Hand to Hold is excited to announce some new – and some familiar – faces in leadership roles in the organization.
Together, this leadership team brings an extraordinary blend of expertise, lived experience, financial stewardship, and community-centered leadership — all deeply aligned with Hand to Hold’s mission to ensure every NICU family has a hand to hold.
Christine Tester, Director of Programs
In April 2026, Christine Tester stepped into the role of Director of Programs, overseeing Hand to Hold’s In-Hospital Support, Virtual Support and Counseling programs. She has previously served as the Hospital Program Manager, training and supervising Hand to Hold’s team of Family Support Specialists in Austin and Houston. She has also been instrumental in helping with the rollout of Hand to Hold’s virtual support group program in 2020, launching parent support programs in new partner hospitals, and collaborating on educational materials for NICU and bereaved families. Prior to becoming a staff member, Christine served as a peer mentor for bereaved families in need of support.
Christine believes every family experiencing high risk pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis, NICU stay or bereavement deserves compassionate, accessible and high quality support throughout their journey. Christine is focused on fostering collaboration within and beyond programs, with members working together as one connected team with a shared commitment to meaningful impact, collaboration and sustainable growth.
Christine and her husband had two very different and challenging experiences in the NICU.Their first baby, a premature daughter was born at 28 weeks with severe IUGR. After six weeks in the NICU, she passed away due to complications following a diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). In spite of carefully managed subsequent pregnancies, these did not go to plan either. Their second child was born at 37 weeks, and after the birth of their third child, they faced the NICU again when their son was diagnosed with a heart defect that required lifesaving, corrective surgery within days of birth. Fortunately, the outcome was very different to their first NICU experience and they were able to bring their son home after two weeks.
Christine understands the challenges parents may face when entering the NICU and recognizes the privilege of walking alongside them as they learn to navigate this difficult and unexpected journey. Using trauma informed approaches, she helps families recognize that even a short term NICU stay may have a lasting impact on one’s emotional and mental wellbeing, but that the NICU can also be a place where parents experience meaningful ‘firsts’ with their baby and with each other. She encourages parents to advocate for themselves and their baby, especially when there are language and cultural challenges, and emphasizes the importance of caring for themselves throughout their stay and beyond.
She is a certified Mental Health Peer Specialist and Peer Specialist Supervisor, and has completed trainings on trauma informed care, maternal mental health, perinatal mood and anxiety complications, and perinatal loss.
Having grown up in a bilingual household, Christine is proud of her cross-cultural identity and her ability to connect with Spanish speaking families. Outside of work, she enjoys planning trips and traveling with her husband and three sons, playing mahjong, reading and watching musical theatre with her NICU graduate.
Nicole Thompson, Director of Development
A new face to Hand to Hold, Nicole Thompson serves as Director of Development, where she leads fundraising, donor engagement, and partnership development to help ensure NICU and bereaved families have access to the support and resources they need. Her work focuses on building meaningful relationships, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding support for Hand to Hold’s mission.
Originally from Waco, Texas, Nicole moved to the Austin area in 2015 with her husband, Justin, where they now live with their son, Hunter. Her professional background spans communications, event planning, hospitality, strategic growth, and entrepreneurship. She previously co-founded and operated a commercial concrete company alongside her husband before leading membership and sponsorship growth for a local Chamber of Commerce.
While Nicole did not experience the NICU personally, her connection to Hand to Hold’s mission is deeply personal. Her son experienced a rare and complex medical condition early in life that required persistence, advocacy, and the right care team to diagnose. That experience gave her a deep appreciation for the uncertainty families face during a child’s medical journey and the importance of compassionate support systems.
Nicole is passionate about growing resources, strengthening partnerships, and helping more families feel supported during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Andrea Pratt, Director of Operations
Andrea moved into the role of Director of Operations in early 2026. She joined Hand to Hold’s operations team in 2023, bringing more than 15 years of experience supporting Austin-area nonprofits through both her professional work and volunteer leadership. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Finance, she has dedicated her career to helping mission-driven organizations build strong financial foundations, sustainable operations, and long-term impact.
Throughout her career, Andrea has partnered with nonprofit organizations across the Austin area, providing financial leadership, operational strategy, and hands-on support to strengthen programs that serve families and communities. Her passion for nonprofit work extends beyond her professional role, as she is also an active community volunteer who believes deeply in the power of service and connection.
At Hand to Hold, Andrea is committed to supporting the organization’s mission of providing personalized support before, during, and after a NICU stay to help ensure no family feels alone. She brings a thoughtful, collaborative leadership style and a strong belief that operational excellence creates the foundation for meaningful mission impact.
We are excited to see the growth this leadership group brings in 2026 and beyond!