Creating Smiles, Improving Lives
Austin Smiles Staff
Executive Director
Renée Hanson Malone has 15 years of management, resource development, and communications experience, raising millions of dollars and community support for underserved populations in Austin, TX. Her greatest strengths are donor development, communications, corporate giving, special events, grant writing, program development, and public relations.
Renée received her M.A. in Latin American Studies and was employed as a Lecturer by the Latin American Studies and Spanish Departments at the University of Kansas. Much of her work in Austin has been dedicated to strengthening and diversifying funding sources in order to expand services to underserved populations.
Before joining Austin Smiles, Renée served as the Chief Development Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area. Before that, she was the Director of Development for the Austin Child Guidance Center, the Grants Development Specialist at Easter Seals Central Texas and the Education Program Director/Grant Writer for Manos de Cristo.
She currently serves as the Board President of LOLA-Local Opera Local Artists. In addition, she is a current Board member for Vela and serves on the Non-Profit Advisory Council forI Live Here I Give Here. Renée was a member of Impact Austin from 2015-2017. She volunteered as the international matching grants coordinator for the Rotary Club of Austin Downtown and is a past board member of Austin Cops for Charities.
Making a difference in the world and inspiring others to support humanity is her life’s work. She has always admired Austin Smiles’ work in the community. She is honored to join the team and be a part of our life-changing work for so many children in need.
Renée Hanson Malone has 15 years of management, resource development, and communications experience, raising millions of dollars and community support for underserved populations in Austin, TX. Her greatest strengths are donor development, communications, corporate giving, special events, grant writing, program development, and public relations.
Renée received her M.A. in Latin American Studies and was employed as a Lecturer by the Latin American Studies and Spanish Departments at the University of Kansas. Much of her work in Austin has been dedicated to strengthening and diversifying funding sources in order to expand services to underserved populations.
Before joining Austin Smiles, Renée served as the Chief Development Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area. Before that, she was the Director of Development for the Austin Child Guidance Center, the Grants Development Specialist at Easter Seals Central Texas and the Education Program Director/Grant Writer for Manos de Cristo.
She currently serves as the Board President of LOLA-Local Opera Local Artists. In addition, she is a current Board member for Vela and serves on the Non-Profit Advisory Council for I Live Here I Give Here. Renée was a member of Impact Austin from 2015-2017. She volunteered as the international matching grants coordinator for the Rotary Club of Austin Downtown and is a past board member of Austin Cops for Charities.
Making a difference in the world and inspiring others to support humanity is her life’s work. She has always admired Austin Smiles’ work in the community. She is honored to join the team and be a part of our life-changing work for so many children in need.
Communications Director
Ellise currently owns a family and child photography business in Austin, known as Ellise Nicole Photography LLC. She has been on a mission to El Salvador and Guatemala and loves being able to capture the smiles, tears, and love between patients, their families and Austin Smiles volunteers with her camera.
Ellise has a passion for photography, working with children, and volunteering. She is interested in communications, social media marketing, non-profit management, and bettering the lives of children born just like her!
Ellise currently owns a family and child photography business in Austin, known as Ellise Nicole Photography LLC. She has been on a mission to El Salvador and Guatemala and loves being able to capture the smiles, tears, and love between patients, their families and Austin Smiles volunteers with her camera.
Ellise has a passion for photography, working with children, and volunteering. She is interested in communications, social media marketing, non-profit management, and bettering the lives of children born just like her!
UT Work Study
Major: Advertising with a Business Foundations minor and a Business Spanish certificate.
Favorite Quote: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
― Mae West
Growing up in a developing country showed me the hardships people face in their day to day, things that I now take for granted. Because of that, my parents have always taught me the importance of giving back to my community. Hearing the mission of Austin Smiles inspires me to do just that. I am passionate about helping others and creating change in a community that has given me countless opportunities to grow.
Major: Advertising with a Business Foundations minor and a Business Spanish certificate.
Favorite Quote: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
― Mae West
Growing up in a developing country showed me the hardships people face in their day to day, things that I now take for granted. Because of that, my parents have always taught me the importance of giving back to my community. Hearing the mission of Austin Smiles inspires me to do just that. I am passionate about helping others and creating change in a community that has given me countless opportunities to grow.
Austin Smiles Interns
The University of Texas at Austin
Favorite Quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou
I am so excited to be a part of the Austin Smiles team and work together to help make a difference in children’s lives. The world is better with smiles and having the opportunity to give smiles is an honor. Austin Smiles is working relentlessly to accomplish its mission and it gives me great pride knowing that the work I do here will amount to a greater good.
Favorite Quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou
I am so excited to be a part of the Austin Smiles team and work together to help make a difference in children’s lives. The world is better with smiles and having the opportunity to give smiles is an honor. Austin Smiles is working relentlessly to accomplish its mission and it gives me great pride knowing that the work I do here will amount to a greater good.
The University of Texas at Austin
Maisie’s Major: BSA Biology with a certificate in Business of Healthcare, Pre-Med Track
Favorite Quote: “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”
– Confucius
I decided to join Austin Smiles due to the foundation’s incredibly valuable mission that spreads locally and globally. As someone who hopes to enter the medical field (with a specialty in pediatrics) but is also interested in the humanitarian aspects of healthcare, I am grateful for this opportunity to work with other interns as well as make an impact in our community! The life-changing services Austin Smiles provides fascinates me and I look forward to being an intern this semester!
Maisie’s Major: BSA Biology with a certificate in Business of Healthcare, Pre-Med Track
Favorite Quote: “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”
– Confucius
I decided to join Austin Smiles due to the foundation’s incredibly valuable mission that spreads locally and globally. As someone who hopes to enter the medical field (with a specialty in pediatrics) but is also interested in the humanitarian aspects of healthcare, I am grateful for this opportunity to work with other interns as well as make an impact in our community! The life-changing services Austin Smiles provides fascinates me and I look forward to being an intern this semester!
Evan Hampton
The University of Texas at Austin
Favorite Quote: “Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs.”
– Charlotte Brontë
My professor suggested to look into Austin Smiles to intern/volunteer, and I am so glad I did. Austin Smiles provides care and instills hope into children, their families, and the many different communities they serve, which is so inspiring. With this internship, I look forward to sharing Austin Smiles’ mission with the Austin community and work towards a better personal understanding of how to take action and make a change.
Favorite Quote: “Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs.”
– Charlotte Brontë
My professor suggested to look into Austin Smiles to intern/volunteer, and I am so glad I did. Austin Smiles provides care and instills hope into children, their families, and the many different communities they serve, which is so inspiring. With this internship, I look forward to sharing Austin Smiles’ mission with the Austin community and work towards a better personal understanding of how to take action and make a change.
Concordia University Texas
Veronica’s Major: Business Administration with a concentration in Global Healthcare Policy
Favorite Quote: “You deserve all the dreams you keep hidden in your heart.”
– Mark Anthony
I am excited to be a part of the Austin Smiles internship program as this is an organization that is doing a lot of good for children. It is great to have organizations such as this one that commit themselves to help others and truly making an impact in so many people’s lives. I chose this internship as I too want to bring change to others, I want to help others and help combat issues in the world.
Veronica’s Major: Business Administration with a concentration in Global Healthcare Policy
Favorite Quote: “You deserve all the dreams you keep hidden in your heart.”
– Mark Anthony
I am excited to be a part of the Austin Smiles internship program as this is an organization that is doing a lot of good for children. It is great to have organizations such as this one that commit themselves to help others and truly making an impact in so many people’s lives. I chose this internship as I too want to bring change to others, I want to help others and help combat issues in the world.
Concordia University Texas
Jessica’s Major: Global Public Health
Favorite Quote: “Once you start being mindful and really going, “Do I actually want that?”, you start to feel empowered and you find your value.”
– Stephanie Joanne Germonatta
I am very excited and happy to be giving my help and spending my time with Austin Smiles this Spring. I am so inspired by their message and the work they do for children, families, and the community as a whole. My goal in life is to always help those in need and to try my best to partake in anything I can to make the world a better place. I feel that Austin Smiles can help me achieve that and so much more. I look forward to learning everything I can and gaining valuable experience through this amazing foundation.
Jessica’s Major: Global Public Health
Favorite Quote: “Once you start being mindful and really going, “Do I actually want that?”, you start to feel empowered and you find your value.”
– Stephanie Joanne Germonatta
I am very excited and happy to be giving my help and spending my time with Austin Smiles this Spring. I am so inspired by their message and the work they do for children, families, and the community as a whole. My goal in life is to always help those in need and to try my best to partake in anything I can to make the world a better place. I feel that Austin Smiles can help me achieve that and so much more. I look forward to learning everything I can and gaining valuable experience through this amazing foundation.
The University of Texas at Austin
Elizabeth’s Major: Communication and Leadership
Favorite Quote: “Don’t shine so others can see you. Shine, so that through you, others can see Him.” – C.S. Lewis
I am so excited to be interning with Austin Smiles this semester. From the first time learning about this organization, it has had a special place in my heart. Their mission of helping children in need and giving them the ability to share their beautiful smile to the world is incredible. As a senior at the University of Texas with a major in Communication and Leadership and wanting to go to Physician Assistant school in the near future, I believe that an internship with Austin Smiles is a perfect fit.
Elizabeth’s Major: Communication and Leadership
Favorite Quote: “Don’t shine so others can see you. Shine, so that through you, others can see Him.” – C.S. Lewis
I am so excited to be interning with Austin Smiles this semester. From the first time learning about this organization, it has had a special place in my heart. Their mission of helping children in need and giving them the ability to share their beautiful smile to the world is incredible. As a senior at the University of Texas with a major in Communication and Leadership and wanting to go to Physician Assistant school in the near future, I believe that an internship with Austin Smiles is a perfect fit.


Our History
Since 1987 Austin Smiles has changed lives one smile at a time

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Make a difference locally and globally

Our Supporters
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