EXECUTIVE BOARD
Abby Kennell, Board President of Live Like Cati, brings a deeply personal dedication to the foundation, having proudly served as Cati’s principal at Mason Elementary. A visionary K-12 educational administrator with over two decades of experience, Abby has served as a Principal within Leander ISD since 2016, following impactful roles as an Assistant Principal, Science Curriculum Specialist, and classroom teacher. Known for her collaborative spirit, she leverages her expertise as a Continuous Improvement Leader to streamline organizational frameworks and optimize impact for individuals and the community. Outside of her leadership roles, Abby is the mother of twins, an avid ultramarathon runner, and a certified yoga teacher.Â
Anthony Lucero serves as Vice President and Treasurer of Live Like Cati. He brings more than 20 years of experience in accounting and finance, having held a variety of roles throughout his career. Anthony also holds an MBA and uses his professional background to support the organization’s financial stewardship and long-term success. His connection to Live Like Cati is deeply personal, as he and his family have been close friends with Cati’s family for more than 13 years. He has volunteered or been involved with the organization in some capacity since its inception. Anthony and his wife, Crystal, are proud parents of three children: Canyon, Andrew, and Kaylie.
Sara Perez serves as Secretary of Live Like Cati. She is a Special Education Assistant at Blackland Prairie Elementary School, where she works in the Early Childhood classroom with students ages 3–5. She and her husband, John, share a daughter, Georgia, who has Down syndrome. Through Georgia, who attended the same preschool as Cati, Sara and her family have known the Delapeñas for many years. Sara brings both personal and professional experience to the Board of Live Like Cati and is deeply involved in the Down syndrome Community and Special Education community.
BOARD MEMBERS
Frank Guevara is an Account Executive in the HVAC distribution field and has been heavily involved with Live Like Cati for the past several years. He has assisted with several fund-raising opportunities that include the inception of the “Cati Shack” golf tournament held annually. His personal relationship with John and Kori Delapena began 12 years ago while attending church together where he had the opportunity to meet Cati personally. Frank brings a strong passion for developing relationships and is a strong advocate for water safety. Frank shares his life with Amy whom he has been married to for 22 years. They have three children, Ava, Mya, and Zoe.
Julie Nordsieck was born in California but has claimed central Texas home since 1974. She is currently completing her 17th year as an Executive Assistant at Generations Church, Leander, Texas. Previously, she excelled at Dell Inc. in Global Sales for over 7 years after serving as a social worker for medically fragile foster children at a private agency.  Julie thrives in making processes and events work at their best, working behind the scenes to support team goals, making all players and goals successful.  Water Safety advocacy is important to Julie because she knows that education, awareness, and diligent safety practices can save lives and prevent heartbreak.
Christy Uzer has been involved with Live Like Cati from the very beginning, volunteering her time and serving as a proud sponsor in support of its mission. A former business owner, she values building strong relationships, serving her community, and helping organizations make a lasting difference. Christy is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board and continue supporting a cause that is deeply meaningful to her. She and her husband, Nick, are the proud parents of Shayla and Sean, and they are honored to be part of the Live Like Cati family.
Trevor Stokes serves as a Captain with Pflugerville Fire Department (Travis County ESD No. 2) and is currently assigned as the Community Engagement Officer and Public Information Officer. With extensive experience in emergency response, public safety outreach, and crisis communications, he works to strengthen community preparedness and engagement throughout Central Texas. Trevor also serves as a Helicopter Search and Rescue Technician with Texas A&M Task Force 1 Urban Search & Rescue and is active in several state and regional public safety organizations. In 2026, Governor Greg Abbott appointed him to the Texas Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services, where he helps provide guidance on emergency medical services policy and best practices across the state. He’s most proud of his family: his wife of 22 years Mindy, daughter Kennedy who is a Pediatric Nurse; and son Lane who also serves as a FF with Pflugerville FD.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, John DelaPena dedicated his early career to serving our nation globally in the United States Air Force. Following his service, John moved to Austin to join Ultra Electronics, Advanced Tactical Systems. As a defense contractor, he continued his work on the international stage, supporting both U.S. warfighters and allied nations.
Amidst his extensive travels, John met the love of his life, Kori. They married in 2006 and are the proud parents of two daughters, Cairi (born 2009) and Cati (born 2012). In 2014, John joined Lone Star Transmission, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, where he currently serves as a Principal Technical Specialist. In addition to his professional career, John is deeply involved in his community, serving on the leadership council and as the Director of Operations for his church.
John’s advocacy for water safety is rooted in the tragic loss of his daughter, Cati, to drowning in 2019. Driven by this heartbreak, John and Kori founded Live Like Cati to honor Cati’s legacy. Through this organization, they are dedicated to preventing these avoidable tragedies and protecting children through education, awareness, and advocacy.
AMY WINSLOW
MARK VASQUEZ