Betsy abell - social-emotional development awardee

Austin SEL Funders:  More than a decade ago, three Austin-based philanthropists met and formed a funding collective centered on their shared passion for Social Emotional Learning (SEL).  This led to an expanded interest in the emergent brain science and in what it can tell us about how children learn and what can get in the way.  Since its formation, the collective has invested more than $1M into Austin ISD in support of the district’s SEL practice.  Across the community, the collective has doggedly advocated for the value of children and youth developing mindsets and competencies that permit them to know and deeply accept themselves, develop healthy relationships with others, and adapt to fast-changing conditions in the world around them.  They believe nothing is more important for schools and school systems at this time than for adults to grasp and act upon the irrefutable link between social and emotional wellness and the readiness of students to learn [Regulate -> Relate -> Reason].  

Betsy Abell is the President of the Buena Vista Foundation, which has focused much of its giving in recent years on the foundations for high-quality Early Childhood Development and Social and Emotional Learning in Central Texas.  In addition to her own philanthropic work, Betsy is a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. David’s Foundation and has also served on the boards of Austin Recovery, the Texas Book Festival, the United Way of Greater Austin, and the Center for Social and Emotional Learning in New York City. She served on the University of Texas Elementary School Development Board, the United Way Success by Six Leadership Council, and the St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Endowment Board, and is currently on the Texas Book Festival Advisory Board.  Betsy holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas and a Master's degree in Counseling from St. Edwards University, and was a recipient of the 2006 Rostow Leadership Award.