3rd Thursday Breakfast - Pride Edition!

Brandon Mack is a college admissions professional, educator, activist, and entrepreneur committed to building unapologetic equity in education. He is the founder and owner of B.Mack Strategies, a full-service consulting firm specializing in college admissions strategy, equity and inclusion training, and educational advocacy. With 17 years of experience in higher education, Brandon previously served as Interim Director of Operations for the International Association for College Admission Counseling and as Associate Director of Admission at Rice University, where he led admission committees, managed transfer admissions, and developed recruitment strategies focused on historically excluded communities.

Beyond his professional work, Brandon is a proud community activist and sociologist whose advocacy centers on race, gender, sexuality, and education. He has served as a lead organizer with Black Lives Matter: Houston, President of the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, and Chair of the Harris County LGBTQIA+ Commission. Brandon holds a B.A. in Sociology and Political Science from Rice University, an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Houston, and is currently pursuing his doctorate in Higher Education.

Clay serves as Vice President of Not‑for‑Profit Banking at Amegy, where he works closely with large-scale Houston NFPs as an advisor, and he’s established strong, mission‑centered relationships across the sector. He serves as Chair of Houston’s LGBTQ Mayoral Advisory Board, Vice Chair of the Board for United Against Human Trafficking, Board Member and “Big” with Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Houston, and member of United Way Greater Houston’s Young Leader Council. From 2020–2023, Clay chaired Amegy’s LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group, strengthening the bank’s partnership with the Greater Houston LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.

An Eagle Scout and committed community advocate, Clay was recognized as a 2025 Houston Business Journal “40 Under 40” honoree and 2023 HBJ “Outstanding Diversity Champion.” In his personal life, he and his partner of 11+ years, Alberto, foster Italian Greyhounds through IGRF Houston and enjoy exploring Houston’s diverse communities with their two pup-daughters, Addie and Demi.