Pablo A. Magdaleno-Carlos

Foundation Board Chair | Director of Development, New York Life Insurance Company

Pablo is the Director of Development in charge of the Training & Development of new professionals for New York Life Insurance Company. Pablo graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. As a husband and a father, he is motivated to help drive the mission and vision of the foundation in seeking to continue to expand the impact both hospitals have on our community, the services offered, and opportunity to receive those services close to home.

Michele Miller

Foundation Vice-Chair | Marketing Director, Kemp Smith LLP

Michele is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in Computer Information Systems. As Marketing Director for the El Paso, Austin and Las Cruces offices of Kemp Smith LPP, Michele’s primary focus is the management of the firm’s marketing, business development, public relations and internal/external communications. Her role includes the implementation of the firm’s strategic marketing plan, business development plans, branding, client interviews, client events, community involvement, website/social media platforms, client proposals, seminars/webinars and community and industry sponsorships. Michele works directly with attorneys to develop expertise and authority in client issues and industry.

In addition to serving on the Foundation Board, Michele is active with the YMCA, and has been a part of the Alzheimer’s Association, Sun Bowl Association, Junior League of El Paso, and Susan G Komen for the Cure.

Don Pendergras

Foundation Secretary | President, Penan Retirement Companies, Trinity of El Paso Home Health and Hospice and Sunset Holdings Properties

Don is the President of Penan Retirement Companies, Trinity of El Paso Home Health and Hospice and Sunset Holdings Properties. He is a dedicated member of the El Paso community having served on local and State boards of Texas Health Care Association, University Medical Center Foundation of El Paso, El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association West Texas, St Mathew Catholic Parish, El Paso Police Department Citizen Advisory Board and Young Presidents Organization.

Don has been in the healthcare industry for 26 years and has lived in El Paso for 24 years with his wife Genna and three children Hunter, Ian, and Abby.

Sarah Williams

Foundation Treasurer | Vice President of Sales, Viva Capital Funding

Born and raised in El Paso, Sarah graduated from Coronado High School. After her eight years of service as a paralegal in the U.S. Army, she received her Business Degree from the University of Phoenix. She worked for Interstate Capital Corporation until the company was sold. She then began working for Viva Capital Funding and now serves as the Vice President of Sales where she manages and serves as a mentor for her sales team in El Paso as well as outside the region.

Sarah enjoys working out and spending time outdoors hiking and cycling. She is the proud mother of three. Her daughter is a student at Coronado and her middle son is currently attending college in El Paso. Her oldest son is attending the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Sharon Robinet

Foundation Immediate Past Chair | Executive Vice President, PyroCom Systems Inc.

Sharon has been a member of the Foundation Board for more than a decade and was part of the team that helped secure the votes needed to build the El Paso Children’s Hospital. With nearly 40 years of experience in sales, Sharon is currently a partner in two companies that specialize in special systems for new construction including fire, security, surveillance, structured cabling and IT market.

Sharon is passionate about both University Medical Center and El Paso Children’s Hospital. Her goal is to ensure continued growth for both hospitals and foundations. In addition to her philanthropic efforts, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, including her husband, and grandchildren.

Jacob Cintron

Ex-Officio | President & CEO, EPCHD

Jacob Cintron serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the El Paso County Hospital District (EPCHD) which includes University Medical Center of El Paso (354 licensed bed facility), El Paso Health, and El Paso Children’s Hospital (122 licensed bed facility). Mr. Cintron has more than 40 years of healthcare management experience. He began his healthcare career at Thomason General Hospital, now named University Medical Center of El Paso – which he leads today.

Mr. Cintron came to the EPCHD in July 2016 from Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, where he served as its Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2016. Other leadership positions he previously held at Del Sol Medical Center include Chief Operating Officer, Associate Administrator II, and Vice President of Support Services.

He also served in senior leadership positions (Chief Operating Officer) at Vanguard Healthcare in Chicago, ASIS Healthcare at Southwest General Hospital in San Antonio, and UHS’ Southwest Healthcare System in California. 

Mr. Cintron is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, member of the Americas Essential  Hospitals, past board chair of the Teaching Hospitals of Texas, board member of the THA, committee member of the THA’s Council on Policy Development, past board chair of the Emergency Health Network, board member of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce and  United Way of El Paso, past board chair of the Paso Del Norte Health Information Exchange and serves on various other El Paso committees and boards. Mr. Cintron holds a Bachelor of Science – Industrial Engineering, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Accountancy, all from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Mr. Cintron also oversees the extremely important affiliations and partnerships of the University Medical Center of El Paso with Texas Tech University Health Science Center of El Paso. These affiliations ensure the campus at University Medical Center of El Paso continues to be the center of medical teaching, providing an exceptional learning environment and experience for medical students, residents, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. These affiliations with Texas Tech include the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, the Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing, and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Other affiliations include the University of Texas at El Paso Nursing & Pharmacy Programs, El Paso Community College Nursing Programs, Doña Ana Community College, New Mexico State University, Texas Woman’s University, and Western New Mexico University. Together, these programs are responsible for training more than a thousand students each year at the Campus of University Medical Center of El Paso.

Omar Garza

Ex-Officio | CFO, El Paso Children's Hospital

Omar Garza boasts an extensive career in healthcare finance with experience working in hospitals across the United States. He serves as the CFO for El Paso Children's Hospital and is responsible for all financial aspects of the hospital. As a member of the EPCH executive leadership team, he is integral to the success of El Paso's only children's hospital.

Prior to joining EPCH, Omar spent 25 years serving in executive roles in the healthcare field in both domestic organizations and those that oversee financial operations in Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica. He brings a wealth of knowledge in the areas of budget management, revenue cycle, physician relations, and strategic planning to the Foundation. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife of 37 years and three wonderful children.

Michael Nuñez

Ex-Officio | CFO, EPCHD

Michael L. Nuñez serves as District Chief Financial Officer of the El Paso County Hospital District, a position he has held since 2020. Prior to his current position, he was the Chief Financial Officer of the University Medical Center of El Paso, a position he held since 2010.

Mr. Nuñez has more than 30 years of financial management experience, with the last 17 years as a Chief Financial Officer at two major hospitals: University Medical Center of El Paso and Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, N.M.

Prior to his arrival at University Medical Center of El Paso in 2006, Mr. Nuñez was the Chief Financial Officer at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, N.M. Other leadership positions he held there included work as the Director of Finance. Prior to his work at Memorial Medical Center, he held senior management positions at REDW, LLC; Neff & Company; and Arthur Anderson & Co.

Mr. Nuñez is a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional, is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (Oct 09 to present); a Certified Public Accountant (Jan 88 to present); and he has a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M.

Dr. Cindy Stout

Ex-Officio | President & CEO, El Paso Children’s Hospital

Cindy Ann Stout is the President and Chief Executive Officer of El Paso Children’s Hospital. Prior to joining El Paso Children’s Hospital, Dr. Stout served as Chief Nursing Officer at University Medical Center of El Paso, a multi-campus hospital system. Prior to that she was the Chief Nursing Officer at Del Sol Medical Center for over 10 years. Dr. Stout has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare environments and has been responsible for many innovations in the El Paso market. Some of these accomplishments include University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Gold Nugget honoree for the School of Nursing (2009) and implementation of an internship program at UTEP & Texas Tech that has now been replicated in multiple cities.

An El Paso native, Dr. Stout received her undergraduate degree in Nursing from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, a Master of Science in Nursing with an administrative focus from UTEP, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice with executive focus from Duke University.

She is involved in various civic and healthcare activities. She currently serves as Chair for the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas Board of Directors; member of the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation Board of Directors; member of Emergence Health Network Board of Trustees; Texas Tech Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing Advisory Board; UTEP School of Nursing and Health Sciences Advisory Board; El Paso Community College Nursing Advisory Committee; Dona Ana Community College of Nursing Advisory Committee; New Mexico State University School of Nursing Advisory Committee, TDSHS Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies Task Force – Hospital Nurse Staffing Study; and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Scholar – New Careers in Nursing Mentor Program. Past positions held by Dr. Stout include serving as chair of the American Cancer Society’s Board of Directors; chair of the American Cancer Society’s Patient Services Committee; chair of Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Professional Healthcare Shortage Task Force; and Director at Large and Secretary, Sunset Heights Historical District; and Leadership El Paso Class 31.

Kenia Levario Arriola

Foundation Board Member | Community Liaison, Southwest University

Kenia is an El Paso native and graduate of Montwood High School. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Texas at El Paso and is currently the Community Liaison for Southwest University.

In addition to serving on the UMC Foundation of El Paso Board, she is a member of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. She also serves as a board member of FEMAP Foundation (Federación Mexicana de Asociaciones Privadas or Mexican Federation of Private Associations), which along with FEMAP in Ciudad Juárez, México, provides links between the two cities and countries in order to address mutual economic and public health concerns.

Kenia is married and is looking forward to soon raising two children. She enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family.

Will Brown

Foundation Board Member | Managing Partner, Sonny Brown Associates

Born and raised in the Sun City, Will is a graduate of Coronado High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the UT Austin and is now a managing partner for Sonny Brown Associates.

Will serves on the Borderplex Alliance Board and was previously a member of the Goodwill Industries board. He enjoys skiing, hiking, golf, and playing piano. Will is married to Katherine and has two daughters and one son.

Jose Burgos, MD, MBA, FACP, FHM

Foundation Board Member | Medical Director, UMC’s Hospitalist Program & Housing Authority Clinics

Dr. Burgos is the Medical Director for the UMC Internal Medicine Program as well as the Medical Director for the Housing Authority Clinics in El Paso. Originally from Venezuela, he graduated from Universidad de Carabobo and completed his residency at Texas Tech in El Paso.

In addition to serving on the UMC Foundation Board, he is part of the Familias Triunfadoras, a non-profit dedicated to helping people in areas of our community such as San Elizario with food, clothing, medical care and anything they may need in order to thrive.

He is the owner of U Care Clinics of El Paso, which is comprised of three facilities in our area. He is also owner of El Paso Medical Research Institute which is one of only two private clinic trial offices, and oversaw the first COVID-19 vaccines in El Paso. Dr. Burgos also founded Mobilemed, a venture where patients with limited mobility are able to be seen and receive services from the comfort of their home.

He says being a dad is his greatest accomplishments and he relishes the time he spends with his two daughters and his son.

Jonae Chavez

Foundation Board Member | Assistant General Counsel, Helen of Troy

Born and raised in El Paso, Jonae attended the University of Texas at Austin where she received a Bachelor of Arts in radio television and film. She graduated from the Texas Tech School of Law dual-degree program with a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and a Master of Business Administration.

Jonae serves on the board of the YWCA and El Paso Young Lawyer Association (EPYLA).

In her free time she enjoys working out at the gym, watching movies and dining out with friends at local restaurants, as well as hanging out with her dog “Pino” a Maltipoo.

Dr. Sadhana Chheda

Foundation Board Member | Associate Professor of Pediatrics, TTUHSC at El Paso

Dr. Sadhana received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. She received her diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and completed her Pediatric Residency for the Department of Pediatrics at UTMB in Galveston, Texas.

She has served as a Breastfeeding Initiative committee member for the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Task Force Commission for the El Paso Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid and CHIP Regional Advisory Committee. Dr. Sadhana currently serves on the Perinatal Advisory Council at Texas HHSC and was elected Vice-Chair of the Perinatal Advisory Council in March of 2022.

Paul Coleman

Foundation Board Member | President, Sun Travel

Paul is a 3rd generation owner of an agency that was started by his grandmother in 1965. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, he spent 5 years working in the oil industry. Paul moved back home to El Paso in 1994 to join his family’s business and to surround himself with wonderful family and friends.

Paul’s wife, Kathleen, serves as the agency’s Leisure Marketing Manager and they have 3 children. While his passion is travel, his other hobbies include golf, hunting, fishing and playing the piano. His favorite travel destinations are Israel, Jordan, South Africa, Italy, Scotland and anywhere a cruise ship can take him.

Justin Hahn

Foundation Board Member | President and COO, Rocky Mountain Mortgage Company

A native El Pasoan, Justin grew to know and love the various cultures that inhabit the surrounding area. After graduating from J.M. Hanks High School, Justin pursued his college education at Texas Tech University. After graduating from TTU, he made his way back to El Paso to work for a local title company, Lone Star Title. Currently, Justin is the President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Mortgage Company.

As a member of a community, there is one thing Justin has realized, which is the importance of giving back and taking on a bigger role in the community’s success. Justin is an active member of the Boy Scouts of America (El Paso - Pack 72), El Paso Builder’s Association, and El Paso Mortgage Bankers Association.

Justin is happily married to his wife of nine years, Victoria. They have two beautiful children Lucas and Nicole.

Will Harvey

Foundation Board Member | CEO, Riverbend Development

Will is a sixth-generation El Pasoan and has worked in real estate management, brokerage, property management and development for privately held companies, as well as real estate investment trusts, for the past 20 years. He is experienced in all phases of development, including site selection, financing, zoning, entitlements, development and disposition, and has developed residential subdivisions, office parks, retail shopping centers and self-storage facilities.

He acquired his Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Southern Methodist University. Will serves on a bank board as well as multiple non-profit boards. Will says UMC and El Paso Children’s Hospitals are extremely important for quality of life in El Paso. He personally experienced the important role El Paso Children’s Hospital can play in our community when his child was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and received top-notch services and excellent information thanks to their diabetes education team.

John Hjalmquist

Foundation Board Member | President & CEO, Pizza Properties, Inc.

John is a native El Pasoan and is a 1978 honors graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso where he majored in accounting. He is a certified public accountant.

He is President and Chief Executive Officer of Pizza Properties, Inc., which owns and operates 50 franchised Peter Piper Pizza restaurants in Texas and Southern New Mexico. John also serves as President/Chief Executive Officer of Lone Star Apple, LLC which consists of 11 Applebee’s restaurants in El Paso and Las Cruces, New Mexico which were acquired in September 2019. Both companies employ approximately 3,000 employees with corporate headquarters in El Paso. John led the efforts that resulted in the successful sale in February 2017 of 39 Burger King restaurants they owned and operated in Texas and New Mexico.

John is active in numerous civic and charitable organizations. He is currently a member of the University of Texas at El Paso Business Advisory Council and serves on the Board of Directors of the Borderplex Alliance. He is a member of the El Paso/Juarez Chapter of the Young President’s Organization (YPO)/Young President’s Organization Gold (YPO Gold) where he has served as Chapter Chairman, Education Chairman, and Membership Chairman and has served on the Western Regional Board for YPO Gold. He is a graduate of Leadership El Paso Class 8. He has also served on the Regional Advisory Board for Chase Bank-El Paso.

Michelle Lowery

Foundation Board Member | Community Volunteer

Michelle is a business owner and project manager. She is the mother of four and has extensive experience in event planning. She attended Coronado High School and Southern Methodist University. Her goals include improving health care in the El Paso Community.

She is involved with the YWCA, the UTEP Orange Fever Fiesta, the University of Texas at El Paso Athletics' largest annual fundraiser of the year, and the praise and worship team at Abundant Church.

Michelle enjoys singing, decorating, cooking, entertaining, and spending time with friends and family as well as assisting with coordinating events at her children’s school.

Lizzie Dipp Metzger

Foundation Board Member | Founder, Crown Wealth Strategies

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Dipp Metzger is founder of Crown Wealth Strategies, a comprehensive financial advisory and investment resource for families, professionals and business leaders seeking to both manage and protect their financial holdings over the course of a lifetime. The firm, which was founded in 2010 has rapidly expanded in the El Paso markets and now serves clients nationwide. As a Certified Financial Planner and fiduciary, Lizzie provides clients with an integrated retirement and insurance strategy focused on aligning wealth and values over the course of their lifetime.

An entrepreneur and family business owner, Lizzie began learning the insurance business when her third and youngest child was a newborn. Her drive to maximize and protect assets was fueled by her own experiences as a business owner.

Lizzie is an El Paso native, and holds a Master of Science in Financial Services from American College and a BA in International Relations from Pomona College. She is a proud lifetime member of the El Paso community and serves on the board of the United Way and Paso del Norte Children’s Development Center.  She has been married for 16 years and is the proud mother of three children.

Amy Ross

Foundation Board Member | Project Management Instructor, UTEP; Project Manager, Epic Pediatric Radiology

Born in Vancouver Washington, Amy and her husband, a pediatric radiologist, moved to El Paso to be a part of El Paso Children’s Hospital. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Brigham Young University and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.

After college, Amy worked as a cosmetic chemist and developed products such as shampoos and soaps. She has also worked for many years as a project manager.

President of the Texas Perinatal Association, she also spends her free time as a gamer with special skills in the game Halo. She is an avid runner and runs at least one 5K a month. She also raises two conure birds that she describes as two naughty two-year-olds who she will have for the rest of her life. She also enjoys spending time with her teenaged son.

Lauren Francis Steinmann

Foundation Board Member | Business Owner, JL Stone Properties, LLC

A native El Pasoan, Lauren graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. Following graduation, she worked at the Texas Capitol, serving in the Governor’s Budget, Planning, and Policy Office. She was a Legislative Advisor to Myra Crownover in the Texas House of Representatives, and served as Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. As a member of the Junior League of Austin, she served on multiple projects, including as Chair for the Texas School for the Blind Project. Lauren returned to El Paso to marry her husband, John Steinmann, and worked as the Government Affairs Liaison for the City of El Paso and in property management for Francis Properties.

Lauren obtained her Master of Public Administration degree while being a stay-at-home mom. She served as Project Manager for the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation until December 2022. Lauren served six years on the Board of Directors of First Presbyterian Preschool (2017-2023) holding numerous chair positions, including Security Committee Chair and Curriculum/Technology Chair. She also served as Vice President of Advocacy for the Mesita Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (2022-2023). Lauren and her husband own JL Stone Properties, LLC, and have two children.

Jennifer Woo

Foundation Board Member | Real Estate Agent, Sandy Messer & Associates

With a Bachelor’s degree in advertising and graphic design, Jennifer is a successful real Estate Agent with Sandy Messer & Associates and is a Multi-Million Dollar Producer. She has offered customers commercial and residential real estate services, including: buying, selling, relocating, investing, and other support services. As a native El Pasoan, she has the knowledge of what the community has to offer & the benefits of living in the Southwest.

As a licensed Realtor, she specializes in giving quality customer service to all of her clients and making the experience of finding or selling any property a positive one. Jennifer prides herself on providing service that is nothing less than excellent.

Jennifer also spends much of her time giving back to her community. She has made a positive impact by volunteering as a board member for the Center Against Family Violence as well as the El Paso Youth Symphony. She has served as the Vice President of Membership for the Women’s Council of Realtors - El Paso Del Norte Chapter and as a board member and for Creative Kidz. Jennifer has also served as a Board Member and for Big Brothers Big Sisters and a committee member for the El Paso Community Foundation.