Board of Directors
Jennifer Johnson
President
Jennifer first became passionate about this issue of the inaccessibility of early childhood care after seeing its tragic effects during her time as an ad litem attorney in CPS court. Witnessing these cases prompted her to initiate meetings with over 70 child care and welfare services leaders in and around Houston that she might better understand the problem and find a solution. Jennifer is married and a mother of 3 children. Within her church she regularly serves in children’s ministry as a 2nd grade Sunday School teacher. She loves Houston, a place she’s lived in 10 years, and is passionate about sharing the Gospel with those who do not know Christ.
Education: Texas A&M University, BBA in Management; Texas Tech, JD
Tiffany Mays
Director of Education
Tiffany possesses over 20 years of professional experience in early childhood education. Twice, she was awarded Educator of the Year by the Houston Area Association for the Education of Young Children. Tiffany operates her own school, The Seed Tree School, in Houston’s 3rd Ward, a labor or love she began after teaching Pre-kindergarteners at the Yellowstone Academy. Prior to Yellowstone, Tiffany was the Infant and Toddler Program Manager at the University of Houston’s Children’s Learning Center. She is a member of NAEYC and earned the First3Years’ “Infant Family Specialist Endorsement. Her passions include helping children reach developmental milestones, and empowering parents with resources for positive and effective parenting.
Education: University of Houston, BA in English, BA in Sociology; University of St. Thomas, MA (in progress) in Faith & Culture
Wendy Badgwell; MD, FAAP
Vice President
Dr. Badgwell has 17 years of experience in pediatrics practicing in Ohio, Arkansas and Texas in hospitals and office settings. She is Board Certified in Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Currently, she practices at VIP Pediatrics in Houston. Dr. Badgwells’s passion for Project One Day is rooted in her desire to educate and equip both parents and children, alike. She is a mother of 3 herself and actively involved in her church community where she serves as a dedicated 1st grade teacher.
Education: Texas A&M Medical School, MD; Residency at Ohio State
Benigna Cortés Leiss
Director of Fundraising
Benigna Cortés Leiss is the former general director of Chevron Energía de México. Before her retirement in 2017, she held numerous leadership positions during a more than 20-year tenure with Chevron and its predecessor companies. She was an active participant in the design of Mexico’s energy reform. Jointly with other industry colleagues, she identified the need to formalize their association to be more productive in providing feedback to the government and related agencies. Benigna first became introduced to Project One Day at her church, Houston’s First Presbyterian (FPC). There, she served as a POD’s navigator in Project Flourish, a faith-based competition for ideas to improve the city.
Education: Universidad de Chile, BS in Economics; University of Surrey in Guildford, England, MA in International Economics
Pat Johnson, CPA
Treasurer
Following a successful career in sales, Pat developed an interest in accounting and returned to college to complete the accounting courses required to sit for the CPA.. Pat is a former audit manager and worked for 8 years with the public accounting firm of Plante Moran in Denver, Colorado, serving not-for-profit clients. She and her family lived for 14 years in Denver prior to moving to Houston, where she is a member of First Presbyterian Church. She is a licensed CPA (Colorado) and a member of the AICPA and Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Auburn University, BSBA, Marketing; Accounting coursework, Metropolitan State University of DenverEducation: