Ascension Seton Hays Foundation Welcomes New Board Chair and Members
As we kick off a new fiscal year, we’re excited to share leadership updates from the Ascension Seton Hays Foundation Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee includes: Dr. Michelle López, Next Gen Latinos as Chair, Diana Torres, Community Volunteer from City of Kyle as Vice Chair, Cody Lock, Frost Bank as Treasurer, and Irene Melendez, Broadway Bank as Secretary.
“My faith and family have always inspired me to serve others,” says Dr. Michelle López, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “I’m honored to volunteer as chair of the Ascension Seton Hays Foundation, supporting an organization that provides compassionate care and vital resources to those who need it most right here in Central Texas.”
This year we are also welcoming three new board members: Hollye Fain, Stacey Lynch, and Mike Sember.
We’re grateful to Kate Johnson, who transitions to Immediate Past Chair after nine years of outstanding leadership, guiding us through challenges and helping expand our impact. Special thanks as well to Buddy Ellisor and Bobby Schmidt for their dedicated service for many years.
Get to know our new chair and new board members by reading their bios below.
Dr. Michelle M. López has a passion for promoting and advancing the next generation of leaders. For nearly 30 years, she has leveraged her leadership skills and talents to support her clients, students and community toward achieving their dreams and goals. She believes everyone can live a great story and identify the authentic action to get there!
Her academic education began with a bachelor’s from Texas Woman’s University, completing a master’s from Texas State University, then her doctoral degree from Texas A&M University. Michelle served as a student affairs administrator in higher education for nearly 20 years, in a variety of areas, including leadership development, Greek life, residence life, cultural programs & student retention. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member teaching leadership, freshman seminar and graduate courses for college teaching and student affairs administration.
In 2016, Michelle founded Next Gen Latinos, LLC, which has grown to a global boutique coaching and consulting firm. Her clients have included entrepreneurs, executive leaders, nonprofit organizations, middle managers, higher education administrators and various teams. She champions emerging and experienced leaders to identify their strengths, adopt authentic action and live a great story!.
Michelle is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and a Certified Executive Coach (CEC) by MentorCoach® LLC. She is also a Fascinate® Certified Advisor (howtofascinate.com) and a Certified Story Facilitator (leadershipstorylab.com). Clients have characterized her coaching style as warm, encouraging, challenging, intuitive and collaborative. Her specialties include leadership development, executive presence, career coaching, personal branding, strategic planning and managing professional transitions.
Inspired by both her parents and her faith, Michelle has poured herself into service for her community. Dr. López has served in a variety of leadership roles with organizations such as the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Kyle Library and the Hays Education Foundation. She is also a former elected official, having served on the Kyle City Council, with two years as Mayor Pro Tem, and on the Hays CISD Board of Trustees.
Presently, some of her affiliations include volunteering as Chair of the Ascension Seton Hays Foundation board, Secretary of the Regina Caeli, Inc. Board of Directors, President of the Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation board and a member of both Chambers of Commerce in Kyle and Buda.
Michelle is also active in her parish, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, where she volunteers on the Pastoral Council. She considers one of her proudest accomplishments to be cultivating a vibrant marriage and family life for nearly 30 years that honors her values of faith, family, fun and authenticity. A native Texan, she resides in Central Texas along with her husband and their son.
Hollye Fain is the PR & Communications Director for Aqua Water Supply Corporation, where she leads strategic outreach, member communications, and public relations efforts. A proud Texas native, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications & Journalism from Texas A&M University and later completed her MBA at Western Governors University. Outside of work, she enjoys life with her husband and their child, staying rooted in the community she serves.
Stacey Lynch retired in 2016 after a distinguished career with Chevron. She held leadership roles overseeing marine and pipeline operations, strategic trading initiatives, and negotiating key business agreements. Her expertise in market analysis, business optimization, and partnership development played a vital role in Chevron’s success across refining, logistics, and trading. Following her retirement, Stacey dedicated five years to volunteering with CASA in San Antonio, advocating for children in the foster care system and providing mentorship and support to improve their lives. Now, she spends her time training and competing with her horses while managing her and her husband’s farm in Dale, TX, where they grow hay. Stacey is excited to bring her strategic expertise to the hospital foundation board, supporting its mission through fundraising efforts, impactful project development, and strengthened community partnerships. Stacey and Chris are members of the Circle of Caring at Ascension Seton Hays.
During his long career, Mike has been CEO or COO of many diverse life sciences companies ranging from drug discovery tool providers, to therapeutically-focused biotechnology companies, to medical devices. Mike has consulted for numerous companies and has extensive public and private board experience. Mike has been an active angel investor for several decades, previously serving as Chair of the Screening Panel and Board member for the highly ranked-ranked Desert Angels, a Tucson, AZ-based group of angel investors. Currently he is a member of the Austin, TX based Central Texas Angel Network. For years, he has been a volunteer for a number of organizations, currently at Ascension Seton Hospital in Kyle TX. Mike earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Rockhurst University. Mike is a member of the Circle of Caring at Ascension Seton Hays.
Published September 23, 2025