BBBS Welcomes New Senior Team Members

As the organization gears up for new opportunities in 2025, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas is excited to announce two new additions to its leadership team. Join us in welcoming our new Chief Impact Officer Mitzi Neville and new Chief Development Officer Maren McFarlane.

Mitzi comes to BBBS from a leadership role at the YMCA. “I was born and lived in Dallas until about 4^th grade, then we moved to upstate New York for a few years. We then moved back to Texas, and I ended up in Austin because I went to school at UT,” said Mitzi. “I really loved the city, and I just stayed here.”

It was during her undergrad years when she was working towards a degree in Human Development and Family Science, that Mitzi started looking for organizations where she could apply what she learned from her degree. She worked at various non-profits such as The Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club, and the YMCA – all part-time positions during college and post-graduation. She started her career at the YMCA as an after-school and summer camp counselor and worked her way up to becoming a full-time program director. All were great experiences that helped her discover her love for working with kids.

“I was considering going to veterinary school,” said Mitzi. “After about a year though, I realized I really liked making a positive impact for youth in our community at the YMCA.”

She became a Program Director supervising after school and summer camp programs and was promoted to the Associate Executive Director role over the associations’ youth programming. After many years as the Associate Executive Director, Mitzi became the Executive Director of the North Austin YMCA branch and began a new chapter in her YMCA career. Then COVID hit, which changed everything and “I then went to work for Dell as an Account Manager in consumer sales,” said Mitzi. “I got a taste of the tech world and gained some skills that have helped me become an even more well-rounded professional.”

“When I saw this position, I was so excited to get back to a youth program that is making a difference in the community, to get back to providing positive programming for kids,” said Mitzi. “It was the right fit for me and in line with what I want to do with my career.”

Mitzi acknowledges that BBBS is different from the traditional youth programs she’s been associated with and is helping kids in a very different way. “BBBS exposes them to so many opportunities and helps them plan for their futures,” said Mitzi. “I so appreciate and love how this organization provides that for kids who need it.”

“The team here is amazing,” said Mitzi. “They are all here because they really want to help children. We have so many kids who want to be matched with a mentor, but not as many adults. That is a huge driver for me to help get more Bigs into the program and to get kids off the waitlist.”

In her spare time, Mitzi and her wife of 7 years, Kelsey, enjoy camping, hiking, and working out. She also loves to travel, try new restaurants, and hang out with her family.

“I’m excited to be a part of BBBS,” said Mitzi. “I feel all of us have a role to play in making a positive impact in our community and BBBS is doing exactly that.”

BBBS is also pleased to welcome Maren McFarlane as our new Chief Development Officer.

Maren grew up in El Paso, but moved to Iowa City, Iowa during middle school. She stayed in the Midwest where she attended the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, though she says she’s retained her Texas roots. “I’m Texan through and through,” laughs Maren. “I spent time in Green Bay and in Milwaukie, and I love Wisconsin, but I always wanted to come back to Texas. And Austin holds a special place in my heart. My family and I were able to move here about two years ago, and we love it.”

Maren found her calling in fundraising when she started interning during her junior year in college. “I worked at a museum, and they needed help in that area,” said Maren. “I had to make ‘cold calls’ right away and it was so much fun! Getting to thank people and connect with people. I loved it.”

She then went into an internship at the YWCA. “It was a blast. It was where I got to dig in deeper in fundraising and work on grant writing, solicitation, and I really loved it,” said Maren. “After graduation, I went to work at Sojourner Family Peace Center, an organization in Wisconsin that serves families and individuals affected by domestic violence and worked up to the position of development manager where I got a lot of great experience.”

“I then worked at the Wisconsin Humane Society, and from there, we moved to Austin, and I got a job at Emancipet as Senior VP of Development. I was able to focus on special events, major gifts, and planned giving.”

What drew Maren to BBBS? “When I was in college I volunteered as a Big with the BBBS of Northeast Wisconsin,” said Maren. “I loved it! I’m the oldest of four, and mentoring has always been a part of my life. Also, throughout my career I’ve had great mentors.”

One of those great mentors was her ballet master when she was growing up and in dance class. “She was such an incredibly bright light for me,” said Maren, “as she was to many other dancers. She was so much more than my dance instructor, she helped ignite my own power and potential. Looking back, I’m so thankful for the opportunity to not only dance but to have had that mentoring in my life because it’s helped make me who I am today.”

Her mentoring experiences set the stage for Maren to connect with BBBS. “I think what pulled me into the agency, is one, our mission and the impact we’re making in our community thanks to our incredible staff and supporters. I love that everyone is innovative, they honor the past and their legacy but still work to make things brighter for the future ahead of us,” said Maren. “And two, my experience as a Big. I really loved my time with my Little.”

In her spare time, Maren likes to stay active. “I enjoy going to see ballet, Pilates, hiking, reading, but most of all spending time with my friends and family,” said Maren. “My husband and I have a two-year-old. Her name is Ophelia, and she is so much fun. She keeps us on our toes. We don’t really have to work out, just run after her.”

“As a family we love spending time together, listening to live music, and exploring and taking advantage of this wonderful city we get to live in,” said Maren.

She has set her sights on reaching out to more people within the city. “For the next 90 days, I’m focusing on getting to know the organization more, learning it’s fundraising history, working on fundraising strategy, and connecting with staff,” said Maren. “Something I’ll enjoy most is connecting with donors and supporters. Learning why they support our work and how we can engage and collaborate with them more.”

“I’m so excited about this opportunity,” said Maren, “because I get to pull in everything that I’ve learned and use it to help support this BBBS mission that’s so important to me personally.”

Welcome to the team, Mitzi, and Maren! We are so glad you are here!