Executive Director

Sharon has the joy of overseeing all programs and services of the Volunteer Center’s community engagement business. Her delight is in seeing people with a desire to help being connected with opportunities that need what they have to offer. Her personal mission of facilitating, encouraging, and supporting people in maximizing their uniqueness to change the world has been an ideal fit with the Volunteer Center’s purpose. Her roles include enterprise strategy and alignment, program development, staff development, and relationship building. She also provides training, facilitation, and consultation on a wide range of topics. She has a BS in Elementary Education from UT-Austin and a MS in Human Development from TTU.

Sharon has volunteered extensively. Currently, she serves on the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce Board, TTU Center for Public Service Advisory Board, and the Junior League of Lubbock Advisory Board. She has been honored with the YWCA Woman of Excellence Award (2010), the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Professional Fundraiser Award (2013), the Women in Communications George Mahon Award (with Byrnie – 2014), the Rita Harmon United Way Award (with Byrnie – 2015), and the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Connect Award (2016).

Besides cooking, Sharon enjoys reading, gardening, eating yummy foods (at places near and far) and spending time with family and friends.

Engagement & Ops. Manager

Jungwon was born in South Korea but has claimed Lubbock as her home for the last half of her life. She went to middle and high school in Lubbock and then decided to stay and attend Texas Tech University. Jungwon graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in May 2015 and a Master of Business Administration from Rawls College of Business in May 2016. During her high school years, Jungwon was a member of the Volunteer Center’s United Way Youth Division program. Volunteering has always been a big part of her life since she was a child, but she and her family were less involved in volunteering once they moved to America. However, the Volunteer Center helped Jungwon revive her passion for volunteering through United Way Youth Division.

As Operations Manager, Jungwon’s unique skill set in administration has allowed her to eloquently manage the accounting, finance, and day-to-day operations of the Volunteer Center. In her role as Youth Engagement Manager, Jungwon guides and mentors the youth in the Lubbock community toward a passion for volunteerism that will last a lifetime. As a past member of the United Way Youth Division, she has experienced the importance of community engagement and is committed to share knowledge with the youth she leads.

Jungwon enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and bike riding. During the summer, she frequently visits Palo Duro Canyon with friends and family. During cold weather, she likes to stay under a blanket at home and read books or watch movies.

Development Manager

Paris is originally from Los Angeles, California and comes to the Volunteer Center with a deep commitment to community building and volunteerism. She earned her BA in Psychology and Women Studies from the University of Kansas in 2009 and received her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville in 2015. For the past several years, she has worked with local community-based organizations and human service organizations in the fields of nonprofit administration, domestic violence, teen pregnancy, and children aging out of foster care. She is led by a passion for sustainability, civic responsibility and connecting adults to purposeful volunteerism in the community.

In her work at the Volunteer Center, Paris works with development and engagement. She matches passions and needs to investment opportunities offered at the Volunteer Center. Paris’s personal philosophy is to inspire others by encouraging them to tap into the knowledge and wisdom they already possess.

In her free time, she loves swimming and reading books. Paris enjoys traveling and experiencing other cultures especially with her husband, a native New Yorker. They often take time to visit their family either in New York or Los Angeles.

Adult & Family Engagement Manager

Hannah Sutton-Adams was raised in West Texas. She attended Lubbock Christian University and graduated with a BA in Missions in 2015. Hannah attended seminary at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and graduated with her M.Div. in 2018. During her seminary years, Hannah worked with recently incarcerated individuals and people experiencing chemical and substance dependencies. Additionally, Hannah was the recipient of the Cooper-McElvaney Peace and Justice Fellowship, which allowed her to work alongside those experiencing poverty and homelessness.

As the Engagement Manager, Hannah is passionate about nurturing and creating safe, inclusive, diverse, and thriving communities. Service and servant leadership has been a big part of Hannah’s life and she is dedicated to helping others develop their passion and purpose.

Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga, being outside, and eating good food.

Kayla was born and raised in Lubbock. After finishing high school at Coronado, she went on to attend the University of Texas at Dallas but returned to Lubbock to finish her degree at Texas Tech University. There she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Electronic Media and Communication with a minor in Communication Studies. Over the years, she has volunteered at several organizations, but her favorite places to serve are animal shelters. As a Lubbock native, she is excited to give back to her growing city and help it thrive.

From childhood, Kayla loved computers, photography, and writing which she now uses for the Volunteer Center’s communications. Through her work, she strives to tell the story of the city of Lubbock and its people who are engaged in service and leadership.

In her down time, Kayla enjoys movies, music, mountain biking, and getting to spend time with her two dogs, Charlie and Colt.

Student Assistant

Candace was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas. She attended Hutchinson Middle School and Lubbock High school and decided to stay in Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University where she is currently in her sophomore year. Candace was a United Way Youth Division officer during high school. Before that, she had participated in volunteerism, but once she became involved in Youth Division, she realized how great an impact volunteering really has in her community. Along with volunteering, Candace also enjoys many activities such as reading, biking, and listening to podcasts.