Press Release: Texas Advocacy Project Expands to Meet Growing Demand

Texas Advocacy Project Expands to Meet Growing Demand 

AUSTIN, TX, JANUARY 13, 2023 – As Texas Advocacy Project’s (TAP) capacity and reach continues to grow across the state to meet increasing demand for their services, it has become essential to expand leadership to support each department. The 40-year-old organization is delighted to name four new leadership positions within the organization. 
 
Allison Neal has been promoted to Vice President of Legal Services. This brand-new title will be essential as the agency continues to grow. Neal will directly supervise Texas Advocacy Project’s managing attorneys as they continue to improve the quality and quantity of their legal services. Neal’s role will allow CLO Bronwyn Blake to further support the organization in strategic initiatives, represent the agency in legal matters, and raise TAP's profile as a leader in their work. Neal has been an attorney for 17 years and is licensed in 3 states, she began working with TAP nearly 4 years ago and most recently served as a managing attorney. Prior to working with TAP, Neal served as the Legal Director of the ACLU of Alabama, as well as worked in private practice and for the city. 
 
Texas Advocacy Project is thrilled to announce Miesha Aubrey as the organization’s newest Managing Attorney. While at TAP, Aubrey has helped hundreds of survivors and their children to live free from abuse. Overseeing a team of four passionate attorneys, Aubrey will work to provide the highest quality of care to survivors of dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, and human trafficking in all 254 counties of Texas. Prior to working with TAP, Aubrey served as a criminal defense attorney.  
 
Texas Advocacy Project is also elated to name Kelly Buskirk as Vice President of Grants. Buskirk will be the organizations’ first Vice President of Grants. Buskirk, who has worked with TAP for nearly 5 years, most recently served as Director of Grants & Major Gifts and Interim Vice President of Development & Communications. Her impressive background in fundraising paired with her proven track record of increasing revenue in the private sector, makes Buskirk the perfect candidate for advancing TAP’s mission.  
 
As Texas Advocacy Project’s developmental capacity expands, the organization names Jeremy Rathke as Vice President of Finance. Rathke will be TAP’s first Vice President of Finance. Rathke oversees financial management, administration, and compliance to ensure financial excellence as the agency strategizes for growth. The role includes analyzing data and advising top executives on ways to use that information to make strategic decisions about the organization’s future. 
 
These critical expansions will grow Texas Advocacy Project beyond pre-existing capacity so that the organization may holistically serve more survivors across the state. Together, Neal, Aubrey, Buskirk, and Rathke will join fellow organizational leaders to build systems that make use of and build upon Texas Advocacy Project’s existing success. 

About Texas Advocacy Project: Texas Advocacy Project’s mission is to end dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Texas. TAP empowers survivors through free legal services and access to the justice system, and advances prevention through public outreach and education. Our vision is that all Texans live free from abuse. In 2021, TAP provided legal services in 5,042 cases, serving 10,891 Texans. If you or someone you know needs help, call 800-374-HOPE or visit TexasAdvocacyProject.org.