8 Women Who Lead

These inspiring ladies help make Central Texas a better place for everyone who calls it home

By JANNA ZEPP | Photos by SKEEBO

Debbie Nash-King

Debbie Nash-King served her country as a soldier and as a career counselor on Fort Hood. Now she serves her community as the mayor of Killeen. Nash-King says the most rewarding part of her job is serving others.

“I also enjoy collaborating with community leaders to come up with solutions for complex problems that will enhance the quality of life for the people we serve throughout Central Texas,” she says.

Her passions include volunteering with local organizations so she can stay connected to the community, as well as spending time with her family.

“My relationship with God motivates me in my career to serve others without expecting anything in return, and my faith in God motivates me to work on being a positive role model for others to follow. To God Be the Glory,” Nash-King says. And God figures prominently in her work day.

“I start my work day by meditating on the word of God. I have coffee and review my schedule for the day. I follow up on emails and phone calls before checking in with city staff,” she says. Her work days often turn into work nights with meetings and events running late into some nights.

“I must be flexible with my time.”

Much of Nash-King’s work involves meeting people and reading into what their needs are beyond what their words tell her.

“My best piece of career advice is that you better learn how to read people quickly because everyone’s needs are different,” she says. “I want to make a positive impact in people’s lives and the community I serve, which will influence the next generation to continue to work toward making our community an even better place to live.”

Nash-King, who grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, learned a life of service from her grandmother who worked within their community to meet the needs of the low-income and the elderly. She says her grandmother was the first leader to open the doors for the first African American to be elected on the city council. “I would assist my grandmother after church on the (first) Sunday of the month taking communion to members of the church that were ill. When I got home, I would assist my mother with preparing the Sunday’s meal for our family and church members in the church that did not have family that lived near,” Nash-King says. “I decided when I was in high school that I wanted to be a missionary because I grew up in an environment learning to serve others, but instead I went to college, joined ROTC and became a military officer.”

After completing high school, she attended the University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff and graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Nash-King entered military service and, after being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, she attended the Medical Services Corps Officer’s course and completed her military tour as the Fort Hood Dental Clinic’s company commander.

When her Army career ended, she entered graduate school and earned a master’s degree in Human Resources from Tarleton State University. She also has a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of California. She has served as vice president of Killeen’s NAACP chapter, secretary of Killeen Volunteers Inc., and board member of KISD Education Foundation.

“My career philosophy has always been to put the people first and provide excellent customer service,” she says. “As a teenager, I worked as a telephone campaign caller. Working as a campaign caller was a fundamental building block in my journey. It taught me how to communicate and understand the needs of the people I currently serve.”

Brynn Myers

Brynn Myers, Temple’s first woman city manager, knows that it takes teamwork to get things accomplished. She leads a team of more than 900 full- and part-time employees and a budget of nearly $150 million.

“There is so much good and amazing work being done in Temple — a lot of projects. No way can one single person make that happen,” she says. “We get the right person on the team, give them the tools, resources — things they need to be successful in their positions. I couldn’t do it all if I wanted to.”

Meetings dominate her workday, addressing the needs of Temple and its community. She works closely with all departments, boards and commissions including police and fire, code enforcement, planning and zoning.

“I don’t attend every board and commission meeting, but I do attend some of them. There is no time to be bored,” Myers says.
Her attention to detail and analytical mind makes diving into a new topic an enjoyable process, and she likes getting involved in a range of projects.

“It presents the opportunity to learn something new and find solutions to a problem,” she says.

Her workdays start early, but when they’re not too early, she spends time with her son and daughter first. She and her husband, Blake, who owns a real estate investment company and works from home, share family responsibilities.

Myers studied political science at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, in pursuit of a career in local government. She volunteered at the city during her freshman year at school.

The city needed college interns to help put together a budget with narrative and statistical information. Myers applied for an internship and was accepted. The city immediately gave her the previous year’s budget and she got to work.

“I like to dive into and solve a problem,” Myers says. “I start to understand problems and get them fixed. It fits my personality. They don’t have time to show you how to do it. They let you figure it out on your own.”

Myers eventually became the part-time budget analyst for the City of Huntsville. Soon the position evolved into full-time employment as the city’s budget manager, and she worked there while still in school. She credits Huntsville’s then-city financial director Winston Duke as her mentor.

“He helped me learn so much about city finances. But my passion was not in budgets — I wanted to be a city manager,” she says. “I needed a mentorship to get started. I always loved it. It’s really my passion. I felt lucky to know what I wanted to do from early on. A lot of people work long before they find their life’s passion.”

Col. Khanh Diep

Col. Khanh Diep fully commits to her mission, combining military tradition with a distinct human touch.

“Military service is something that Texans hold in high regard. There is no place better for our men and women in uniform to serve than right here in Central Texas,” she says. “This community is something special. As the senior human resources officer for the III Armored Corps at Fort Hood, the focus of my job is people. Every day, I get to see how this fantastic community makes our soldiers and their families stronger.”

The colonel cites the most rewarding part of her job as the ability to help soldiers.

“Whether it’s assistance with an assignment, promotion or award, the thing I love most is to be able to make a difference in someone’s life,” she says.

Diep’s personal interests include hiking, tennis and running. In fact, as a tennis player, her favorite quote is from Arthur Ashe: “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” She says it reminds her to be in the moment – to enjoy the journey and to make the most with what one has.

When asked about how she starts her workday, Diep says prioritization is key.

“I start each day with looking at my calendar and prioritizing key tasks and events for the day. Then, off to good physical training to exercise the mind and body. This is a great for stress relief and to prepare for the day ahead,” she says. “At the end of the day, I review events for the next work day and anticipate any requirements that would be involved.”

Diep leaves her work at work, however.

“At home, spending time with family is so valuable, and you need to make time for it. This is not easy; it’s deliberate time management,” she says.

The example set by her parents as they made great sacrifices and took many risks to start a new life in the United States after the Vietnam War motivates her daily.

“Opportunities present themselves every day, and it is up to us whether or not we make the most of them,” she explains. Her career advice includes a hockey analogy.

“Do things that will make you happy. Seek out assignments where you can make a difference and pursue them with tenacity and passion. When life throws a wrench in your plans, take the challenge head on and, to quote Wayne Gretsky, ‘Skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.’”

Everyone has a personal favorite theme song. Diep says hers is Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold.”

“I think in our life’s quest, for whatever we all maybe searching for, this song reminds me that the search truly begins within you. My favorite lines, ‘I want to live, I want to give,’ make me internalize my own qualities and traits that I desire to possess as I navigate life’s journey,” she says.

Independence Day is the colonel’s favorite holiday.

“Not only is Independence Day a reminder of when the United States officially became its own nation gaining independence from Great Britain, but a day to reflect on what we aspire to be as a country. For all of our flaws, we are always striving to be better, not just for ourselves but for each other.”

Natasha Tolleson

Natasha Tolleson comes to the Temple Civic Theatre with an impressive professional theatre education background, making her more than a mere heavy hitter in the performing arts; she’s a champion theatrical director and producer. No stranger to TCT, her history as a performer, technical designer and director with the civic theatre goes as far back as her history with the Temple Independent School District.

Tolleson moved to Temple in 1989 with her husband, Richard, who accepted a job with KCEN-6 as a weatherman on the local news. She then spent the next 31 years leading the Temple High School Theatre Arts Department. In the middle of all that, she developed a passion for TCT, which she indulged as often as possible, starting with a role in the play The Boys Next Door.

“I got overwhelmed working so many theatrical productions at the high school and then acting with the Temple Civic Theatre, so I had to back off a bit, but I did try to do at least one TCT production a year whenever possible,” Tolleson says. “I always tried to come and support and get other people involved in Temple Civic Theatre when I could. It is such a positive way to become involved in the community. It’s a great way to meet new friends, and it’s very attractive that Temple has a viable arts program.”

Tolleson and her One Act Play students swept the University Interscholastic League 5A state championships twice, saw state competitions nine times and took district champion awards for three solid decades. No other UIL team at Temple High School holds those honors. Her theatrical design students conquered UIL state championships twice, and her film students aced the state championship in Division II, Narrative in 2014.

A member of the Texas Thespians Hall of Fame since 2014, her International Thespian Society competition students — more than 100 of them — advanced from state to the international contest.

Tolleson’s students advanced in more events than any other troupe in Texas, featuring on the main stage seven times since 2004.

In 2020, her THS tech design team won the Texas Thespian State Championship. Many of her former students now work in the theatre and entertainment industry.

“The people I work with at TCT are people I’ve known since I first lived here. It’s really fun because my students that I’ve taught here, even 25 or so years ago, come here and I get to work with them again as adults,” Tolleson says, smiling.

“TCT has been very much a part of our lives.”

It will be more so, now that Tolleson is in charge.

Michelle DiGaetano

You might not know what a piggy-back cylinder is, but Michelle DiGaetano does. Her company, Temple Machine Shop, makes piggy-back cylinders for a variety of industries including road building, utility, material handling, oil and gas, and agriculture. She especially knows the importance of manufacturing quality products.

She also knows the importance of quality volunteering.

“Knowing that satisfied employees, make and ship quality products that make our end customers successful. Everyone plays a critical role in making the company successful. This success translates to making a difference in our employees’ lives,” she says. “Additionally, my participation in service organizations and serving on community boards inspires me to continue assisting many fellow members in our community with various needs. Kindness is contagious and we are fortunate to have many gracious volunteers in our community.”

Precision and details figure prominently in DiGaetano’s success. She loves outlines and lists. When responding to questions for this interview, she organized her answers into concise, numeric order, leaving no doubt that she loves preparation before action. In person, her genuine nature and love for people shines through.

DiGaetano likes to ease into her workday with cup of Italian roasted coffee, reading the newspaper (the Temple Daily Telegram, of course), playing Wordle with her husband, Bill, to keep the creative flow going, reviewing emails, and often, a two-mile walk. She winds down the workday by packing up key reports for review later, wishing any team members still at the shop a good night, and looking forward to a nice meal at home while sharing the day with her husband.

Her career advice? “Be real, be fair, be honest, and do the right thing for the right reason every time.

“I am a blessed person and very grateful. Mother Teresa says, ‘We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.’ I love my family and friends, I love serving people through volunteering, I love music, and taking care of myself, by running, walking, and working out,” she says. “And being a ‘girl’ from Kansas, I simply love sunflowers.”

She loves blue and red. Her favorite holidays include Independence Day and Thanksgiving. She enjoys eating home-cooked Mexican food, German cuisine and now, Italian favorites made by Bill. “And shrimp, any day,” she adds, smiling.

She also loves working for a company in continuous business for the last 42 years making custom products shipped worldwide. She loves making a difference in families’ lives and the machine shop’s partnership with Temple ISD’s Career and Technical Education program, helping young students find a potential career path.

“TMS is a family-owned business and founded in 1980. We are a manufacturer of custom hydraulic cylinders that are utilized in multiple industries across the US and worldwide,” she says. “Being a partner with TISD CTE is extraordinary. We are very thankful for our 100 employees, who make a difference each and every day.”

If she was not at TMS, DiGaetano laughs and says, “Any beach with fine sand, Tuscany, and my backyard.”

By the way, TMS’s website says a piggy-back cylinder is actually two attached cylinders working together. After the first cylinder finishes extending, the other cylinder extends. In limited space, a piggy-back cylinder often solves the problem. DiGaetano knows that, and now, so do you.

Dell Ingram-Walker

Kaizen, the Japanese word for “improvement,” refers to business activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees from chief executive officers to assembly line workers. Kaizen also applies to processes, such as purchasing and logistics, which cross organizational boundaries into the supply chain. Health care, psychotherapy, life coaching, government and banking apply the concept as well. For Dell Ingram-Walker, it is her way of life.

“Continuous learning. Constant improvement. I always want to be better — whether it’s for the patients we serve, or in my own personal life. In order to do that, I have to learn and grow each day, and I have to do things that may be scary or outside of my comfort zone,” Ingram-Walker says.

That continuous improvement also applies personally. A body builder, weightlifter and golfer, Ingram-Walker works hard to stay physically and mentally fit. Those pursuits require her to stay disciplined, and her personal discipline shows in how she spends her workday.

“Reflecting on the prior day and what I want to do differently in the next 24 hours, marks the beginning. I’m very passionate about the work that we do at McLane Children’s. I love the ability to impact change that helps our patients and their families and makes a difference in our communities. Some may not know about our high quality and the high level of care that we provide right here at home,” she says. “I want our families to know that if their child or grandchild gets sick — McLane Children’s is absolutely where they need to be.”

She ends her day by cleaning off her workspace and resetting for the next day, so she is fully home when she gets there.

“I wipe my desk down and leave the items that I need to tackle the next day front and center. Hospitals are 24/7, but I do try and make a conscious effort to be present in anything that I choose to do once I walk outside of those doors.”

Ingram-Walker’s career path at Baylor Scott & White Healthcare exemplifies getting outside her comfort zone, even though she’s been a part of the hospital system since 1999. She first came to Central Texas when her husband was stationed at Fort Hood. She was still earning her B.S. in Health Care Management at the University of Alabama, and she was certain they would not stay long. But they did, partly because BSWH offered so many opportunities for career growth and education.

“How could I possibly leave?” She credits her colleagues at BSWH for encouraging her and supporting her from her first day back in 1999 to the present.

“Ralph Waldo Emerson said that there is no limit to what can be accomplished, if it doesn’t matter who gets the credit. Successful people don’t do it alone,” Ingram-Walker says. “You have to take advantage of the resources available to you — whether that is education, supplies or even help. Never be afraid to ask for help.”

Jessica Walker

Working for the greater good describes Jessica Walker. On her resume, she counts time spent on the board of the Temple Chamber of Commerce, on the Temple Education Foundation board and on the Temple Planning and Zoning Commission.

“I love living and working in Central Texas and enjoy playing an active role both at Lengefeld Lumber and with the City of Temple,” she says. “I am grateful daily to be a part of such a thriving community full of good people who also think Temple is a place you love to call home.”

Walker describes the beginning and end of her work day: “I’m an early riser. I go to the gym, read the Telegram, check my calendar, shower, and head to work. At the end of the day, I wind down with a quick walk around the block with my dog, Maya. I watch TV with my husband, Bruce and then head to bed before 10 p.m.”

She also describes what motivates her each work day: “I am motivated by the positive team I surround myself with. Positivity is contagious.”

She adds: “I am involved in building something that I hope will continue to be a legacy for our family and employees. We are one of the few family-owned businesses in our industry and we strive to be good partners in our community.”

Walker’s favorite quote and piece of career advice comes from her husband, Bruce.

“Work hard, save your money, be honest, ambitious, true to your friends and be a good Christian,” she says of what she calls the Walker Boy Mantra. “Bruce made sure all three of our boys had this memorized by the time they went to school.”

She adds, “Do what you say you are going to do. I think it covers everything.”

But city politics and working at a lumber company were not how Walker started her working life. She was a flight attendant for American Airlines from 1989 to 2001 as a way to see the world. During her time in the skies, she met celebrities and public figures, such as the late Rosa Parks and famed civil rights activist, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, whom she says memorized every flight attendant’s name on that particular flight.

“A true politician,” Walker says of Jackson.

She stopped being a flight attendant when her eldest son, Branan was 3.

“I stopped flying when Branan took all of my clothes out of my luggage and got into the suitcase,” she said. “I knew I had to stop flying. I needed to be home.”

Walker has a music background, having belonged to a band she and her friends formed. They called themselves the Kendall Jackson Five (after their favorite wine) and performed covers of Joan Jett, Cheap Trick, Nancy Sinatra, Violent Femmes, as well as some country and western tunes at local eateries in the area. An example of Walker’s determination to succeed showed up when she taught herself to play keyboard via YouTube videos just so that she could be part of the band. Walker says if she had a theme song, it would be “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

“It reminds me of carpooling in the neighborhood and it’s Branan’s karaoke go-to (song),” she adds.

Jean Shine

Jean Shine loves to make her community a better place for everyone.

“I am motivated by the many relationships I have been blessed with over a long career and with the people I mentor and serve every day. This includes people inside our company and in my community, as well as clients, business affiliates, and those I serve in the military,” Shine says. “Helping families realize and build their dreams through homeownership is so rewarding. There are few other callings that are so impactful in people’s lives. We get paid to connect people with, not just a home where they make memories, but a refuge where they feel safe in an unsettled world, and a center point from which they can build friendships, raise their children, and feel a sense of belonging.”

Shine’s success is not limited to real estate. She is the daughter of a career military officer and the wife of a former Army officer and Vietnam veteran. Family roots in Bell County go back to the 1850s.

Active in both the civilian and military community, Shine accepted the appointment of Central Texas Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army in September 2008. She stepped down from her position on the Killeen Independent School Board of Trustees after nine years and continued to serve area schoolchildren as a founding member and president of the Killeen Education Foundation. She actively supports the Association of the United States Army and appreciates the unique needs of soldiers and their families, working as a volunteer helping Fort Hood families and raising money for projects benefiting them. She calls Central Texas the “Heartbeat of Texas.”

“Through my work, both at the office and in the community. I strive to make Central Texas a better place to live, work, attend school, retire and thrive,” she says.

She is married to Bill Shine, a native of Killeen, who served from 1991 to 2005 as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army. For more than 30 years, the Shines owned Shine Brothers Goodyear in Killeen, Copperas Cove and Belton. In 1999, Bill sold the business and joined Jean at the Shine Team. His leadership and business management experience, as well as his association with the Army have helped Shine Team succeed. Bill served over 20 years on the Board of Trustees for Central Texas College.

The Shines’ sons also belong to the Shine Team. Scott, an honor graduate of the University of Texas, is an Accredited Buyers Representative and Sales Manager. Steven, an honor graduate with an MBA from Tarleton State University, is the Escrow Manager. In addition, the Shine Team Manager and Listing Manager Rodney Shine (Bachelor of Business Administration, Texas Tech) is Jean’s nephew.

Jean Shine has successfully combined her career and family, citing hard work and dedication as the secret to her success. She believes in treating people as they want to be treated and providing them with “Positively Outrageous Service.”