Association Staff

Mariel Rocha-Narvaez

Research Assistant for Social Media and Projects

Mariel joined the HRA18 social media and special projects team in October 2020. Her passion, media savvy and leadership have led to significant growth in the online fundraising and awareness campaigns. Mariel holds a degree in US-Business from Texas A&M and is currently studying Mathematical Finance at the University of Houston.

Mariel grew up in a third world country and was not aware of the Holocaust and its atrocities. After immigrating to the United States, the film The Boy in the Striped Pajamas sparked a desire in Mariel to learn more. A subsequent visit to
the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum proved to be an unforgettable experience.

Mariel loves adventure and is one of very few people who can boast of having been volcano-boarding on an active volcano (Cerro Negro in Leon, Nicaragua)!

Victoria Perez

Communications Admin Assistant

Victoria joined the HRA18 team in October 2021. Her involvement in her church and the skills she has learned through her involvement in the ministry have been a beneficial help to the HRA18 organization. Victoria is currently studying for her Bachelor’s in Construction Management at the University of Houston.
Victoria grew up watching films and reading books of the events of the Holocaust and has had a heart for the events that ocurred.
Aside from HRA18, Victoria is heavily involved at the Spanish Pentecostal church that her father pastors in Crosby, TX. She enjoys quality time with her church family, family, and friends along with traveling and making new friends.

Joan Smith

Communications, Graphics, and Website Admin

Joan joined The Crossover Project team in 2019 and successfully navigated the preparations for the March of Remembrance Texas at Texas A&M University in the capacity of office administrator. Rozalie stretched Joan’s horizons commensurate with her passion for learning; Joan now handles all the graphics for The Crossover Project and HRA18 – web design, logos, communications, as well as blog writing.

Joan holds a B.S. in Business Administration and has worn multiple hats over the years; her background includes computer drafting, customer service in the insurance industry, and property management. She even manages to find time to substitute teach once a month.

Happiest when serving others, Joan volunteers at her congregation and at the local V.A. clinic, in addition to serving as a mentor for Cy-Fair ISD. She also enjoys her role as proprietor of a bed and breakfast for two Chihuahuas.

Bethel Watt

Volunteer, Staff, and Special Events Coordinator

Raised in a God-loving, community-active, large farming family, Bethel never lacked for work or entertainment. She was born mobilizing projects and events, as well as leading teams. As an adult she naturally rose to leadership and management positions wherever she was employed. Always the entrepreneur, she opened her own business and directed it for nine years prior to retiring to care for her elderly mother. During that time, she managed to assist two friends in restructuring and growing their businesses.

Upon meeting Rozalie, Bethel volunteered her skills and fell in love with HRA18’s people and mission. She currently holds the positions of Office Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, and Events Coordinator. Her spare time is spent with her family and her mini-farm, complete with goats, chickens, and a garden.

Tana Deshayes

Member of the Holocaust Remembrance Association Core Team

Tana Deshayes holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston. Tana retired from corporate America in 2019 after over twenty years in the oil and gas industry.

Experienced in commercial contracts and negotiations, Tana supports the Holocaust Remembrance Association with contract writing, development planning, and fundraising. Tana has a love for learning about the Jewish roots of her Christian faith, and desires to “sensitize hearts to the issues of the Holocaust.”

Tana also serves as president of the 4word: Houston local chapter and has a passion for teaching, encouraging, and mentoring women in the workplace. She serves with diligence and careful attention to detail, which she seasons with her ready sense of humor.