Michael Bussiere is Assistant Chief for the Richardson Police Department, leading the Patrol Operations Division. He relocated to Texas following retirement as Chief of Police in Lewiston, Maine. Mike has served in multiple capacities, including as Crisis/Hostage Negotiator and on both the Criminal Justice Advisory Board at Central Maine Community College and the Board of Directors of United Way. He holds a BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Maine, is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy and the Senior Executives of State and Local government from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

David Dugger is a Financial Planner and Partner at WDW Financial. After growing up in Richardson, David graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting. David spent four years with the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers prior to joining his current firm in 2000. He has been a CPA since 1996 and a CFP since 2002. David was a member of the Board of Directors of iGoGlobal, a Christian missions organization from 2004-2018 and he and his family are involved in their church. David and his wife have a daughter in college, a son in high school and two crazy rescue dogs. He spends his free time enjoying travel, the outdoors and live music.

Suzanne has proudly called Richardson her home since her large family of nine relocated here in the late 50’s. She graduated from Richardson High School, Dallas Baptist University and UT Dallas. She and her husband, Johnny raised two daughters here and now, their three granddaughters are all students in RISD schools.

Suzanne’s first career was teaching ESL in RISD for 10 years followed by three years as an elementary classroom teacher at a private school in Plano. She began a career with the City of Richardson’s Community Events Department in 1999. As an Events Manager, she developed and managed music, art and/or outreach programs within City events such as Cottonwood Art Festival, Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival, Santa’s Village and Huffhines Art Trails. Many of these programs she developed received local, state and international awards and almost all continue to be programs unique to those events.

Suzanne has served on the Richardson Adult Literacy Board, the Leadership Richardson Alumni Board and the Network Board of Directors. Among her distinctions, Suzanne was named Leadership Richardson Alumnus of the Year in 2013, Altrusa Woman of the Year in Local Government in 2008 and received an Ambassador of the Arts Award from the Richardson Arts Alliance.

Suzanne is the Illustrator and Co-Publisher of the Garden of Virtues Calendar. After retiring from the City in 2018, she graduated from the Dallas County Master Gardeners program and this past spring, her butterfly and herb gardens were a stop on the Richardson Woman’s Club Garden Festival.

Suzanne loves her volunteer time and the people she works with on Wednesdays in Network’s Food Pantry, assisting with Network’s Annual Golf Outing and the Fork-Off event, cooking, gardening, entertaining, and attending her granddaughter’s sports events.

Dr. Melissa Heller currently serves as the Chief of Strategy and Engagement for the Richardson Independent School District. In her role she supports the district strategic plan, as well as all internal and external communications, and Community and Family Engagement efforts for the district. She previously served as the Executive Director for Professional Learning and has had the opportunity to lead and serve in RISD since 2016. Previously, she worked in Wylie ISD supporting staff development and instructional technology staff training since 2004. Melissa graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Consumer and Family Sciences. She received her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University and recently completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership, also from DBU. Melissa has been active in civic work as part of her professional career, including having previously served as the Chair of the Wylie Chamber of Commerce and active in the local Rotary club. She is a proud mom to a son who attends RISD schools and is also a local Richardson ISD resident. She is excited to serve as part of the Board to support the important work and services that Network provides to the greater Richardson community.

Heather Hurd is a Business Banker and Vice President at Frost Bank in Richardson. She has been with Frost for 20 years, beginning her career in Fort Worth before moving to the Richardson area. Her focus at Frost is small business lending. Heather was recognized for providing exceptional service during PPP by going above and beyond for the customers.

Heather earned her BA in Finance from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT, and her MBA from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, TX.

Heather has been tremendously involved in the non-profit community, including time spent in her hometown of Bethel, Connecticut and she jumped into the community when she arrived in the Dallas/Richardson/Garland area. She was nominated for Altrusa’s Outstanding Women of Today in 2017 and part of Leadership Richardson Class 32 also in 2017.

Heather has a passion for education, kids and empowering others. She is currently at Board member and past President of the Boys and Girls Club of Richardson, 2018 to today, and a Board member of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, 2020 to today.

Heather brings her connecting skills, financial literacy, and sense of adventure to her various roles in the community. She is a very active partner in the Richardson community and always finds ways to become involved and help others.

Heather and her husband, Ronnie, enjoy their country life together raising cattle on their east Texas farm. She is also a dog mom to Pebble’s, a mini Aussie.

Jane graduated with a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M and earned a Graduate Marketing Certificate from SMU.  Her career in marketing and communications has spanned Fortune 500 companies, founder/owner of a marketing consulting firm and non-profit agencies serving the North Texas Community. She is currently working at Anritsu Corporation, a multinational corporation in the telecommunications electronics equipment market. She is a graduate of Leadership Richardson class of XXXII.  Jane and her husband Paul have 2 children and are long-time residents of Richardson.

Jason has lived in Richardson for 34 years and is a graduate of Dallas Jesuit. Jason currently serves as the Dallas Market President for Embark which is a financial consulting firm based in Dallas. A certified public accountant who spent a total of 13 years at EY and Deloitte before joining Embark. Member of First United Methodist Church of Richardson. Jason and wife Sara have been married for 14 years and have 3 children who attend Canyon Creek Elementary in RISD.

Saïd Majdi is a management consultant and an executive coach. He received his MS in electrical engineering from the Paris Institute of Technology in Paris, France, with dual specialization in telecommunications and control engineering. He is an inventor and has spoken at national and international conferences on intelligent transportation systems. He was a US Delegate on several ISO standards committees. Saïd is a graduate of the Richardson Citizen’s Fire Academy. He currently serves on the Steering Committees of the Richardson Interfaith Alliance, Faith Forward Dallas, and the Interfaith Council of the Thanksgiving Square Foundation. He is a member of the Islamic Association of North Texas.

Kathy Rogers is the Owner/Operator of Nothing Bundt Cakes – Richardson since 2016, and has been involved with that company since 2011. She is also Business Manager of Design Concepts and Graphics from 2001 to the present. Kathy is an alumna of Louisiana Tech University with both a BA and MPA in Accounting and a graduate of Leadership Richardson class of XXXIII. She was awarded the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Newcomer Award and has received the WOW Award for top customer service from Nothing Bundt Cakes, both in 2018. Kathy is currently active in her church and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador. She and her husband Bryan have three grown children and 2 grandchildren.

Almost home grown, Wendy moved with her family to Richardson in 1976 from Alexandria LA. She graduated from Berkner HS and UTD with a BS in Business Administration. She is a graduate of Leadership Richardson, class of XXXI and is member of Richardson East Rotary were she is the Chair of the Fundraising Committee. She currently lives in Frisco were she is a member of Providence Church and serves in Care Ministry. She is the proud mom of one grown son who is a graduate of UNT, another who is a student at UTD and custodial grandparent to a sweet mischievous cat. Wendy spent 15 years working as a HUD housing counselor and financial educator for a non-profit. She became a Financial Advisor 12 years ago, is now a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and has an Edward Jones office in Addison. When not stowed away at the office or out and about in meetings, Wendy can be found kayaking on Lake Lewisville or walking with friends on our many hiking trails.

Lindsay Turman has led the Community Services Division for the City of Richardson for the past 7 years; she began her career with the City 14 years ago. Lindsay grew up in small-town west Texas and obtained her BFA in Acting from Texas Tech University prior to receiving her MA in Theatre from Texas Woman’s University. She also graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with her Masters in Public Administration.

During her career, Lindsay has enjoyed working with citizens and leaders of the Richardson community to ensure it remains a vibrant place to live. She is a graduate of Leadership Richardson Class XXXV, the former Secretary for the Richardson YMCA, and now serves as the President of the Neighborhood Engagement and Revitalization Alliance for North Texas.

Lindsay is the proud mom to an amazing 6th grader named Jonah and four sweet puppy girls.

Originally from the Greater Pittsburgh area Cindy has spent nearly 25 years working in local and national non-profits primarily with a focus on serving the poor and vulnerable.
Cindy is currently serving as the President of Helping Agencies Serving Richardson (HASR) along with being the Community Service Co-Chair for Richardson Rotary. In her spare time, she leads a small group for Milestone Church in Keller where she also serves as an usher. Cindy is a proud graduate of Leadership Richardson Class XXXIII and is a member of LRAA.

Mrs. Shafer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grove City College and a Master of Science degree in Professional Leadership & Nonprofit Management from Carlow University. Cindy and her husband, Dave live in Denton and have been proud Texans for the last five years.