4-H CAPITAL
4-H CAPITALIncreasing science capital for urban youth

Meet Our Staff

4-H CAPITAL is shaped by all the experience, knowledge, and interests of our staff and AmeriCorps instructors. We take pride in working together to achieve our program’s mission and to foster a culture of learning, both in our science clubs and in our office environment.​

Taylor Levy
4-H CAPITAL Program Director
Travis County Extension Agent of Urban Youth Development

Taylor is new to her role as 4-H Capital Director as of September 2022. She is excited to work with different 4-H programs such as gardening, natural resources, engineering & technology, and animal science. Taylor oversees the 4-H program to ensure proper implementation of programming strategies and guidelines. She is passionate about working with youth and adolescents to enhance their science capital. Taylor is always looking for ways to improve programming to ensure successful relationships and learning in the classroom.
   

Mary Bolden
AmeriCorps Project Manager

Mary Bolden is the AmeriCorps Project Manager for 4-H CAPITAL. She has been with 4-H CAPITAL for 3 years. She oversees the AmeriCorps grant by making sure the project is compliant with the grant and makes sure that the service year for the members leaves a lasting affect into their professional lives. Mary believes that true leadership is key.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou

Davis Garcia
Animal Science and Natural Resources Project Manager

With an agricultural background based on experience, I ensure our Title I students have the tools and knowledge to succeed in our unique offerings such as the Market Goat program. Two years of service spent instructing as an AmeriCorps member equips me to mentor and lead our instructors to success in the afterschool classroom. I’m passionate about imparting our Title I students with a solid foundation of agricultural knowledge, confidence and leadership skills. All these experiences help ensure my ability to maintain our program and push towards growing with the needs of our community.

Phaedra Koonz
AmeriCorps Project Coordinator

Phaedra Koonz has been with 4-H CAPITAL for 3 years, and is now the AmeriCorps Project Coordinator. In this role, she recruits, trains, and supports AmeriCorps members throughout their term of service. Phaedra had 3 very different AmeriCorps terms of her own in 2 programs and wants to ensure our AmeriCorps members get the most out of their term of service so they can head confidently into their future

Annabel Almeida
Administration and Finance Coordinator

Annabel Almeida is the Social Services Program Specialist; she has been with Travis County 4-H Capital since 2015. Annabel manages the organization’s accounting and financial operations along with program planning and development.

– “I’m dedicated and passionate in serving the community I work and live in”.

Melody Cagle Brown
Natural Resources Specialist

Melody served two years as an AmeriCorps member with 4-H Capital before starting as the Natural Resources Specialist in June 2021. As Natural Resources Specialist, Melody leads AmeriCorps members in creating hands on natural resources activities that encourage students to get outside and learn in nature. She also manages our social media platforms where she shares updates on the 4-H Capital team. Melody is passionate about nature education in our community, and she works to reach larger audiences so that everyone can learn to respect nature.

Florence Thompson
Office Specialist 

Florence Thompson was born and raised in Austin and was educated via Austin ISD and St. Edward’s University. Most of her work experience has been in finance or customer service. Flo has 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren. She loves to learn new things and is always willing to help others when she can. In her free time, she loves to travel/cruise, enjoys crafting and spending time with her grandchildren!