Laura Wolf joined Basin PBS in 2018, bringing more than 25 years of experience in commercial broadcasting and media leadership. Prior to her role at Basin PBS, she served as General Manager of Fox 24 in Midland and held leadership positions in markets including the Rio Grande Valley, Amarillo, and Quincy, Illinois. While her career took her beyond the region, West Texas has always been home.

As President and CEO, Laura leads Basin PBS in delivering “television with a purpose,” expanding local programming to include debates, town halls, documentaries, and cultural productions that reflect and serve the Permian Basin. She is passionate about using media to educate, inspire, and connect communities.

Laura has been actively engaged in Midland through her service with Midland Community Theatre and Texas PBS, and she holds a deep appreciation for the generosity and spirit of the nonprofit community across West Texas. A proud mother and grandmother, she finds joy in family, storytelling, and staying closely connected to the community she serves.

Amy Hendrick serves as Interim Executive Director of the Nonprofit Management Center, bringing extensive leadership experience across healthcare, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. Her career includes roles as an Administrator at Medical Center Hospital, Dean at Odessa College, and Interim Director for several nonprofit organizations, where she has provided steady leadership and strategic guidance during times of transition.

Amy holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from Trinity University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Business from Austin College. She is actively engaged in the community, serving on the Board of Mighty Waters Retreat Center and as Vice Chair of PermiaCare, and has held numerous leadership roles with organizations including the Junior League of Odessa and Connection Christian Church.

As Odessa’s First Lady, Amy is deeply committed to strengthening community through service and volunteerism. She believes that consistent engagement is key to building thriving communities and remains passionate about supporting nonprofit leaders in their work across West Texas.

Christina Escobar is a native Odessan and proud Texan who has served the nonprofit community through United Way of Odessa since 2013. Over the course of her tenure, she has advanced through multiple leadership roles including Administrative Assistant, Community Impact Director, Assistant Director, and now Executive Director. Her leadership is rooted in relationship-building, staff development, and strengthening community impact.

Christina is a graduate of the Nonprofit Management Center Executive Leadership Course and Leadership Odessa. She earned her degree in Business Leadership from Odessa College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. A devoted wife and mother of three, she remains deeply committed to civic engagement and service across the Odessa community.

Cindy Payton is the founder of Every Neighbor Network, an initiative created to help communities connect people to meaningful opportunities to serve. Launched nearly four years ago, the work began from her belief that many individuals want to help but often lack clear pathways to engage their time, skills, and resources. Today, Every Neighbor Network bridges that gap by helping communities move from good intentions to meaningful action.

Cindy works alongside nonprofits, businesses, churches, and community leaders to strengthen organizations through practical systems, improved volunteer engagement, and clearer communication. Her focus is on creating simple, accessible pathways for involvement so that individuals can confidently step into roles that make a difference.

She believes every person brings unique value and that communities grow stronger when people actively contribute to the well-being of others. A longtime West Texan, Cindy enjoys time with her family, being “Gigi” to her grandchildren, and the everyday moments that make this region home.

Autumn Vest has served as Executive Director of Midland Shared Spaces (MSS) since 2018, leading a shared-services nonprofit center that supports tenant agencies and advances programs that strengthen nonprofit capacity across West Texas. Under her leadership, MSS has expanded its services and launched regional initiatives to better support the sector.

With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Autumn previously served as Executive Director of Sibley Nature Center and Director of the CAF Airpower Museum. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas Permian Basin and is a graduate of Texas Tech University.

Autumn is a proud mom and bonus mom, and a law enforcement wife. She finds joy in family, faith, and helping people build stronger connections across West Texas.

Joni Hires serves as Executive Director of FMH Foundation, where she leads grantmaking and strategic community investment efforts across Midland. After earning degrees in Management and Marketing from Texas Christian University, she returned to West Texas and built a 30+ year career spanning healthcare administration, pharmaceutical marketing, and nonprofit leadership.

Joni joined FMH Foundation in 2017 as Project Manager and became Executive Director in 2021. A seasoned public speaker, she delivers keynotes and leadership workshops throughout the region and is a member of the John Maxwell Certified Leadership Team. She lives in Midland with her husband and remains deeply committed to strengthening leadership across West Texas.