GOVERNANCE & STAFF

Founder

Jorge Baldor

JORGE BALDOR

Jorge Baldor was born in Havana, Cuba and lives in Dallas, Texas. He is a graduate from Southern Methodist University (SMU) with a BA in History (’93). 

In 2015, he was a founder of The Latino Center for Leadership Development. He most recently founded Mercado369 in the heart of Oak Cliff, a community art center and cafe reflecting the rich culture and history of Latin America from Mexico to Argentina. Jorge founded After8toEducate in 2017.

He chairs the business development committee on Dallas Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners and is the incoming Chair of World Affairs Council of Dallas-Ft. Worth. He is active on the SMU Dedman Executive Board and SMU Meadows School of the Arts Executive Board. Jorge’s other board service includes Social Venture Partners Dallas, Parkland Foundation Board, Goals for Dallas 2030, and Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce.

Jorge has received numerous awards and recognitions, including a feature as Dallas’ New Latino Leaders by D Magazine. In 2016 he was named by D CEO Magazine as Outstanding Latino Advocate and in 2018, he was nominated by the Dallas Morning News as Texan of the Year. He was most recently awarded the OHTLI Award by the Mexican government, which is the highest recognition given by the government to an individual living outside of Mexico for elevating Mexican culture abroad.

Board of Directors

Jorge Baldor
Board Chair
After8toEducate

Board & Governance

Anna Michele Bobadilla
The University of Texas at Arlington
Alain Dermarkar
 Shearman & Sterling LLP
Mateo Magdaleno
IDQ Group, Inc.
Mitzi Patin
Cardinal Capital
Ryan Scripps
The RNSJ Company
Charmaine Williams
AT&T
James Garner
BKD, LLP
Kevin Lee
Law Student, Civic Leader
Click Here for Biographical Information

Steering Committee

The After8toEducate Steering Committee is made up of 40 cross-sector community leaders who provided input on the implementation of program services, building renovation and other core project components. The inaugural meeting took place in April 2018; the Committee met for 6 months and will be advising After8toEducate as needed. Please click the button below to see a full list of the Steering Committee:

See Steering Committee Members

Team

ARA GRIMALDO SAINTUS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ara@after8toeducate.com

Ara Grimaldo Saintus, MSW, comes to us from Momentous Institute where she was the Education Outreach Manager, and managed the scholarship, mentor and moving to middle school program. Prior to working at Momentous Institute, she worked at Mothers Against Drunk Driving North Texas where she was responsible for community outreach, underage drinking prevention and Hispanic engagement in Dallas-Ft. Worth. Ara also worked six years at Big Brothers Big Sisters Lonestar after graduating from college, where she worked directly with youth throughout several high schools in the DFW area. She has worked in the non-profit sector for over ten years. Ara has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies from Texas A&M University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She is currently working towards her EdD-Doctor of Education at Texas A&M University-Commerce. She is a current fellow at ReflectUs- a national, nonpartisan coalition of the leading women’s representation organization, working to increase the number of women elected and appointed to public office at the local, state and national levels. She is also an alumna of Leadership ISD, HACE and the Mayors Star Council.

DENISE CARMONA

PROJECT MANAGER

denise@after8toeducate.com

Denise Carmona was hired in March 2021 as Project Coordinator for After8toEducate. Denise is responsible for maintaining donor and volunteer databases, collaborating with community partners, managing social media, marketing and communications, researching potential funding sources, and other special projects. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in University Studies in 2015 and her Master’s Degree in Sociology in 2018 at UT Arlington. Upon graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree, she worked for the Continuing Education Department at UTA as a Program Coordinator, overseeing the administrative/ organizational side of the Public Works Institute at CED. Denise enjoys utilizing her skills to contribute to both her hometown Dallas, and the mission of After8.