MEET OUR BOARD

KAREN EL-TAWIL​

Karen serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. She is a retired oilfield services executive, has
been an active volunteer and donor with Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) since 2012. She has been involved with the women's program since its inception and served as Interim  Executive Director
​in EWOP's inaugural year. Karen is known and loved by the Lockhart ladies for her dedication, servant leader heart and can do spirit! 

BERT SMITH

Bert is the former CEO of Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) and has been involved within the organization since 2005. He has a law and investment background with many years of experience in a variety of industries. Bert is currently the President of the National Christian Foundation where he helps nonprofits and donors connect to change lives
​and experience growth. ​

NEHA AGRAWAL

Neha is a real estate entrepreneur. She is a true
Texan - born and raised in Houston, Bachelors of Arts from University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from Jones School of Business at Rice University. She is excited to be a part of EWOP as it combines two
of her loves: giving women a voice and learning
about various industries. 


BRIAN LUCAS
Founder and Owner of Bulk Transfer, LLC and LD Exploration Inc. He has purchased/founded 12 businesses during his career. He has over 25 years’ banking experience specializing in commercial and M&A lending. He looks to share his entrepreneurial experience and business acumen within the EWOP program.

​

ANDRIE LEDAY

As Vice President of US Commercial Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC), Andrie believes in the transformational power of medical devices to enhance our lives and the future of healthcare. He is focused on creating and achieving long-term strategies and business plans to accelerate organizational market growth across multiple therapeutic portfolios: total joints, sports medicine, and trauma. His 20 years of leadership and sales experience in the healthcare industry have afforded him the opportunity to create collaborative and winning sales teams, diverse in skills and background.  ​​

MEET OUR STAFF

PAM THOMURE

Executive Director

​Pam has led a variety of nonprofit organizations over the past 35 years, with a focus on strategic planning
and growth for start-up nonprofits. As an entrepreneur, Pam founded Southwest Senior Solutions, a for-profit business helping senior adults downsize and relocate. She served on the National Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, building relationships and increasing awareness for arts education across the nation.  Pam is a recipient of the prestigious Governor's Award for Criminal Justice.  She has a heart for seeing women thrive and is blessed to be a part of the EWOP family. ​

COURTNEY TRUJILLO 

Director of Programs

PAIGE LOVETT

Director of Development & Storytelling 

​
​​Paige Lovett serves as Director of Development & Storytelling for Empowering Women Out of Prison, where she leads fundraising, partnerships, and community engagement to advance EWOP’s mission. With extensive leadership experience in social work, trauma-informed care, and direct reentry services, Paige brings both strategic vision and deep compassion to her work. Having spent many years in direct care serving diverse populations, from youth in foster care and survivors of sex trafficking to incarcerated women, she brings a rare perspective that bridges development and lived impact, ensuring fundraising is not just about dollars raised, but about stories told, lives changed, and real transformation. Her work centers on seeing the whole person and creating opportunities that empower women to rewrite their stories with confidence and hope, while also inviting the community to walk alongside them in that journey.​