Executive Director

Mandy Majors​

Mandy grew up in a divorced home in a small Indiana town. She survived many bad teenage decisions, landed at Indiana University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. She’s been married to Matt for 23 years, and they’re raising two teens in Texas. Prior to writing books and starting nextTalk, Mandy previously worked in the legal field for 15 years and also volunteered in various positions at her home church with a focus on serving families (an emphasis on parent/child relationship) and leadership development.                

This whole nextTalk adventure started when Mandy’s oldest child asked a highly-sexualized question in 2013. Her daughter was nine and in the fourth grade. This awakened Mandy to a new reality: even though her daughter didn’t have a phone, she was still exposed to pornography. This set Mandy on an unexpected path into unchartered territory. She created a mom’s group in her church that grew from 20 to 200 within three short semesters. At the same time, her online group exploded with moms from all over the world (no marketing, just word of mouth). Mandy was also asked to speak on TV and radio.               

Mandy wrote her first book, TALK: A Practical Approach to Cyberparenting and Open Communication, in 2017; it was awarded first place in family/parenting category by the 2019 Illumination Awards (alongside best-selling authors Bob Goff, Anne Graham Lotz, Kathie Lee Gifford, Pope Francis and Lysa TerKeurst).                

After traveling and speaking to thousands of parents throughout the United States, Mandy wrote her latest book, Keeping Kids Safe in a Digital World: A Solution That Works, which has also been recognized by the 2021 Illumination Awards. Mandy and her co-host, Kim Elerick, record new content regularly on the nextTalk podcast, which is now rated in the top 5% of over 2 million podcasts with listeners in over 60 countries.          

Mandy loves to hear your parenting wins and also gives out mom hugs regularly, if you need to cry. One of her biggest passions is helping moms realize … you are not alone, and YOU. CAN. DO. THIS! Connect with her via email, Facebook or Twitter.

Director

Kimberly Elerick​

Kim graduated from the University of Hawaii with a dual degree in broadcast journalism and family resources with the intent of using media as a way of bringing information and resources to families. She spent 15 years in radio production, with 10 as a morning-show host on The Fish, 95.5 FM. She was the promotions director for various radio stations and worked in sales and marketing for Salem Communications in San Antonio, Texas. Kim was the marketing director and tour guide for a travel agency that took her around the world. She also acted as a sales and counseling trainer for Jenny Craig. She has been in ministry leadership at her home church for more than 10 years, and she has volunteered her time to create marketing campaigns for various organizations including the American Heart Association.

Kim and her husband, Charles, of 20 years were part of a pre-marital counseling team that created and led marriage conferences for New Hope, Oahu (one of the largest churches in America). She is passionate about teaching practical tools for a healthy marriage based on open communication and reducing the stigma of counseling.

Kim spends her time moving the train behind the scenes all while parenting her three children (ages 12, 10 and 7). She enjoys the challenges and rewards of homeschooling. Kim is a self-proclaimed foodie and dance-party mama; she is comfortable with the fact that coffee is her non-Jesus-life-force.

Board Member

Michael Perkins​

Michael Perkins is the Managing Partner and CEO of local accounting firm, SPR. His primary areas of focus include counseling owners and executives of closely held businesses and other high net worth individuals on their personal financial issues, including estate planning, wealth transfer, and income tax planning techniques. Michael is also experienced at providing external audit services for clients in a variety of industries and oversees the firm’s audit department. He also plays the role of a virtual CFO for many of his clients. His favorite thing about SPR is the people. He considers his team his extended family, and that makes all his hard work so much easier. 

In his pre-partner days, Michael worked in the tax consulting group at Ernst & Young after earning his BBA and MPA (Master in Professional Accounting) at the UT Austin Red McCombs School of Business. While in school, Michael received two endowed scholarships, received the Federation of Schools of Accountancy Award in recognition of superior academic achievement, leadership, and professionalism in post-baccalaureate accounting education, and was consistently on the Dean’s List. He also earned the “Top Ten Award” from the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for scoring one of the top ten cumulative scores in the State of Texas on the CPA exam.

These days, when he is not partner-ing, he enjoys spending time with his family – especially in the great outdoors. He loves to water-ski and reminisces about his days on the UT Water-Ski Team in college. He also loves to snow-ski, and one of his all-time favorite vacation spots is the slopes in Whistler, British Columbia. He can’t wait until his two sons get a little older so that they can take birthday “man-trips” together – all three of them were born on the same day!

Operations Manager

Merideth Zingelmann

Merideth graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and worked as a registered nurse for 10 years. She has been married to her husband, Neal, for 27 years and they have successfully raised three kids who are now young adults. After departing hospital nursing, she and her husband built a real estate company from the ground up where she has managed the operational side of the business for the last 20 years. As she was building their business, Merideth also had a passion to serve her community. She led a group of women who chartered a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group at Community Bible Church (CBC) in San Antonio. That team produced new leaders and groups, so she oversaw that growth and served as a liaison counsel to the women’s pastor. As Merideth’s children grew, she ventured into the world of Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at the elementary and middle school levels. Serving in multiple roles that included president, programs chair and membership chair, she had a passion to grow the organization, bridge gaps for the student’s learning, and focus on getting moms and dads more involved by implementing new programs. As she worked with students, parents, and teachers, she saw the need to dig deeper into the online world and its effects on children. As her kids got older, she expanded her service to high school. After 10 years of volunteering in varying capacities, she became the president of Brandeis Broncos Athletics Booster Club and has helped re-engage the community post-COVID.

Merideth spends her time behind-the-scenes running the daily business operations of our nonprofit. She’s a huge football fan and can easily talk football positions and scores with the best of them.  Believing that God has called us to engage with our community to be His hands and feet, Merideth has made it her life’s mission to help others and encourage those around her to fulfill God’s plan for their lives.

Social Media Manager

Darby DeBusk

Darby is a native Texan! In 2020, she graduated (virtually) magna cum laude from the University of North Texas with her bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing. She’s used her educational experience in for-profit contexts, but she’s passionate about using digital tools for good for non-profits and ministries, like nextTalk! As a social media manager, she thrives on strategy and helping people take their best next step. Darby enjoys being really involved at her church and exploring her home city of Dallas.

Board Member

Joseph Schuetze

Joseph Schuetze co-founded PAX Financial with aspirations to provide an exceptional experience for clients of all portfolio sizes and an opportunity for financial professionals to provide real value to clients. In the years since he has worked to build a robust team dedicated to providing the same support to their 250k portfolio clients as their 25 million portfolio clients. 

At PAX their mission statement is to guide others in all stages of life to adopt prudent financial practices, so their clients can live a more meaningful life.  Joseph is exceptional at providing sound advice and outstanding service. Most of Joseph’s clients have worked with him for many years, relying on his expertise to tackle complex financial problems and prepare them for retirement. 

Outside the office, Joseph is leader in his community & in his home. Joseph teaches a Bible study curriculum through Christ Is Life Ministries and worships at Community Bible Church. He has been a C12 board member for the past 10 years transforming PAX to be run through a biblical perspective. Joseph serves as the fundraiser chairman on the San Antonio Christian School Booster Club, he supports local charities and participates in community service events.  

He and his wife Stacey have supported nextTalk since the very beginning & have implemented the nextTalk practices in their own home. Joseph is a nextTalk dad to two teens and believes that open communication is key in raising kids today.  His commitment to living a life in service of others supports the core values and strategic objectives of PAX Financial and the Schuetze home.

Administrative Assistant / Event Coordinator

Kim Nichols

Kim has been married to her college sweetheart, Derek, for 26 years and is the proud mother of three fantastic young adults (23, 21, and 16). After graduating from Southwest Texas State University with a teaching certificate, she moved with her husband, Derek, to San Antonio where she began her first teaching job as a second-grade teacher. She taught for twelve years; spending most of her time as a 3rd grade teacher.  When her son was 2 years old, she had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom and help nurture her kids through all the ups and downs of their K-12 experiences. During that time, she spent several years participating in and leading small group bible studies at her home church, Community Bible Church, where she has been a member since arriving in San Antonio. This work transitioned into leading a small group with the nextTalk team. She and her husband had been raising their children with open and honest communication for years and she connected immediately to the mission of nextTalk. Kim’s strong belief in the work that nextTalk does and the close friendships she made with the team led her to take on the role of Admin/Event Coordinator where she proudly works with organizations across the United States to schedule nextTalk speaking engagements.

Kim is the author of Love Rises The Journey from Fear to Love-Focused Parenting.She encourages parents to use their past experiences as strengths to parent from a place of love rather than fear.  

Kim enjoys sharing her story with other parents and helping them understand the benefits of open communication and love-focused parenting. She loves engaging in emotional conversations where she can make a heart connection with parents. Kim also enjoys mentoring young adults as they learn to navigate life, love, and career choices.

Treasurer

Megan Perkins

Megan is a Certified Public Accountant with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.  She began her career at KPMG, LLP where she enjoyed the public accounting environment and learning the ins and outs of tax returns. After 4 years, Megan changed directions and began a new career at Rackspace where she had the opportunity to develop and lead the tax department of a rapidly growing tech company.  After 10 years of working while raising her family, Megan decided it was time to officially “retire” so that she could be home full time with her 3 children while continuing to support her busy husband, also a CPA.   

Megan loves the business world but is passionate about her family. As the Treasurer for nextTalk, she has found a way to combine several of her passions in life; parenting, accounting and giving back. Megan also loves photography, traveling and providing new experiences and adventures for her family.

Advisory Council

Jamie Mershon

Jamie, MA, LPC,  is a born and raised Iowa dairy farm girl. After graduating college with a teaching degree, she took an elementary teaching job in the Northside Independent School District of San Antonio, TX. It was in the classroom that God took hold of her heart and gave her the “why” to pursuing counseling! Jamie’s passion is meeting people in their brokenness and providing hope, healing and freedom through practical tools, scripture, and her 15 years of working with families! 

Through her private practice, One:6 Christian Counseling, Jamie works with a holistic approach & practice from the lens of mind, body & spirit. One:6 Christian Counseling is rooted in Philippians 1:6, which tells us that we are called to growth, not perfection. 

She also practices Cognitive Behavior therapy, which is effective in treating both anxiety & depression. She is also trauma-informed and  was recently trained in ETT (Emotional Transformation Therapy.) This technique is highly effective when working with trauma, emotional distress, and even pain carried in the body. 

Jamie is a mom to three little gals and wife to her gentle giant husband, Michael (he’s 6’8)! When she’s not at home loving on her littles, you can find her in the counseling chair as a licensed professional counselor with coffee in hand

Advisory Council

Annie Viers

Annie Viers, MA, LMFT-S, LPC-S, is a native Texan who in 2008 joined forces with a childhood friend, Celeste Inman, to create The Vine Wellness Group, a collaborative mental health and wellness private practice that focuses on the holistic treatment of individuals and familes. In 1998, Annie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Baylor University (Sicem’ Bears!) and continued with earning her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, which she received from St. Mary’s University in 2001. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is an LPC clinical supervisor for Master’s Level Interns who are accruing their practice hours for Texas licensure, as well as an LMFT supervisor for LMFT Associates. Along with her colleagues, Annie enjoys spending time outside the office speaking on a variety of mental health and wellness topics to the community and other professionals. In her free time, we enjoys traveling with her family and sharing a meal with her life long friends!

Advisory Council

Charles Elerick

Charles graduated from the University of Hawaii with a BA in accounting, obtained his teaching certificate and then earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Texas at Tyler. Charles has taught various subjects from Bible to Math and Science as well as coached middle and high school students in public school for 18 years. He currently serves as a Pre-k thru 12 Principal at a private school. Charles has volunteered with nextTalk speaking at schools, as a podcast host and guest, and currently as a member of our advisory council. 

When he’s not on a school campus, Charles enjoys lifting weights and spending time outdoors with his family,  fishing, hiking and biking. He has been married to his college sweetheart Kim for 20 years, and they’re raising three kids, ages 12, 10, and 7 in San Antonio, TX.

Advisory Council

Dr. Robin Womack

Robin is a board-certified Ob-Gyn physician in private practice in San Antonio. She received her B.S. degree from Texas &&M University and her M.D. from The University of Texas Houston Medical School. She completed her residency at The University of New Mexico where she was the Junior Fellow Chair of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New Mexico Chapter. This is where she met her husband, fellow physician, James Womack.

Robin and James have been happily and busily married for 16 years and have 2 children ages 11 and 9. When she is not driving kids all over creation, Robin enjoys wake surfing, triathlons, and painting with the kids.

Robin is passionate about educating and motivating the young women and mothers she sees in practice at Northeast Ob-Gyn Associates. In her medical residency, she was awarded the Teaching Award each year of her training, as her passion to teach others shone. She discovered nextTalk when her children showed a growing interest in the internet. She saw the need to teach herself and her fellow mothers a pathway to navigate the changing landscape of child protection and empowerment.

Board Member

Celeste Inman

Celeste, MEd, LPC-S, RPT-S, has a passion and joy working with young children, which led to her earning her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies from the University of North Texas (UNT) in 2000. While there, she learned about their well-known Play Therapy program, so stayed to continue and received her Master’s degree in Counseling in 2004. Celeste is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and is a Clinical Member of the Association for Play Therapy. She is an LPC clinical supervisor for Master’s Level interns who are accruing their practice hours for Licensure. Celeste also co-owns, alongside with best friend and business partner Annie Viers, The Vine Wellness Group, a collaborative mental health and wellness practice in San Antonio. She was born and raised in San Antonio, is married and has two children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, being outdoors and attempting to do something crafty! Not only does she specialize in working with children as young as 2, but also enjoys working with adolescents, parents and other adults.