Amy, a longtime Austinite, has been a proud resident of the city since 1991. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2004 and began a successful career at the Texas Capitol. With over 17 years of expertise in government relations, reputation management, public policy, and real estate, Amy is a formidable professional. Her advocacy for her clients has earned her a reputation for dedication.

Amy has honed her skills in negotiation and persuasion, using them to champion Travis County children. Her vibrant spirit and commitment leave a lasting impact on every project she undertakes. Since 2011, Amy has served on the Board of Directors for the Center for Child Protection, holding various leadership roles, including chairing committees such as Raffle, Government Relations, and Guardian Angel. Her exceptional contributions earned her the title of “Board Member of the Year” in 2015.

Amy’s personal connection to the cause is rooted in her experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She channels her time, talent, and energy into advocating for children suffering in silence.

In her personal life, Amy resides in West Austin with her husband Blair and their two cherished children. She also owns blush + love, a luxury gift boutique she founded after the loss of her dad. The boutique celebrates life’s moments through joy-filled gifts and decor. Through both her boutique and advocacy, Amy is dedicated to bringing light to others, whether through giving or protecting those in need.

Bridget’s first introduction to Austin was at the University of Texas, and she immediately knew Austin was home. Coming from the small town of Rockport, Texas, where her family is in the funeral home business, Bridget combined her family’s work ethic and her love of research into a thriving real estate career. Hoping to get more involved in Austin, Bridget competed and won Miss Austin USA in 1995. It was this endeavor that launched Bridget’s passion for her non-profit work. A devoted activist for the once Austin Children’s Shelter, Bridget has helped raise money and awareness for this amazing cause, as well as others.

With a background in Public Relations and Journalism, Bridget loves to write and brings these two elements into her real estate career, keeping things innovative and exciting. She is known for her intuition and attention to detail while employing a full concierge level of service. She creates an unparalleled buying and selling experience for her clients. Bridget considers referrals and the relationships she makes along her professional journey her highest form of flattery, and she has a talent for finding the hidden gems along the shores of Lake Austin and throughout Austin’s many booming neighborhoods and outlying markets. Although her portfolio lies heavily in the luxury market, Bridget prides herself on providing luxury service with all product types and price points, whether that next address is around the corner or around the world.

There is nothing that matters more to Bridget than her relationships with her family and friends, her love of God and her furry little guy, Jonah, a 3lb teacup Yorkie. Her love of the outdoors keeps Bridget active, from jet skiing on Lake Austin to hiking and skiing the mountains of Colorado! Bridget feels most at home when in harmony with nature. Yoga plays a key role in her world, as does dancing, live music and sampling Austin’s thriving foodie scene.

Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima are thrilled to host Dancing With the Stars Austin 2024! Chris and Lauren are hosts and producers for Dr. Phil’s Merit Street Media, and through their production company, Next Chapter Productions, produce and develop reality and scripted television. Chris got his start in sports broadcasting, then launched and hosted No. 1 reality entertainment show The Bachelor for nearly 20 years. He also hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Bachelor spin-offs The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise, along with numerous other shows for ABC, HGTV and more. Lauren is a 4-time Emmy award winning correspondent with Entertainment Tonight; she’s interviewed everyone from TikTok stars to Oscar winners, and created and hosted the TV recap show Roses & Rosé, CBS’ No. 1 original digital show. The couple is devoted to investing in their Texas community, and to using their platforms to promote positivity, kindness and mental strength. In addition to their work CCP, the pair volunteers for and supports national nonprofits Experience Camps, the Tiger Woods Foundation, AIM Youth Mental Health in California and the Grant Halliburton Foundation for suicide prevention in Texas. Their next project in this space is to open the first Texas location of Experience Camps, a healing summer camp for grieving children, in 2026.

Jeff grew up in Beaumont, Texas and moved to Austin in 1990, graduating from Westlake in 1991. He went on to earn a business degree at Baylor University, where he walked on to the golf team his senior year. Sic ‘Em Bears!

Jeff’s 15 minutes of fame came in 2005 when he played a match-play event against Justin Leonard on ESPN in “People vs the Pros” for $100,000.

Jeff opened the Austin office for a Dallas-based commercial insurance firm, Tower Street Insurance in 2022. As a commercial risk advisor, he helps clients with personal insurance, commercial insurance, and business health benefit plans.

From 2011 to 2013, Jeff had a two-year adventure in Perth, Australia, where he sold demand-response programs for electric grid provider EnerNOC.

Jeff’s wife is Julie — an Aggie, rockstar, supermom, entrepreneur, inventor, commercial real estate developer, and DWTSA Champion (’21). Their children are Grace and Reece. Now empty nesters, the Jumonvilles split time between Austin and Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

A fun fact about Jeff: he may or may not be wearing tear-away pants at any given moment. When not working, he can be found on the golf course, pickle ball court, surfboard, or enjoying time with family and friends.

J.R. Martinez is an actor, best-selling author, motivational speaker, advocate, and U.S. Army veteran whose inspiring journey has touched countless lives. Raised by a single mother from El Salvador, J.R. grew up in Georgia and joined the Army after high school. In Iraq, a roadside bomb left him with severe burns, but during recovery, he discovered his gift for inspiring others.

J.R. gained fame as “Brot Monroe” on “All My Children” and as the season 13 winner of “Dancing with the Stars.” This year, he returns to the judge’s panel for Dancing with the Stars Austin.

Through his book “Full of Heart” and podcast “REBIRTH with J.R. Martinez,” he shares his story of resilience and hope.

J.R. lives in Austin, TX, with his wife Diana, children Lauryn and Leo, and their dog Ellie. A passionate advocate for veterans and burn survivors, he dedicates his time to raising awareness and fostering strength through storytelling, inspiring people to embrace life’s challenges with optimism and courage.

Amanda Tatom is a public speaker, on-camera host, and tastemaker.

Her 15+ years in television include reporting from the field and anchoring the evening news as well as launching and hosting Austin’s No. 1 lifestyle show. Amanda continues to grow her social media presence on Instagram, where she works with local and national brands. She loves navigating life as a newlywed to her darling husband, Troy, and “mom-ing” and “stepmom-ing” their five wonderful children.

Known for her fun and outgoing personality, Amanda enjoys making her guests feel comfortable and at home during interviews by having a good time and asking quirky questions. A reformed perfectionist, Amanda has found that taking life less seriously is a whole lot more fun — and that champagne and French fries are always a good idea.

Danny Amendola is a former NFL wide receiver, model, philanthropist, coach, and two-time Super Bowl Champion known for his versatility on and off the field. Originally from The Woodlands, Texas, he played college football at Texas Tech before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008. Over 13 seasons, he played for the St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Houston Texans. Danny became best known for clutch playoff performances with the Patriots, helping them win two Super Bowls.

Off the field, Danny has explored various ventures. He’s worked as a model, appearing in campaigns for high-profile brands, walking in New York Fashion Week, and being featured in fashion and lifestyle magazines. He’s also appeared on sports broadcasting networks as a guest analyst. In 2010, he founded his own charity, Danny Amendola’s Catches for Kids Foundation, to support low-income children and families through resources and life-changing experiences.

Danny retired from football in 2022. From 2023 to 2024, he served as a coaching assistant and returners coach with the Las Vegas Raiders. At the end of 2024, he competed on Season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars,” finishing 5th with partner Witney Carson.

Bruce Craig, a 4th generation Texan, is a distinguished entrepreneur with a wealth of experience as a real estate visionary. With a remarkable career spanning more than four decades, he has garnered extensive expertise in the development of residential and commercial properties.

During the last decade, Bruce has demonstrated his versatility by shifting his focus to the vibrant world of Entertainment. As the CEO and President of Big Easy Entertainment, which owns and operates a growing family of companies including numerous restaurant/bars, music company, television/radio programs, and technology company, Bruce has played a pivotal role in their success and provided ongoing oversight. His exceptional leadership skills, combined with his deep understanding of the real estate and hospitality sectors, have established him as a formidable force in the industry.

Bruce has always been an avid boatsman, and he realized his dream of owning a yacht in 2018 when he purchased a luxury 97’ Westship. He established a successful yacht charter business out of Florida and later replaced that yacht with a larger 132’ Westship. He sold that yacht and the charter business in 2024.

Bruce enjoys spending time with family and friends exploring the world and seeking international real estate opportunities.

Allison Ellsworth is the Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Poppi: the modern soda brand revolutionizing soda for the next generation. She created poppi by experimenting in her kitchen to create an apple cider vinegar-infused soda that tasted great. From the farmers market to a Shark Tank deal, poppi quickly became one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic beverages in the U.S. and is the #1 selling soda on Amazon. Ellsworth leads the Austin-based beverage company’s overall brand strategy, creative, and innovation. She pioneered the brand’s cultural cache and digital-first approach, attracting a loyal community of over 1M followers, over 2B+ page views on TikTok, and celebrity brand fans including Kim Kardashian, Post Malone, Alix Earle, Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, and more. Allison was recognized in the 2024 Inc. Female Founders 250 and as the 2024 Founder of the Year by Modern Retail. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband and three boys.

Christol, a proud South Texas native and graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, has built a career centered on leadership and community impact. As the Chief Operating Officer for U.S. Money Reserve, Christol oversees business support, quality assurance, and operational execution across the company’s core functions. With more than 15 years of leadership experience, she has played a key role in enhancing operational performance and streamlining processes. Under her guidance, U.S.M.R. has strengthened its operational infrastructure and achieved greater efficiency across all business areas.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Christol is deeply committed to making a difference in her community. Her passion for helping children was ignited after her first tour of the Center for Child Protection, and she quickly sought ways to advocate and volunteer her time to their cause. As a six-year Guardian Angel and former Chair of the Protect Austin Kids Golf Committee, Christol is dedicated to supporting the Center’s mission to protect children from abuse.

When she’s not working or volunteering, Christol enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. She is the wife of Edward, the proud mother of two sons, Luke and Charles, and the loving owner of a puppy named Cooper.

Mark McCollum is a born-and-raised True Texan who values family above all else. Married 20 years to his lovely wife, Meredith, they are blessed with six grandchildren — plus one on the way.

Austin became home in 2015 when Mark retired from AutoNation, a Fortune 500 Automotive Company, where he led one of the largest retail markets in the country. Opportunity presented itself again when he became a partner of Land Rover Jaguar Boerne. After another rise to the top, Mark sold the dealership and retired again.

Mark is not one to sit idly by. He loves the challenge of building businesses, so he and his son-in-law formed their own private equity partnership and partnered with Dr. Matt Lowe, Founder of Dynamic Sports Medicine, with the intent of expansion from three locations to 15 in the first year.

Mark has always been an avid and dedicated athlete, playing basketball in college and now enjoying golf and tennis with an intense focus on fitness.

Mark has a soft spot for children and loves teaching, coaching, and helping them in any way possible — which he proves by supporting the Center for Child Protection, Sky High for Kids, and MJ&M charities.

Dr. Tejas Patel is a leading cosmetic dentist in downtown Austin, Texas, specializing in smile makeovers and porcelain veneers. With over 20 years of experience, he’s known for combining clinical precision with artistic creativity to create beautiful, natural-looking smiles that boost his patients’ confidence.

After graduating from the University of Texas Dental School in Houston in 2002, Dr. Patel discovered his passion for cosmetic dentistry — the perfect mix of science, art, and helping others. His Austin-based practice attracts patients from across the country, and he’s recognized as one of the top cosmetic dentists in the U.S.

Dr. Patel is also one of the most followed cosmetic dentists on social media, where his creativity, humor, and viral videos have helped elevate public awareness around smile makeovers. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Patel teaches cosmetic dentistry to other dentists through his courses, helping them improve their skills and confidence with veneers and smile design.

Outside of the office, Dr. Patel loves spending time with his wife, Ami, and their two daughters, Asha and Kayla. He enjoys traveling, reading, movies, yoga, comic books, tennis, outdoor adventures with his two dogs, and he’s currently learning how to DJ.

Dana Sasser was raised in Austin, TX in a vibrant, close-knit family led by entrepreneurial parents. Community involvement was a cornerstone of her upbringing, shaping the values she carries today.

After earning her degree and beginning her career in education, Dana transitioned into sales — where she spent over two decades not only exceeding goals but empowering others to do the same. Her passion for people and performance naturally led her to her next chapter as a small business owner, leadership coach, trainer, and advocate for professional growth.

Today, Dana owns and operates Express Employment Professionals, a local employment firm dedicated to connecting talent with opportunity. She also serves as a sales and leadership coach/trainer driven by a simple but powerful mission: to help people grow, lead with purpose, and thrive in business and life.

Outside of work, Dana cherishes time with her husband, two daughters, beloved friends, and her two favorite little humans — her grandchildren! Dana is deeply passionate about the well-being of children. For over 17 years, she’s been a proud supporter of the Center for Child Protection serving as a Guild member, Guardian Angel, and board member. She believes every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported.

Skylar Schanen is a writer/screenwriter, actress, director, and co-founder of the Round Top Film Festival. Skylar spent her high school years split between Austin and Los Angeles to pursue acting and writing. At seventeen, her first screenplay, “Space Case,” was picked up and went on to win several film festival awards.

From there, Skylar shifted her focus to screenwriting and attended Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. While in college, she continued to write, act, and direct, creating short films such as “Angel” and “Deep Down.” She even co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in the feature film, “Pretty Boy.”

After college, Skylar moved to New York for a year. During that time, she and her mother founded the Round Top Film Festival — an event where creatives can experience amazing films, attend panels led by industry professionals, and build connections within the film community.

Now back in Austin, Skylar is focused on publishing her first novel, “Head Above Water,” writing her second novel, “Blood of the Lamb,” working with producers to get her script “Cheer Camp” to the big screen, teaching Round Top Film Festival Writing Workshops, and helping ensure the next festival is even better than the last.

Dr. John K. Tsai is originally from St. Louis, Missouri (go Cardinals!) but moved to Austin in 2017. Second only to marrying his wife, Jessica, John considers his move to Austin the best decision of his life.

John is a senior partner, board member, and practicing gastroenterologist at Austin Gastroenterology. He also serves as a board member of the Texas Society for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy (TSGE) and is the current chairman of the TSGE Fellow’s Committee. John earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and medical degree through Northwestern University’s seven-year Honors Program in Medical Education. He completed his residency in internal medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell and his fellowship in gastroenterology and nutrition at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he also served as a chief medical resident. John has been selected perennially as a “Top Doctor,” and his interests include colon cancer prevention, advanced endoscopy, liver and inflammatory bowel disease, Barrett’s esophagus, and nutrition counseling. He practices medicine around the philosophy of always being competent and compassionate.

Outside of medicine, John enjoys fly-fishing, poker, traveling the world, and being a proud “Girl Dad” to his 9-year-old-daughter, Sloane, who believes he tells the worst dad jokes — but she still laughs.

Leslie Gossett is one of Austin’s top 1% real estate agents, with more than 18 years of experience as a global real estate advisor at Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty. Her passion for real estate began at Texas Christian University, where she earned a finance degree and interned at two residential brokerages.

Beyond real estate, Leslie is a devoted advocate for holistic living, blending her professional success with a commitment to personal growth and well-being. She is the creator of “Lightworkers,” a podcast that celebrates people who are making a positive impact in the world. The podcast reflects her interests in energy medicine and sound healing.

Leslie’s love for travel and fascination with other cultures deeply influence her approach to life and business. She draws inspiration from the diverse people and places she encounters, fueling her passion for meaningful connections and global perspective. Known for her determination, integrity, and strong client relationships, Leslie combines her local expertise with the global reach of the Sotheby’s brand to deliver exceptional results.

When she’s not helping clients or recording podcast episodes, Leslie is a dedicated wife and mother who enjoys exploring Austin’s cultural scene and supporting causes like the Center for Child Protection.