Covenant Partners

After receiving his Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University, Geoff became a TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Educator and Mentor, First Aid and CPR instructor, and SAMA (Satori Alternatives for Managing Aggression) facilitator. He used all those skills in his work at Methodist Children’s Home, Midway ISD, and now TCU. Geoff fell in love with Talitha Koum during his first tour of the facility and “was amazed at how faith and science worked hand in hand to change the lives of families. It is a dream come true to support an organization dedicated to helping children so early in life. The science is clear: early intervention yields the best outcomes for kids from hard places. Talitha Koum excels at this."

Geoff is happily married to his best friend, Mary Zane. They have two sons, and, as a family, enjoy the outdoors and going to museums or the zoo. Geoff is a book lover and an avid board gamer player for what, he says, “they have taught me about critical thinking and planning ahead.” Geoff considers himself a family man who preaches elevating one’s self and the community through education and relationship, considering it the key to bringing our society “into a place of inclusion and acceptance for all of humanity.”

Clint began his career in public audit in a Big 4 accounting firm, focusing specifically on financial services. He went on to obtain a law degree and spent several years practicing commercial litigation in the DFW area. Clint has also spent time with one of the nation’s largest banks, as well as one of the nation’s largest consulting firms, as a regulatory risk manager, and regulatory compliance consultant. He currently serves as a banking executive and lender at one of the fastest-growing banks in central Texas.

Craving a quieter, slower-paced environment, Clint, his wife Allison, and their two girls moved from Dallas to Waco in 2017. Shortly after moving to Waco, Clint developed a passion for Talitha Koum’s work after touring its Nurture Center for the Leadership Waco program. As the father of a child diagnosed with autism, Clint has a heart for therapeutic services targeting children with special circumstances and special needs. He has become a Talitha Koum Covenant Partner to serve those who serve others.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree and spending eight years in higher education administration, God—as well as Sandy’s three sisters—called Sandy to join the family business. Since then, she has embraced the construction industry and spent four years as President of the Waco Chapter of Women in Construction. Sandy has been involved with Talitha Koum since her first visit in 2011, serving as a volunteer, Funding Partner, mentor, and now Covenant Partner.

Sandy and her husband, David, have one daughter, Katie—a Texas Tech Engineering grad who recently married high school sweetheart, fellow Tech grad, and current middle school teacher, Gunner. David and Sandy both attend St. Martin’s of Tours Catholic Church. Sandy has always been inspired by a passage of Scripture her father often quoted: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48).

Marsha was licensed to preach by Lake Shore Baptist Church in 1978 and ordained in 1986. She received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 1979 and attended graduate school in the Department of Religion at Baylor and SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. In 2018, Marsha was certified as a Spiritual Director by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin. Along with other CrossTies members, Marsha is the recipient of The Pave Award for projecting a Voice of Equality, awarded by the BU President’s Leadership Reception; and the Abner V. McCall Humanitarian Award from the Baylor University Alumni Association. Individually, she was awarded the YWCA Pathfinder Award for Religion, the Time Warner Cable Hometown Hero Award, and the Eugene Jud Public Service Award. She has been commended by the City of Waco, Texas State Senate, and Texas State Legislature.

Marsha is the adoptive mother of several adults who came to her as teenagers on the street. One by one, the teens and Marsha adopted each other. She continues to welcome homeless and struggling young people into her home, which always seems to be full. Marsha is, herself, a drug addict with 46 years of recovery and has pastored the CrossTies faith community since 1988.

Receiving his bachelor’s and MBA in accounting from Baylor University, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. LaIl spent time as an auditor with Ernst & Young, then in corporate finance for AT&T. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Texas. Brad held his first faculty position at North Carolina State before joining Baylor’s faculty in 2011.

Harris Creek Baptist Church introduced Brad to Talitha Koum. Amazed by their intentionality in serving the community’s children, Brad and his wife, Andrea, began the process of mentoring a Talitha Koum child in 2016. After being vetted for the program, they and their three children were matched with a 5-year-old girl. While being a Covenant Partner wasn’t originally on his radar, Brad says, “to serve in this way is rewarding because the intimacy by which I know Talitha Koum is through a little girl’s eyes.”

Brad spends most of his free time parenting. Besides the “numbers of business” and “supporting organizations” that accounting brings his way, he also enjoys being involved with Baylor’s students, as well as golf, pickleball, and summer trips to the mountains of Logan, Utah, with his family.

Dr. Lemmons joined Baylor University’s Garland School of Social Work as an Assistant Professor in the Fall of 2018. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at California State University, Los Angeles, and as an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Post-Doctoral Fellow at Howard University School of Social Work. Currently, her research focuses on predictors of non-resident Black father involvement, the impact of Black father involvement on child and adolescent well-being, the structure and functioning of Black families, and the integration of fatherhood content into social work education programs.

Brianna also serves as an expert consultant for the REFRAME (Racial Equity for Fatherhood, Relationship, and Marriage Programs to Empower Black Families) Project. The work of the team is focused on making recommendations that lead to more equitable experiences for African American families served by Responsible Fatherhood Healthy Marriage programs. She is also co-editor of the book “Social Work Practice with Fathers: Engagement, Assessment, and Intervention.” Brianna received her doctorate in social work and master’s in social work from Howard University School of Social Work and her bachelor's degree in psychology from Spelman College.

After completing a bachelor’s of sociology at Stephen F. Austin State University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Baylor University, Dr. Rhodes spent 10 years as a sociology professor at Hardin-Simmons University. He returned to Waco and began his current position at Prosper Waco in 2021.

Upon his return to Waco, Jeremy connected directly with Talitha Koum through Match Waco, an application-based program matching Wacoans with local organizations to serve the community and their interests. Jeremy toured Talitha Koum in early 2022 to see if it was a fit. His first impression was that Talitha Koum served “such a vital need in the community that no one else seemed to be addressing, at least in the way that Susan [ED Susan Cowley] and her staff were.” Soon after his first visit, he became a Covenant Partner, inspired by “seeing an incredible heart from Susan and the rest of the staff. It made me think: this is a useful investment of my time and energy.”

When he isn’t working, Jeremy spends free time with his wife Nikki and their daughter and two sons. He enjoys taking them places, reading nonfiction addressing societal and social issues, and doing yard work.