CASEY MELLODY

INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Casey Mellody began as Interim CEO with PT National on July 1, 2024. Prior to this position, she served the National organization for over 8 years as the VP of Programs. Additionally, Casey served as the Director of Programming & Leadership Development for PT North Texas for 6 years. Casey is an alum of Project Transformation North Texas as she began her service while an undergraduate at Southern Methodist University as a reading tutor for PT’s after-school program and as a summer intern in 2002. She also served as a House Pastor/Community Director and Program Quality Coach prior to joining full-time staff. Her experience with Project Transformation sparked her interest in trauma-informed ministry praxis, her calling to journey with young adults in vocational discernment and spiritual formation, and her deep passion for exploring creative ways of doing and being church. She wholeheartedly believes that transformation and belonging happens in local communities and churches, families, and individual hearts through radically mutual, loving, and diverse relationships. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies and English (Creative Writing) from Southern Methodist University. She holds a Master's Degree in Theological Studies from Perkins School of Theology. Casey loves spending time with her two children outside among the greenest trees, writing poetry and prose on old typewriters, the rhythms of running and rowing, and cooking Julia Child recipes for her favorite people.

DR. JULIE WILKE

DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Julie began as the National Curriculum Consultant for Project Transformation National in September 2017 and transitioned into the Director of Curriculum and Instruction in September 2018. Julie formerly served as a facilitator for talented and gifted students, from kindergarten through seventh grade, in Winfield, Kansas, USD 465. Before assuming this post in 2015, she worked as a first-grade teacher in the district. She attended Southwestern College in Winfield, earning a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education in 2009, a master's degree in leadership studies in 2011, and a doctorate in educational leadership with an emphasis in teacher leadership in 2018. Julie is also a PT North Texas alumna, serving her summer internship in 2008. She is a member of FUMC in Winfield, KS and she serves on the Winfield Public Library board. Her passion is working with teachers and facilitators to provide quality curriculum. She is thrilled to be collaborating with the Project Transformation network!

CHELSEA JONES

STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGER

Chelsea began as Strategic Project Manager in June 2023. She is no stranger to the work of Project Transformation, beginning her journey with PT North Texas in the summer of 2009 while attending McMurry University for Interdisciplinary Studies. She went on to serve a total of six summers as a youth intern, House Pastor and Summer Staff. In the Fall of 2016, Chelsea then went on to serve as the first Program Director for the PT Central Texas chapter in Fort Worth. She held this position until the Spring of 2022. After completing her Masters in Theology and Ministry at Brite Divinity at TCU, Chelsea continued her work with DEI and social justice in the nonprofit world. She has a deep love for the organization as well as spending quality time with friends and family.

KATIE CLIFFORD

VP OF DEVELOPMENT

Katie began as VP of Development in October 2023. Katie served as an intern at PT North Texas in 2014 at Grace UMC. Her summer of service with PT affirmed her call to nonprofit ministry and to working with youth-serving organizations. Katie graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Government – Legal Studies and in Sociology. Previously, Katie served as the Senior Director for Strategic Development for Communities In Schools of North Texas, where she was responsible for securing strategic funding and resources to sustain and grow services for K-12 students across three counties. As a PT alumni, Katie has witnessed firsthand the life changing impact that the program has on youth and young adults. Seeing the sparks that go off in a young person’s mind when they begin to discover their passion and sense of purpose is to Katie one of the most touching elements of PT’s work. Katie and her husband, Tim, attend Arlington Heights United Methodist Church, where Tim serves as the Associate Pastor. In her spare time, Katie loves to be with family, sing, craft, and love on their two cats, Daisy and Dandy.

PT Chapter Staff Information

PT Arkansas
PT Central Texas
PT North Texas
PT Oklahoma
PT Rio Texas
PT Tennessee
PT Washington DC