Home » About Us » Leadership Team
Victor Azíos, Executive Director
In August 2009, Victor joined El Buen Samaritano with a 30-year background in education, human, social and health services and nonprofit administration. His highly diversified career portfolio includes work with organizations serving the needs of many different constituencies. Most recently, he served as a senior associate of The Annie E. Casey Foundation and as site team leader for its Neighborhood Transformation/Family Development Initiative Making Connections site in San Antonio .
Victor has worked with a diverse group of public entities to forge lasting partnerships on behalf of various constituencies. His career has been dedicated to the advancement of children through the empowerment of families and his efforts to strengthen communities. He has spent his accomplished career developing relationships and building partnerships within the Latino community, addressing early-childhood education, substance abuse, mental health, child welfare and foster-care matters at the local and national level.
He holds a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Houston and a master's in social casework from Boston College. His postgraduate experience includes work in social work education at Tulane University.
Contact Victor Azíos.
Sandra Freitag, Director of Finance and Operations
At El Buen, Sandra manages all accounting and financial transactions as well as property management and best practices in utility conservations, efficiencies and safety measures.
In the five years she has been with El Buen Samaritano, Sandra has managed all accounts payable, receivable, organizational budget, grant and program budgets and secured maintenance contractors for all aspects of facilities management. Prior to joining El Buen, Sandra was a successful entrepreneur, founding and establishing two prosperous businesses since 1981. With more than 28 years of experience in business management, Sandra’s wealth of knowledge and skills ensure that El Buen Samaritano stays afloat year after year.
Sandra studied journalism at Texas A&M University and received TANO’s Nonprofit Leadership and Management Certificate in 2009.
Contact Sandra Freitag.
Mona Izquierdo, Director of Education
As Director of Education, Mona is responsible for the management of El Buen’s early-childhood, youth and adult education programs.
Prior to joining El Buen, Mona planned, developed, implemented and supported Communities in Schools programs for 17 years at the local, state and national level. Since joining El Buen in July 2008, Mona has solidified all education programs, adding life-skills workshops for adults and an evening tutoring program, reading camp and outdoor recreational program for children and youth. She began her career with the Young Women's Christian Association in El Paso after receiving her bachelor of arts from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Coming from an education-driven family, Mona continues fulfilling her life-long passion of helping children and families have a better chance for success in life. She strongly believes all children deserve the opportunity to receive guidance and support so they can fulfill their hopes and dreams. Mona’s goals for the year ahead include expanding El Buen’s youth educational programs and providing a solid education experience to each student enrolled at El Buen Samaritano.
Contact Mona Izquierdo.
Rae Zayed, Director of Health and Human Services
Rae provides leadership and oversight for the Wallace Mallory Clinic and Human Services at El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission. She has more than 11 years of health care experience with expertise in strategic planning, managed care, marketing, physician and executive recruitment, and business development.
Rae has served as Administrative Services Manager at Scott and White Health Plan, the Administrator of Southwest Orthopaedic Group and most recently as CEO of Addison & Company, a healthcare consulting firm. She holds a bachelor's in biology and chemistry from Texas A&M University and a master's in health services management from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. Rae is an active member of the Medical Group Management Association and serves at the national level on the Imaging Workgroup committee. Additionally, Rae has served as editor for three health care and human resource-sponsored publications and written various articles on communications, finance, employee relations, strategic planning and health-related topics.
When asked what she values most in an organization, Rae lists the organization's mission, community impact, patient focus, quality and teamwork. On a personal level, Rae enjoys traveling and walking.
Contact Rae Zayed.
