Barry Silverberg has over 50 years of nonprofit professional and volunteer leadership, management, resource development, and communications experience focusing on nonprofit governance, strategic thinking, board engagement, professional and organizational development, and public policy awareness and advocacy.

Barry founded the Center for Nonprofit Studies at Austin Community College in 2000. He created the Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management in 2007, and with Lisa Bussett, Center Coordinator, has created other Certificates in Volunteer Management, Grant Writing, Effective Fundraising, Marketing and Promotion, and Cultural Leadership. He also created and taught Nonprofit Management and Leadership for St. Edward’s University’s Nonprofit Management Certificate for 15 years.

Currently co-Executive Producer of CNS’ Civil Society television and web podcast, Barry is also Secretary/ Treasurer of School of Thought, an international nonprofit that epitomizes his personal and professional focus. It is an online education platform that will provide courses, content, and other resources that teach creative and critical thinking skills to anyone and everyone, for free. By using the power of creativity to entertain, it aims to make learning how to think a fun and engaging experience, and fulfill a lifelong thirst for understanding and self-awareness.

Rosalind “Roz” Gutierrez serves as the Associate Director/Manager of Nonprofit Austin at ACC. With decades of diverse leadership and management experience, Roz brings a wealth of insights to the Nonprofit Austin team. Her past roles include Executive Director of the Interagency Council of Eastern Williamson County, Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Conference Support Director of the Diocesan Council of Austin. These experiences have given her a deep understanding of our community and the vital work being done by nonprofit organizations in the region.

Roz is a graduate of Nonprofit Austin’s Certificates in Nonprofit Leadership and Management and Nonprofit Financial Management. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a Major in Music Composition and a Minor in Art from North Texas State University, and an MTS in Theology and Liturgical Studies with Certifications in Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Administration from The University of Dallas.

In her current role, Roz leads the expansion of Nonprofit Austin’s programming and outreach. She is committed to serving nonprofit practitioners—both volunteers and professional staff—and aims to surpass pre-COVID service levels. Additionally, Roz oversees our new affiliation with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, which enables our Certificate graduates to earn the nationally recognized Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential, as well as its Advanced Certification.

Maria Escalante is a dynamic and innovative individual committed to serving her communities. She completed her undergraduate degree as a McNair Scholar at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and attended graduate school at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. During her time at the LBJ School, she focused on international development, particularly international reach and implications.

With an extensive history of community building, particularly with Latinx communities seeking higher education, she aims to serve others as they want to be served. She has previously worked with organizations like Conservacion Internacional – Bolivia and CANICA de Oaxaca. Before joining the Nonprofit Austin team, she worked with affinity groups within ACC and presented alongside her team at the 2021 NASPA Conference for Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education. Since joining the Austin Community College family in 2018, she has completed her American Sign Language Certificate with the district. She enjoys the work ACC is doing in the Greater Austin community and still maintains a volunteer role in the work with the Truth, Community Healing, and Transformation Center on the Highland Campus.

As a part of the Nonprofit Austin team, Maria runs NPA’s programming operations and oversees the CommunitySpace initiative.

In her spare time, Maria enjoys traveling, reading, lifting weights, pursuing new interests, and laughing with her family and friends.

Blu Bunton is a seasoned designer with a career that spans various forms of design, including UX, digital, print, and screen printing. Currently, he serves as a Web and Graphics Specialist, where he also oversees communications, ensuring cohesive messaging and impactful designs across multiple platforms. His love for design and fascination with psychology led to earning a UX certification at the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin.

Growing up among creative individuals sparked his passion for design at an early age, and as a teenager, he began creating graphics and print materials for his family’s cabinet company.

Over the years, Blu has worked on a diverse range of projects, from revitalizing the digital presence of a nonprofit to shaping the brand identity of a reputable home décor manufacturer. He has been involved in the full design process, including the development of digital products from the ground up. His deep interest in the interaction between people and technology has enriched his approach as a designer, continually challenging him to push boundaries and reimagine user experiences in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.