Meet The Team
The people
behind Next Steps.
Neighbors committed to serving their community — the staff and board who keep our homes running and our mission moving forward.
Our Staff
Day in, day out.
Pam De Santiago
Executive Director
“A Heart for Local Service”
Pamela De Santiago has spent more than a decade professionally immersed in social service — though her calling came long before that. Always based in The Colony, she has deep roots and connections to the people she serves and the community she draws on.
In 2012, she began coordinating volunteers and leading outreach for people experiencing housing crisis, then moved on to become a recovery coach. Her dedication led a rehabilitation center to sponsor her Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) certification in 2015 — shifting her focus from what clients can't do because of their addiction to what they can do using what they have.
In 2019, Pam perceived a growing need for focused, local support in The Colony and founded Next Steps — a 501(c)(3) non-profit devoted entirely to the community it serves. What started as hard to describe has become firmly planted in the fabric of The Colony.
“Between Empathy and Discernment” — after years in social services, Pam brings both genuine compassion and the grounded judgment that effective support requires.
Jason Kelley
Case Manager / Mentor
“I will never help people by pointing my finger at them. I'll help them by holding out my arms.”
Jason Kelley left a successful nine-year career in law enforcement to become a counselor — and never looked back. In law enforcement, he rose from jailer to jail supervisor to police officer. But in 2011, he felt a strong calling toward a different kind of work: understanding how a person got to where they are, not just what happened when they arrived.
With his family's support, he joined a local non-profit in The Colony, where he was eventually promoted to Executive Director, leading staff and operations to help homeless and addicted neighbors through relationship, love, and dignity. He later moved to another non-profit organization to continue providing life-management skills training, and became an ordained minister.
In March 2021, Pam recruited him to join Next Steps as Case Manager. Jason holds a counseling certification from the American Institute of Healthcare Professionals (AIHCP). A lifelong resident of The Colony, he has a wife and six children.
Pam on Jason: “Jason taught me it's OK to be excited about the unknown.”
Board of Directors
Guiding the mission.
Scott Klein
Board President
Scott Klein is a four-year Army Veteran who served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He graduated from the University of Houston before relocating with his wife to The Colony in 1997, where they've been rooted ever since. Scott currently serves as Vice President at Lockton Dunning, where he works as a consultant in the employee benefits industry. He and his wife Elizabeth have two children, Dylan and Kelly. Before joining the Next Steps board as President, Scott served eight years on the board of a local homeless-outreach non-profit.
Alissa Janke
Board Secretary
Alissa brings years of volunteer and board experience across organizations of varying sizes in The Colony. She understands both the importance of proper non-profit structure and the practical work of delivering real value to the people an organization exists to serve. As Board Secretary, Alissa maintains the minutes of board meetings and provides operational input on Next Steps' direction. She is a Texas-licensed attorney who has operated a solo practice in The Colony for over six years, specializing in estate planning, probate, and civil litigation. Alissa also serves as Associate Judge for the City of The Colony and the Town of Flower Mound.
Dr. Mancil Carroll III
Treasurer
Rev. Dr. Mancil Carroll III is the pastor of Avenue Progressive Baptist Church in South Dallas, where he leads with a vision of faith, love, and service. He is the author of Holy, But Not Perfect, a testimony of redemption and grace. His commitment to community extends well beyond the pulpit — equipping families, mentoring young leaders, and helping the next generation live with purpose. Dr. Carroll has been married for 26 years to Maxine Carroll, and together they have three adult children: Jasmine, Paris, and Metia.
Chris McGowan
Member at Large
Chris McGowan brings more than 30 years of Accounting and Finance experience from a career in the wireless industry, including roles at major national carriers. He holds a BA from Austin College and an MBA from UNT. Since retiring in 2018, Chris has dedicated his time to volunteer work and social justice causes. In addition to his role at Next Steps, he serves on the boards of two other local organizations. He and his wife Holly are based in Coppell.
Chris Loupé
Member at Large
Christopher Loupe is a Human Resources professional with expertise in talent management, recruiting, training, and organizational compliance. Throughout his career, he has been driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. One of his most memorable experiences came when an employee followed his encouragement to schedule a routine medical checkup, ultimately discovering a life-threatening heart condition and receiving treatment that likely saved his life.
Christopher first became involved with Next Steps The Colony while serving alongside the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seeing the impact of practical assistance and transitional support firsthand inspired him to become more deeply involved. As a board member, he brings both professional HR expertise and the unique perspective of someone who has worked directly with individuals in crisis. He is passionate about helping ensure the organization remains strong, compliant, and positioned to continue changing lives throughout The Colony community. His faith in Jesus Christ guides both his life and leadership and fuels his commitment to serving others.
Lincoln Carroll
Member at Large
Lincoln Carroll brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, with expertise in strategy, analytics, and organizational growth. He credits his service in the Army with instilling a desire to use his God-given talents to serve others and make a positive impact in his community.
Lincoln was drawn to Next Steps The Colony through its commitment to helping individuals and families take meaningful steps toward stability and independence. Having grown up in a broken home and spent much of his youth without his father present, he understands the importance of positive role models, strong community support, and opportunities for a fresh start.
As a board member, Lincoln provides strategic insight and is passionate about supporting transitional housing programs and creating pathways for people to build a stronger future.
Malikka Gist
Member at Large
Malikka Gist serves on the Board of Directors for Next Steps The Colony and brings experience in strategic planning, communications, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination through her work with a federal government agency. She is passionate about helping turn vision into action and building partnerships that create meaningful impact.
Malikka's connection to the mission is personal. During her childhood, caring adults, mentors, and volunteers invested in her life during a season when her family faced challenges. Their encouragement and support helped shape who she is today and inspired her commitment to serving others.
As both a board member and active volunteer, Malikka is dedicated to helping Next Steps expand its impact and create opportunities for individuals and families to thrive. Guided by a core value of service, she believes everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Invite us to speak.
Pam and Jason speak at churches, civic groups, schools, and gatherings throughout North Texas on community, recovery, and how neighbors show up for each other.