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The people who make it possible.
Shepherd's Way is made up of staff, mentors, and board members who share one conviction: that every person, regardless of ability, deserves a life of dignity, independence, and purpose. Meet the team behind the mission.
Board of Directors
Shepherd's Way is guided by a board of directors who bring deep experience across business, law, community development, and nonprofit leadership. Their commitment to the mission ensures that Shepherd's Way is built to last.

Evan Taddia
Evan Taddia is a detail-oriented, Senior Grants Accountant with a strong background in financial management, compliance, and grant reporting. Known for his analytical mindset and accuracy, he supports complex funding structures and ensures adherence to regulatory requirements. Evan collaborates closely with executive leadership to strengthen financial processes Continuous and reporting integrity. He brings a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement, helping organizations maximize the impact of their funding. Dedicated and dependable, Evan combines technical expertise with clear communication to drive effective financial stewardship and support organizational success.

Kathy Serr
Kathy Serr is a graduate of Baylor University School of Law. After beginning her legal career as a prosecuting attorney, she has served Baylor Law School for the last 30 years as a coach and coordinator for their nationally recognized advocacy program.
Kathy’s commitment to the personal and spiritual development of young persons has been the inspiration in filling volunteer roles within the local community, including years of service to the school board for a Christian elementary school, and over two decades of children's Sunday School leadership and teaching.
Kathy has been married for 32 years to Brian, a Baylor Law School professor, and they have been blessed with three unique and wonderful daughters. One of those daughters, Olivia, has special needs and has been proudly working at Bitty and Beau’s since it opened. Olivia and the special community at Bitty and Beau’s have collectively inspired and led Kathy to her commitment to Shepherd’s Way.

Mark Sauer
Retired/Franchise Owner of Bitty & Beau’s Coffee - Waco, TX
In retirement, Mark and his wife Amy are the Franchise Owners of Bitty & Beau’s Coffee in Waco, TX. Bitty & Beau’s is a “human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop”, and since November of 2021 have employed 25 individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Before retirement, Mark had a career in technology and consulting sales and management. He served as Regional VP at Salesforce, Vice President at Mattersight Corporation, and Director of Professional Services at Siemens Communications. From 2006 to 2022, he also served on the board of By The Hand Club for Kids, which is a faith-based ministry serving some of the most under-privileged kids in the Chicago area.
Mark has an MBA in marketing from the Stephen Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and a BA in marketing from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He and Amy were married in 1979 and have three grown children, all married, and 7 grandchildren.
Mark & Amy have a heart for serving those who are disenfranchised from society, and believe that Jesus desires that barriers to their success should be removed so that they can flourish.

Heather Field
Heather Field, M.S., CCC-SLP is the co-owner and Clinical Coordinator of Speech Therapy at Elite Therapy Center, where she has spent the past 21 years serving children and families across Central Texas. Heather holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Baylor University. She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed in the state of Texas.
Heather is passionate about helping children and families thrive through compassionate care, mentorship, and community support. In addition to her professional work, she has served in leadership and board roles with organizations including REACH Therapeutic Riding Center, the Children’s Committee at First Baptist Woodway, and Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) Waco. Her heart for faith-based service and mentorship aligns deeply with the mission of Shepherd’s Way.
Heather and her husband, Cody, have been married for 26 years and are proud parents of Taylor and Shane.

Robert Barnes
As the current owner and broker of Greater Waco Realty, Robert has built a career centered on advocating for people and maximizing opportunities. His deep roots in management and real estate—including his past role as Vice President of Multi-Concepts Ltd—give him a unique perspective on community development and housing solutions.
As a Baylor alumnus and dedicated Waco resident, Robert is deeply invested in the well-being of his neighbors. He applies his sharp professional skillset and his "people-first" philosophy to champion independent living for adults with intellectual disabilities, working tirelessly to build a more inclusive and supportive Waco.
Clinical Support
Shepherd’s Way is supported by a dedicated team of clinical professionals. Through personalized care and clinical excellence, they ensure every participant can communicate confidently, build essential skills, and reach their full potential.

Emily Kirby
Occupational Therapist, MOT, OTR | Emily graduated from Baylor University in 2015 with a Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience. She went on to complete her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2018. Emily enjoys reading, running, cycling, traveling, cooking, baking, and eating good food. Emily’s favorite verse is, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Mentors
Our mentors are the heart of daily life at Shepherd’s Way, walking alongside participants to foster friendship, confidence, and personal growth. Through shared experiences and genuine connection, their commitment ensures that everyone in our program feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their goals.

