Meet Courtney Manuel: Incoming Board Member, Visionary Donor, and Champion of Financial Freedom
By Debbie Cohen & Hannah Lapin | November 2025
Pictured: Courtney and Jake Manuel with their 2 children
When Courtney Manuel talks about Hebrew Free Loan of Austin, she speaks with both a fundraiser’s strategy and a mother’s heart. A long-time development professional who has recently “semi-retired” from paid roles, Courtney now consults selectively and volunteers her time where she believes it will matter most. Beginning in January, she will bring that experience — and her deep generosity — to HFLA as a member of our Board of Directors.
Courtney and her husband, Jake, a surgeon, have built their lives in Austin over the last 15 years. With two kids and family nearby in Wimberley and Houston, they’ve seen firsthand the financial pressures families face, especially when unexpected expenses collide with already high interest rates.
“When you think about what’s happening right now,” Courtney shared, “interest rates are so stinking high. If someone has credit card debt, they may be paying $200–$300 a month in interest alone. That money could be groceries. It could be a therapist bill. It could be the difference between anxiety and stability.”
For Courtney and Jake, the idea of financial independence isn’t theoretical. Jake put himself through medical school, and they vividly remember the day they made the last payment on his student loans. “That feeling of freedom,” Courtney said, “is incredible. It stays with you.”
That’s what drew their family to Hebrew Free Loan — an organization that doesn’t just meet needs, but unlocks independence.
“As a fundraiser,” Courtney explained, “the coolest part of this organization is that the money gets recycled back in. You’re not just helping one family; you’re helping every family that comes after.”
But Courtney also saw a familiar challenge: the nonprofit “hamster wheel” of raising money just to meet the next need. “The organization was never able to get ahead,” she said. “We were always catching up.”
This year, she approached Executive Director Ed Troxclair with a different idea: What if we brought together a small group of families who could each give $25,000 — not just to cover current need, but to give HFLA room to dream, plan, and grow?
Then she and Jake stepped forward as the first to commit.
“Tracy and Rob Solomon joined in too,” Courtney shared. “Now we’re looking for three to four additional families to match what we’re doing. Together, we’ve put forward the first funds as a match to inspire the community.”
That match forms the backbone of HFLA’s year-end campaign — and reflects the Manuels’ belief that Jewish Austin must show up for one another.
“We can be helping five families this year alone,” she said. “The idea that someone could stop paying $300 a month to a credit card company — and instead move forward with dignity and a clean slate — really spoke to us.”
Courtney’s passion, insight, and leadership come at a time when demand for Hebrew Free Loan has never been higher. We are proud to welcome her to the Board and even prouder to honor the generosity that she and her family have modeled so boldly.
When Courtney Manuel talks about Hebrew Free Loan of Austin, she speaks with both a fundraiser’s strategy and a mother’s heart. A long-time development professional who has recently “semi-retired” from paid roles, Courtney now consults selectively and volunteers her time where she believes it will matter most. Beginning in January, she will bring that experience — and her deep generosity — to HFLA as a member of our Board of Directors.
Courtney and her husband, Jake, a surgeon, have built their lives in Austin over the last 15 years. With two kids and family nearby in Wimberley and Houston, they’ve seen firsthand the financial pressures families face, especially when unexpected expenses collide with already high interest rates.
“When you think about what’s happening right now,” Courtney shared, “interest rates are so stinking high. If someone has credit card debt, they may be paying $200–$300 a month in interest alone. That money could be groceries. It could be a therapist bill. It could be the difference between anxiety and stability.”
For Courtney and Jake, the idea of financial independence isn’t theoretical. Jake put himself through medical school, and they vividly remember the day they made the last payment on his student loans. “That feeling of freedom,” Courtney said, “is incredible. It stays with you.”
That’s what drew their family to Hebrew Free Loan — an organization that doesn’t just meet needs, but unlocks independence.
“As a fundraiser,” Courtney explained, “the coolest part of this organization is that the money gets recycled back in. You’re not just helping one family; you’re helping every family that comes after.”
But Courtney also saw a familiar challenge: the nonprofit “hamster wheel” of raising money just to meet the next need. “The organization was never able to get ahead,” she said. “We were always catching up.”
This year, she approached Executive Director Ed Troxclair with a different idea: What if we brought together a small group of families who could each give $25,000 — not just to cover current need, but to give HFLA room to dream, plan, and grow?
Then she and Jake stepped forward as the first to commit.
“Tracy and Rob Solomon joined in too,” Courtney shared. “Now we’re looking for three to four additional families to match what we’re doing. Together, we’ve put forward the first funds as a match to inspire the community.”
That match forms the backbone of HFLA’s year-end campaign — and reflects the Manuels’ belief that Jewish Austin must show up for one another.
“We can be helping five families this year alone,” she said. “The idea that someone could stop paying $300 a month to a credit card company — and instead move forward with dignity and a clean slate — really spoke to us.”
Courtney’s passion, insight, and leadership come at a time when demand for Hebrew Free Loan has never been higher. We are proud to welcome her to the Board and even prouder to honor the generosity that she and her family have modeled so boldly.
Pictured: Courtney and Jake Manuel with their 2 children