Kirsten Brandt James

Executive Director

Kirsten Brandt James, brings over three decades of nonprofit management and fundraising experience to Project Transformation North Texas. Most recently, Kirsten served as the Chief Development Officer of 29 Acres working directly with the founders to raise start-up funds and build organizational infrastructure for the new supportive living community for adults with autism in Denton County. She previously served as Executive Director of Alley’s House helping teen mothers complete their education and learn life skills. For 22 years, Kirsten was the Executive Director of Junior Players and oversaw exponential growth for the arts education agency as it grew to serve thousands of youth with free arts programs throughout North Texas. Kirsten is passionate about access and opportunity for all youth.

A long-time member of Northaven UMC, she is thrilled to join the Project Transformation North Texas team and lead change through mission and service. She has previously served as President of the Austin College Alumni Board as well as Wallace Elementary PTA. She holds degrees in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin Madison and Austin College. Kirsten has been recognized with the Altrusa Richardson Outstanding Woman of Today Award and the Dallas Women’s Council Individual Member Award.

Kelsey Borgeson

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Before first joining Project Transformation North Texas in 2014, Kelsey worked for Reading Partners where she recruited community members to serve as volunteer tutors in under-resourced schools in Dallas. As a volunteer tutor herself, she witnessed firsthand how a student who was once struggling could transform into a proud, confident reader. And as an advocate for early childhood education, she is adamant that reading is fundamental to every child’s academic success.

She has 10 years of experience and a successful track record in development and community engagement within the nonprofit sector. She is passionate about connecting communities, developing creative, mutually beneficial business, but most of all, community service.

Kelsey received her bachelor’s degree in News-Editorial Journalism from Texas Tech University and her master’s degree in International Journalism with a concentration in Political Science from Baylor University. Her self-directed master’s program enabled her to volunteer at Dress for Success in Austin and serve with Teach Beyond in Germany were she helped facilitate a summer camp for German youth and serve as an interpreter for English-speaking volunteers.

If she doesn’t have her nose in a book, you can most likely find her exploring the outdoors with her husband and daughters, Isla and Novi.

Andrea Gordon

Director of Programming and Leadership Development

Andrea served as a PT Corps member, Reading Coordinator and Site Coordinator from 2011-2014 and then as a Program Quality Coach in the summer of 2015. During her time as a PT Corps member she experienced the impact Project Transformation has on the children, churches and young adults that she served alongside. She is thrilled to be able to support PT North Texas as a staff member and is excited to continue to grow the PT legacy!

Andrea received her bachelor’s degree in Development & Family Studies at the University of North Texas (Go Mean Green!) and minored in Psychology. She is active in the Dallas community and is involved with Union Coffee’s ministries. Andrea is an avid soccer fan and supports the U.S. Women’s National Team, U.S. Men’s National Team, Dallas Trinity FC and FC Dallas! In her spare time, she enjoys running, finding new local spots, traveling and spending time with friends, family and her dog Austin!

Isaiah (Zai) McDaniels

Program Curriculum Manager

Isaiah (Zai) McDaniels first connected with Project Transformation North Texas through Custer Road UMC—once active as a youth through choir tours and mission trips.

He started as a Summer AmeriCorps Member in 2019, then continued serving in both Afterschool and Summer programming with leadership roles at Casa Linda UMC, Elmwood El-Buen Samaritano UMC, and Christ’s Foundry UMM. He later supported multiple sites as a Program Quality Coach, a role that helped shape the path to now serving as Program Curriculum Manager.

Along the way, a deep passion for PTNT’s mission emerged—valuing meaningful relationships and purposeful leadership through service. This journey has been both impactful and transformative. Grateful for the growth so far, Zai is excited to keep learning, leading young adults, and supporting literacy for the kids!

Summer Elliott

Year Round Community Director

Summer Elliott is a student at Dallas College studying Early Childhood Education and she served as an AmeriCorps member at Project Transformation North Texas for four years starting in 2021 in various leadership roles, her favorite being the Reading Coordinator position. She loves having the ability to instill a love of reading in the kids at site. She has really enjoyed the community she has built throughout her time here and is excited to continue her journey at Project Transformation North Texas as the Year Round Community Director.