Board of Directors

Mark Strama

Mark Strama is Director of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Communication and Media Studies in the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas.

Previously, Mark spent ten years at Google Fiber working to upgrade the speed and quality of internet service in the United States.  Prior to that he served five terms in the Texas House of Representatives, where he focused on renewable energy, public education, and electoral reform. Mark received Honorable Mentions on Texas Monthly’s Ten Best Legislators list in three of his five sessions in the House; Texas Monthly said “Strama cares as much about others’ success as his own.”

Prior to running for public office, Mark founded the first company to enable Americans to fill out a voter registration form on the Internet – 700,000 people used this technology to register to vote in the 2000 election cycle.  During the 1996 election cycle, Mark was Director of Programs at Rock the Vote, a non-partisan organization that works with MTV and the music industry to engage young people in the political process.  He previously worked for former Texas Governor Ann Richards and Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis.

Mark graduated from Brown University with degrees in philosophy and political science. He is married to Crystal Cotti, a former Austin City Hall reporter and a graduate of the Moody College of Communication.  They have three industrious daughters and one very lazy dog.

Ned Stewart

Edward “Ned” Stewart is an experienced controller and accountant in the entertainment industry possessing a thorough knowledge of business processes, analytics and accounting in both private and public entities. He has extensive acquisition experience as a sellers’ representative and integration leader with a longterm vision.

Ned is currently an accountant and controller at Live Nation Entertainment, where he continues to oversee Stubb’s Bar-B-Q’s expanding operations and corporate compliance. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer for the multi-million dollar Hospitality company, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q. Ned’s years of experience allow him to be well equipped to support operations and drive an organization towards its goal.

Ned holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from James Madison University, School of Communication Studies, in his native Virginia. He currently resides in Austin, Texas with his wife, Amanda. They have one incredibly poised daughter and an equally crazy, but much loved dog, Bear Bear.

Ilana Stromberg

Ilana Stromberg is the Co-Founder and Director of The Happy Lungs Project. Ilana was diagnosed with RET-positive non small-cell lung cancer in 2019 with no prior risk or known genetic or environmental factors. She is a fierce advocate and supporter of RET research, and a strong communicator, actively raising awareness and assisting patients by spreading information of new treatment and trial options to the RET community.

Previously, Ilana worked as a Certified Academic Language Therapist helping students with reading, writing, and other language related skills. She received multiple certifications and specialized in working with children with dyslexia and reading disabilities. Prior to that, she worked as The Director of Recruiting and Client Relations at the international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP organizing and facilitating work efforts and recruits and as Community Outreach and Event Planning Coordinator facilitating the communications, marketing and event planning for the Firm.

Ilana received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and her Master’s Degree in Education, School of Education and Human Development from the Southern Methodist University, Dallas.

Ilana is married to Daniel Stromberg, Director of Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care, at UT Austin and has 5 free-spirited children, and one overly-indulged dog named Sushi.