Kate Rose Marquez: A new era of empowerment with Ascend Dallas

Interview by Jennie Trejo. Photos provided by Ascend Dallas.

For Women’s Equality Day, we caught up with Kate Rose Marquez, the dynamic CEO of Ascend Dallas. With a mission to empower women, fight poverty, and impact generations, Ascend Dallas has long been a cornerstone of hope and transformation in the North Texas community. Through personalized 1:1 interactions, Ascend creates a bond of trust with each client, becoming more than just an organization – it becomes a partner in an upward trajectory.

Kate Rose Marquez, CEO at Ascend Dallas.

Central to this mission are Ascend’s two core programs: Economic Advancement (EA) and Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP). These programs, powered by a devoted staff, are not just services; they are lifelines for individuals seeking brighter, more prosperous futures. Kate Rose Marquez brings a wealth of experience to her role, having previously led transformative initiatives at St. Vincent de Paul Society of North Texas and The Dallas Morning News. Her deep understanding of both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, combined with her passion for service, has positioned her as a leader who not only uplifts organizations but also the women and communities they serve. Join us as we delve into her journey, her vision for Ascend Dallas, and the incredible impact of empowering women to break the cycle of poverty.

You have an impressive background in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. How have these diverse experiences shaped your vision and leadership approach at Ascend Dallas?

I moved to Dallas 35 years ago to work as a health and medical reporter at Channel Five, eventually shifting to the business side of journalism and becoming the VP of Marketing at the Dallas Morning News. My background in media, branding, and sponsorships kept me engaged with the community by serving on boards and chairing events, even while raising three kids as a stay-at-home mom. Eventually, I needed to go back to work. A friend of mine told me, “The most you’re ever revved up is when you’re talking about your nonprofit work. Have you considered flipping sides?” That insight led me to a role at St. Vincent de Paul, where I helped launch Texas’ first free pharmacy. It was a perfect fit, blending my skills in communications and fundraising with a passion for making a difference. I’ve been in my current nonprofit role for 4.5 years now, and it continues to feel like the right place for me.

Ascend Dallas has a rich history of supporting women since 1908. How has the organization evolved to address the changing needs of women, especially in the context of today’s challenges?

A lot of people don’t know this, but the YMCA and the YWCA originally started in 1908 as safe housing and job training for young women during the industrial revolution. You know that song, “It’s fun to stay at the YMCA?” That’s where it comes from. Ascend Dallas’ roots date back to that time.

Over 116 years we have done a great job of evolving, moving away from those original services. Both YWCA and the YMCA have done a very good job of reading the room, and asking what does our community need? We were the first nonprofit in the state of Texas to provide the Nurse Family Partnership. Our Chief Strategy Officer, Susan Smithson, has been with us for 20 years. She’s really the architect of most of our programming that is out of her knowledge and understanding of the challenges of women in our community. All along the way, we’ve looked at where we are and how to really provide the services that our community needs.

With the recent release of new statistics showcasing Ascend’s expanding reach, can you share some specific examples of how these milestones have impacted the women you serve?

Two years ago, we were honored to be selected by the City of Dallas to run Financial Empowerment Centers, a national initiative aimed at strengthening financial resilience in individuals. Since we were already offering similar services, the city recognized our expertise, allowing for a swift and seamless expansion. With a substantial $3 million grant, we have been able to scale our operations to a level we couldn’t have achieved otherwise. We increased our staff by 50 percent within 60 days. In the past fiscal year, we saw a 70 percent increase in unduplicated clients served across our programs, and a 167 percent increase specifically in our Economic Advancement program, serving a total of 2,633 clients. This growth was supported by additional funding from partners like JP Morgan, Texas Capital Bank, Doolin Foundation, and the Perot Foundation, enabling us to expand our reach and impact. It was a tremendous opportunity for us to catapult our services to a level that we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise, and to it’s all about reach, right? We got a great program, and now it’s getting it to more people that need it.

Ascend’s core programs, Economic Advancement (EA) and Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), are often described as lifelines for the women you serve. Could you share a story that exemplifies this impact?

Jackie Green joined our Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program when she was pregnant and earning around $34,000 a year, qualifying her for Medicaid. As the sole breadwinner with a husband on disability, Jackie found our program through a WIC office flyer. She not only received support from a nurse who visited her home every two weeks, but she also worked with an economic advancement coach. During one of their sessions, Jackie mentioned wanting a college degree but thought it was too late. Her coach encouraged her, helped her secure scholarship funds, and Jackie enrolled at UT Arlington. She earned a bachelor’s degree, which led to a higher-paying job, boosting her income to nearly $80,000 a year. Jackie then completed a master’s in social work and was invited to be a national ambassador for NFP, meeting with congressional offices in DC to advocate for funding. Just six years ago, Jackie was earning $34,000 with limited prospects, but today she’s a master’s graduate and a national representative walking the halls of Congress.

Ascend’s model of personalized 1:1 interactions fosters a deep bond of trust with clients. How does this approach contribute to the long-term success of the women involved?

Every agency has its hero stories, but much of the work we do in economic advancement is about gradual, lasting change rather than overnight success. We’re teaching financial concepts that, over time, people integrate into their daily habits, which ultimately shape long-term goals. About a year ago, one of our coaches shared a story with me. A client, who prefers to remain anonymous, left a voicemail saying, “Call me back—I have something to share, and no one else will understand why this is important.” When the coach returned the call, the client proudly shared that she didn’t buy a pair of shoes she really wanted. She explained that, while at the mall with a friend, she remembered the lessons from her coaching, put the shoes back, and walked away. This small moment is just as significant as Jackie walking the halls of Congress because it’s those small decisions that lead to bigger, life-changing outcomes. To me, that’s a hero story too. We know that these clients are embracing these concepts and converting them into long term habits when we see an increase in savings, a decrease in debt and an increase in their credit score. Last fiscal year, we saw $257,000 in savings and a reduction of debt of $480,000 among our clients.

how do you see Ascend Dallas contributing to the broader conversation about women’s rights and empowerment, particularly for those who have faced significant barriers like poverty?

When you empower a woman, you empower her entire community. It’s like the saying, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Women are often the primary financial decision-makers in their households. Our clients are 93 percent women of color, with about 75 percent earning $45,000 or less annually. Around 65 percent are single heads of households. These statistics, which align with findings from the Texas Women’s Foundation and Prosperity Now, show that women-led households, particularly in Texas and Dallas County, are disproportionately affected by poverty.

Our mission is to empower women, fight poverty, and impact generations, and we do this by providing tools and skills that build financial resiliency. Many of our clients are unbanked when they come to us, but through our programs, they learn financial concepts that open doors to banking, credit development, and more. Many people unknowingly undermine their financial well-being, often by damaging their own credit. We help women recognize and correct these behaviors, giving them the knowledge to change the trajectory of their lives. What better form of equity is there?

How can people get involved?

Volunteers can support us in several impactful ways. One option is to co-teach our financial education classes, such as “Fluent in Finances,” which starts with basic budgeting and financial concepts. We welcome both in-person and virtual co-teaching, and volunteers don’t need to be financial experts—just passionate about helping others. We also offer classes on practical topics like car buying and negotiating raises. If there’s interest in new topics, our staff PhD in curriculum development can create custom classes based on volunteer and client suggestions.

For those looking to contribute financially, North Texas Giving Day is a major opportunity for us, with matching funds available throughout the day. We hope that people can still find us this year with the name change of our organization! Additionally, our annual event, Pop, Fizz, Clink, is a champagne brunch celebrating our clients and mission. Scheduled for May 9, the Friday before Mother’s Day, this event has been so successful that we sold out six weeks in advance last year. Our honorary chairs this year are Jessica Shepherd and Tiffany Moon, ensuring a fun and memorable experience.