about
Mission
The mission of Better Together Nacogdoches is to improve wellness in Nacogdoches County by increasing the capacity of and collaboration within the community, agencies, and people.
Definition of Wellness
Improving wellness is at the heart of all that Better Together Nacogdoches does. We define wellness as a quality of life characterized by good physical, mental, and emotional health, social connectedness, a sense of purpose, and the ability to enjoy a balanced, satisfying lifestyle.
While we recognize that individuals make choices and engage in behaviors that promote wellness, we also recognize that environmental and systemic factors heavily influence both the ability and desire of individuals to engage in wellness-promoting activities. In fact, we believe that communities have the responsibility to build an environment and systems that promote wellness.
Access to certain basic needs are fundamental to wellness, although wellness goes beyond attainment of these basic needs:
Regular access to healthy food.
Affordable access to quality healthcare and mental healthcare.
Access to safe, affordable, and dignified housing
The ability to earn a living wage under safe and fair conditions
Access to safe, affordable, and dignified childcare
Core Principles
The work of Better Together Nacogdoches is shaped by these core principles, which underpin
our work, how we engage in the community, and how we set priorities.
Community Wisdom Drives Lasting Change
We believe the people closest to challenges hold essential knowledge about solutions. Meaningful and sustainable change happens when community members are actively engaged in shaping priorities, decisions, and actions that affect their lives.
Collaboration Is Essential for Solving Complex Problems
We believe complex social challenges cannot be solved in isolation. Stronger and more lasting outcomes emerge when individuals, organizations, and sectors work together, align efforts, and share responsibility for change.
Communities Grow by Building on Strengths
We believe every community has assets, expertise, and efforts already making a difference. Change is most effective when we recognize and build on what is working, rather than focusing solely on problems or deficits.
Leadership Is Cultivated and Shared
We believe leadership exists throughout the community and grows when people are supported, trusted, and invited to contribute. When individuals and organizations build confidence, skills, and relationships, more people step forward to help shape and sustain meaningful change.
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Community Capacity Fuels Homegrown Solutions
We believe communities create the most effective solutions when knowledge, skills, and resources grow collectively. By strengthening the capacity of the whole community, we create space for innovative approaches that reflect local strengths, needs, and realities.
Our Role
Better Together Nacogdoches serves the community primarily as a Convener, Backbone Organization, and Capacity Builder. Together, these roles create a pathway that moves ideas from initial conversation to sustainable, community-led action.
Convener: Igniting Ideas and Building Connections
Better Together brings organizations, leaders, and community members together around issues that impact wellness. We serve as a catalyst, helping move the community from identifying challenges to exploring shared solutions. Through convenings, we create space for dialogue, relationship-building, and the generation of collaborative ideas rooted in the local context. We encourage partners to think creatively, identify opportunities for alignment, and begin taking collective action.
Backbone Organization: Supporting Collaborative Action
When collaborative efforts emerge, Better Together may serve as a backbone organization to help transform ideas into sustained action. We provide coordination, communication, and strategic support to ensure initiatives build momentum and develop strong internal practices. By offering structure and facilitation, we help collaborative efforts move forward efficiently, strengthen partnerships, and remain focused on shared goals.
Capacity Builder: Strengthening Sustainable
Community Impact
Better Together builds the capacity of organizations, coalitions, and community leaders to operate effectively and sustainably. We provide training, tools, and technical assistance to strengthen leadership, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making. Our goal is to equip local partners with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to sustain initiatives and continue advancing wellness across the community. It is also our goal that coalitions or other collaborative initiatives for which we serve as the backbone organization are able to transition to operating independently of Better Together as those internal practices solidify.
While these roles often occur sequentially — convening partners, supporting collaborative efforts, and building long-term capacity — they are also flexible. Better Together may engage in any of these roles depending on community needs and opportunities. Across all efforts, our aim is to strengthen the community’s ability to develop and sustain locally driven solutions that improve wellness.
Staff and Board
Better Together Nacogdoches is made up of a Board of Directors and an Executive Director, all of whom collaborate regularly with numerous individuals and organizations in Nacogdoches and beyond to advance our work.
Dr. Catie Munguia
Executive Director
Dr. Catie Munguia has been with Better Together Nacogdoches since 2025. Catie was born and raised in Nacogdoches, and holds a Doctorate and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Spanish from St. Edward’s University. Catie is bilingual in Spanish and English, and brings with her rich experience as a school social worker, mental health therapist, nonprofit administrator, and various other roles.
Catie has launched Better Together into a dynamic new era of growth and momentum, strengthening the organization from the inside out. Internally, she established strong operational policies and initiated a comprehensive strategic planning process. Externally, she led the development of key community initiatives, including the Collaboration Grants, Education Series, and the Mental Health & Criminal Justice Roundtable, positioning Better Together as a catalyst for meaningful community impact.
Catie is a community builder both on and off the clock – she teaches swing dancing and organizes local live music and dancing events throughout the year, and she loves organizing and hosting get-togethers with family, friends, and neighbors for special occasions as well as to celebrate the beauty of day-to-day living in community.
Executive Team
Lauren Ivy Sieja
Chair,
Nacogdoches ISD
Michelle Key
Secretary,
East Texas Community Health Services Inc.
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Carlos Palomo
Treasurer,
Commercial Bank of TX
Board Members
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Jordan Bridges
Burke
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Anna Donihoo
Hospice of East Texas
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Tracie Estepp
Community Member
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Caroline Garner
Nacogdoches Area United Way
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Maura Messer
Maura Messer Counseling & Consulting
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Ella Nobles
Nacogdoches County Hospital District
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Terrence Reeves
Nacogdoches County Probation
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Amelia Ruiz Fischer
Fischer & Fischer Attorneys at Law
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Mario Torres
Nacogdoches ISD
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Erin Windham
Nacogdoches ISD
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Jenn Cantu
Austin State University
Stephen F.
Austin State University
Our History
Better Together Nacogdoches began in 2018 as part of the Wellness in Rural Communities initiative through the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Social Work, with support from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. From the beginning, the work brought together local organizations, community leaders, and residents around a shared belief: lasting change happens when communities work together. Through conversations across Nacogdoches County, community members helped shape a common agenda focused on wellness, connection, and building on local strengths. Those early conversations laid the foundation for what would become Better Together.
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As the work grew, so did the vision. Better Together became an independent nonprofit in 2024, continuing its commitment to strengthening relationships, supporting community leadership, and creating space for collaborative solutions that are rooted in Nacogdoches.
Today, Better Together Nacogdoches continues to work alongside residents, partners, and organizations to help our community grow stronger—together. Be sure to check out our Strategic Plan to see where we’re focusing our efforts now!