TEAM | SMARTSANANTONIO

S.M.A.R.T. Team

Andy Benavides
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Andy Benavides has been a prominent community leader for over 25 years, and is a professional artist with regular exhibitions, commissions, and collectors. He has a lifetime commitment to the Arts and community building. Andy's full bio

Yvette Benavides
DIRECTOR

Yvette Benavides has served as Director since S.M.A.R.T's inception in 2002. Yvette was born in Michigan, migrated to the Pacific Northwest, and eventually landed in San Antonio. She has a rich background, and is deeply committed to the Arts. Bio

S.M.A.R.T. Believers

Board of Directors

Greg Murray, President

Samantha Demory, Secretary

Sarah Christal, Education

Currently looking to fill 2 open seats.

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S.M.A.R.T. Advisory Board

Jennifer Emerson, Principal Briscoe Elementary

Jennifer Emerson is the proud Principal of Andrew Briscoe Elementary School in San Antonio ISD. With 17 years of experience in education, she is committed to fostering a student-centered, inquiry-driven learning environment where every child thrives. As an IB Primary Years Programme leader and Cahn Distinguished Principal Fellow, Jennifer is passionate about developing strong teachers, empowering student voice, and building collaborative school communities.

Dr. Amandine Grenier, Neuroscientist

Dr. Amandine Grenier is a neuroscientist and lifelong learner dedicated to understanding how children learn and grow. She earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where her research focused on the cognitive mechanisms underlying mathematical processing in children using electroencephalography (EEG). Passionate about both science and education, Dr. Grenier enjoys working directly with students in the classroom and translating neuroscience research into practical learning strategies. Through her work, she hopes to make a meaningful contribution to education by helping children and educators embrace the SMART way of thinking and fostering a growth-oriented approach to learning. She is also passionate about introducing neurofeedback techniques to the community to help people discover the power of brainwaves and better understand how brain activity can support focus, attention, and learning.
In her spare time, Dr. Grenier enjoys baking and spending time with her kitties, activities that reflect the same curiosity, creativity, and joy she brings to her work with children and learning.

Dr. Bree Soteros, Neuroscientist

Dr. Bree Soteros is a neuroscientist who researched how the brain protects its synapses, which are the vital neural connections that power our thoughts, feelings, and memories. After seeing firsthand how chronic stress disrupts these connections, she turned her passion toward leveraging the power of creativity and curiosity to drive neuroplasticity and emotional resilience.

S.M.A.R.T. Believers

S.M.A.R.T. Team

Andy Benavides EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Yvette Benavides DIRECTOR

S.M.A.R.T. Believers

Board of Directors

S.M.A.R.T. Advisory Board

1906 S. Flores | San Antonio, TX 78204 | smartsatx@gmail.com

Andy Benavides
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Yvette Benavides
DIRECTOR