Kathi Haralson

“We have been around for 25 years, and I’m looking forward to the next 25 years,” Haralson said. “We want to look at the big picture—keep class sizes down and get more teachers in the classroom. After all, teachers plus community working together equals change.”

Haralson previously served as the director of development for Partnerships for Children that provides local Child Protective Services caseworkers with the resources to better serve the community. During her first year as director, she said she grew fundraising by 20 to 30 percent and gained more than 100 new donors.

Although her numbers show she has been successful at fundraising, Haralson said it was not her first career path.

She said she worked as a dance team director at Austin High School for 10 years before deciding to stay home with her two young daughters. Her fundraising experience began with the Junior League of Austin, where she eventually served as its president. The group raises roughly $1 million annually to help the Austin community.

During her time as Junior League of Austin president, Haralson started the Food in Tummies program, brokered the land for a new organization building and started a Spanish-immersion program.

“All of my development training came from being a member and president of the Junior League,” Haralson said. “It’s like being the CEO of a million dollar company—once you can handle that you can handle anything.”

Haralson served as a volunteer in the role of EEF vice president of development and as a chairperson for its annual gala held in February. Her daughters are both educated in Eanes ISD, including one who is currently a junior at Westlake High School. Haralson’s husband also attended WHS.

“I remember when my daughter was in elementary school at Cedar Creek, and they did not have a full-time nurse on staff,” Haralson said. “That’s why the foundation is so important—so that schools get the staff they need on each campus.”

One of her first orders of business is to plan the EEF 25th anniversary party in the fall, she said. The project is planned to be a districtwide celebration of the foundation’s efforts.

“There is a face attached to every dollar we raise, and we want the community to realize and see the impact their donations make to fund teachers’ salaries,” Haralson said. “It’s our way to continue the excellence in our district.”