Texas Advocates Staff

Deborah Wallace serves as Co-Executive Director for Texas Advocates headquartered in Austin, Texas.  With more than two decades of nonprofit management experience, Deborah provides strategic planning and implementation for program design and management, fund development, grant procurement, public/media relations, and partnership cultivation. Her leadership positions for organizations such as The Arc of Texas, Drive a Senior, and Partnerships for Children cultivated her passion for helping people in need, particularly the community with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Brooke Hohfeld is Co-Executive Director of Texas Advocates. Brooke's daily work includes supporting the Texas Advocates Board with various tasks such as organizing quarterly board meetings, various committees and helping to plan the annual conference. Brooke also coordinates the many activities of the Texas Advocates LEAD project.  Brooke is a wonderful support for many self-advocates both inside of her work day and outside of her work to advocate for themselves including supporting them to receive the services they need.

Brooke is a native Texan- originally from Wichita Falls but has called Austin home for 8 years. She is a 2006 graduate of SH Rider High School and a 2008 graduate of Eastern New Mexico University. In addition, she holds occupational training certificates in both Childcare and office skills. Before moving to Austin in 2016 Brooke worked for The Arc of Wichita County in a childcare program for people with disabilities. She also was an active member of People First of Wichita Falls and served as the Vice President of Texas Advocates. 

While Brooke’s weekdays are busy working for Texas Advocates, outside of work, she can be found serving the church in several areas, including supporting adults with disabilities who attend the church, making coffee for the doughnut shop, and serving in kids ministry. Brooke is also the proud  mom to a 9-month old kitten named Ellie June.

As Support Advisor for Texas Advocates, Ginger supports and works closely with Brooke to empower the Texas Advocates board to effectively lead the organization and she is also Co-trainer and support for the LEAD project.  Ginger is an ally who works with Texas Advocates members and staff to ensure Texans with IDD’s voices are heard at the state and local level through advocacy. 

Ginger  is a fierce advocate with more than 15 years of experience working with self-advocates, families, and other stakeholders on all types of advocacy and systems change. A passionate supporter of the disability movement, Ginger consults with organizations and individuals on IDD policy, accessing community services, and inclusion. 

Ginger earned her Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Louisiana State University. Geaux Tigers! Although she spent many years working in Austin, she currently lives in her hometown of New Orleans with her husband and two snuggly pups.