Washima Huq's ('19 M.B.A.) job can be unpredictable -- in a good way.

"I never thought I'd walk into a room where fourth graders are jumping up and down and be excited about budgeting," she says.

As executive director of the Texas Trust Gives Foundation, the charitable arm for the Texas Trust Credit Union, Huq is empowered to help others -- awarding grants to school districts for programs such as financial education, presenting scholarships to students and overseeing employee giving to nonprofit organizations.

When she arrives at an event, her presence is often met with a grateful audience -- from parents receiving necessary supplies for their children to students receiving funds for their studies.

In April, she toured UNT's College of Visual Arts and Design, where she saw the Texas Fashion Collection and met with students from the College of Education who won scholarships. Texas Trust has pledged to award $100,000 in scholarships to UNT over the next 5 years. 

"I am a product of scholarships," Huq says. "So, it's a full circle moment for me to facilitate an award, meet the recipients and see that version of me from 10 years ago and feel like I've paid it forward. It fuels my passion and my energy."

Falling Into the Right Place

Huq studied for her UNT M.B.A. online and since has recommended the program to her coworkers, who have shared the same great experience.

She had already worked as an account executive for Schneider, a logistics company, and as associate district manager for ADP, a human resources company, when she began serving as business and community engagement partner for Texas Trust Credit Union.

The online courses were flexible and accommodated her busy schedule. "The program is so highly ranked nationally," she says. "It definitely lived up to its reputation."

When Texas Trust established the foundation, they offered her the position of executive director.

"Everything falls into place, and sometimes you wonder, 'How did this happen?' When I was in school, I never thought I would venture into nonprofit work. I went from for-profit -- had to hit a sales number -- to working with people and building relationships, to now helping people and underserved communities."

Creating Opportunities

The foundation serves three functions -- grants, scholarships and employee giving and volunteerism.

"Since Texas Trust is a credit union, we are big advocates for financial education."

"When I see an 8-year-old excited to learn about budgeting, saying, 'I'm going to be responsible with my money. I'm not going to buy a mansion. Instead, I'm going to get an apartment and a roommate.' I think, 'Mission accomplished. They are learning at a young age  why it's important to be more practical with spending decisions.'

"This is extremely helpful for kids who are not getting this education at home. I was fortunate my dad taught me how to be responsible with money, but that's not the reality for everyone."

The foundation helps underserved communities by providing needs -- such as school supplies, backpacks and shoes -- to families.

"Every year parents have to spend hundreds of dollars on school supplies and clothes and shoes. That is multiplied if a family has more than one child," she says. "The foundation is helping that family start the school year on the right foot, or collecting toys to make sure the children in our community wake up on Christmas morning with a new toy."

Huq's passion for community service extends beyond her job. She is involved with the YMCA and several chambers of commerce and commissions in the Arlington area, where she grew up. She was named to the Mansfield Business Alliance's 40 Under 40 class this year, was a Bold Woman Honoree through Girls Inc. of Tarrant County in 2024. She also won the 40 under 40 and Rising Star Awards from the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce in 2022 and was named Credit Union Young Professional of the Year in 2021.

She would like to help grow the foundation by increasing funding and overall giving, as well as hire and develop staff members. Her goal is to inspire more people to venture into a career in philanthropy.

"I want there to be more people who feel this level of excitement about going to work every day and I want to help create that opportunity for them."