Read Fort Worth Team
Elizabeth Brands
Executive Director
Elizabeth earned a Master of Education from the University of Notre Dame and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Oklahoma in Educational Administration Curriculum and Supervision. Her doctoral thesis was a study on the structural conditions in school districts that enable or hinder effective teacher assessment and program implementation.
Mrs. Brands brings a wealth of experience from occupying key roles in education, including teacher, funder, and program provider. As a school teacher, Elizabeth learned first-hand the challenges educators face today. As a foundation program officer, she evaluated and funded agencies, and partnered on area-wide systemic improvements. As Executive Director of Reading Partners in Oklahoma, Elizabeth worked on the front-line to help at-risk youth master grade-level reading skills and experienced the challenges faced by agencies trying to make a difference in student education.
Danielle Stenger
Collaborative Action Manager
Danielle Stenger joined the Read Fort Worth team from the Fort Worth ISD, where she gained valuable experience as the Community and Strategic Partnerships coordinator.
Danielle began her career serving the Fort Worth community in various roles at Catholic Charities Fort Worth, from serving as a Youth Intervention Specialist for children in CPS custody, engaging stakeholder support for Fort Worth’s refugee community, and securing in-kind donations for more than 40 social service programs.
Following her tenure at Catholic Charities, she served as Philanthropic Relations Officer at the Susan G. Komen Headquarters in Dallas, where she assisted in the implementation of the first mid-major gift strategy for Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Most recently, Danielle has served as the Community and Strategic Partnerships Coordinator for the Fort Worth ISD, where she managed District level strategic partnerships and programs. Danielle is passionate about community engagement and supporting faculty, staff, students and teachers, and looks forward to applying her extensive skills and experience to continuing to support the Fort Worth community through the 100×25 initiative. Danielle received her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Claire Armstrong
Executive Operations Manager
Claire Armstrong joined the Read Fort Worth team in December 2020 after six years at Texas Ballet Theater, where she provided administrative assistance to ensure TBT’s mission was carried out efficiently and effectively.
Claire held a variety of roles at Texas Ballet Theater, giving her the opportunity to learn the many aspects of a non-profit organization, including Marketing, Development, Board Governance, and Operations. She is excited to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to Read Fort Worth in order to support the organization’s goals and to bring about meaningful change in the community.
Raised in Fort Worth, Claire received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. She has served the community through volunteer positions with First Presbyterian Church, the Junior League of Fort Worth, and All Saints’ Episcopal School.