Our Team

Erica Blue

Chief Executive Officer

Originally from Alief, an area on the southwest side of Houston, Texas, Erica was the first person in her family to go to college. For the past decade, she has dedicated her career to causes she was positively impacted by as a kid. Erica was most recently with the national nonprofit, Marathon Kids, as their Chief Operations Officer, and helped scale the organization from programming in three to all 50 states. She graduated from Sam Houston State with a BA in Communication Studies and from Texas Christian University with a MS in Communications Studies in Human Relations. She is excited to help take Austin Sunshine Camps to the next level.

michelle conner

EVENT SALES MANAGER, ZILKER LODGE RENTAL PROGRAM

Michelle grew up in Pasadena and left for college in San Marcos where she fell in love with the river, nearby Lake Travis, and the endless outdoor activities. She graduated from Texas State with a BS in Business Education and Communications. Her two decades of business experience includes building and growing organizations and leading and organizing events and team building. Her favorite volunteer activities always include active kids having fun. After touring ASC and Zilker Lodge, seeing all the smiling faces of the campers and counselors and hearing the leaders’ passion for the mission, Michelle knew this is where she wanted to share her experience and make an impact. She is excited to be a part of the ASC team and to provide our Zilker Lodge clients and guests with an extraordinary experience and exceptional service.

Alex Cruz

Program Director

Alex was born and raised in Humble, Texas with her parents and two brothers. She went on to be an All-American Scholar athlete at Texas State University where she played softball and got a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science. Alex is passionate about making the world a better place and getting kids outside and moving! Since graduating, Alex has used her love for kids and education across the globe in a multitude of settings. She has been a PE teacher, homeschool teacher, Special Education teacher, and as an outdoor education instructor. Alex fell in love with ASC’s mission and the children we serve while working as our Camp Director in 2021, and is thrilled to be a permanent member of the team.

JESSICA FOULKE

CHIEF PROGRAMS OFFICER

Originally from Lawrence, Kansas, Jessica Foulke has lived in Austin since 2008. Jessica has over a decade of professional experience in education at all grade levels and in multiple districts in the Austin community. Jessica most recently served as the Curriculum Designer and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Designer for IDEA Health Professions. She graduated from McPherson College with a BA in History and Political Science and Music. Jessica is passionate about the power of summer camp, and is excited to help create transformational experiences for kids at Austin Sunshine Camps!

SARAH FOUNTAIN

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Sarah Fountain is originally from Florida but has been in Austin since she was in middle school. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a BSA in Human Development and Family Sciences and a BA in Iberian and Latin American Languages and Cultures. After graduating, Sarah gained valuable experience with multiple youth development nonprofits focused on mentoring, youth sports and after school programming. She joined the Austin Sunshine Camps team in February of 2018 and is excited to continue serving Central Texas children and families.

MEGAN GRAYLESS

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Megan is originally from Virginia but has spent the past 13 years in Austin. Megan enjoys building relationships and is passionate about positive youth development. She received a BS in Health Sciences from James Madison University and a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion, Education and Behavior from the University of South Carolina. Megan feels a strong connection to the mission of Austin Sunshine Camps (ASC) and is excited to take ASC from a hidden gem to a community treasure.

Andrea Haimes

Events & Operations Coordinator

Andrea loves Hawaii. She loves Hawaii so much that she has been there five times – including once to get married (thanks Hyatt perks)! Andrea is originally from Lancaster, PA but has lived in Austin since 2015. She has 10 years of hospitality experience, two dogs (Bean and Sprout), and a brand new baby. Andrea is super excited to work in middle of Zilker Park giving back to the community and sending kids to camp!

Amy Johnson

Development & Communications Coordinator

Amy graduated from Boise State with a BA in Communication with an emphasis on Public Relations. She has devoted her career to the arts and to improving the lives of children ever since. ASC’s mission is especially important to Amy as she (and then later, her boys) benefited from scholarships to summer camp: “The boys had so much fun going to camp, but it was also so special for us as parents. At the time, we each had two jobs, and just knowing that our son’s were getting to experience camp, playing and making friends out in nature, instead of just playing video games, was such a relief.” Amy is excited to be a part of the ASC team and eager to further the reach and mission of Austin Sunshine Camps.

SARAH JOVINELLY

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS

A transplant from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Sarah has happily spent all of her 20s in Austin. She received a Masters in Community and Administrative Leadership Social Work from the University of Texas, and a BA in Anthropology and Gender Studies from Rice University. Sarah loves to bring order, efficiency, income, and spreadsheets into the workplace. In her spare time, Sarah trains in Krav Maga and is a passionate member of the gender equality and reproductive health movements. Sarah is looking forward to strengthening Austin Sunshine Camps’ financial sustainability and connecting with their large networks across Austin.

Jacie minnick

volunteer coordinator

Originally from Indiana, Jacie is a born and raised Hoosier but she has lived in Austin, Texas since 2018. She earned a Master of Science in Leadership and Change from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, and a BA in sociology from Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana. As the Residence Director for 450+ undergraduate students at St. Edward’s University’s Office of Residence Life as well as the Housemom of Phi Gamma Delta’s Tau Chapter at Hanover College, Jacie brings with her 5 years of experience in Residential Education and Facilities Management. Her background is also rooted in working with incarcerated youth. In fact, you might know her as “Minnick” from the Netflix docuseries Girls Incarcerated, which was filmed while she worked as a Psychiatric Social Services Specialist at Madison Juvenile Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison for girls aged twelve to eighteen adjudicated within the Indiana Department of Correction. Jacie is passionate about building relationships, leadership development, social justice, and empowering community members to join in social change efforts. Jacie is honored to be the person who gets to call “bringing more hands and hearts to ASC to fulfill our mission” a job.