Leadership at The Caring Place
The Caring Place is led by a talented team of dedicated professionals who ensure our mission stays at the heart of everything we do. These leaders guide daily operations and support a committed staff alongside more than 400 volunteers, all working together to help neighbors in our community meet their basic needs with dignity and compassion.
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Ginna O'Connor, Executive DirectorGinna O'Connor is a committed advocate for community-based solutions and has served as Executive Director of The Caring Place since 2013. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its programs, services, and facilities to better meet the needs of neighbors facing unexpected hardship. Deeply connected to the mission of The Caring Place, Ginna values the people who make the organization a true reflection of community compassion — and is grateful to devote her career to caring for neighbors.
With more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Ginna has developed and guided initiatives that address key social determinants of health — including food insecurity, housing stability, economic support, access to health care, early childhood success, and programs that help older adults age in place with dignity.
Ginna's leadership style is inclusive and collaborative, grounded in a deep belief in the power of personal connection. A long-held commitment to the principle of "think globally, act locally" has shaped her approach throughout her career — one that began with a formative experience serving as a VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America), which first opened the door to a life of nonprofit work.
Beyond her work at The Caring Place, Ginna is an active civic leader. She has served on the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 2022 and served as Chair in 2025. She holds a B.A. from Hiram College and an M.P.A. from Cleveland State University. Outside of work, Ginna enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. She and her husband, Brian, have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two adult children.
Directors & Advisors
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Ann Lind, Retail Advisor
Ann is a proud Georgetown native whose deep roots in the community have shaped both her life and career. After earning her BFA from the University of Texas at Austin, she built a 35‑year career in costuming and design within the retail industry. In 2007, she returned to Georgetown to join The Caring Place—a role she now sees as a meaningful full‑circle moment. What began as a homecoming evolved into the realization that sometimes the most fulfilling opportunities are found right where you started.
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Erin Becnel, Director of Programs & Services
Erin is a dedicated social work professional with a Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University and extensive experience serving marginalized and underserved communities. Her background spans case management, program development and oversight, grant writing and administration, and staff development—skills that ground her leadership in both compassion and operational excellence.
Throughout her career, she has focused on strengthening access to basic needs and building programs that honor the dignity, resilience, and lived experiences of the people she serves. Her work reflects a deep commitment to equity, community partnership, and trauma‑informed practice.
Since 2015, Erin has served as Programs and Services Director, guiding The Caring Place with the belief that strong communities are built from within. She is proud to be part of an organization where the community itself—neighbors supporting neighbors—drives the mission forward.
Erin's leadership centers on collaboration, accountability, and the conviction that meaningful change happens when programs are shaped by the very community they serve.
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Jim Tillman, Director of Human Resources
Jim is an experienced human resources leader who has served in Human Resources at The Caring Place since 2018. He brings a strong foundation in organizational strategy, employee development, and operational stewardship, supported by a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology. He is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and an SHRM member.
His background spans the insurance, retail, and environmental services industries, giving him a broad perspective on workforce needs and organizational culture. In his current role, he oversees recruitment, policy development, employee coaching, benefits and compensation administration, and risk management programs, including property, auto, liability, and workers’ compensation. He also ensures accurate and compliant personnel systems and records.
Known for his collaborative and people‑centered approach, Jim is committed to building an inclusive, mission‑driven workplace where staff can thrive and The Caring Place can deliver meaningful community impact through its people. His favorite part of the job is the one‑on‑one interactions he shares each day with volunteers and staff, and the opportunity to witness the mission in action through their work and dedication.
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Mark Turner, Director of Information Technology
An Austin native, Mark joined The Caring Place in 2010 and has spent the years since helping the organization’s technology evolve alongside the needs of the community. As IT Director, he supports a wide range of work—from everyday technical assistance to complex problem‑solving—with a focus on practical solutions that keep the mission moving forward.
Mark’s lifelong interest in music and electronics often comes in handy when donated musical instruments or audio equipment arrive. He enjoys identifying items that can be repurposed for internal use, maximizing value for the organization.
Grateful to work alongside mission‑driven staff and volunteers who genuinely care about people, Mark considers being part of this community one of the most meaningful aspects of his work.
Managers
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Camille Campos, Retail Store Manager at Second Helping
Camille has worked in retail for more than 20 years. During the 2020 pandemic, she felt called to serve her community, which led her to join The Caring Place. She enjoys the organization’s mission to support every member of the community and values the opportunity to meet new people each day. Camille’s most meaningful experiences come from working alongside The Caring Place’s dedicated volunteers, whose generosity and willingness to share their knowledge continue to inspire her.
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Dave Heath, Food Programs Manager
Dave joined The Caring Place Food Pantry team in 2023 and brings decades of hands‑on experience from working across a wide range of industrial environments since graduating high school in Eastern San Diego County. His deep understanding of warehousing, shipping, and receiving strengthens the Food Pantry's ability to procure, organize, and maintain a well‑stocked and efficiently run pantry.
In his role, Dave leads with both skill and heart. He values the opportunity to work alongside The Caring Place’s dedicated volunteers and staff, and he is especially passionate about mentoring younger team members. Helping them build practical skills and strong work ethics that will serve them well into the future is one of the most meaningful parts of his work.
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Hannah Horick, Communications Manager
Hannah joined The Caring Place team in 2025, bringing a background that spans both the nonprofit and political sectors. She discovered her passion for nonprofit work in West Texas, where she served as an advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence—an experience that shaped her commitment to community-centered service.
At The Caring Place, Hannah’s favorite part of the workplace is the genuine warmth and sincerity shared among the team and the neighbors they serve. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of North Texas and enjoys art and design, cooking, and spending time outdoors.
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Kathleen Hopkins, Programs & Services Manager
With the education and heart of a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, Kathleen joined The Caring Place in 2018 to lead its first grant initiative supporting seniors. She now has the privilege of managing the Programs and Services Team. Kathleen remains dedicated to strengthening humanity, inspired by The Caring Place’s integrity and earnest commitment to serving others. Through assessment‑based needs, innovative programs and services, and measured outcomes and impact, she continues to champion the organization’s mission to care for the community.
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Lori Sutton, Retail Store Manager at The Shops at The Caring Place -
Lorna Symank, Executive Assistant
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Rita Turner, Community Engagement Manager
Rita joined The Caring Place in 2008 as the Community Engagement Manager, bringing a deep passion for sharing the organization’s mission with the community. A Georgetown resident since the age of four, she takes pride in having raised her three children in the town she has always called home. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.
Before her tenure at The Caring Place, Rita played a pivotal role in establishing the Victim’s Services Unit at the Round Rock Police Department—an experience that strengthened her lifelong commitment to service, advocacy, and community support.
Assistant Managers
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Dena Ashby, Assistant Retail Manager at The Shops at The Caring Place
Dena joined The Caring Place after gaining experience in convenience store retail and a career in companies like IBM, Micron and AMD. In 2016, Dena joined The Caring Place—a role that quickly became more than a job. She loves our volunteers, the people she works alongside, and the neighbors we serve. This community has become like family to her. The relationships she's built here are friendships she treasures, and being part of this mission continues to be one of the greatest joys of her life.
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Jalen Newman, Retail Assistant Manager at The Shops at The Caring Place
Jalen joined The Caring Place in 2025, bringing operational experience from a warehouse environment into his role as Retail Assistant Manager at The Shops at The Caring Place. What he values most about being part of The Caring Place is working alongside a mission‑driven team that genuinely cares about serving others. Contributing to meaningful work that strengthens our community is what inspires him every day.
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Omar Medoza, Assistant Retail Manager at Second Helping
Coming from a small town with big creative dreams, Omar developed a strong eye for design and merchandising, which led to a role as an assistant manager in home décor. Those creative and organizational skills eventually brought him to Second Helping at The Caring Place, where Omar has been contributing since 2024.
Working at The Caring Place has been a fulfilling experience, giving Omar the opportunity to use creative talents while making a meaningful impact on the community every day.
