Staff
Brittany Hebert Franklin
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Brittany Hebert Franklin never met a challenge she wasn’t prepared to face head-on. Her early years in Louisiana produced hardships from her parents’ divorce, mother’s drug addiction, father’s depression, and her family’s home burning to the ground. Through adversity, she clung to her rallying cry, “do things bigger than yourself” and has continued to raise the bar for herself each year.
At 21, Brittany was approached to raise $10,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Brittany remembered her life-changing trip only five years prior. Inspired by the challenge, Franklin contacted a few friends and hosted a sporting clay tournament in hopes of raising the $10,000. That day, they raised $50,000.
For 13 years, Brittany excelled in the Oil and Gas industry while building Sky High for Kids in her personal time. She utilized her contacts and resources within the industry to build events throughout Texas and Louisiana–raising millions of dollars to fund research projects. Sky High for Kids was officially founded in 2007 and successfully operated as a volunteer-run organization until 2014. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to provide comfort, fund research and save the lives of those fighting pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
In 2018, Brittany became the foundation’s full-time CEO. Today, she is leading a team raising millions of dollars to help fund pediatric cancer research. Sky High funds projects at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center and The Ronald McDonald House Charities, Memphis among others. Brittany’s leadership and passion has led Sky for High Kids to donate more than $14 million to research institutions and causes, including $4 million in 2019 alone. In 2018, Sky High for Kids ambitiously pledged to raise $40 million over the next 15 years for Texas Children’s Hospital and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ($20 per institution).Twenty million of the commitment benefits Texas Children’s Cancer Center projects Global HOPE initiative and the first immunotherapy center solely dedicated to pediatric cancer in the U.S. In addition, Sky High has committed to a $20 million pledge to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to fund a research floor within the new 625,000-square-foot Advanced Research Center (ARC). Research conducted throughout the ARC will help move pediatric cancer survival rates forward.
Brittany is a member of the Entrepreneurship Organization of Houston and Houston Pipeliners Association. She also serves on the Texas Children’s Cancer Center Advisory Board, Global Hope Campaign Executive Committee and Leadership Committee for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Memphis. Recognitions include Houston Business Journal’s 2016 40 Under 40 and Women to Watch in Business, St. Jude Houston Region Guest of Honor as well as one of Houston Modern Luxury’s 2017 Most Dynamic Women. Through her company, BMH Performance, LLC, she consults other nonprofit organizations, oil and gas service companies, and shares her story as a keynote speaker.
Brittany lives in Houston with her daughter Stevie James and her two dogs.
SHAUNTAE CENTERS
Chief Operating Officer
Shauntae was born and raised in Fargo, ND and moved to Houston in 2008. She joined the Sky High Team in 2017 as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and believes her mission in life is to help find the cure for pediatric cancer. When not working, Shauntae enjoys spending time with her family, finding new recipes and staying active. The Sky High Team has become her second family as she continues to live the mission as Chief Operating Officer.
Abbie Byrom Botello
Chief Marketing Officer
Abbie Byrom-Botello
Chief Marketing Officer
Most people in Texas barbecue come to the field through family tradition, restaurant experience, or a personal passion for smoking meats. Abbie Byrom-Botello took a different path—she married into it.
Byrom-Botello met Leonard Botello IV, founder of TRUTH BBQ, in New York City in 2014. At the time, she had no background in barbecue and no connection to the Texas food world. Over time, she became deeply involved in both.
Byrom-Botello holds a degree in journalism from North Carolina State University and began her career in broadcast media across TV and radio programming. She then transitioned into the restaurant space, serving as Director of Marketing for multiple New York City–based fast-casual groups, where she led brand redesigns, visual identity development, new store openings, and new menu rollouts. Afterward, she moved into technology and hospitality marketing at SAMSUNG Electronics, focused on launching the premium Chef Collection in the U.S. During her long tenure with SAMSUNG, she managed major marketing initiatives, chef partnerships, New York City Wine & Food Festival sponsorships, and branded collaborations with Martha Stewart, Food Network, Molly Sims, Jenna Bush Hager, and others. After relocating to Texas, she launched a successful hotel and lodging business in Round Top, which she later sold.
Today, she serves as Chief Operating Officer for TRUTH BBQ, overseeing day-to-day operations, business development, staffing, marketing strategy and events, brand partnerships, and charitable initiatives. Bringing a strong background in public relations, brand positioning, and operations, she has been instrumental in TRUTH BBQ’s rise to national prominence. Under her and Botello’s leadership, the brand has grown to include TRUTH BBQ in Brenham and TRUTH BBQ in Houston and TRUTH BBQ at NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans.
TRUTH BBQ has received widespread acclaim, maintaining a place in Texas Monthly’s Top 10 BBQ Joints for 10 consecutive years and earning Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition in Texas’ first Michelin Guide in 2024, an honor the brand has now received for two consecutive years.
Byrom-Botello’s marketing and operational leadership has played a key role in shaping TRUTH’s identity as a leading name in modern Texas barbecue. She is especially proud of increasing the number of women on the team, helping open career paths for women in a male-dominated industry.
Byrom-Botello also serves on the executive board for Sky High for Kids, a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to combating pediatric cancer. What began as a personal passion—first supporting as a donor—quickly evolved into a deeper commitment to the mission. She joined the executive board lending her expertise as a marketing mentor, helping refine communications, strengthen brand strategy, and elevate the organization’s national presence.
Recognizing her vision and leadership, Sky High for Kids appointed her as Chief Marketing Officer, where she has played a significant role in shaping long-term strategy, advancing storytelling efforts, and supporting major fundraising initiatives that directly impact families facing life-threatening conditions. In 2026, alongside her continued work as Chief Marketing Officer, she will assume the position of Executive Board Vice President, further expanding her role in guiding the organization’s growth, brand evolution, and mission to END Childhood Cancer.
Outside of work, she’s a devoted dog mom to three English Bulldogs: Waylon, Dolly, and Willett.
Megan Biesiada
Director of Events
Megan Biesiada
Director of Events
Megan Biesiada is a dedicated professional with a heartfelt commitment to making a difference. From Montgomery, Texas, Megan graduated from Texas A&M in 2018, where she earned her degree in Elementary Education. With a genuine passion for working with children, Megan spent five years teaching first grade before making a life-changing leap to work for Sky High full-time.
Megan’s career shift was driven by a profound sense of purpose – she believes that her calling is to contribute to young children, as well as the fight against Pediatric Cancer.
Courtney Parrott
Director of Development
Courtney Parrott
Director of Development
Courtney wasn’t born in Texas, but she got here as fast as she could! She moved to Sugar Land in the summer of 1987 and has claimed Fort Bend County as home ever since.
A 2004 graduate of Abilene Christian University with a degree in Integrated Marketing and Public Relations, Courtney has had a vast career in media for over 20 years. Spanning both West Tennessee, Southern Louisiana and most of Southeast Texas, her career includes outside sales in television, print, digital media and omnichannel marketing.
In 2017 she launched her own consulting business that focused on digital strategy, omnichannel marketing and custom event production for luxury auto brands. Immediately after forming her firm, Courtney began volunteering with Sky High For Kids on the Ladies Who Brunch Committee and helped grow that event into the success it is today. In 2022, she was even named Trailblazer of the Year by her Sky High peers and went full time with Sky High in September of 2025 as the Director of Development.
Currently residing in Richmond, Courtney has two children, Olivia and Grayson, and one incredibly lazy orange tabby named Porkchop.
Darby Deshotel
Finance Manager
Darby Deshotel
Finance Manager
Darby Deshotel joined Sky High for Kids in October 2024, bringing with her five years of experience in Occupational Medicine. During this time, she gained valuable expertise in Billing and Receivables as well as Human Resources. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston in 2019, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management with a Minor in Psychology.
Darby and her husband met in high school and both attended the University of Houston, where they played football and volleyball respectively. They married in 2021 and now have two beautiful children. Outside of work, they enjoy spending time with family and friends, bonding over their shared passion for sports.
Noel Jones
Marketing & Communications Manager
Noel Jones
Marketing & Communications Manager
Noel Jones is a skilled marketing professional and native Houstonian who graduated from Texas A&M University in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Visualization and a minor in Communication. In her time at Sky High for Kids, she has quickly risen through the ranks and now serves as the organization’s Marketing Manager.
During her time at Texas A&M, Noel focused on interactive media and honed her skills in graphic design and UI/UX design. Outside of her studies, she was the Director of the only improv troupe on campus and hosted her own radio show on KANM: The College Station of College Station.
She currently resides in Houston, Texas. When she’s not busy with work, Noel enjoys painting, attending concerts, and spoiling her cat, Ringo with treats and affection.
Candace Rodrigue
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Candace Rodrigue
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Candace plays a key role in supporting Brittany Hebert Franklin, CEO and Founder of Sky High for Kids. With nearly two decades of connection to the organization, she brings heart, professionalism, and a steady, solutions-focused approach to the mission. She manages executive scheduling, donor communication, and the behind-the-scenes coordination that helps Brittany stay focused on leading and growing Sky High’s impact.
A proud Houstonian, Candace brings a strong commitment to service and community into everything she does.
Yesenia Cabrera
Accounting Clerk
Yesenia Cabrera
Accounting Clerk
Yesenia Cabrera joined Sky High For Kids in October 2025 as an Accounting Clerk, bringing 17 years of experience in the accounting field. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a minor in Economics from the University of Houston in 2010.
Outside of work, Yesenia enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She also actively supports her daughter in competitive swimming and her son in soccer.
Mia Duplechien
Development, Partnership Specialist
Mia Duplechien
Development, Partnership Specialist
Mia Duplechien joined Sky High for Kids in January 2024 as the Development & Partnership Specialist, bringing with her a lifelong passion for helping others. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Kinesiology, initially planning a career in healthcare before finding her passion for helping others through mission-driven work.
Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Mia grew up attending Sky High events in the organization’s earliest years – making her role today a true full-circle moment. She now resides in Lafayette and oversees development for the Hometown Classic event and the organization’s Charity of Choice division managing partnerships across all five Sky High regions.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, spoiling her fur baby, Bear, and happily binging reality TV shows.
Emily George
Development Coordinator
Emily George
Development Coordinator
Emily George is an LSU graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication. A proud Louisiana native, she moved to Houston in 2014, embracing the city’s vibrant energy and diverse culture.
Emily has a lifelong passion for fashion and a natural ability to express creativity through style. She also has a deep love for children and values family above all, grounding her life in connection, compassion, and authenticity to the mission of Sky High. Armed with a serving heart and southern hospitality, she believes that kindness is a dish best served with a smile.
Hailey Kirkpatrick
Special Event Coordinator
Hailey Kirkpatrick
Special Event Coordinator
Hailey is from Missouri City, Texas and proud Texas A&M grad who earned a degree in Recreation, Parks & Tourism Sciences and certificates in event management, tourism, and hospitality in 2021 (WHOOP!). She’s spent over three years in private events, sharpening her skills and discovering her love for creating moments people remember. When the Sky High for Kids job posting landed in front of her at the perfect time and she saw the impact they make and how her work could truly matter, she was hooked. Now, she thrives on planning meaningful, memorable events that make a real difference.
Outside of work, Hailey enjoys cooking, baking, and longs walks on the beach…just kidding! She enjoys spoiling to her dog, Sunny, who she admittedly spends far too much money on (but don’t worry, he’s worth every penny)!
Camille Falbaum
Special Events Coordinator
Camille Falbaum
Special Events Coordinator
Camille is a Kingwood native and proud LSU graduate who followed a delightfully unexpected career path to Sky High for Kids. She spent seven years teaching before leaping into the world of wedding planning and eventually realized she wanted a career with a deeper purpose. As a Special Events Coordinator, she brings together her creativity, love for people, and knack for organized chaos to create events that bring joy to everyone involved.
When she’s not planning something exciting, you can find Camille loudly cheering on LSU sports, chasing after her energetic son, or devouring whatever BookTok insists she has to read next. She brings enthusiasm, warmth, and a whole lot of personality to everything she does.
Antonia Espinosa
Assistant Special Event Coordinator
Antonia Espinosa
Assistant Special Events Coordinator
Antonia is a recent graduate of the University of Arkansas, where she earned her degree in Advertising & Public Relations. During that time, she spent multiple summers working at Camp Ozark, where she discovered her love for working with and for kids to help grow God’s Kingdom.
After graduating, Antonia wanted to bring those strengths into another purpose-driven environment. When she found Sky High for Kids, the mission immediately resonated with her. Now, she’s excited to help create meaningful, seamless events that support families and make a real difference.
Outside of work, Antonia is a Young Life leader in Houston and loves spending her free time at coffee shops or going on walks with friends.
McKenna Morris
Assistant Special Event Coordinator
McKenna Morris
Assistant Special Event Coordinator
McKenna Morris first joined the mission as a volunteer at the 2022 Energy Classic. She volunteered at multiple events before joining the team in July of 2024. When joining the team, she started as the Office Manager and Assistant to the CEO. In January of 2025 she transitioned to the Special Events team. She shares her good humor, good vibes, attention to detail and OCD qualities with her team and the organization.
McKenna is a Houston native, growing up just south of Houston in Friendswood. She earned her degree and met her husband while studying at The University of Houston. She likes to spend her free time exercising, walking her dog (dalmatian, 5, Childers) and going on trips with her family. She appreciates a good snack, a day spent in the sun and quality time with her friends.
Logan Szymczak
Assistant Special Event Coordinator
Logan Szymczak
Assistant Special Events Coordinator
Logan is a 2021 graduate of Sam Houston State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in general business. Following graduation, she relocated to Chicago to launch her career in the recruiting industry, gaining valuable experience in the corporate world. In 2023, Logan returned to Houston, bringing with her a strong foundation in business and talent development.
Having always known she wanted to work in the nonprofit sector, Logan made the intentional decision after four years in recruiting to follow her passion for service and join the Sky High team. She is deeply passionate about helping others and is fueled by the opportunity to change lives and make a meaningful impact every day.
In her free time, Logan enjoys trying new coffee shops, staying active, and spending time with family, friends, and her three cats.
Liz Wike
Programs Coordinator
Liz Wike
Programs Coordinator
Liz first attended a Sky High for Kids event in 2022, with her fiancé Brandon, who shared his powerful story at Better in Boots about his daughter, Rorie, who bravely fought (ALL) Leukemia for 2 years before gaining her angel wings. Only a year later, Liz found herself at Texas Children’s with her own son, Brycen, facing a rare, malignant brain tumor—an experience that reshaped her understanding of whole-body health, different journeys for each child, and ongoing research in helping children thrive through and beyond their diagnosis.
After attending several Sky High events with her family, Liz chose to leave her 15-year career in hospital administration to dedicate her days to advocating for families walking the same path, making her the first warrior parent on staff. Originally brought on to support the finance team, she is now transitioning into a programs role where she can connect directly with warriors and their loved ones—offering comfort, planning birthdays, serving meals as part of the Sky High family.
Liz resides in League City with her two teenage boys, Brycen and Jax, her fiancé Brandon, her stepson, Holden and three French bulldogs.
Toni Romero
Lafayette Event Lead
Toni Romero
Lafayette Event Lead
Laura Angelle
Programs Liaison
Laura Angelle
Programs Liaison
Laura Angelle serves as a Programs Liaison for Sky High for Kids’ Cancer Warrior Pack Program. Originally from Louisiana, Laura has proudly called Houston home since moving here for college. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from UTMB and an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University.
Working in oncology-related environments is deeply personal and familiar to Laura. She spent 12 years of her early career managing outpatient clinics at MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the nation’s leading cancer institutions. During that time, Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer—a life-changing moment that shifted her perspective and allowed her to truly understand the experiences of the patients she supported. This was the beginning of her desire to advocate for those facing cancer.
Laura’s journey with Sky High for Kids began in an even more profound way when her youngest daughter was diagnosed with lymphoma at age 9. After nearly three years of an incredibly difficult treatment journey, Laura witnessed firsthand how severely underfunded pediatric cancer research is, how little awareness exists, and how intense and toxic current treatments can be for children. She also came to understand how a pediatric cancer diagnosis impacts the entire family—parents, siblings, and even grandparents.
Motivated by her daughter’s battle and inspired by Sky High’s mission to save kids’ lives through cutting-edge pediatric cancer research, Laura chose to dedicate her time, energy, and resources to supporting families walking the same path. Her passion and personal experience naturally led her into her volunteer role as Programs Liaison.
In her free time, Laura loves traveling with her family, cheering on her kids at volleyball games, and spoiling her mini goldendoodle. She is married to Kyle, a State Farm Agent who serves on Sky High’s Executive Board. Together with their three children, the Angelle family remains deeply involved with Sky High for Kids and frequently volunteers at events throughout the year.
Audrey Danforth
Volunteer Sky High Adventure Advocate
Audrey Danforth
Volunteer Sky High Adventure Advocate
Larry LaPoint
Volunteer Sky High Logistics Crew
Larry LaPoint
Volunteer Sky High Logistics Crew
Richie Bartosh
Volunteer Sky High Logistics Crew
Richie Bartosh
Volunteer Sky High Logistics Crew
Thank you for your interest in joining our team! At this time, we do not have any open positions. We encourage you to check back in the future for updates.