Naomi has an MBA in Healthcare from the Texas State University and works as a healthcare executive. Recently, she took off time from corporate life to explore opportunities that would allow a healthy, yet impactful work/life balance. Volunteering and connecting with her community felt like a wonderful way to start that transition.

Naomi grew up between L.A. County and Washington, D.C., but moved to Austin in 2010. She enjoys spending her free time with her pets, gardening, and attending city events.

Howard is thrilled to join the Kiwanis Club of Silicon Hills. He had been a member of the Thousand Oaks (CA) Chapter before relocating from Southern California to Austin in 2021. He recently retired from working in a business development sales role at strategy consulting organization, Frost & Sullivan, in its healthcare practice. Previously, for 20+ Howard was an organizer of large industry trade show events in manufacturing, technology, beverages and packaging. 

Howard has been married to Paula for more than 35 years, and they have two grown sons, Daniel and Jeremy. Paula owns her own career and college advising company. Daniel lives in Austin and does business development for Resort Pass (day passes for hotel spas and pools) and is the owner of Pickleball Playmakers (lessons and group events). Jeremy is a wealth manager for J. P. Morgan in New York.

Howard and Paula are passionate about traveling and have truly enjoyed living in Austin, especially by going to live music events and theater shows.

Howard looks forward to volunteering with Kiwanis members, to help benefit kids and build an even stronger club.

Mike Harreld is a dynamic experienced Financial Business Advisor across various industries, including education, retail, investment banking, manufacturing, pensions, telephone, natural gas, electricity, and IT.

He was born in Kentucky, worked for Southern Companies in Atlanta, and moved to Austin in the fall of 2023. He first joined a Kiwanis Club in Atlanta in 1989, and upon moving to Austin wanted to get back involved with a community organization.

Mike has proven track record with entities of all sizes, from local organizations to General Dynamics, helping companies achieve financial goals. He had an extensive career as EVP CFO for Southern Company, a Fortune 200 company, with roles as CFO, Controller, mentor, risk manager, strategist, project director, and people and culture manager. He’s demonstrated expertise as a problem solver in business controls and procedures, mergers and acquisitions, energy solutions, start-ups, shut-downs, IPOs, sales of businesses, and board management. Electric Utility Expert in generation, supply chain, transmission, distribution, finance, HR, accounting, investor relations, IT, and regulatory affairs.

Chelsie Higdon has been a part of the Kiwanis Family going on nine years now and is honored to continue that journey with the Kiwanis Club of Silicon Hills. 

A previous CKI member, Chelsie has held a variety of roles since 2016 ending her journey as an International Trustee and being inducted into CKI Hall of Fame, this love for our SLPs continued as she served as Assistant District Admin for the Carolinas District for two years prior to her move to Austin, TX. From there she joined our club became part of the Board of Directors and was recently elected President-Elect for our club for the 25-26 year where she also decided to continue her love for CKI by being appointed as an ADA for the Texas Oklahoma District of CKI as well. 

Outside of her Kiwanis family journey, Chelsie is a Senior IT Project Manager at the General Land Office here in Austin, and also a provisional member for the Junior League of Austin continuing her love for serving others. She’s engaged to one of our other members Brandon Phifer with plans to be married this October back home in NC.  She enjoys traveling with her partner especially to national parks where they’ve visited 23/63 at this time, loves going to local concerts, and comedy shows here in Austin and loves to cuddle with their cat Evelyn when at home. Overall,  She looks forward to her upcoming presidential term for the club and helping the club continue to reach its potential.