Amy Desler

As senior director of external affairs, Amy manages the strategic partnerships and marketing and communications teams for Educate Texas, a statewide initiative of CFT focused on improving student outcomes across the state to ensure all students graduate with more than a degree. She serves on the Educate Texas executive team, leading fundraising and communications for the foundation’s K-12, higher education and advocacy portfolios, as well as special projects of CFT. From 2016 through 2022, Amy served as a deputy and then director for Educate Texas.

Prior to joining CFT, Amy consulted for various nonprofits and businesses as founder and principal of B.partners, a strategic consulting group specializing in strategy, fund development, and communications. She also worked in California and New York for various political and nonprofit organizations.

Amy holds a bachelor’s in government from the University of Texas at Austin and enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her three children.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP / BOARD SERVICE

Amy is a board member for the Texas Census Institute, a statewide nonprofit she co-founded that works to ensure Texas has a complete count and gets its fair share of federal resources and representation.

She also serves on the board of The Stewpot, a welcoming community and resource center offering comprehensive support services for individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness in Dallas. She previously served as president of Encore Park Dallas, a social impact campus situated in downtown Dallas, and is an elder in her church.