Bridges Center Team
Velmay Power
Interim Executive Director
Velmay is a woman of faith who takes pride in being a loving and supportive wife to her best friend and husband, Chris Power. She has been blessed with two beautiful children, Lloyd Pierre Power and Sendra Power, who are the joy of her life. Velmay is an active member of her church, where she loves volunteering in the Sunday school program.
She was born in South Africa and moved to the United States at a very young age after losing her mother. Despite the hardships she has faced, Velmay has always cherished her family and the bond she shares with her loved ones. Velmay also helps take care of her intellectually disabled aunt with her sister. She is passionate about serving vulnerable people, especially children, and giving back to her community.
After unexpectedly losing her father in 2016, Velmay and her sister have taken over their family's businesses, which have been serving the Bullard area for over 25 years. Velmay is currently pursuing her passion for Christian discipleship by studying at Southwestern Biblical Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
Mindy Miller
Director of Operations and Logistics
Mindy's educational journey began at East Texas Christian Academy (ETCA), where she spent 11 years (1st-11th grade). During her time there, she demonstrated leadership and academic excellence as a member of the National Honor Society and student council. She also showcased her versatility through participation in archery, cheerleading, and volleyball. During her junior year at ETCA, she completed 12 dual credit hours.
Due to the school's closure, she transferred to Tyler Classical Academy for her senior year. With a substantial number of high school credits already earned, she was able to complete an additional 20 dual credit hours during her senior year, graduating with a total of 32.
Mindy's dedication continued at the University of Texas at Tyler, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's in Business Management in May 2024. Notably, she balanced a full-time job throughout her college years, and a part-time job for one semester, while also holding a leadership position as Director of Social Events for Zeta Tau Alpha. Mindy Miller has been a part of Bridges Center from its foundational stages.
Diana Kriel
Director of Learning and Development
A seasoned educator with over 32 years in English Language Arts, Theater, Writing, Journalism, and Leadership, Diana has impacted countless students across multiple districts. Holding a degree in English with minors in Theater and Mass Communications, she has developed curricula and established successful theater programs.
A Master Mentor Teacher for TISD and active in Christian Women’s Ministry, her passion extends beyond academics to character and faith development. Her teaching philosophy cultivates well-rounded individuals through integrity, kindness, and respect, fostering critical thinking and open dialogue.
Dedicated to collaboration and guided by Christian values, she empowers students to become thoughtful, compassionate individuals ready to make a positive impact. Her mission is to nurture and inspire through a holistic approach, balancing academic achievement with personal growth, moral integrity, and faith, creating a supportive space for lifelong learning and service.