Patricia Rodriguez, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Leading
Patricia Rodriguez joins Austin ISD as the Deputy Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Leading. Mrs. Rodriguez brings over 23 years of experience in school leadership, leadership development and curriculum and instruction. As an accomplished and visionary leader, Mrs. Rodriguez has a proven track record of driving student achievement and inspiring teams to unite in one shared vision for collective success.
A native Houstonian, Mrs. Rodriguez began her career in the Houston Independent School District as a teacher and served in leadership roles as a Curriculum Manager, Principal and School Support Officer. Mrs. Rodriguez also served in the Aldine Independent School district where she was a member of the Executive Leadership Team as an Assistant Superintendent of Schools and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. Her leadership in both the Schools Office and Teaching and Learning provided a strong foundation for leading the Teaching, Learning and Leading team at Austin ISD.
Mrs. Rodriguez has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saint Thomas and a Master of Education degree in educational administration from Concordia University.
Mrs. Rodriguez is extremely proud to be part of the Austin ISD community and is committed to ensuring that all of our students have the best choices and opportunities to be successful academically, socially and emotionally.
Contact: patricia.i.rodriguez@austinisd.org
Ali Ghilarducci, Chief of Communications and Community Engagement
Ali Ghilarducci leads Austin ISD’s Department of Communications and Community
Engagement, which includes AISD.TV, Community Engagement and Outreach, Community Events and Marketing, Family Support, Media Relations, Social Media, Translation and Interpretation, and Web Services.
Ms. Ghilarducci first joined the district in 2017, serving on and later leading the Community Engagement team as assistant director. She’s led various district engagement efforts, including the annual Austin ISD budget and the 2017 and 2022 Bond Programs.
Ms. Ghilarducci holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and international relations from Scripps College in Claremont, CA.
Ms. Ghilarducci’s work is guided by the belief that we make better decisions when they are made with and not for those who are affected, and that engaged families and communities create stronger schools and student outcomes. Her goal is to create a greater sense of belonging and connection to the district and our schools.
In her free time, she enjoys reading fiction, social dancing, existential conversations and loving on the neighborhood cat.
Contact: alison.ghilarducci@austinisd.org
Dr. Stephanie Hawley, Chief Officer of Organizational Transformation
Dr. Stephanie Hawley serves as the District’s first Chief Officer for the Office for Organizational Transformation. The team partners and consults with departments and campuses to enhance equity-centered leadership development, practices and decision-making; districtwide strategic planning; professional learning; equitable staffing; and resource allocations. The OOT advocates for inclusive policy recommendations and practices by collaborating with departments to engage marginalized students and communities.
As a 30 year veteran in P–20 education systems serving as a teacher, administrator, and consultant, Dr. Hawley believes all students excel when provided with equitable educational opportunities and high expectations from experienced and caring teachers and campus leaders.
Prior to joining the district in 2019, she served as the associate vice president for equity and inclusion at Austin Community College, where she led the development and implementation of the system’s first equity progress report assessment guide to promote accountability for equity for equitable leadership, planning and policy development. In the broader Austin community, Dr. Hawley served on the Principal Leadership Academy Advisory Committee at UT Austin in the College of Education’s Cooperative Superintendency Program from 2016–20. Stephanie currently serves on the Community Advancement Network’s Executive Board of Directors.
Dr. Hawley has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Composition from the University of North Texas and a Master of Science degree in Education from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She earned a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin.
She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, racquetball, gardening and watching other people cook.
Contact: stephanie.hawley@austinisd.org | Follow: @AISD_OOT
Brandi Hosack, Chief of Talent Strategy
Brandi Hosack leads Talent Strategy, which encompasses Talent Strategy Systems and Employee Development & Sustainability. The Talent Strategy team supports the recruitment, development and retention of high-quality, equity-focused, diverse teachers and staff to meet the needs of all students. In addition, Talent Strategy develops programs and initiatives to ensure the well-being of each of Austin ISD's 11,000 employees.
Ms. Hosack brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position. She has served as the Assistant Superintendent of Talent Strategy Systems and the Assistant Superintendent of Employee Development & Sustainability. She joined Austin ISD in 2004 and has also served as principal at McCallum High School and Akins High School. Ms. Hosack has a Master of Education degree in educational administration from The University of Texas and a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University.
Contact: brandi.hosack@austinisd.org | Follow: @WeAreAISD
Heather Petruzzini, Chief of Staff
Heather Petruzzini started her career in education as a teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia, as a first-grade teacher. She became an instructional coach and an educational specialist supporting professional learning communities and teacher leadership. Ms. Petruzzini came to Austin in 2014, when she became an instructional coach in Eanes ISD. In 2016, she became the assistant principal at Sunset Valley Elementary and in 2018 she became the principal at Mary Ellen Cunningham Elementary. Under her leadership, Cunningham earned a grade of A and all six distinctions available from the Texas Education Agency. In July 2022, Ms. Petruzzini began her role as the Director of Academics under the leadership of Elizabeth Casas.
Ms. Petruzzini has a bachelor’s degree in art, a master's degree in elementary education, and a second master's degree in educational leadership. She is currently working on her doctorate in educational leadership and policy at the University of Texas at Austin. She is particularly interested in how districts support and develop leadership content knowledge.
Her professional interests include literacy education and how it is leveraged across the curriculum. She is passionate about increasing opportunities and outcomes for all students. She looks forward to working and learning alongside the Austin ISD community.
Contact: heather.petruzzini@austinisd.org
Eduardo Ramos, Chief Financial Officer
Eduardo Ramos serves the district as the Chief Financial Officer. He oversees Austin ISD finances including the budget, purchasing, state and federal grants, the Historically Utilized Business program. Ramos has worked in school finance for 27 years, including as chief of finance and operations in Pflugerville ISD and deputy superintendent of finance and operations in Hutto ISD.
While serving on Austin ISD’s executive leadership team, he was instrumental in the passage the historic $2.44 billion 2022 Bond package with a historic approval rating of 73% and secured the district's second AAA bond rating. Additionally, he balanced Austin ISD's operating budget for the first time in six years in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Ramos has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Edward's University graduating Magna Cum Laude with a double major in Accounting and Finance.
During his free time, he loves spending time with family, traveling and barbequing on weekends.
Contact: eduardo.ramos@austinisd.org
Dr. Jacob Reach, Chief of Governmental Relations & Board Services
Dr. Jacob Reach was appointed by the superintendent to lead a new office to support trustees and the district. Dr. Reach has 15 years working as an education professional, most recently serving as the district’s chief of staff.
He began his career in Lubbock ISD at Alderson, a middle school identified as Title 1. While at Alderson, he started a chess program for students, who won the inaugural Lubbock ISD chess tournament that following year.
He also worked for the Texas Education Agency, where he oversaw the grant programs for the state. He has worked for AISD for 10 years in various leadership roles in finance, the school's office, and now leading our legal office, governmental services and board services.
When not working, he enjoys fly fishing, and will commonly visit fishing spots in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. He and his wife have two girls, one who will attend Bear Creek Elementary this fall.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and sociology and a Master of Public Administration degree from Texas Tech University. He received his doctorate of education from Northeastern University in Boston.
Contact: jacob.reach@austinisd.org
Oscar Rodriguez, Chief Technology Officer
As chief technology officer for the Austin Independent School District, Oscar Rodriguez is driving a digital transformation across all information systems districtwide. Under his leadership, the district’s cybersecurity is being significantly enhanced and work efficiency is improving to benefit all staff, families and students.
Rodriguez has dedicated his whole career to education and brings more than fifteen years of experience to Austin ISD. He first joined the district in 2021, serving as the executive director of enterprise applications before taking on the role of CTO in 2022.
Prior to joining Austin ISD, Rodriguez worked with the Dallas Independent School District for nine years, serving in various capacities, including the role of director of business operations for the district’s transportation department.
Rodriguez has also spent time in the classroom. He began his career in education as a math teacher for Texan Can Academies. He is a first generation college graduate and believes in the impact education can have on students and their families.
Rodriguez is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree from Texas Christian University (TCU). He also holds an MBA in information systems and operations from TCU, an MS in global e-learning from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a BA in operations management from the University of Texas Arlington.
Contact: oscar.rodriguez@austinisd.org
Wayne Sneed, Chief of Police
Wayne Sneed serves as the district’s chief of police. He leads 76 full-time police officers, including 43 School Resource Officers (SROs), eight patrol officers and four detectives. There are two SROs assigned to every high school campus and one SRO assigned to every middle school campus. The department also employs 75 civilian staff, including dispatchers, office support staff, and unarmed security guard personnel.
Chief Sneed has been with the Austin ISD Police Department for the past 10 years, most recently leading the mental health and community engagement unit. He also teaches law enforcement at Texas State University. He has more than 40 years of experience, including as a former police officer in Austin and San Marcos.
Sneed also served as a Special Agent with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and served as Director of Internal Affairs, Office of the Inspector General with Texas Health and Human Services.
Contact: wayne.sneed@austinisdpolice.org | Follow: @AISDPolice
Christine Steenport, Chief of Operations
Christine Steenport has been with AISD for 10 years. Previously, she has served as the Assistant Superintendent of Operations and as the Executive Director of Food Service & Warehouse Operations for AISD.
During her time at Austin ISD, she has strengthened the Operations teams of Austin ISD by reestablishing organizational structure within various departments. She’s aided organizations such as FEMA, Red Cross and the City of Austin in providing relief to Austin ISD students and families after emergencies and natural disasters such as water boil notices and coordinating refugee shelter sites from Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri.
As a mom of two daughters that are Austin ISD elementary students, Christine is able to merge her points of view as a staff member and a parent to provide creative ideas, community perspectives and dynamic team support into the business and operations of Austin ISD.
Christine holds a bachelor's degree in Nutrition/Dietetics and a minor in Business from Texas State University.
Contact: christine.steenport@austinisd.org
Kenneth M. Walker II, General Counsel
Kenneth M. Walker II leads Austin ISD’s legal function as its General Counsel. In this capacity, Walker is responsible for representing Austin ISD in state and federal courts, ensuring legal compliance and providing advice and counsel on myriad matters affecting Austin ISD’s core business—educating students.
Walker began his tenure at Austin ISD in September 2023, hailing from Memphis, Tennessee where he served as the General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for Tennessee’s largest school district. Walker is dedicated to serving students and families and has used his legal training to ensure exceptional outcomes for students.
Walker received his Juris Doctor degree from Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law – the University of Memphis and his Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Memphis. Walker is licensed in multiple state and federal courts where he has achieved successful results on behalf of his clients.
Contact: kenneth.walker@austinisd.org