High Point Village Staff
Kerry Miller
Executive Director
Kerry Miller
Kerry has been involved with High Point in some capacity for the past 8 years, first as a Villager parent and then as a board member. Thus, he has a wonderfully unique perspective and vision for our organization. He loves the Lord, has a heart for our mission, and embodies our core values.
Kerry comes to us with an extensive background in engineering, most recently at Kimley-Horn where he started, grew and managed the Lubbock office for the past 9 years. His technical expertise, cheerful personality and passion for the Villagers will be the perfect recipe for success as our next Executive Director.
Deborah Finlayson
Development Director
Deborah Finlayson
Deborah has lived in Lubbock her entire adult life after attending Texas Tech University. As a professional fund raiser for 30 years, Deborah says the most important thing she has learned is true fundraising success centers around the happiness and fulfillment a donor receives from knowing they have helped a cause they truly believe in. It is the mission of High Point Village to sustain and build upon the excellent programming provided for our Villagers so you can continue to see the difference it makes in the lives of these amazing individuals. Prior to High Point Village, Deborah managed the annual giving program at Texas Tech, and managed fundraising and events for the YWCA and the American Red Cross.
Deborah and her husband, Craig, have two adult children, both living in Denver, Colorado. They have two dogs and two cats. Deborah spends her volunteer time singing for First United Methodist Church choir, serving as an advisor for the Delta Gamma Sorority and serving as an active sustaining member of the Jr. League of Lubbock.
“I am very honored to join this amazing family at High Point Village.”
Jaimie Havens
Program Director
Jaimie Havens
Jaimie graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies.Through her involvement with Texas Partners in Disability Leadership and her commitment to advocacy for this population, Jaimie continues to learn from the Villagers and champion their goals.
“High Point Village is more than just an incredible place of belonging, it is absolutely the Kingdom of God at work in Lubbock, Texas. His presence is so evident in every laugh, every piece of art, and every relationship built here. It is an honor to work at such an incredible place!”
Grace Gomez, MT-BC
Therapy Services Director
Grace Gomez, MT-BC
Grace Gomez is a Board Certified Music Therapist with specialized training in Neurologic Music Therapy. Grace has a passion and desire for the use of therapies to partner with Villagers in meeting their full potential. Grace’s vision is helping to achieve the mission of High Point Village through her founding, establishment, and continued expansion of the Cultivate Therapies Department. She began the department with Music Therapy, expanded by adding a contract with the Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic through the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and has recently added a Speech-Language Therapist to the High Point Village team. Grace leads the therapy team in providing critical therapeutic practices to assist and facilitate Villager growth. She also expanded services to all ages and abilities.
Diana Henderson
Financial Director
Diana Henderson
Diana has served as Financial Director of High Point Village since 2012. She has been an integral part of the organization’s growth from a few dozen Villagers in a single day program and a few afternoon classes, to serving over 125 Villagers in two day programs, therapies, summer camps, sports programs, a wide variety of afternoon enrichment classes, and seasonal social activities.
Diana received a BS degree from Wayland Baptist University and an MBA from Texas Tech. She has been able to bring business and accounting skills developed during her career into practice at High Point Village. In addition to day-to-day duties, she continually monitors and adapts to the ever-evolving nonprofit world, prepares for an external audit each year, and reports monthly to the Board of Directors. Her favorite part of being the Financial Director is getting to know Villagers and their families and seeing the positive impact that High Point Village has in their lives.
“God continues to bless this organization with tremendous growth and community support and I am thrilled to be part of this journey!”
Lori Savedra
Office Manager
Lori Savedra
Lori has been married to her husband Ezequiel Sr. for over twenty years and they have three adult children together.
“I strongly believe in the scripture Philippians 4:13. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,’” said Lori. “The Villagers show me everyday that anything is possible with or without a disability.”
DeNae Cortez
Administrative Support Specialist
DeNae Cortez
As the Administrative Support Specialist, DeNae is the first face the Villagers get to see as they arrive for programming every morning! She is also in charge of daily tasks from running multiple errands to managing our donor database. DeNae has made a wonderful impact on the lives of our Villagers and their families during her time at High Point Village.
DeNae is a Lubbock native and attended the University of North Texas. In 2015, she helped create the nonprofit organization Lubbock-Con. She is very involved in the geek, comic and art communities in West Texas. During DeNae’s free time, she loves spending time with her children, dressing up in cosplay, and planning/hosting events all over the city.
“I feel so blessed to join the community at High Point Village and cannot wait to grow and learn with the Villagers. Seeing their smiling faces every morning brings me so much joy!”
Natalie Hendrix
Social Worker
Natalie Henrix
Natalie Hendrix is a licensed part-time social worker for High Point Village. Born and raised in Lubbock, she received her BA in Psychology from Texas A&M in 2001, and her Masters in Social Work at UT Austin in 2003. She and her husband, Wes, then moved to Dallas where Natalie worked for 3 years as the lead social worker for Fresenius Medical Care South Dallas County Dialysis Center, before staying home to raise their two children, James and Charlie. Natalie and her family moved to Lubbock in 2019, and she quickly became acquainted with High Point Village and its mission. Working with incredible people like the Villagers has been a career goal for her, and she is so very excited to be starting her dream job here at High Point Village!
She will serve High Point families through resource referral, crisis intervention and supportive counseling, community advocacy, and likely some van-driving! She is proud to be a part of the HP team.
Katie Crump
Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator
Katie Crump
Katie grew up in Lubbock where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University. Her career began as a Certified Child Life Specialist for 5 years then joined the High Point Family in August of 2018. During her time at High Point, she has worked as a full time teacher in Reach High and also a Program Assistant to Dream Big.
Katie is currently working as the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator. Her passion is cultivating relationships with the community and sharing the Villagers’ God given treasures with the world. Katie has contributed to diversifying our community outings so our Villagers can share their light with the world. She loves bringing the Lubbock community out to High Point to share the amazing programming and volunteer opportunities that we have. She oversees all interns and volunteers. She also helps with development and special events to further the mission and vision of High Point Village.
“I knew the first time I visited High Point Village that there was no other place like it. The Villagers have hearts like Jesus and have truly changed my life.”
Hannah Phillips
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Hannah Phillips
“I feel so blessed to be a part of the High Point Village family and that I get to showcase how wonderful the Villagers are. I think I am right where God wants me to be!”
Allison Martin
Purpose Initiative Coordinator
Allison Martin
Before coming to High Point, Allison was completing her degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
“The best part of working here is being able to see the Villagers everyday,” said Allison. “They continue to bring joy into my life.”
Paula Sonnenberg
Purpose Initiative Coordinator
Paula Sonnenberg
Paula joins the High Point Village Team as Coordinator for the newly commissioned “Purpose Initiative.” Graduating from LCU in 1997 with an Education Degree (English, Speech, Reading, Theatre and Journalism). She went on to graduate from Clinical Pastoral Education (seminary/vocational training) to become a Licensed Chaplain in 1999 and then later graduate work at Texas Tech for additional certifications in SPED/Deaf Education.
She and her husband, Lee, have raised their stair-step son and two daughters, Silas, Sadie and Scout, as Frenship Tigers and Texas Tech Red Raiders. Silas, a Tech graduate, is a Chaplain at Covenant Health Systems. Sadie is working towards her PhD in Sports Psychology and Scout is a Studio Art Major.
Lee is the Executive Director of AER (an international organization Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.)
“As a mom to three children living with chronic illness and disability as well as experiencing those myself, Lee and I have spent a lifetime learning about, loving on and advocating for those with special needs. I feel that my whole adult life has come together for such a time as this: to serve Villagers and their families educationally, spiritually and with my whole heart.”
Caleb Hayslip
Dream Big Coordinator
Caleb Hayslip
Caleb Hayslip was born and raised in Lubbock, TX. Caleb has been a volunteer at High Point Village for over five years and in August of 2020 was hired on as our new Dream Big Coordinator. He and his loving wife Summer are so happy to be a part of the High Point Family and see all the great things God has planned for this organization.
Jordan Bilbrey
Program Coordinator
Jordan Bilbrey
“Everyday I’m reminded how much I love my High Point family! I learn so much from the villagers who know how to live life to its fullest and always make fun a priority, there is never a dull moment!”
Abigail Chua
Music Therapist
Abigail Chua
Marybeth Spinuzzi
Spiritual Life Coordinator
Marybeth Spinuzzi
“Working at High Point Village is a daily adventure. You never know what the day holds but I know that there will always be some humor, joy, and fun in it.”
Taylor Davis
Art Instructor
Taylor Davis
Additionally, Taylor has a love for gardening. She views a garden as a safe place, an area to reflect, and a place to learn. Taylor uses our High Point Village greenhouse to teach Villagers how to plant, water, grow, and nurture living things. Taylor believes that this activity provides a source of pride and helps our Villagers be fulfilled!
Josiah Knowles
Fitness & Enrichment Coordinator
Josiah Knowles
Josiah is a fitness enthusiast with a passion for people with Intellectual Disabilities. After receiving a BA in Ministry from Lubbock Christian University, Josiah knew he wanted to work in an environment focused on relationships and service. Josiah has served at High Point for the past year as the Fitness and Enrichment Coordinator. He believes fitness empowers people to live more joyful and independent lives. His fitness program is tailored to all levels of ability and is used by both the Reach High and Dream Big villagers.
“Everyday at High Point Village I feel loved, inspired, and encouraged by the Villagers. There is no place I would rather be.”
Courtney Morgan
Reach High Coordinator
Courtney Gordon
Courtney is a Lubbock native that earned a degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from Texas Tech University while simultaneously building her own business. She has a great passion for teaching the skills and experience she has learned to help our Villagers find purposeful work and passion in their lives. Courtney currently does this by teaching the Reach High Program enrichment classes and life skills to prepare them for a successful future.
Before coming to High Point Village, Courtney taught at a private school in Lubbock where she had the privilege of working with elementary students who had learning disabilities. She has always loved the reward of teaching and building relationships with her students and utilizes her past experiences to see the Villagers grow in their daily lives.
“Let all that you do be done through love” 1 Corinthians 16:14
Events
Join the High Point Village Family TODAY!
Our mission is to create a village where individuals with intellectual disabilities can live, learn, work, worship, and achieve their full potential.
Follow Us On Social Media