Just like our general volunteer body and Leadership Team, the Street Medics Austin Board of Directors is made up entirely of volunteers. With backgrounds in healthcare, education, tech, the military, emergency response, and so much more, this team brings their passion with them to “work” every day, and loves making a difference in the Austin community.
Matthew Blaney (he/him), Executive Director
Matthew became involved with Street Medics Austin after witnessing injuries sustained by protestors during the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Austin. With some prior medical training, he wanted to help however he could, which ultimately led him to SMA, where he now serves as our Executive Director. He is a certified STOP THE BLEED® and American Heart Association BLS Instructor and believes that one of the most powerful things a community can do is share life-saving knowledge.
Outside of SMA, Matthew works in the high-tech industry, and has also spent time working with disabled students in schools and in senior nursing care. No matter where he has worked, service has always been an important part of his life, and he is proud to be part of an organization that empowers people with the skills to care for one another in times of need.
Julia Heilrayne (she/her), Board President
Julia is a Registered Nurse who got involved in Street Medics Austin when she was in nursing school and looking for a new way to use her skills to benefit the wider community. Julia serves as the President, and she volunteers as trainer, teaching First Aid, Basic Life Support, STOP THE BLEED®, and other skills, as well as running event support, and helping to manage our volunteers. Julia has had a lifelong interest in community empowerment and has loved being part of everything that SMA does.
Outside of SMA, Julia works as a pediatric nurse and pediatric SANE, and has experience working with infants and children with all types of complex medical, developmental, and social-emotional needs. She enjoys working with families and children throughout the child’s critical illness, injury, and disability, and has a particular interest in building children’s independence, communication, and self-advocacy skills. No matter the environment she is working or volunteering in, Julia takes her passion for equitable healthcare and advocacy for her patients with her, and she takes pride in being part of an organization that makes a difference in Central Texas.
Sidney Glasshoff (she/her), Board Vice President
With a background in non-profit leadership, local and federal disaster response, donation management, event support, and incident command, Sidney got involved in Street Medics Austin to help others in her community. She was drawn to SMA’s mission of “Aid Without Agenda,” because she believes that everyone deserves to be treated with equity, care, and respect. At SMA, Sidney can be found teaching community classes, providing support at events, and working in the background.
Sidney is proud to be part of an organization that values community led support, equitable care, and trauma informed response. As the Vice President of the Board of Directors, she is excited to continue to help with training, outreach, and life saving empowerment initiatives across Central Texas.
Kiera DiCesare (she/her), Board Secretary & Membership Committee Chair
Kiera joined Street Medics Austin to use her EMT skills to make a positive impact in her community. She enjoys being involved with leading event support, teaching STOP THE BLEED® and Narcan trainings, and spearheading a membership committee to orient new SMA members and engage existing volunteers. Grateful to be part of an organization dedicated to safety, education, and “Aid Without Agenda”, Kiera looks forward to deepening her involvement in SMA as Secretary on the Board.
Outside of SMA, Kiera works as a Medical Assistant at an ENT clinic, an EMT in Event Medicine, and a Mobility Technician in a hospital setting. In all of her roles, Kiera is committed to serving others by building connections, listening, and always learning from patients and colleagues. With a strong belief in harm reduction, she does what she can to make things a little better for the planet and everyone living on it. In the future, Kiera aspires to continue helping folks in need as a medical provider, working to expand accessible, compassionate healthcare in communities that need it most.
Carissa Ceasor (any/all), Board Member at Large & Grants and Donors Committee Chair
Carissa is an undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin with years of experience acting on library boards and in the nonprofit sphere.
Their cat, Madame Carlsbad, actually runs the show and pupetters Carissa like it’s ratatouille.
Allegria Mango (she/her), Board Member at Large & Digital Committee Chair
Allegria is a proud University of Texas at Austin graduate, a full-time EMT, and is currently moving her way toward medical school. In her free time, you can catch her dancing, reading, or showing up for the incredible community that inspires everything we do.
Serving on the Board of Directors at Street Medics Austin is a joy for Allegria, and she loves being a part of a group that leads with care, shows up when it matters, and supports the Austin community.
Chris Gray (he/him), Board Member at Large & Deployment Committee Chair
Chris has been involved with Street Medics Austin since the first No Kings event in 2025. As a former Army officer and volunteer with other support organizations, he appreciated the value delivered by immediate care groups and, as he learned more about SMA, led him to apply for status as a medic and volunteer. He is a former Combat Lifesaver, and has received certifications in multiple first aid areas, including STOP THE BLEED, BLS, and FAST.
Outside of SMA, Chris works in the cybersecurity field and is an amateur beekeeper, both roles requiring constant, careful communication and organization. As the Board of Directors member responsible for Deployment operations, he enjoys applying the same skills to providing community care and support wherever possible.