Announcing New Officers and Members of the Board
We’re thrilled to announce several updates to the Board of Directors of Explore Austin, including changes to officer positions as well as the appointment of two new board members. As we continue to grow and evolve, we’re proud to introduce new faces and a refreshed leadership team that will support and guide our mission of empowering local youth from economically disadvantaged communities through mentorship, leadership and outdoor adventure.
Effective immediately, the Explore Austin Board of Directors has elected the following existing board members to officer positions: Mentor alum Scott Phillips as Chair; parent of an Explorer alum Alex Castillo as Vice Chair, Explorer alum Lenar Cantu as Secretary, and Wendy Papasan of Papasan Properties Group as Treasurer. These leaders bring a wealth of direct experience, passion for and commitment to our programming.
In addition, we’re eager to welcome two new board members: Drury Morris, an Explore Austin Mentor alum and Senior Director at the University of Texas Investment Management Company, and Sarah Goodman, a mergers and acquisitions strategist and founder of Eminence M&A Strategies. Both bring unique perspectives and expertise to the table, and we’re confident their service will help us continue building connections within the greater Austin community.
New Board Members
Drury Morris | Senior Director, University of Texas Investment Management Company
Drury Morris has a long history of service at Explore Austin, first becoming involved with our flagship program as a Mentor to a team of Explorers in 2013. Originally from Alabama, he grew up hiking and camping in the Bankhead National Forest and spending summers on the Tennessee River. His appreciation for the outdoors led him to get involved with Explore Austin first as a Mentor, then by serving on the Finance Committee in 2021 before being elected to the Board of Directors in September 2024.
“I grew up hiking and camping with my family and Scouts and saw how outdoor adventure can help grow self confidence and resilience. I loved Explore Austin’s mission of increasing access to these types of activities for students. It’s been fun to be part of Explore’s growth thus far and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Drury Morris
Having graduated with a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration from Rhodes College, Drury began his career at Morgan Keegan in Memphis, TN working with local governments, healthcare and higher education institutions to issue bonds to help finance infrastructure projects across the southeast. In 2010, he moved to Austin to join the University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) as a member of the investment team. Over the last fifteen years he’s worked in senior portfolio manager roles on both the Hedge Fund and Public Equity portfolios, which together comprise over half of the $75 billion in assets managed by UTIMCO. He is currently a Senior Director on the Public Equity team overseeing the Developed Equity Portfolio.
While Drury’s primary experience has been investment focused, he also spent two years working as UTIMCO’s Chief of Staff with the firm’s CEO and Chief Investment Officer. In the Chief of Staff role, Drury assisted with the firm’s strategic planning, goal setting, talent management, recruiting and external communications, including media and government relations.
Drury recounts one of his all-time favorite adventures was with Explore Austin on his team’s senior Capstone Summer Wilderness Trip to summit a snowy peak:
“We woke up at four in the morning and hiked as far as we could before putting on crampons and roping up to get up the steeper snow-covered stretches. Getting to the top was amazing and the whole team felt such a sense of accomplishment completing it together.”
Drury has been married to his wife, Sumati, since 2015. They currently live in Northwest Hills with their three young children. As a family, they enjoy hiking Walnut Creek and the Turkey Creek Trail in Emma Long Park – and Drury says he can’t wait to tag along on another Explore Austin Saturday Challenge soon, this time as a board member.
Sarah Goodman | Founder, Eminence M&A Strategies
Sarah Goodman first heard about Explore Austin through her involvement with the 4ATX Foundation, the community outreach arm of the Austin FC MLS team, and through current Explore Austin Mentor Hudson Penn. She’s active in multiple professional organizations, including the Women Presidents Organization, ProVisors, Austin Business Woman and W Connect, and is an active philanthropist in the Austin community. She was elected to the Explore Austin Board of Directors in December 2024.
“I’m active with the 4ATX Foundation, and I understand there is a lot of overlap in the community served, with similar goals to inspire future leaders. The more ways we can create access, growth and opportunity for these kids, the better! I also was introduced by a dear friend, Hudson Penn. Hudson was so passionate and detailed about his experience with Explore Austin, it was something I was keen to be more involved in. I love the ambitious projects and moves Explore Austin is making, and it’s a really exciting time. Big goals, hard work and a major opportunity to expand resources to help more kids – sign me up!”
Sarah Goodman
Sarah founded Eminence M&A Strategies in 2022 as a way to provide personalized guidance to business owners seeking to exit their companies. She loves “deals, data, helping people, growing companies and technology,” and has an extensive background in business development, project management and client services. In addition to her advisory role, she is an active angel investor and holds a strong presence in the real estate investment sector.
A self-professed “rabid” soccer fan, Sarah enjoys cheering on the Verde at Austin FC games as well as coaching her two young daughters’ soccer teams. She and her husband also love scoping new trails on the greenbelt where their whole family can get outside together.
When asked to recount a favorite outdoor adventure, she was hard pressed to name just one:
“Machu Picchu in Peru, Dragon Boats in Vancouver, or banding birds in the Chihuahuan Desert, climbing Guadalupe Peak. The world is such a beautiful place with so much to explore. Can I pick all of it? If I truly must, I love rustic camping in the Chisos Basin in Big Bend.”