Irene Bogardus

Board Member

Irene Bogardus brings more than 35 years of experience helping organizations strengthen their operations through project management, process improvement, marketing, and organizational leadership. Her career has spanned the oil and gas industry—as well as a memorable stop in premium ice cream—giving her a unique blend of strategic expertise and people-centered leadership.

Today, Irene serves as Volunteer Coordinator for DT Midstream's Houston office, partnering with nonprofits across Texas to mobilize employees in service to their communities. She has supported organizations including the Houston Food Bank, Bread of Life, Target Hunger, Community First! Village, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Austin Ridge Bible Church, Texas Oncology, and many others.

One of Irene's favorite career memories comes from her time at Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, where she served on the company's "Joy Gang"—a team dedicated to creating moments of fun, connection, and celebration in the workplace. From surprise treats to team-building events, the Joy Gang embodied the belief that joy is contagious. It's a philosophy Irene still carries with her today, believing that kindness, encouragement, and a little fun can make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

Her volunteer experiences have taken her from community gardens and senior living communities to meal programs for individuals experiencing homelessness and support initiatives for cancer patients and their families. Whether organizing volunteers or serving alongside them, Irene is passionate about building community through compassion and action.

Irene earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an Associate Degree in Marketing from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, New York. She and her husband, Shane, have two sons and enjoy traveling, gardening, cooking, hiking, and spending time with family.

As a member of The GOOD + Plenty Project Board of Directors, Irene is excited to help create homes that restore dignity, inspire hope, and give families a place to flourish.

Tara Thomas

Founder of The GOOD + Plenty Project 

Tara Thomas has been an entrepreneur since childhood, growing up in a family of business owners and launching her first venture at just eight years old. She has always been drawn to spaces that spark joy and curiosity, with a natural ability to understand not only how beautiful environments are created, but how they shape the way people feel.

What began as a vintage shop evolved into Scout Lighting + Design, an Austin-based interior design and lighting firm she has led since 2010. Through her work, Tara has had the privilege of stepping inside some of Central Texas's most beautiful homes. Those experiences also revealed something deeper: while many homes overflow with abundance, countless others are missing the most basic furnishings needed to create comfort, stability, and a sense of belonging.

Believing that every person is created in the image of God and worthy of dignity, Tara became convinced that God has already provided much of what our communities need. The challenge isn't creating more—it's faithfully stewarding the abundance that already exists and connecting it with families who need it most. She saw an opportunity to transform excess into belonging through restorative work that helps people rebuild their lives. A thoughtfully furnished home provides more than comfort; it offers stability, cultivates community, and creates a foundation where families can flourish. By connecting generous neighbors with those rising out of homelessness, The GOOD + Plenty Project restores dignity, strengthens community, and reflects the goodness of a God who designed people to thrive together.

Outside of The GOOD + Plenty Project and Scout Lighting + Design, Tara and her husband, Bill, enjoy life as empty nesters with their two cats and oversized dog. Together they are proud parents of five incredible daughters and find their greatest joy in watching each of them build lives of their own.