Staff

Brittany Hebert Franklin

CEO & 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 husband, James Robert, where they are raising Franklin’s adopted daughter, Allie.

Jessy Deardurff

COO

Jessy Deardurff was born and raised near Cincinnati, Ohio, where her immediate family still resides. She moved to Houston after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. Jessy is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Sky High. She joined the Sky High team full time in 2015 after volunteering for four years. She is responsible for managing the overall operations of the organization including Programs, Legal, HR, Systems and Finance. Prior to Sky High for Kids, Jessy worked for Occidental Petroleum as a Human Resources Associate with international employee relations. Jessy has a passion for her faith, family, friendships, career, learning and her dog George.

Kristina Gutierrez

Marketing & Communications Director

Kristina joined Sky High in January 2017. In her current role she leads brand and logo management, manages the website and designs collateral along with other public relations and marketing efforts. In addition to leading marketing and communication initiatives, she also serves as a senior event coordinator for the organization, executing two of Sky High’s largest events. Prior to joining Sky High, Kristina worked with a private oil and gas company in South Texas and with a nationally recognized law firm handling public relations. She graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio where she studied communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in business administration. Kristina enjoys reading, working out, tennis, golf and shopping.

SHAUNTAE PIERCE

Office Manager & Executive Assistant to the CEO

Shauntae was raised in an agricultural wonderland on the plains of North Dakota. Prior to Sky High, whilst home on the range, she was the Swine Festival Queen for two years straight. She studied at the University of Minnesota and yes she uses the word “Pop”. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, attend church and cook!

Jamie Sullivan

Senior Event Coordinator

Jamie Sullivan was raised in Katy, a suburb of Houston, Texas. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of science in public relations and a minor in business foundations. After graduation, Jamie moved back to the Houston area and worked in public relations before moving into event design and coordination. Jamie joined the Sky High team in October of 2018 as a senior event coordinator and is responsible for our Ladies Who Brunch event, the San Antonio banquet, and our fundraising partnership with Buckeye Partners, L.P.. Jamie enjoys thrilling mystery novels, trivia games, podcasts and margaritas.

Sarah Mouton

Senior Event Coordinator

Sarah was born and raised in Houston and graduated from Louisiana State University in 2014 with a Bachelor ofScience in General Business and a Minor in Personal Finance. Following graduation, Sarah moved back to Houston and worked as the Logistics Coordinator at Silver Stone Events. In 2017, Sarah moved into the nonprofit sector with Casa de Esperanza as the Marketing and Development Coordinator. Sarah joined the Sky High family in August of 2019 as a Senior Event Coordinator and is responsible for the Houston banquet & clay shoot and the partner event with Crestwood.  Sarah enjoys gardening, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family.

Grace Theriot

Event Coordinator

Raised in Pearland, Texas, Grace is a Texas State University graduate with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Public Relations and Business Administration. Prior to joining Sky High, Grace worked for a South Austin Real Estate team as the Marketing and Events Coordinator, where she tuned in on her passion to create memorable events and serve others. Grace joined Sky High as an event coordinator in July 2018, and continues to fall in love with the mission. Grace enjoys fitness, reading, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering at her hometown church.

KIM JANCA

ProgramsCoordinator

Kim grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana and graduated in 2014 from LSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders. Prior to joining Sky High, she worked as a Regional Political Director for the Republican Party of Louisiana, focusing on Grassroots and Field Operations. Kim joined the mission to end pediatric cancer at Sky High as an Event Coordinator in November of 2017 and is responsible for the development of event strategies, planning and seamless execution of events. She is currently training for the Houston Half Marathon!

Leigh Ann Love

Accountant

Leigh Ann Love is a born and raised Houstonian. Hailing from the Westchase District, Leigh Ann is the newest addition to Sky High. Prior to joining Sky High, she worked 3 years in the Oil and Gas industry while finishing her degree and raising her two sons. After receiving the Red Rose Scholarship for Leadership and graduating Cum Laude and from the University of Houston–Downtown, with an Accounting Degree, Leigh Ann worked for Landry’s, Inc. for seven years where she acquired her high-volume corporate accounting skills. Leigh Ann enjoys roller skating, working out, traveling and most important math. Currently, she is pursuing her Masters in Accountancy at the University of Houston.