Board of Directors

Austin Creative Reuse is actively seeking individuals to join our board of directors!

We’re looking for people who identify with our mission and would like to help find more ways for us to better serve our community.

Our shoppers, donors, employees, and volunteers are a diverse group, and we want our board membership to reflect this.

  • All ages are welcome to apply, and no previous board experience is required

  • Financial commitment is commensurate with your situation

Typical time commitments for board members are attending a monthly, two-hour board meeting, and keeping up-to-date on ACR-related activities by monitoring our newsletters, social media, and board email account. Board members also serve on special committees to accomplish our strategic goals. These will likely dovetail with your education, work, or life experiences so that you are able to contribute effectively to the organization.

If you have any questions or are ready to apply, click the button below. We’ll be in touch!

Board Interest Form »

Areas of Knowledge We Are Seeking

Immediate Need:

  • Financial

Perpetual Need:

  • Fundraising

  • Legal

  • Human Resources

  • Retail Operations

  • Real Estate 

  • Education

  • Health and Safety

  • Sustainability

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion


If none of the above apply to you, please still reach out if you are interested!

Current Board Members

Carole LeClair (she/her)

PRESIDENT

After seeing a Facebook post about ACR, I knew I wanted to be involved.  I joined the board in 2014 and had the privilege of signing our first lease at the Linc.  I have seen ACR grow from just an idea into what it is today, a vibrant community of folks committed to the environment and creativity.  I’m extremely proud of what we have accomplished and that ACR is now a vital part of what makes Austin “Austin”.

Kim Chaplin (she/her)

VICE PRESIDENT

After serving as a Core Volunteer and hands-on advocate for the Materials Mobile, I joined the Board of Directors to deepen my commitment to Austin Creative Reuse's vital mission. As an avid crafter who loves making dollhouse miniatures, crocheting amigurumi, and working with various tactile arts, I am deeply passionate about fostering a circular economy where creativity and conservation come together to support the community. My goal is to ensure ACR continues to expand its environmental and educational impact, proving that "waste" is simply a resource waiting for an inspired idea.

Sarah grew up in “The Hit Recording Capital of the World,” Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where at an early age her grandmother began teaching her to sew on a singer treadle machine. She has continued to develop her love for sewing constantly trying new patterns and ideas (though now usually on more modern machines). Her passion for sewing is what originally brought her into ACR, where she soon began volunteering.Sarah moved to Austin over 15 years ago. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer at MedToMarket and has a degree in Education from the University of North Alabama and an MBA from Texas A&M-Commerce. This combination has given her a passion for using her educational, operations, and financial knowledge to help nonprofits accomplish their mission effectively and efficiently. For the past 20 years, Sarah has been actively involved in the life and operation of nonprofits both as a volunteer and employee including CSHI, Micah 6 Food Pantry, Together4Children, and of course ACR.Sarah is excited to serve as treasurer for ACR. You can reach her by email at sarah.humphries@austincreativereuse.org.

Sarah Humphries (she/her)

TREASURER

From the moment I first walked in the door, I felt I had stepped into a magical crafting wonderland, and immediately wondered, “Will they let me live here?” Since that’s not an option, I went with the next best thing: volunteering. I joined the Thursday fabric rolling group and somehow became the official model for any garments that came through - from cave person to fringed cowboy pants to what may have been a magician’s jacket.

Nonprofits have been a part of my life for the past 25 years, both personally and professionally. As ACR’s Board Treasurer, I focus on ensuring we are using our financial resources wisely and transparently, so that we may continue to serve the community long into the future.

Patrik Parker (they/them)

SECRETARY

I have been a supporter of ACR since it opened at the Linc and started volunteering testing and repairing electric donations when the store moved to Windsor Park. My own art focuses on nature and I am very passionate about the environmental and community impact a reuse store can have. I look forward to having an impact on how Austin Creative Reuse continues to grow and change how Austin creates art. 

Damaris Alfonso (she/her)

MEMBER, FOCUS ON MARKETING

I have been an ACR shopper/advocate for a few years, and I decided to become a core volunteer and apply to be a board member at the same time! My work with ACR is an opportunity to contribute towards larger-scale conservation efforts and live by my reduce-reuse-recycle values. During my core volunteer time I specialize in sorting and pricing jewelry findings.

My background is in graphic design, so I love any opportunity to log off and create physical art. Recent analog projects have included: cat shelves with only ACR-procured supplies, a broken mug mosaic, acrylic pen illustrations on wood scraps, and tiny keepsake pillow ornaments made out of vintage fabric.

Jennifer McClain (she/her)

MEMBER, FOCUS ON HR

[TBD] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Lavanya Selvam Alli (she/her)

MEMBER, FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY

I am an environmental sustainability consultant experienced in the strategic development and management of environmental advocacy projects, qualitative research, and writing.

I have worked on projects addressing climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, forest/land management, and community resilience. I have led projects (media and written proposals) for global multilateral organizations including Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, UNESCO, UNDP and IUCN.

As a board member I look forward to contributing to the long-term development and growth of Austin Creative Reuse.

Dr. Rebecca A. Zarate (“Raz”) (she/her)

MEMBER, UT LIAISON

Austin Creative Reuse truly is a wonderland! I love being in the building, wandering the aisles for more things I do not need, interacting with good people, and feeling the creativity buzzing!

I decided to join the board to bring two of my favorite places closer together, The University of Texas at Austin and Austin Creative Reuse, by serving as the UT Liaison. My goal is to facilitate the connection between UT and ACR through volunteer opportunities and by making creative supplies accessible to all.

I am currently an Assistant Professor of Instruction at UT Austin, where I teach statistics and psychology. Outside of that, I love making all sorts of things, but particularly sewing, repairing sewing machines (I also volunteer at ACR and test the sewing machines), thrifting, and making YouTube videos about those hobbies.