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Executive Director
ANJULIE PONCE
Anjulie began with Journey Forward Mentoring in 2016 as a mentor to a student at Adamson High School. Profoundly impacted by the experience, Anjulie signed on as Executive Director of the Organization in 2018. “I saw what a ripple effect mentoring can have on the community around us. We can come together to make a difference and learn from each other. That is what makes this program so powerful.”
Anjulie graduated summa cum laude from Southern Methodist University in 2008 with her Bachelor of Science in Economics and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Spanish. In 2011, she graduated cum laude from Baylor Law School. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Anjulie practiced as a trial attorney in Dallas, advocating for those without a voice or the means of pursuing justice.
Anjulie lives in Oak Cliff, Dallas with her wonderful husband JJ and their bright-eyed kiddo Amaya.
Next Gen Program Manager
MAYRA CATTERALL
Mayra joined the team in early 2022. She serves as our Next Gen Program Manager, where she supports overseeing the high school mentoring program. She is set on spending her life and career helping students reach their dreams and empowering people to be civically engaged through volunteerism and mentoring.
Mayra graduated from Cal State University, Sacramento with a B.A. in Humanities and a minor in Teacher Education. While in school, she spent her free time volunteering at local elementary schools, museums, and her local library. She also completed two years of service as an AmeriCorps Member through Reading Partners.
After graduating, Mayra worked at other education nonprofits and gained a wealth of experience and knowledge around mentorship and programming for youth. It is very important to her to be a part of an organization that puts students and their communities first. It is also just as important for her to be a part of an organization that is committed to real change. This is why she is proud of being part of the Leadership Forward team.
Next Gen Student Advocate
& Program Coordinator
MARTHA CODRESCU
In the Fall of 2023, Martha joined Journey Forward Mentoring. Originally from Laredo, Texas, she has embraced her Dallas identity with enthusiasm. Driven by a deep passion for education, Martha excels in building strong connections with students and understanding the significant impact of positive relationships on young minds.
During her college career, Martha gained valuable experience as a student teacher and student advisor. In 2022, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science in Bilingual Education. She keenly understands the pivotal importance of high school experiences and the journey that follows. Martha's aspiration is to walk alongside students, helping them uncover their passions and equipping them with the vital tools for success.
Martha and her family live in Forney, Texas, where they love to explore the various coffee shops and restaurants across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Edge Postsecondary Advisor
EUNICE CERVANTES
Eunice joined the Journey Forward Mentoring team in 2023. She proudly shares the she was born and raised in Dallas, specifically Oak Cliff. She is very excited to use some of her firsthand challenges and victories as a first-generation college student in her role as Edge Advisor.
Eunice graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelors in International Studies with a focus on Latin America. She then became an AmeriCorps Member at the Cesar Chavez Foundation in Bakerfield, California, where she discovered her excitement for working with underserved students. Eventually, she moved back to Texas to complete her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of North Texas. While working for various educational non-profit organizations she
realized how important Social Emotional Development is to create a happy and healthy life. She even had the opportunity to serve on the Dallas Independent School District Social Emotional Learning Advisory Committee. She has taken all that she has learned in her personal and professional life and brought it to her next adventure with Journey Forward Mentoring.