Upbring Welcomes Mara Holguin Fouts as Chief Brand & Community Engagement Officer
Seasoned brand, fundraising and communications leader joins Upbring to advance statewide mission impact.
Austin, Texas – July 21, 2025 — Upbring, a leading Texas-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing child wellbeing, proudly announces the appointment of Mara Holguin Fouts as its Chief Brand & Community Engagement Officer. In this role, Mara will lead Upbring’s marketing, communications and community engagement strategies to elevate awareness and deepen connections across the state.
“Mara’s experience at the intersection of philanthropy, communications and mission-based leadership makes her a powerful addition to our team,” said Mike Loo, President & CEO of Upbring. “She brings not only a strategic mindset and deep expertise, but also a heart for service that aligns with our vision for transforming child wellbeing in Texas.”
With more than three decades of experience, Mara is known for cultivating impactful partnerships, building mission-aligned brands, and leading inclusive teams. Most recently, she served as Chief Development & Marketing Officer at Goodwill Central Texas, where she led high-performing teams in support of more than 10,000 lives impacted annually. She collaborated with the leadership team to shape a bold vision and strategic plan to double the organization’s mission reach. Mara also launched the Bridge Fund to provide basic needs and emergency assistance to colleagues, clients and students, with proceeds from a rebranded fundraising gala replenishing the fund each year. On the marketing front, she advanced key initiatives including the launch of a new website and innovative campaigns that expanded brand reach, increased awareness and generated millions in earned media value.
At Upbring, Mara will guide storytelling efforts, brand evolution and stakeholder engagement to ensure that communities across Texas understand, support and benefit from Upbring’s innovative programs and services. She will also play a key role in positioning the organization for its next phase of strategic growth.
“I see this as the culmination of my career—an opportunity to apply everything I’ve learned in service of a mission that truly speaks to me,” Mara said. “As a native Texan who has lived and worked across this state, I’m honored to support Upbring’s efforts to build safer, healthier futures for children and families.” Fluent in Spanish and proudly bicultural, Mara brings a deep understanding of diverse communities across Texas. She previously held leadership positions at The Seton Fund, Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego and the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation. A cum laude graduate of Southern Methodist University, she lives in Austin with her husband and two rescue dogs.
To learn more about the leadership team, including their previous roles and experiences, as well as their current job descriptions and headshots, please visit Upbring.org.