Executive Leadership

Kate Rose Marquez  |  Chief Executive Officer

Kate Rose Marquez comes to Ascend Dallas with a strong and deep background, having most recently served as director of development at St. Vincent de Paul Society of North Texas.  Kate Rose has helped various nonprofit and for-profit organizations fulfill their mission through impactful branding and transformative fundraising. She has worked on all sides of the nonprofit equation and understands how to marshal the resources and infrastructure needed to successfully serve the North Texas community.

As the vice president of marketing at The Dallas Morning News (TDMN), Kate Rose led a team of professionals in creating and executing all TDMN and sub-brand communications. In addition, she was the point person for all TDMN’s sponsorships in the North Texas community – crafting multi-year, multi-million dollar partnerships that leveraged the TDMN brand while supporting hundreds of area community efforts.

Kate Rose has also consulted with several area nonprofits to help them evaluate themselves “from soup to nuts,” examining mission, processes, structure and internal database practices, and guided the development of branding, fundraising, board succession plans and long-term goals that further their mission externally. She has an extensive history of fundraising and especially executing large events such as Cotes du Coeur and Go Red for Women for American Heart Association, Partners’ Card for The Family Place, Change is Good for Community Partners of Dallas, among others.

With a heart for service, Kate Rose has served on many regional nonprofit boards over the past 20 years, utilizing her expertise in fundraising, marketing and board development to support their efforts. She also serves on many advisory boards/councils including Community Partners of Dallas, Heroes for Children and Launchability. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.

Susan Smithson  |  Chief Strategy Officer

Susan Smithson brings more than 20 years of experience in program development and administration to Ascend. She has worked in public, for-profit, and nonprofit sectors and has held multiple leadership positions for agencies serving the needs of individuals and families.

Susan is committed to decreasing economic and health disparities in the community, and represents Ascend on numerous community initiatives. Her passion had led her to serve on the Advisory Board for the Center for Community Health, RAISE Texas Board of Directors, and the Information and Education Planning Committee for Parkland Health and Hospital System. Susan holds a B.A. in Psychology from Texas Women’s University.

Laura LaRochelle  |  Chief Development Officer

A Dallas native, Laura LaRochelle started her career in the film industry in Los Angeles but moved back to Dallas to run a local production company. After volunteering with different non-profits in Dallas, she decided to change careers and use her fundraising and production skills to work in non-profit.

In her role as CDO, Laura is responsible for providing strategy and implementing Ascend fundraising efforts. Additionally, Laura oversees Ascend communication efforts. With over 10 years of relevant experience, Laura is thrilled to be supporting the Ascend mission and empowering women in her hometown.

Celestina Grannum, MSN-PHN, RN  |  Nurse-Family Partnership Director

Celestina is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in maternal and infant health. She began her career in high-risk obstetrics and mother-baby nursing, where she gained valuable hands-on experience. After four years in the hospital setting, Celestina transitioned to the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program as a nurse home visitor in Tarrant County. Her leadership skills quickly became evident, leading her to take on roles as a team lead and later as a director.

In her director role, Celestina was instrumental in launching Family Connects North Texas, a program serving five counties and multiple hospitals. She has also contributed her expertise as a member of the Tarrant and Dallas County Child Fatality Review teams and the Tarrant County Fetal Infant Mortality Review team.

Celestina earned her master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis in public health in early 2022. Her passion for maternal and infant health drives her commitment to supporting mothers and babies, ensuring they receive the best possible care and resources. Currently, she serves as the Director of NFP at Ascend Dallas, where she oversees the implementation and strategic direction of various initiatives aimed at empowering women and improving family outcomes.

Daria Lester  |  Director of Education and Community Engagement

Daria Lester, with almost three years at Ascend Dallas, serves as the Director of Education and Community Engagement. Her rich background includes roles at major corporations like Sprint and UT Southwestern Medical Center, but it was in the non-profit sector that she discovered her true calling. Beginning with Development and Volunteer Coordination at the Salvation Army, Lester’s journey led her to become the Director of Compassion Ministries at 6 Stones Mission Network, a pivotal step towards her former position as Director of Economic Advancement at Ascend Dallas.

In her current role, Lester seamlessly blends corporate and non-profit expertise to lead impactful education and community engagement initiatives. Her commitment to meaningful change and creating opportunities for others is evident in her dedicated work at Ascend. Lester continues to inspire as a beacon of commitment to community service, women’s empowerment, and education.

Selma Welsch  |  Senior Director of Economic Advancement

Selma Welsch serves as the Senior Director of Economic Advancement at Ascend Dallas, overseeing the operations of three Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) in southern Dallas. With over a decade of nonprofit experience, this Dallas native discovered her passion for social services during college while volunteering at community health centers and agencies dedicated to women and children. Welsch firmly believes in the profound impact of an individual’s relationship with finances on overall well-being.

Certified as a coach trainer through CNM Ingenuity, Inc., Welsch has extensive experience training and collaborating with other coaches in Texas and throughout the United Sates, focusing on effective coaching models, motivational interviewing, racial and ethnic economic justice, and financial education. Welsch holds a Master Trainer certification for credit education and credit building from the Credit Building Alliance (CBA). Committed to promoting economic success statewide, Welsch collaborates with RAISE Texas through financial coaching and actively contributes to the Upward Mobility Framework with the Urban Institute. Beyond her professional role, she volunteers for various local and state organizations, embodying her commitment to community betterment.

Economic Advancement

Selma Welsch, Sr. Director, Economic Advancement and Coaching Institute  |  214.984.8998

Daria Lester, Director, Education and Community Engagement  |  214.584.2323

Diann Tigner, Career Navigator  |  469.533.4264

Ryan Jackson, Volunteer Manager  |  214.965.5927

Angie Binovi, Impact Manager  |  469.533.4266

Arely, Family Resource Coach  |  214.395.0859

Jessica, Career Coach  |  214.956.5911

Kelsey Kuberski, Education Services Coordinator  |  214.584.2321

Financial Empowerment Center – Oak Cliff Site

Lulu Torres, Site Manager  |  214.956.5945

David, Financial Coach  |  214.956.5944

Alondra, Financial Coach  |  214.956.5917

Karina, Financial Coach  |  214.956.5950

Alinka, Financial/Career Coach  |  214.584.2398

Financial Empowerment Center – Pleasant Grove Site

Larneisha, Financial Coach  |  469.533.4267

Jennifer, Financial Coach  |  214.584.2329

Jaenett, Financial Coach  |  214.584.2335

Financial Empowerment Center – Redbird Site

Lawanda Strhan, Senior Site Manager  |  214.584.2313

Jorenda, Financial Coach  |  214.584.2337

Karla, Financial Coach  |  214.956.5907

Asia, Financial Coach  |  214.956.5948

Nurse-Family Partnership

Celestina Grannum, MSN-PHN, RN, NFP Director  |  214.325.0110

Nichelle, RN, BSN, CLC, Nurse Manager  |  214.325.1000

Wendy, RN, MSN, Nurse Manager  |  214.325.3937

Rosa, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  214.325.3945

Albania, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  214.584.2319

Joy, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  972.742.0319

Jessica, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  214.956.5942

Ali, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  214.325.1032

Emily, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  469.628.2274

Cindy, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  469.316.6373

Rebecca, RN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  214.684.2671

Mhairi-Clair, M.Sc., SCPHN, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  214.956.5928

Rachel, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  214.956.5928

Wendi, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor  |  214.325.3945

Brenda, Nurse-Family Partnership Support  |  214.687.2565

Candace, Program Support Specialist  |  469.533.4260

April, Parent Café Coordinator  |  469.533.4262

Accounting

Sherron Jones, Accountant  |  214.584.2310

Development

Tamara Martin, Development Manager  |  214.584.2325

Ruby Butler, Grants Manager  |  214.584.2307

Abigail Gonzalez, Development Associate  |  469.315.4051