Our Team

Donate today

Help us to change lives! By donating to Side by Side Kids you are providing children with a safe place to go when the bell rings. We offer a positive environment with mentoring, tutoring, character development, a warm meal and the opportunity to play and just be a kid! Donate today and help us to impact the life of a child. DONATE

sly guzman

Chief Executive Officer

sly@sidebysidekids.org

Born and raised in the small cotton-farming community of Lamesa, TX, Sly first attended Midland Community College with the help and encouragement of his high school journalism teacher, a man who demonstrated to him the impact ... more

Sarah Ribeiro

Vice President of Development + Communication

sarah.ribeiro@sidebysidekids.org

Sarah’s love for people and adventure began in the quiet little town of Mankato, Minnesota. Although an Austinite since 2008, Sarah was raised in Hawaii and later, she and her family spent a decade in Europe where...

more

Christina Andrus

Afterschool Program Director

christina.andrus@sidebysidekids.org

Christina is a native Texan and is proud to once again call Austin home. Born and raised in DFW, she first came to Austin in 2014 to be a Longhorn. It was through involvement in the local church and college ministries ... more

Bianca Salazar

Executive Assistant

bianca.salazar@sidebysidekids.org

Bianca is a native Austinite, and she is one of five siblings. She was raised in a bilingual home that fostered a culture of curiosity for the world. As a result, she has always been interested in languages and deeply desires to learn about cultures that differ from hers ... more

Jillian McMurray

Communication Specialist

jmcmurra@st.edwards.edu

Jillian was born and raised in Waterford, Michigan. She came to Austin to pursue her education at St. Edwards University. Shes majoring in PR & Advertising with a minor in digital media marketing. She has fallen in love with Austin and enjoys being able to give back to the community through her position here at sbsk.

Claire Costilow

Communication & Development Specialist

claire.costilow@sidebysidekids.org

Claire is a native Texan and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in public relations and a minor in Spanish language. She was raised in Austin, where ...more

Brandon Kaiser

Afterschool Program Manager

brandon.kaiser@sidebysidekids.org

Brandon was born and mostly raised in Cheyenne, WY, with a few years spent in Colorado and Arkansas. He attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie Wyoming where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a concentration in... more.

Michael Mendez

Travis Heights Afterschool Program Coordinator
Michael is a native Austinite who returned back home after studying Media and Screen Studies & Theatre at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. There he was an active member of his community, volunteering in the city...more

Rosy Villarreal

All Saints Presbyterian Afterschool Program Coordinator 

rosy.villarreal@sidebysidekids.org

Rosy is a proud Texan, born and raised in Woodland's Houston, Texas. She's a mother of three and a graduate from Texas State University and Texas A&M University.  Rosy enjoys serving on missions, hiking, rock climbing, reading, jujitsu and gardening.  Rosy is excited to see how the Lord will continue to mold her. 

Christina Hooper

T.A Brown Afterschool Program Coordinator 

christina.hooper@sidebysidekids.org

Christina is a Southern California transplant, and moved to Austin in July 2021. While she has a degree in exercise science from Azusa Pacific University, she has found her career path, working with elementary students. She is a new mom and loves spending time with her 1-year-old son...more

Raven Johnson

J. Houston Afterschool Program Coordinator 

raven.johnson@sidebysidekids.org

Raven was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and relocated to Texas in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina. She’s an experienced and passionate educator with over 10 years working within youth ministries...more.

Jeff Krantz

Board Chairman

Jeff joined the board in January 2023. After 25 years of leadership roles in the technology industry he is redirecting his time to serve Christian based organizations in Austin and the surrounding area ...more

Tollie Bernard

Treasurer

Partner, Sequoia Holdings Management Company, LLC

Tollie joined the board in 2002. He has served in various roles on the board and more recently led our annual golf fundraiser. A native Texan, Tollie grew up in Dallas and has been in Austin since 1992. He and his wife Ann have 4 children – Kate  ... more 

taylor holcomb

Secretary

Attorney, Jackson Walker LLP

Taylor joined the board in November 2017. A native Austinite, Taylor grew up in some of Austin’s public schools. He and his wife Erin have two boys and a girl – Jimmy (7), John David (5), and Louisa (2). They have been active members of All Saints ... more

mike shannon

Board Member

Partner, Vianovo

Mike joined the board in 2010 and has served as Chair (2013-2015, 2017-2018), Vice Chair (2011-2013) and head of the Development Committee (2010-2013). He was a Side by Side volunteer tutor in 2006-2007 and has been involved in  ... more