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Board of Directors | Governance & Strategic Oversight
Miguel Samol
Shaneena Eddington-Woods
Shaneena Eddington-Woods
Chairman of the Board | Chief Strategy Officer
Miguel Samol serves as the Chairman of the Catherine Rose Foundation, guiding its strategic vision with a profound commitment to community transformation. His leadership is rooted in decades of hands-on mentorship, having coached youth sports, led Boy Scout troops, and provided life and fina
Chairman of the Board | Chief Strategy Officer
Miguel Samol serves as the Chairman of the Catherine Rose Foundation, guiding its strategic vision with a profound commitment to community transformation. His leadership is rooted in decades of hands-on mentorship, having coached youth sports, led Boy Scout troops, and provided life and financial coaching to individuals of all ages. This diverse experience has given him a deep understanding of the challenges and potential within every community.
A lifelong mentor and advocate, Miguel believes true change happens at the intersection of practical support and personal growth. His approach integrates not only essential services—like providing meals, books, and school supplies—but also fostering creativity and hope through his own passion for music, art, and poetry. He has spearheaded initiatives focused on gang prevention, educational outreach, and poverty alleviation, driven by the conviction that empowering the youth is the cornerstone of a stronger future.
Miguel’s personal mission—to feed the hungry, guide the young, and uplift his neighbors—is the very soul of his work. He carries a childhood dream turned purpose: to be someone who makes a measurable, heartfelt difference. This unwavering commitment now fuels his leadership at the Catherine Rose Foundation, where every effort is directed toward building a world where no one is left behind, and every individual has the tools to thrive.
When not serving the community, Miguel finds inspiration in writing poetry and exploring the universal language of music
Shaneena Eddington-Woods
Shaneena Eddington-Woods
Shaneena Eddington-Woods
Vice-Chair of the Board | Chief Operations Officer
Shaneena doesn't theorize about the military community—she lives it. As Vice Chairman of Catherine Rose Foundation, she brings something rare: the credibility of a military spouse combined with the strategic mind of a nonprofit architect who's built governance frameworks, scaled donor r
Vice-Chair of the Board | Chief Operations Officer
Shaneena doesn't theorize about the military community—she lives it. As Vice Chairman of Catherine Rose Foundation, she brings something rare: the credibility of a military spouse combined with the strategic mind of a nonprofit architect who's built governance frameworks, scaled donor relationships, and designed volunteer programs that actually work.
Her career spans nonprofit development, strategic partnerships, and fundraising across multiple organizations—work that's given her an unflinching understanding of what communities actually need versus what organizations think they need. She's a published author, a psychology student, and someone who's spent years raising awareness about veteran suicide while introducing critical resources to those in crisis. Her certifications in content marketing and technical SEO aren't just credentials; they're tools she uses to amplify voices that are often silenced.
What drives Shaneena is personal: eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health in veteran and law enforcement communities. She's seen firsthand what untreated stress does to families, what invisible struggles look like, and how the right support can change paths. That's why she's here at CRF—not as a checkbox on a resume, but as someone committed to building systems that actually heal.
Inell Samol
Shaneena Eddington-Woods
Nathan Eddington
Corporate Secretary | Chief Administrative Officer
As Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer for Catherine Rose Foundation, I get to live out a belief I've held for years: real change grows when you plant something meaningful and tend it with intention. That's exactly what we're doing here in East Texas—building a vineyard a
Corporate Secretary | Chief Administrative Officer
As Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer for Catherine Rose Foundation, I get to live out a belief I've held for years: real change grows when you plant something meaningful and tend it with intention. That's exactly what we're doing here in East Texas—building a vineyard and winery that doesn't just produce great wine, but funds four programs that genuinely transform lives: veteran horticulture healing, youth agri-science education, family nutrition programs, and community food security.
My path to CRF wasn't linear, but it was always pointing here. I've volunteered with three military nonprofits across Las Vegas and Florida, focusing on mental health awareness, youth education support, and military spouse employment—work that showed me how deeply our veterans and military families need sustainable support systems. Those experiences reinforced what I knew: nonprofits thrive when they're built on real commitment, not just good intentions.
Currently pursuing my BS in Marketing from SNHU, I bring operational strategy and administrative leadership to CRF's mission. As a member of the National Society of Leadership (NSLS), I've been recognized for demonstrating the values and vision that drive meaningful organizational change. I'm drawn to organizations that solve problems creatively—and there's nothing more creative than funding community impact through a thriving agricultural business. Every bottle sold, every harvest completed, every program we run represents a sustainable circle of impact that strengthens our community year after year.
I'm here because I believe in the power of roots—both literal and metaphorical.
Nathan Eddington
Krizia Echevarria
Nathan Eddington
Treasurer | Chief Financial Officer
Nathan Eddington brings the precision of a construction manager and the discipline of a 12-year Army Reserve veteran to his role as Treasurer of Catherine Rose Foundation. His career reflects a proven commitment to safety, accountability, and building systems that last qualities that translate directl
Treasurer | Chief Financial Officer
Nathan Eddington brings the precision of a construction manager and the discipline of a 12-year Army Reserve veteran to his role as Treasurer of Catherine Rose Foundation. His career reflects a proven commitment to safety, accountability, and building systems that last qualities that translate directly to stewarding CRF's financial and operational integrity.
For over a decade, Nathan has managed complex construction projects, quality control operations, and safety protocols across major contracting firms. As QC Manager and Site Safety and Health Officer at companies like EMR, Inc. and Adams Contracting, he's developed expertise in contract management, pre-construction planning, and project bidding—skills that ensure resources are allocated strategically and every dollar serves CRF's mission. His background with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and INTEC Group demonstrates his ability to navigate regulatory compliance and manage high-stakes operations with meticulous attention to detail.
What sets Nathan apart is his understanding that financial stewardship isn't just about numbers—it's about building trust. His military background instilled in him the values of accountability and service that inform how he approaches nonprofit leadership. He also served as Program Manager for It's a Military Life's Veteran Pen Pal Project, bringing his commitment to veteran support directly into his work at CRF.
Nathan's role as Treasurer ensures Catherine Rose Foundation operates with the same rigor and integrity, he's brought to every project he's managed. He's here to make sure that every investment in our community is protected, every program is funded responsibly, and every promise we make to Texas is kept.
Richard Williams
Krizia Echevarria
Krizia Echevarria
Director | Chief Executive Officer
As a founder Richard didn't set out to start a nonprofit—he set out to keep a promise. What began as a personal commitment to his mother has become Catherine Rose Foundation, a transformative organization that weaves together a vineyard, winery, and literacy initiative, all rooted in more than a century
Director | Chief Executive Officer
As a founder Richard didn't set out to start a nonprofit—he set out to keep a promise. What began as a personal commitment to his mother has become Catherine Rose Foundation, a transformative organization that weaves together a vineyard, winery, and literacy initiative, all rooted in more than a century of family history in East Texas. The foundation honors his mother, Catherine Rose Ham, an educator, mentor, and philanthropist whose life exemplified service, encouragement, and the belief that communities thrive when people can read, work, and lead.
In 2009, Catherine made Richard a simple but transformative request: move to Texas and farm the land she was willing to give him—over 100 acres in Douglas, Nacogdoches County, where she was born and where generations of his family built their lives. That promise became Richard's personal "why." What started as a commitment to family and faith has evolved into a bold vision, a self-sustaining ecosystem that strengthens Douglas through youth literacy, veteran support, food security, agricultural education, and modern infrastructure.
Richard's professional background includes time at SpaceX, where he learned to think ambitiously and lead world-class teams—lessons he now applies with a practical, people-first approach. A Toastmasters member and visionary entrepreneur, Richard has been recognized as a leader since childhood. His long-range goal is clear, make Douglas a thriving modern rural hub that gives back to its community, starting now.
Krizia Echevarria
Krizia Echevarria
Krizia Echevarria
Director | Chief Programs Officer
Krizia didn't follow a traditional career path to CRF—she built one by showing up. As Executive Director and Chief of Programs, she's the person who remembers every family's story, knows which kid needs extra encouragement, and somehow makes magic happen on a shoestring budget. Her superpower isn't creden
Director | Chief Programs Officer
Krizia didn't follow a traditional career path to CRF—she built one by showing up. As Executive Director and Chief of Programs, she's the person who remembers every family's story, knows which kid needs extra encouragement, and somehow makes magic happen on a shoestring budget. Her superpower isn't credentials on paper; it's the ability to see potential in people and spaces others overlook.
Her resume reads like a map of East Texas community needs: food pantries where she learned hunger isn't abstract, public-school classrooms where she discovered the gap between what kids need and what they get, churches and women's centers where she witnessed resilience in real time. She's supported nursing mothers through WIC programs, mentored scouts, and volunteered everywhere the work was hardest. She didn't collect these experiences—she lived them, and they changed her.
Psychology degree. Child development certifications. But here's what really matters: Krizia operates from a philosophy that cuts through all the nonprofit jargon. "Become who you needed," she says. It's not motivational poster material—it's a daily practice. She channels her energy and genuine hospitality into building programs that actually work because she knows what working families actually need.
Her approach to CRF is methodical and unhurried: one grape at a time, one program at a time, one mission, one board. In a sector obsessed with scaling fast, Krizia believes in building deep roots. That's how you nourish a community for generations.
Brayden Yeye
Vincent Robert R. Dixon
Vincent Robert R. Dixon
Director | Chief Development Officer
Brayden's trajectory represents a deliberate rejection of statistical inevitability. Raised by a single mother as the eldest of three siblings in economically disadvantaged circumstances, he navigated systemic barriers that typically predict adverse outcomes. Instead, he became a counterexample—evidenc
Director | Chief Development Officer
Brayden's trajectory represents a deliberate rejection of statistical inevitability. Raised by a single mother as the eldest of three siblings in economically disadvantaged circumstances, he navigated systemic barriers that typically predict adverse outcomes. Instead, he became a counterexample—evidence that socioeconomic origin does not predetermine professional or personal trajectory.
As Chief Development Officer for Catherine Rose Foundation, Brayden brings both technical acumen and authentic credibility to organizational growth and strategy. Today, he is an accomplished entrepreneur in information technology, but his professional identity extends far beyond technical expertise. He operates as a strategic bridge between lived experience and mentorship, bringing credibility that comes only from having navigated the exact challenges he now helps others overcome. He maintains consistent engagement with his former middle school, positioning himself not as a distant success story but as an accessible example of sustainable upward mobility. His presence demonstrates that viable pathways exist, even when visibility is limited.
What distinguishes Brayden's approach is his integration of diverse skill sets in service of youth development. He leverages expertise in music, art, and poetry alongside his technical knowledge to create multidisciplinary mentorship. He translates complex life challenges into accessible frameworks that resonate with youth who have experienced similar circumstances. Whether through dance education or purpose-driven mentorship, Brayden communicates in the language of authenticity—grounded in his own lived experience and genuine understanding of systemic barriers.
His commitment to CRF is both strategic and deeply personal: to serve as a male role model and guardian figure for youth lacking paternal or male mentorship. He is dedicated to teaching accountability, responsibility, and purposeful development to young men who have been underserved by traditional support systems. For Brayden, this work represents the intersection of personal mission and professional purpose—ensuring the next generation has access to the guidance and example that was absent from his own formative years.
Vincent Robert R. Dixon
Vincent Robert R. Dixon
Vincent Robert R. Dixon
Director | Chief Compliance & Regulatory Officer
As Director and Chief Compliance & Regulatory Officer for Catherine Rose Foundation, I bring 25-30 years of frontline community leadership and a deep commitment to building bridges across the diverse communities we serve. My role ensures CRF operates with integrity while scaling our impac
Director | Chief Compliance & Regulatory Officer
As Director and Chief Compliance & Regulatory Officer for Catherine Rose Foundation, I bring 25-30 years of frontline community leadership and a deep commitment to building bridges across the diverse communities we serve. My role ensures CRF operates with integrity while scaling our impact—something I've learned through decades of hands-on nonprofit work.
My background spans community advocacy, youth mentorship, and direct service.
I've led major community initiatives like 24 Hours of Peace and National Night Out, mentored youth through music and performance programs, and stood as an advocate for families affected by gun violence. I've also donated countless hours cooking and serving meals at shelters for women and children—work that grounded me in the real needs of our community.
What sets me apart is my technical expertise in regulated agricultural operations. I bring 3 years of experience managing federal indoor grow facilities with strict compliance protocols, plus 2 years working alongside master brewers with grains, hops, and citrus production. This expertise directly supports CRF's vineyard and winery operations while ensuring we meet all regulatory requirements.
I'm drawn to CRF because healing through nature—learning to harvest and sow seeds physically and mentally—is transformative. Community integration and cultural exchange fuel everything I do. That's why I'm here, to help build something sustainable that strengthens our entire community.
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