staff and advisory board

NFTE Greater Dallas Staff

Laura Maczka, Executive Director
Laura has spent her entire professional career in the non-profit sector.  She joined the NFTE Greater Dallas office in 2007.  As Executive Director, her primary focus has been to work closely with the local Advisory Board and Dallas Independent School District to quickly expand the program to be one of the largest in the country, serving Dallas’ most economically disadvantaged youth. 

Prior to NFTE, Laura served as Development Director of the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast. While at United Way, Laura was responsible for developing Kids’ Way, a national pilot program which engaged Houston’s disadvantaged youth in efforts to care for themselves and others.  Laura also worked as Development Director for St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital raising funds and awareness for Heart Transplant and Cancer.  She received a BS from the Engineering School at Texas A&M University.

Karen Ezell, Program Director
As Program Director of NFTE Greater Dallas, Karen Ezell oversees the successful implementation of the NFTE program in the Greater Dallas Area.    Karen works directly with teachers and students within the Dallas and Irving Independent School Districts providing guidance in the development of student owned businesses, professional development for teachers, coordinating guest speakers into the classroom, organizing regional business plan competitions, and ensuring the that NFTE Curriculum is in alignment with the Texas State Standards. 

Prior to joining the NFTE Greater Dallas staff in May 2005, Karen spent 8 years teaching mathematics in the Grand Prairie, Abilene and Garland Independent School Districts.  Karen also has 20 years market research experience having worked with clients such as Southern California Edison, NationsBank, Braniff Airlines, and Hilton Hotels.

NFTE Greater Dallas Advisory Board