Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Looking back on his career, Asif Dakri notes that the most valuable lesson he has learned has been not to be afraid of failure. Dakri now looks at failure as a learning experience and advises others not to be fearful of taking risks.  

Upon graduating from Spring Woods High School in 1991, Dakri enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin and majored in accounting. 

After graduating, Dakri began working at Deloitte as a financial auditor. After several years, he obtained a position at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a mergers and acquisitions consultant, where he worked with investment banks and private equity firms in Houston and London. 

Today, Dakri is the CEO at Wallis Bank. 

Dakri notes that his teachers at Spring Branch ISD did a great job developing his ability to think for himself, preparing him for college. 

“My seventh grade teacher, Ms. Sturdivant, was probably one of the most influential teachers during my time at SBISD,” said Dakri. “Her class was an unstructured, free-flowing three hours of my day where we learned by open discussions and debate. These exercises ultimately helped me develop critical thinking skills that I still use today.” 

Dakri also recalls Mr. Stone, his 12th grade calculus teacher, who took a college approach to his teaching, basing grades only on test scores. At the time it was challenging, but Dakri is thankful as it prepared him for college classes and helped him confirm that while he liked math, he did not like it enough to have a math-based career. 

Wallis Bank and Dakri have provided much support to SBISD. As a Good Neighbor, Wallis Bank was a sponsor of the SBISD 75th anniversary t-shirts, collected and donated school supplies to elementary schools across the district and has been a longtime sponsor of the Dictionary Project at Terrace Elementary. 

Wallis bank also adopted two families in need last year's holiday season. Thanks to their generosity, two SBISD families received clothes, shoes and toys. 

The organization has also continuously provided financial literacy classes for families and budgeting sessions for students. 

Personal achievement continues to motivate Dakri throughout his successful career. Reaching goals and seeing others succeed inspires him to continue to work hard. He mentions that he would tell his high school self to enjoy what life brings his way, regardless of how big or small it may be. 

As a Spring Woods graduate, Dakri has developed SBISD’s Core Characteristics. He is Academically Prepared, as he has a learner’s mindset and continues to be motivated to succeed in life. Dakri is also an Ethical and Service-Minded individual that is a civically-engaged community member and recognizes how his actions impact himself, others and the greater community. 

To students searching for a career path, he encourages them to always have a skill set that sets them apart. 

“No matter where you go, you will always be around people with similar interests and knowledge as you,” concluded Dakri. “What sets someone apart from the rest is a strong work ethic, a good attitude and the ability to communicate well.” 

Dakri clearly represents SBISD’s T-2-4 success, where every SBISD graduate attains a technical certificate, military training or a two-year or four-year degree. The T-2-4 vision guides district teachers, schools and leadership as they work together to shape the future and ensure Every Child reaches T-2-4 success. 

Great job, Asif! We are #SBISDProud of you!