OUR MISSION
Choose to Soar is an equipping ministry for women and women-led nonprofit organizations. With Biblical principles, we equip and empower women to discover and live out God’s intended purpose. Through our weekly studies, weekend, and One-Day trainings, a woman will be fully prepared to better serve her family, community, organization, and church.
Our team is committed to our vision and mission as we are not only products of change but have also witnessed that when you get a woman in a posture to receive who God says she is and what God has for her, her life changes! When a woman’s life is changed, a family is changed. When a family is changed, a generation is changed. A changed generation will create a changed culture for His glory. We are dedicated to our passionate mission to create contributors to the Kingdom, not consumers.
Our Team
EQUIPPERS
TANYA MAGNUS
Tanya has over 27 years of business ownership, leadership training, mentoring/coaching, and Bible teaching. She loves being a constant student of the Bible and declares what Jeremiah said, "his word is in my heart like a fire, I am weary of holding it in, indeed, I cannot. Tanya's God given gifts combined with her education, equipping skills, and her broad knowledge from personal and professional experiences, makes her approach and style very impactful! Her deepest passion is to guide women to become all that God has intended.
TAYLOR WILLIAMS
Taylor is a University of Arkansas graduate (Woo Pig) with a BS in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development. Currently Taylor is a product developer for Pioneer Woman and Better Homes & Gardens. With her extensive background in design and marketing, she is an asset to our Choose to Soar merchandise line. Taylor also serves in the capacity of leading CTS with current and fresh ideas to be appealing to the women we serve. Her love for the Lord, and passion to encourage women, empowers every woman she meets. Taylor resides in Bella Vista, Arkansas with her husband and golden doodle.
TERRI BRANCH
Terri is a graduate of Baylor University with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Her favorite part of her nursing career was the time spent in trauma ER and home hospice. Terri currently serves as a passionate leader in the ReGeneration program at her church because she experienced the healing the ReGen program brings. She also serves full time with CTS as Assistant to the Executive Director, Volunteer Director, and Office Manager. Terri is a wife to Doug, and mom to two teenage boys. Besides reading and traveling, she loves watching her boys play soccer and lacrosse.
SAMMI EDWARDS
Sammi has 10 years of experience as a videographer and photographer and 4 years of experience working with ministries. She strongly believes in the power of visual storytelling in connecting people with each other and with the Lord. Sammi plays a vital part in CTS in bringing awareness of their mission to other women. Since experiencing the power of mentorship and discipleship in her own personal relationship with God, one of her greatest desires is for women to feel strong in following where the Lord is calling them and confident using their gifts to glorify Him. She lives with her husband, Matt, and their cat and dog!
RUBY GARCIA
With photography (7 years), video production (3 years), and web development (3 years) experience, Ruby loves using her gifts to encourage women to see themselves the way that God does. Through her role as Digital Marketing Assistant, she loves getting to witness and be a part of God’s love being poured into the lives of the women at Choose to Soar. She is married to Antonio, and together they have a 4-year-old daughter, Andrea. She served as a Humvee mechanic in the Texas Army National Guard for 8 years, and she loves watercolor painting, visiting new coffee shops, and sitting around the fire with her family.
CHRISTI UNDERWOOD
Christi has an Associate’s Degree in Legal Technology and has worked for Dallas County since 2013 at the Civil/Family Courthouse. Her 4 kids and 3 grandkids bring so much joy to her life! With her burden and passion for prayer, she serves Choose to Soar and the Regeneration program at her church with joy and gratitude. She believes that she is one of many examples of the equipping and empowering ministry of God through CTS, and she leads the prayer team in bold and powerful prayer. She loves football, reading, and movies, and she is quick to tell of God’s redemptive power in her life!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TANYA MAGNUS
Tanya is a Jill-of-all-trade’s. She’s been a professional athlete, in the music business, has built several small businesses, and has been in many leadership positions in the corporate world and in ministry. Tanya’s plethora of certifications, education, and experience, serves her well as the founder and Executive Director of Choose to Soar Ministries. Tanya mentor’s women ministry leaders and is an active board member for other non-profits as well. But it was through Tanya’s study of God’s Word she found her heart’s true home and learned her identity in Christ means more than all the fame and fortune the world can offer.
VIRGINIA HODGES
Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Virginia received her BBA from the University of North Texas. She comes to CTS with a background in business, management, and finance. As a career business woman, she worked with large companies like Microsoft, Intuit, and Dell. After her husband passed, she pivoted to going on overseas mission trips and for the past 9 years, has served as the finance director of her fast-growing church. God has led her to support CTS and the women of CTS by using her extensive knowledge and valuable experience as she serves on the Board of Directors. She has two grown sons and is thriving as 7 of her grandchildren live within 30 minutes of her.
