise: Fundraising, Public Relations & Marketing, and Governance
Dr. Porter is a Certified Grant Writer and accomplished executive with nearly two decades of experience in grant development, marketing, and educational governance. She has led competitive proposal strategies across the federal and nonprofit sectors, including during her tenure at the U.S. Department of Education, where she supported cross-agency initiatives and organizational compliance. Dr. Porter brings exceptional expertise in securing funding, strengthening community visibility, and advancing educational excellence through strategic leadership.
Lucy Vasquez
Expertise: Educational Leadership and Governance
Ms. Vasquez is a highly accomplished educational leader and governance expert with over 25 years of proven experience. As a former Assistant Principal, MTSS Coordinator, and District Specialist in Bilingual/ESL and Literacy, she has a track record of driving instructional excellence and improving outcomes across diverse school communities. Ms. Vasquez is skilled at designing and implementing data-driven initiatives that strengthen teaching, boost literacy rates, and ensure equitable learning for all students. She holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and certifications, including Principal and Master Reading Teacher.
