STAFF

Tina Lee

Executive Director

Having served in a variety of profit and nonprofit organizations, Tina Lee brings a wide array of skills to her position as Executive Director.  Her experience includes: overseeing the operations of an entire organization, setting HR policies and procedures, coordinating various fundraising initiatives, hiring personnel, budgeting and financial forecasting, and working closely with the Board of Directors to support the vision and mission of the organization’s on-going activities.  Her leadership skills are well recognized in the community and by organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Lion’s Club, and Rotary Club.  With her excellent communication and customer service skills, she is well respected within the business community as well as among churches and organizations.  Tina brings a wealth of experience to her role. From 2007-2016, she worked for a local food pantry where she first became a volunteer, then was hired as office manager, and finally was promoted to Executive Director of the entire organization. In 2017, she felt the call to start her own food pantry, and thus Circle of Hope Community Center was born. Tina knows what it takes to run a successful nonprofit and maintain excellent communication with individuals, churches, businesses and organizations that support the mission and vision. 

Derek Lee

Communications Director/Retail Pick-up

Derek Lee has served alongside his wife Tina to support the vision of Circle of Hope Community Center (COHCC) since its inception in 2017. He designed and manages COHCC's website; as well as oversees all social media outreach on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. In 2020, he also started doing the daily Retail Pick-up of donated food from HEB Wells Branch, ALDI Pflugerville, and Target Pflugerville. Derek graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Communications in Radio-Television-Film. He also served as Managing Director of a church-based theater team for over 18 years. He currently works as the Business Manager for the BBA Program Office at UT Austin's McCombs School of Business, and also volunteers at his local church as the Broadcast Switcher for the live video production of their services.
 

Shannon Johst

Operations Manager

Shannon Johst is originally from California and moved to Texas with her husband and three sons in 2018. She began volunteering at Circle of Hope Community Center (COHCC) in 2019 where her leadership and organizational skills were put to good use. As COHCC's Operations Manager, she oversees our volunteers and manages operations in the warehouse and during serving days. Shannon has a background in early childhood education and has always been passionate about serving others and giving back to the community. 
 

Anne Keneipp

Intake Coordinator

Anne Keneipp has been working at Circle of Hope Community Center (COHCC) since 2017. She serves as COHCC's Intake Coordinator where she helps oversee the intake process for all individuals and families who visit our pantry to be served.  She is a wife, mother, & grandmother. Anne enjoys being around people and helping wherever she is needed at Circle of Hope. In her spare time, she loves to read , spend time with family, and watch movies. She feels it is a true privilege to participate in the work that is being done at Circle of Hope every week.

Jesse Petaia

Executive Assistant/Office Manager

Jesse Petaia has periodically volunteered with Circle of Hope Community Center throughout the years since 2017. Before joining Circle of Hope's staff in 2021, she previously worked in property management. As Circle of Hope's Executive Assistant and Office Manager, she handles a variety of tasks including providing administrative support to the Executive Director, managing all aspects of the office, serving as the primary point of contact to the public, responding to emails, and answering phone calls. She is a mother of one and married to her awesome husband, RJ Petaia. 

GOVERNING BOARD

Tina Lee

Executive Director/President

Having served in a variety of profit and nonprofit organizations, Tina Lee brings a wide array of skills to her position as Executive Director.  Her experience includes: overseeing the operations of an entire organization, setting HR policies and procedures, coordinating various fundraising initiatives, hiring personnel, budgeting and financial forecasting, and working closely with the Board of Directors to support the vision and mission of the organization’s on-going activities.  Her leadership skills are well recognized in the community and by organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Lion’s Club, and Rotary Club.  With her excellent communication and customer service skills, she is well respected within the business community as well as among churches and organizations.  Tina brings a wealth of experience to her role. From 2007-2016, she worked for a local food pantry where she first became a volunteer, then was hired as office manager, and finally was promoted to Executive Director of the entire organization. In 2017, she felt the call to start her own food pantry, and thus Circle of Hope Community Center was born. Tina knows what it takes to run a successful nonprofit and maintain excellent communication with individuals, churches, businesses and organizations that support the mission and vision. 

Derek Lee

Communications Director/Financial Committee Chairman

Derek Lee has served alongside his wife Tina to support the vision of Circle of Hope Community Center (COHCC) since its inception in 2017. He designed and manages COHCC's website; as well as oversees all social media outreach on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. In 2020, he also started doing the daily Retail Pick-up of donated food from HEB Wells Branch, ALDI Pflugerville, and Target Pflugerville. Derek graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Communications in Radio-Television-Film. He also served as Managing Director of a church-based theater team for over 18 years. He currently works as the Business Manager for the BBA Program Office at UT Austin's McCombs School of Business, and also volunteers at his local church as the Broadcast Switcher for the live video production of their services.