Personal

Missy attended Plano ISD schools and graduated from Plano East Senior High in the charter class of 1983. She went on to earn a BBA in Marketing and graduate cum laude from Southern Methodist University in 1987.

After a successful career as a management consultant specializing in solving complex business problems and implementing enterprise-wide technology solutions for Fortune 500 clients, Missy now invests her energies in non-profit organizations through civic engagement.

Missy and her husband, Doug, have been married for 24 years. Their daughter attends Robinson Middle School. The Benders are members of St. Andrew United Methodist Church.

Civic Engagement

Current

• Trustee, Plano Independent School District Board of Trustees (since 2006)
• Master Trustee, Leadership TASB, Texas Association of School Boards, Class of 2008
• Fellow, Center for Reform of School Systems, Class of 2006
• Co-Founder, Trustees for Texas
• Member, North Texas Area Association of School Boards
• Member, National School Boards Association (NSBA)
• Member, NSBA Federal Relations Network
• Chairman’s Council, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano
• Public Relations Chairman, Plano Metro Rotary Club
• Sustaining Advisor, Junior League of Plano
• Patroness, National Charity League
• Member, Robinson Middle School PTA
• Member, Conner Harrington Republican Women’s Club
• Parent volunteer, St. Andrew United Methodist Church Youth

Past

• Member, Legislative Advisory Council, Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)
• Graduate, Leadership Plano, Plano Chamber of Commerce, Class 23
• Graduate, Leadership St. Andrew, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Class 1, 2005
• Junior League of Plano:
  • Vice President of Communications Management
  • Member, Board of Directors
  • Liaison, Strategic Planning
  • Co-Chair, Information Technology Task Force
  • Facilitator, Facilitation Services
  • Member, Public Affairs
• Board of Directors, Forrest Outreach Foundation
• Plano Independent School District:
  • Member, District-based Improvement Committee
  • Member, School-Based Improvement Committee (SBIC)
  • Member, Key Communicators
  • Member, Head Start Study Group
• Vocational Chairman, Plano Metro Rotary Club Board of Directors
• Member, Star Children’s Charity
• Board of Directors, Daffron Elementary
  • 2nd VP of Membership
  • Directory Chairman
  • Office Coordinator
  • Legislative Chairman
• Crime Watch Chairman, Harrington Homeplace Homeowner’s Association Board of Directors
• St. Andrew United Methodist Church
  • Director, Mom to Mom
  • Education Coordinator for Katrina relief effort
  • Vacation Bible School Teacher
  • Sunday School Teacher

Awards

• PTA Lifetime Membership
• Named one of 21 Leaders for the 21st Century by Collin County Business Press (formerly Inside Collin County Business )
• U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award (Bronze and Gold)
• IBM Golden Circle Award (IBM'S highest award)
• IBM Supply Chain Team Award
• Volunteer of the Year Nominee (Education), Volunteer Center of North Texas-Collin County