Meet Our Team

Dr. Garett Sansom is the Co-Founder & Director of Together for a Better Tomorrow. He holds a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Epidemiology and Environmental Health as well as a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health. With over a decade of experience in public health and environmental research, his work focuses on addressing environmental and health disparities in vulnerable communities. He is driven by a commitment to achieving meaningful public health outcomes through research and community engagement. Through his work, he aims to enhance resilience and health equity in communities affected by environmental hazards by integrating research, community collaboration, and evidence-based interventions.

Dr. Lindsay Sansom is the Co-Director of Together for a Better Tomorrow. She holds a PhD in Ecosystem Science and Management from Texas A&M University and a Master’s in International Relations and Environmental Policy from Boston University. With more than 15 years of experience addressing complex environmental policy and water security issues, her work bridges research and practice to deliver data-driven solutions that help communities work together to create change. She is committed to making science relevant and actionable, with the goal of partnering with communities to improve daily life and strengthen resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

Luis Gómez is the Co-Founder & Assistant Director of Together for a Better Tomorrow. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi and is a Texas Certified Community Health Worker Instructor (CHWI). With over 12 years of experience leading Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), he co-leads leadership and strategic planning, overseeing operations, team coordination, and process management. Deeply inspired by the transformative impact of our programs and the passion of our collaborators, he is dedicated to building a brighter future through impactful service, interdisciplinary scholarship, and strong collaborative partnerships.

Elva Beltran serves as a Program Specialist II at Together for a BetterTomorrow. She has been a Texas Certified Community Health Worker(CHW) for over 13 years and a Texas Certified Community HealthWorker Instructor (CHWI) for over four years. With over 12 years of experience in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) efforts and 30+ years working directly with community members, she leads the long- and short-term planning, implementation, and monitoring ofTogether for a Better Tomorrow’s community advisory boards, as well as its outreach and engagement activities and is inspired by the opportunity to transform the lives of communities—finding great satisfaction in contributing to the well-being of others. Through her work, she aims to drive meaningful change through the education and empowerment of themost vulnerable communities.

Socorro Elvira Reyes Martinez serves as a Project Manager II at Together for a Better Tomorrow. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Blinn College. In her role, she manages project quality control and assurance, including the planning and implementation of data collection efforts, and helps define the project’s mission, vision, and goals. With over 5 years of experience in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) efforts, she is inspired by the opportunity to help improve the quality of life in communities, knowing that her work contributes to providing better opportunities for others. Through her work, she hopes to contribute practical solutions that have a positive and lasting impact.

Briseida Vasquez serves as a Program Specialist III at Together for a Better Tomorrow. A first-generation college graduate, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Sam Houston State University. She is certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid USA, holds a current CPR certification, and is working toward her Community Health Worker Instructor (CHWI) certification. In her role, she leads both short- and long-term planning, development, and implementation of our Community Science efforts, including data management and community outreach events. She is inspired by the passion of her colleagues and her own experiences growing up as the child of immigrant parents and is motivated to help underserved communities in South Texas thrive and empower individuals to lead healthier lives.

Maria Reyes serves as an Outreach Worker II at Together for a BetterTomorrow. As a Texas Certified Community Health Worker for over 14years, she brings more than 25 years of direct community engagement experience and over 3 years in Community-Based Participatory Research(CBPR) efforts. Passionate about addressing the needs of the Rio GrandeValley, she is inspired by the opportunity to both inform and support her community while continuously learning from their experiences. In her role, she co-leads participant recruitment and data management initiatives, using her extensive expertise to foster stronger community connections.Committed to personal and professional growth, she remains dedicated to evolving as a CHW to better serve the diverse needs of her community.

Amy Colmenero serves as a Community Health Worker II at Together for a Better Tomorrow. She is currently completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at the University of Houston-Downtown. In her role, she co-leads both short- and long-term planning, development, and implementation of participant and community recruitment, including data management and community outreach events. She is inspired by her passion for engaging with the community and helping others, which she is now able to do more of through her work. Although she is new to this field, she has learned so much in the past few months and is genuinely happy to be part of the team. Through her work, Amy hopes to establish meaningful relationships with the community and make a difference in their lives.

Elena Hernandez serves as a Program Specialist I at Together for a Better Tomorrow. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health with a Minor in Biology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She is certified as a Sexual Assault Advocate through the Office of the Attorney General. In her role, she co-leads both short- and long-term planning, development, and implementation of our Community Science efforts, including data management and community outreach events. Driven by her public health background and deep ties to the region where she grew up, she is motivated to apply her studies in ways that improve health and address environmental challenges to empower individuals with knowledge and resources, and make a meaningful impact on quality of life.

Nate Gonzalez is a Student Trainee at Together for a Better Tomorrow. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Texas A&M University–San Antonio and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health at Texas A&M University School of Public Health. He is certified in First Aid CPR AED through the American Heart Association and as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant and Scribe through the International Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. With two years of experience in public health and a growing focus on environmental health and community well-being, Nate is inspired by the opportunity to uplift communities through access to safe water and culturally meaningful solutions. Through his work with Together for a Better Tomorrow, he hopes to advance the mission of creating healthier, more informed communities that have the opportunity to thrive.

Kayla Morales is a Student Trainee at Together for a Better Tomorrow. A native of Hidalgo County, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University. She is inspired by the opportunity to give back to her community through meaningful research and education, particularly around environmental and health concerns that directly affect South Texas. Through her work, she hopes to inspire others to bring their talents back to the Valley, contribute to actionable solutions, and foster healthier, more resilient communities.