Shellie Ross
Chief Executive Officer
Shellie joined the WRCC team in 2010. Before serving as CEO, she held the Executive Director, Director of Children’s Education, and Senior Director of Education positions on staff. Shellie has a Bachelor of English from The University of Mississippi and a Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology. While at Perkins, Shellie received the B’nai B’rith Award in Social Ethics. Shellie has experience in youth ministry and has taught with the Missional Wisdom Foundation. In addition, she is a member of the Leadership ISD Class of 2017 and a current participant in the Texas Methodist Foundation’s Courageous Leadership Imperative. Shellie is a beloved encourager to WRCC staff and the West Dallas community.
Mel Arizpe
Office Manager
Mel brings 15+ years of diverse experience in customer service, administration, and entrepreneurship. Originally from Brownsville, TX, Mel graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Voice and Sociology from UNT College of Music. In 2018, Mel and her partner Laura were crowned U.S. National Karaoke Duet Champions and represented the USA at the Karaoke World Championships in Helsinki, where they won the bronze medal. In 2020, Mel launched Locura Small Bites in West Dallas featuring Mexican-influenced street food, receiving media attention from Texas Monthly, D Magazine, Dallas Morning News, Good Morning Texas, and the State Fair of Texas. Locura has been a featured participant at Wesley Rankin’s A Taste of West Dallas event for the past three years. Mel’s talents extend within and beyond the office, making her a welcoming spirit and conversationalist for all who visit the Center.
George Tello
Operations Coordinator
George joined the Wesley-Rankin team in 2016. George wears many hats at the Center, from driving the seniors to installing ceiling tiles. He finds great joy in building relationships with those who gather at WRCC. If you ever need a smile, a conversation about the Dallas Cowboys or to be immersed in kindness, George is your contact.
Natalie Breen
Chief Operating Officer
Natalie is a dedicated nonprofit professional and has worked with the West Dallas community since 2013 when she joined the WRCC staff as an AmeriCorps member. Natalie holds a bachelor’s degree from University of San Diego and a Master of Social Work (MSW) through Columbia University. Natalie is a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) who works directly with students who have diagnosed/suspected dyslexia and other learning differences through the WRCC Scholars program. As an Instructor of Certified Academic Language Practitioners (ICALP), she also serves as an instructor of dyslexia therapists in training and contributes to professional development opportunities for educators. She is passionate about bridging gaps in education and mental health access as well as creating systems that engage community in feedback and improvement.
Jackie Arellano
Director of Children’s and Youth Education
Jackie was born in Dallas and was raised in Royse City, Texas. Attending afterschool and summer programs in her youth inspired Jackie to work and serve students while she was in high school and in college. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. Since graduating in 2013, she has worked for independent school districts in the areas of teaching, mentoring and afterschool coordination. She is excited to have been given the opportunity to be a part of the West Dallas community and the staff at WRCC.
Rachel Kramer Girgis
Youth Education Manager
Rachel has been serving in West Dallas through volunteer efforts and other non-profit roles since 2011. She loves the community and the many friends there who have shaped and changed her life for the better. A Wisconsin native, she graduated from Wheaton College (IL) with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a minor in Spanish. After more than a decade of youth ministry experience in West Dallas, she is excited to join the team at Wesley-Rankin and the local community leaders to help create opportunities for thriving.
Nancy Zamudio
Youth Education Coordinator
Nancy served at WRCC as an AmeriCorps member in 2016. She went on to graduate from College of the Holy Cross two years later with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Inspired by her experiences as a first-generation student as well as those spent leading and mentoring children, she decided to join Teach for America after graduation. She spent 5 wonderful years as an educator in San Antonio and Dallas before deciding to rejoin Wesley-Rankin. Nancy is very excited to be back and learn more about how she can support the West Dallas community.
Julia Henry
Literacy Program Manager
Julia was born and raised in Dallas and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Southwestern University. At WRCC, Julia loves being able to combine her passions for science and literacy through the WRCC Scholars program! Julia is a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) and is in the process of earning certification as an Instructor of Certified Academic Language Practitioners (ICALP). She is passionate about building relationships, working with, and learning from diverse communities. She is thrilled to be serving the West Dallas community alongside WRCC.
Ale Lopez
Literacy Program Coordinator
Ale grew up in West Dallas and participated in the WRCC programs of Head Start, summer programs, and the WRCC Teen Board. She then served WRCC through AmeriCorps, and joined the WRCC staff in 2020. Ale has also been dedicated to serving West Dallas through volunteer work with children at Our Lady of San Juan de Los Lagos - Santa Teresita Catholic Church, Trinity River Mission, and WRCC which has driven her to help youth all across West Dallas through the power of education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Hispanic Studies from Earlham College (IN). Ale had the chance to study abroad in Granada, Spain, and brings what she learned: her passion for the intersectionality of language, culture, identity, and community to WRCC.
Ixchel Perez
Impact and Data Coordinator
Ixchel joined WRCC in October 2019, initially working in the afterschool program before transitioning to the role of Program and Data Coordinator. Currently, she serves as the Data and Impact Coordinator, where she focuses on measuring and enhancing the organization’s impact within the community. With strengths in bilingual administration and a passion for education, Ixchel is dedicated to ensuring that data-driven insights inform programming and outreach efforts, collaborating with her colleagues to empower the West Dallas community.
Elizabeth Alfaro
Director of Adult Education
A former member of the WRCC Leadership Council, Elizabeth joined the staff of Wesley-Rankin in January 2018. Having knowledge of the nutritional needs for older adults and the creative skills to meet those needs, Elizabeth’s first role on our staff team was leading the Casa Feliz older adult program. After serving five years as the WRCC Older Adult Education Manager, she accepted a new position as the WRCC Adult Education Manager where she leads parent and adult courses. Elizabeth has a vibrant spirit, creating spaces that are fun, creative, and welcoming!
Johana Miranda
Housing Services Coordinator
Johana was born and raised in Dallas and grew up attending WRCC programs such as Headstart, GoH GoH Girls, Girls on The Run, and the Summer Program. She has a passion for education and holds a bachelor's degree in Child Development and Family Studies. She became aware that she loved working with children when she joined the team in 2021 as a Childcare Caregiver for Adult Academy. Johana automatically knew she wanted a career that involved educating children when she initiated her Afterschool Program Classroom Leader position. She is now graduating with her master's in education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction with Certification. She is thrilled to be a part of the West Dallas community by helping them in every way possible whether it is educating children or advising adults.
Juan Rios
Older Adult Program Manager
Juan Rios joined the Wesley-Rankin team in 2023. Born in Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico and raised in Dallas, Texas, he understands the unique challenges faced by the Hispanic-Latino community as a former DACA dreamer. As a former Licensed Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church, Juan combines his spiritual calling with his passion for advocacy, working to uplift marginalized voices and create a fairer society. With his unwavering dedication and empathy, Juan Rios inspires others and strives to build a world where everyone can thrive.
Maria Rincon
Older Adult Nutrition Coordinator
A former member of the WRCC Leadership Council and former substitute WRCC van driver, Maria joined the WRCC staff in 2019 coordinating nutrition for the Older Adult program. Maria was born in Mexico, immigrating to the U.S. at 16 years of age and since then been a longtime resident of West Dallas. She is a former student of W. H. Adamson High School and her children have participated in Head Start, WRCC Afterschool and summer camp programs since 2005. According to Maria, “Wesley-Rankin has been of tremendous impact not only for my family but for my personal development as well.”
Tina Mendez
Older Adult Outreach Coordinator
Tina Mendez joined the staff of Wesley-Rankin in 2017. Tina has experience in office management, business operations and has served as a bilingual educator in DISD schools. Tina considers West Dallas as her home and enjoys serving in the location of her community. She holds several certificates, including a Community Health Worker certification. Tina has a heart for learning and educating others.
Becky Stegmann
Volunteer and Advancement Manager
Becky served as a WRCC Afterschool volunteer after moving to Dallas in February 2020. Her experiences as a volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic cultivated a passion for fostering community and relationships between WRCC’s volunteers and the West Dallas community. Becky has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Philosophy and Religion from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology.
Ashley Garduno
Volunteer and Advancement Coordinator
Photography by Linda Winski and Ixchel Perez.
