About Us
Bringing light into overlooked places
Our mission is to support foster youth in Tarrant County by providing essential resources, access to therapeutic support, and life-skills development so they can feel safe, confident, empowered, and prepared for adulthood while building stability and a future they’re proud of.
What is a lightwell?
A lightwell is an architectural feature designed to bring natural light — and sometimes air — into spaces that don’t have direct access to the outside, like interior rooms or lower levels.
Metaphorically, a lightwell represents:
- Bringing light into dark or overlooked places
- Creating space for growth, healing, or clarity
- A source of hope in environments that feel closed in
The starfish story
One morning an old man walked along the beach and noticed the tide had washed thousands of starfish onto the shore. Ahead, a boy was gathering them up and, one by one, tossing them back into the ocean. The old man asked why he bothered — there were miles of beach and countless starfish; he couldn’t possibly make a difference. The boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it as far as he could into the water. He turned, smiled, and said, “It made a difference to that one.” Then the old man leaned over, picked up a starfish, and joined him.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Alexis Ruff, BSW
Founder & Executive Director
Alexis Ruff is the Founder and Executive Director of Lightwell Collective Foundation. A lifelong resident of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Alexis was raised in Tarrant County and has dedicated the past decade to advocating for children and youth in foster care.
She earned her Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Tarleton State University and has spent her career serving vulnerable children and families through direct case management, advocacy, and community support. Her passion for foster care stems from a deep commitment to ensuring every child has access to safety, stability, and the resources they need to thrive.
As an entrepreneur, mother, and community leader, Alexis combines professional experience with a heart for service. She founded Lightwell Collective Foundation to bridge gaps in support for children in foster care and young adults transitioning into independence, providing essential resources, meaningful connections, and opportunities for long-term success.
Alexis believes lasting change happens when communities come together to invest in the lives of children. Through Lightwell Collective Foundation, she is committed to creating hope, empowering families, and helping foster youth build brighter futures.
Rob Gilbert
President
Keri Evans
Vice President
Cory Lane
Treasurer
Cory Lane serves as Treasurer of Lightwell Collective, bringing eighteen years of nonprofit operations and technology experience to the board. A Certified Salesforce Platform Administrator, he is Career School Director and Systems Administrator at CLC, Inc. in Fort Worth, where he built the organization’s student data systems from the ground up — work that saved more than 27 hours of staff time each week in its first year. Through his consulting practice he helps mission-driven organizations turn manual processes and messy data into reliable systems they can grow on. For Lightwell, he oversees financial health, reporting, and transparency so every dollar is stewarded with care.
Heather Gilbert
Secretary
Heather Gilbert serves as the Secretary of Lightwell Collective Foundation, where she is committed to supporting the organization’s mission of serving children and youth in foster care throughout Tarrant County. A proud mother and grandmother, Heather brings compassion and a heart for serving others to the Foundation’s leadership team.
Having called Tarrant County home for more than 25 years, Heather is passionate about giving back to the community that has shaped her family. She is dedicated to helping Lightwell Collective Foundation grow and thrive, ensuring the organization can continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of foster children, youth, and families.
Her commitment and genuine care for others make her an invaluable member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.