Board Members
Sylvia Lopez, Ph. D. Chair
Dr. Sylvia A. Lopez is the former Director of Counseling Services for the 2nd largest school district in Texas. She spent 41 years of her educational experience as a school counselor and as a principal in an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. She also served as the Director of Counseling Services, she facilitated the implementation of the school counseling program, coordinated district wide initiatives and actively supported and sponsored many of the College and Career Readiness Initiatives. Dr. Lopez was directly responsible for approximately 385 elementary, middle and high school counselors.
In August 2017, Dr. Lopez co-founded the Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA) in 2017 to address the needs of school counselors and provide quality training and information for all school counselors across Texas. She also has a consultant business to help school district leaders understand the importance of a quality school counseling program by providing training and designing systems to benefit the school counselor.
Shirley Weddle Chair-Elect
Shirley Weddle, a graduate of Paris Junior College and Texas A&M Commerce, is a community liaison and Mental/Brain Health and Suicide Prevention awareness advocate. After she and her husband Brad lost their only child Matthew, age 22, to suicide in 2014, she began the search for the “why” of suicide and now collaborates with multiple organizations and individuals to promote brain/mental health, prevent suicide and support those that have lost someone to suicide. She feels that her efforts provide a way to honor Matthew’s memory and allow him to continue to help others through her.
Shirley is the Charter President and co-founder of the cause-based Suicide Prevention and Brain Health Rotary eClub, a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, ASIST and QPR Certified, Facilitator of a Survivors of Suicide Loss Grief Support Group, Mental Health America Greater Dallas Board Co-Chair, AFSP North Texas Chapter Volunteer and prior Research Connection chairperson, Rotary District 5810 Mental Health representative, State Legislative advocate, ambassador and volunteer for the UT Dallas Center for Brain Health and team member of both the VA Mental Health Community Task Force and North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church Mental Wellness Initiative Team, building upon her knowledge and experience as a Medical Imaging and Informatics Healthcare Professional for over 35 years.
D'Andrala Alexander Board Member
DeDe is a lifelong public servant and a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Texas. Professionally, she has served at a variety of community organizations including, Habitat for Humanity as an AmeriCorps VISTA, Metrocare Services, and provided inpatient and residential treatment with psychiatric and criminal justice populations. As a clinician, she helped children and families navigate mental health challenges and build their lives after a mental health crisis. Her clinical specialties are Trauma focused-CBT, DBT, parent training, and crisis intervention.
In addition to her career as a mental health professional, she is a community activist and public speaker focusing on mental health, racial and social justice, and diversity equity, inclusion, and belonging. She is the co-founder of an affordable housing organization in Dallas (Neighbors for Housing).
DeDe is currently serving as a Director of Clinical Partnerships at Spring Health
Dr. Tracey Brown Board Member
Dr. Tracey Brown is President/CEO of MPOWERING YOU Counseling and Consulting where she provides mental health services to a wide range of clients in private practice. She is a licensed professional counselor supervisor who works with LPC associates to help them gain the knowledge and skills needed to earn their professional license.
Dr. Brown specializes in mental health-related issues including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and trauma. She also serves as a mental health consultant working with various companies and organizations in the U.S. and abroad to advance the field of mental health.
Dr. Brown is a retired educator of more than 30 years. Her tenure includes service as an elementary school teacher, professional school counselor (all levels), school counselor supervisor, Director of Counseling, and Executive Director of Mental Health Services.
Dr. Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of North Texas, a Master of Arts degree in counseling and certification in professional school counseling from Dallas Baptist University, and a Ph.D. in psychology from Walden University. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University in the School of Education.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Brown is an award-winning author of 2 books, Single Mom, PhD and Ebb and Flow. She is also a well sought after keynote speaker and seminar host for various companies and organizations in the U.S. and abroad.
Dr. Brown is the proud mother of one son and daughter of Jessie (deceased) and Barbara Brown.
She enjoys reading, traveling, exercise, faith-based activities, and spending time with family and friends!
Dr. Summer Martin Board Member
Dr. Summer Martin is a dedicated advocate for mental health and counseling in educational settings, currently serving as the Executive Director of Counseling and Prevention Services for Richardson Independent School District in North Texas. In this role, she oversees comprehensive counseling, mental health, prevention and intervention services, as well as pregnancy-related services, foster care, and behavior management initiatives, all aimed at fostering student success and well-being.
With two decades of experience as a counselor, Dr. Martin has a deep understanding of the challenges students face and the support they need to thrive. She also shares her expertise as an adjunct professor of school counseling at Dallas Baptist University, where she nurtures the next generation of counselors.
A former president of the Lone Star State School Counseling Association, Dr. Martin is actively involved in the SMU District Leadership Fellows Program, furthering her commitment to improving school counseling practices. Her passion lies in advocating for mental health resources in schools, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve their highest potential.
Outside of her professional commitments, Summer is a devoted wife to Jason, with whom she has been married for 24 years. She is also a proud Army mom, with her son Kyle serving in the U.S. Army, and she treasures her role as the mother of 17-year-old Kadence, a high school senior. Summer’s personal and professional life reflects her unwavering dedication to supporting and uplifting the lives of students and families in her community
Hilda McClure Board Member
Hilda McClure is the Chief Operating Officer at Cannenta Center for Healing and Empowerment and a founding board member at the Cannenta Foundation. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Dallas Baptist University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), specializing in working with adults, and is trained in EMDR therapy and Somatic Experiencing. Hilda’s career began in education, where her passion for teaching elementary school students inspired her to help children and youth overcome trauma and mental health challenges. She developed an evidence-based intervention program for children living with their single mothers in a residential program and has provided extensive counseling to individuals struggling with childhood trauma, mental illness, depression, anxiety, and life stressors.
An OpEd Fellow and published writer, Hilda has been recognized for her advocacy work with the Emerging Leader Award from the Texas Women’s Foundation. Her writing has been featured in the books Self-Care for Chingonas and Hispanic Stars Rising, amplifying her voice on issues of empowerment, resilience, and cultural identity. She is dedicated to empowering women and girls, training professionals to serve Hispanic families, and equipping others to navigate the acculturation process. Hilda also shares her expertise as an Adjunct Professor and as a presenter on child development and trauma-focused interventions for professional audiences.
Amy Watson Board Member
Amy is a licensed professional counselor who has worked with children, adults, and families for the past 27 years, focusing primarily on those in foster care and adoption. She has worked in private practice and the non-profit sector. Ms. Watson has a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University. She has counseled child and adult survivors of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and has extensive experience working with children with behavioral and emotional issues. Ms. Watson provides trauma-informed services for children and families with a collaborative, strength-focused approach. Amy is the Clinical Director at Mosaic Family Services and maintains a part-time private practice. Amy has served as a clinical director at multiple agencies and has been responsible for building and implementing new programs her entire career. Amy is a Licensed Child Care Administrator and a Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator through TDFPS. In addition, Amy supervises counselors, counseling interns, employees, foster parents, and parents to provide children and clients with the best care. Amy is also an active board member for a small non-profit, Way Alliance, and trains mentors for youth aging out of the foster care system. Amy is married and has two sons in college.
Dawn Wilson-Hawkins Board Member
Dawn Wilson-Hawkins is a Licensed Master Social Worker with over 12 years of experience working in child welfare and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Social Work from Walden University.
Dawn is also certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, which has equipped her with a solid foundation in mental health support, client advocacy, and evidence-based practices. In addition to her professional roles, she has actively contributed to the community through volunteer work and advocacy related to mental health and adoptee rights.