DALLAS FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Maclin Management Team
- Senior Vice President and Director of Client & Community Relations / PNC Bank
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Advisory Council for All Community Outreach
- Director of Admission
- Director of Stewardship and Strategic Initiatives
- Member of the United to Learn
- Relations Officer for Communities Foundation of Texas
Angela Woodson joined the Foundation in June 2022 as Director of Stewardship and Strategic Initiatives. In this role, she serves as the primary point of contact and operational liaison for the Foundation's Supporting Organizations and its most impact-focused donors. A native of Rockford, Illinois, Angela began her career in the banking industry in employee benefit and personal trust administration and served in leadership roles for financial institutions including Comerica Bank, Chase Bank, and Bank of America. Angela was previously an Advisor Relations Officer for Communities Foundation of Texas and worked as Director of Admission and Director of Service Learning and Community Engagement for Greenhill School. She is a proven leader in relationship management, business, trust administration, and educational leadership, and is thrilled to once again focus her energy on donor engagement and community philanthropy.
Angela is a graduate of The University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration. She currently serves as a member of the United to Learn Advisory Council and previously served on the Advisory Council for All Community Outreach, as a TACA grant panelist, and the former president of the Independent Schools Admission Association of Dallas (ISAAD). Angela and her husband live in Allen, TX and have an adult daughter who lives in Illinois.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Foundation Staff Member
- Operations Associate
- Member of TDF
Ashton is the newest member of TDF, starting in October of 2021. She is the first and last face you see whenever you visit our office. After moving from Houston in 2020, she has been dedicated to becoming fully immersed in the great city of Dallas and all that is has to offer. She is an experienced marketing, sales, and events manager who loves to help assist in company vision and team goals. Her past work experience has included supporting VP of sales and marketing managers when it comes to company events, which includes research, idea development, and pricing. This is her first position with a non-profit organization, but she loves to help assist any department at the Foundation to ensure goals and expectations are met.
In her free time, Ashton enjoys painting, coming up with diy projects for her apartment, zentangle, and calligraphy. She also takes pride in her obsessive organization skills. Her favorite activities to do on the weekend are to try out the newest restaurants, spending time with her adorable nephew/godson, and cuddling with her dog, Willow, binge watching Harry Potter.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Foundation Staff Member
- Donor Services Associate
- Gifts & Records Processing Associate / Finance
Aubrie joined The Dallas Foundation as the Donor Services Associate in September 2019 and, in 2021, advanced to the role of Gifts and Records Processing Associate within the Finance team. Aubrie is a native Texan and a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas and Southern Methodist University. She has a passion for helping others and making the community a better place, which led her to the nonprofit world. She has worked for over ten years in many capacities with local nonprofits, including United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and JDRF.
While away from work, she loves being outdoors, traveling, catching up with friends over dinner and spending time with her cat, Stanley.
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Research and Grants Associate
Growing up Becca was taught to always help others, work hard and be kind. With those ideals in mind, Becca entered the work field with a focus on service.
Becca has worked as an executive assistant and administrative assistant in the restaurant, real estate and financial industries. Working in the nonprofit sector has always been a goal that has become reality at The Dallas Foundation. As the Research and Grants Associate in the Community Impact Department, Becca loves knowing that she is part of a team that is serving the people of Dallas and truly making a difference.
In her spare time, Becca enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her husband and two young children.
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Director, Community Impact
Brittani Trusty joined The Dallas Foundation team as a Program Officer in 2013. In her current role as Director of Community Impact, Brittani has the great pleasure of working closely with the nonprofit community, assisting in the development and management of proposals, and awarding grants. When she's not at her desk utilizing her excellent written and verbal skills, she's out in the community conducting site visits and learning about the work of prospective grantees.
Prior to The Dallas Foundation, Brittani served as the Research Analyst for the Grants Department at The Meadows Foundation for five years. She attended Stephen F. Austin during her undergraduate years and received a graduate degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University. When she's not working, Brittani enjoys traveling, listening to live music, and spending time with her two children and cat, Muffin.
Job Titles:
- Community Volunteer
- Member of the Maclin Management Team
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Legal Affairs / T - Mobile
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Director, Community Funds
Christi recently transitioned from her role as Staff Accountant to Director of Community Funds. She enjoys being a part of The Dallas Foundation team because of the focus on positively impacting the city and citizens of Dallas. The Foundation's tagline, "Here for Good," serves as a reminder to Christi of the philanthropic work she supports, which makes it is a pleasure for her to come to work each day.
Outside of the office, Christi loves entertaining and enjoys having family and friends at their family's special place on Lake Conroe, home to their famous "Cousin Camp," which brings together all the kids in her large, extended family and provides an opportunity for them to grow closer together. The kids look forward to it every year.
Job Titles:
- Community Volunteer
- Member of the Maclin Management Team
- Secretary
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Vice President, Marketing & Communications
- in 2015 As Director of Marketing and Communications
- Vice President, Marketing & Communications / Marketing & Communications
Dawn joined The Dallas Foundation in 2015 as director of marketing and communications and each day since has been a wonderful opportunity to support, witness and share information about the generosity of individuals and the impact it has on our community. Dawn's super power is multi-tasking and her desk is usually cluttered, but she thoroughly enjoys the energy associated with collaborating on a wide variety of projects. She frequently can be found asking her colleagues at the Foundation to read something or write something, and they graciously return the favor.
She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in communications from Loyola University New Orleans and subsequently has spent much of her 25+ year career in the nonprofit sector, including roles in higher education, social services and philanthropy. Dawn, her husband, two daughters and several pets reside in Rockwall.
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Grants Processing Associate
Diana joined The Dallas Foundation in August 2021 as the Grant Processing Associate. In this role, Diana will be responsible for performing the due diligence and research required for all grant made through the Foundation.
She is a first-generation college graduate from the University of North Texas. As a college student, Diana worked with Communities in Schools and AVID as a tutor and mentor to other first-generation college students and elementary school students. After college, she continued serving in nonprofits as a Strategic Initiative Ambassador at the Latino Center for Leadership Development, supporting civic engagement and local initiatives in the Latinx community.
Diana joins the Foundation from Education Opens Doors where she served as the Advancement Associate. Before her time at EOD, she worked at LIFT - Literacy Instruction for Texas as the Development and Marketing Manager. She brings a range of non-profit experience including database management, community engagement, and digital marketing.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Foundation Leadership Team
- Chief Impact Officer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Maclin Management Team
- Executive Director / Phillips Foundation
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Vice President, Philanthropic Partnerships
In life and in poker, we can do everything to put the odds in our favor, but we can't completely control the outcome. That's how Gary feels about philanthropy. As a Certified Advisor in Philanthropy, he has the knowledge and tools to help donors articulate and advance their highest aspirations for self, family, and society. After 21 years at the Foundation, he still considers it the highest honor to learn about donors' passions and visions, and work alongside them to make those aspirations a reality.
Gary enjoys spending time with his wife and his new grandchild, and watching Rice University football, where his youngest son, Cole, plays offensive guard. He's also an avid student of the game of Texas Hold ‘Em and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the game.
Job Titles:
- Accounts Payable Specialist
- Finance
- Foundation Staff Member
If you've ever visited The Dallas Foundation's office, you've probably met Gwen, the Foundation's long-time receptionist and administrative assistant. Nineteen years ago, Gwen's job search led her to a position at The Dallas Foundation. The organization's support of education and the social services, particularly for children, coincides with Gwen's passions and has kept her managing day-to-day operations since that time.
A native Texan, Gwen is originally from Floydada, Texas, also known as the Pumpkin Capital of Texas. Gwen has volunteered as a tutor for Reading Partners for five years. In her spare time, she enjoys playing softball and officiating youth sports, and is our go-to "Coach" for campus athletic events. She's been told that she must want to be a singer and dancer in her next life.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Maclin Management Team
- President / Rainwater Charitable Foundation
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Executive Vice President
- Member of the Foundation Leadership Team
- Adjunct Professor for the MA / MBA Program at SMU Meadows School
- Officer at Greenhill School
- Officer at the Perot Museum of Nature
Julie joined The Dallas Foundation's executive team in June 2019. With over thirty years of experience, her career has focused on advancement and external relations in prominent performing arts, cultural and educational institutions. Across her leadership roles, Julie has worked in close partnership with key constituencies, including donors, parents, alumni, and students.
Julie most recently served as the Chief Advancement Officer at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Prior to that, she served for ten years as Chief Advancement Officer at Greenhill School. Prior to Greenhill, Julie served in senior leadership roles at Southern Methodist University, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, New England Conservatory of Music and the WGBH Educational Foundation.
Julie received her BA from Salem College in Arts Management and an MBA from Boston University and has also served as adjunct professor for the MA/MBA program at SMU Meadows School for the Arts. Julie and her husband, Andres, have two sons, Peter a senior at Northeastern University in Boston and Gabriel a freshman at SMU.
Job Titles:
- Advisory Member
- Investments Committee
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Advisor Relations Manager
Kevin was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Texas in early 2000's. While attending the University of North Texas he discovered his passion for nonprofit work. Soon after graduation, he began his nonprofit journey within the Finance Department at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science eventually joining the Gems and Minerals department which focused on cultivating major donor relations. After four years at the Perot, Kevin joined the Philanthropic Solutions department at Bank of America where he stewarded donor giving and the grantmaking process. Gaining a unique perspective affecting every aspect of the nonprofit sector, Kevin is now eager to further cultivate and develop trust-based relationships with professional advisors and donors here at the Foundation.
With a passion for learning, Kevin reads nonstop, bakes, and gardens. Recently, Kevin's passion turned towards his daughter that he and his wife welcomed in February '22. Along with his aussiedoodle, Jasmine, the four of them travel across North Texas discovering new restaurants, foods, bars, and quaint little book stores.
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Director, Gift Planning & Family Philanthropy
Kim joined The Dallas Foundation in 2017 when she returned to her hometown of Dallas after living a number of years in Little Rock, AR. In her current role, she works with individuals, families and professional advisors to develop charitable giving plans for both current and planned giving. With her extensive background in non-profit development along with her training as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), Kim brings a unique perspective in understanding both the non-profit and the donor's needs and how to create giving plans to achieve maximum impact and meaning.
Kim graduated from The University of Texas with a Bachelor's degree in Music. As a classically trained pianist, she is a lover of music and the arts. She is thrilled to be back in a city with such a thriving and dynamic arts scene. Kim also loves cooking and sharing a meal with friends - either at home or at one of the many fabulous restaurants in the city.
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Director, Water Cooler at Pegasus Park
- in 2021 As the Director
- Manager of Strategic Initiatives at the National Math
Leighton joined The Dallas Foundation in 2021 as the Director, Water Cooler at Pegasus Park. In this role, Leighton manages operations, programming, capacity building, and collaboration opportunities for the community of social impact, nonprofit, and philanthropic tenants at Pegasus Park.
Most recently, Leighton served as an Engagement Manager with Cicero Group, providing social impact clients with a variety of supports including strategic planning, program design, measurement and evaluation, and market research. Prior to Cicero, Leighton was the Manager of Strategic Initiatives at the National Math and Science Initiative, a national non-profit focused on improving equity in STEM education, where he drove the creation of the organization's regional growth strategy and facilitated the design of the organization's partnership strategy to ensure future growth opportunities. At Deloitte Consulting, Leighton specialized in the Human Capital space, leading numerous transformation and change management initiatives at a variety of Fortune 500 organizations in the financial services, retail, and airline industries. These initiatives spanned across employee engagement, post-merger integration, learning and development, system implementation, and organizational design.
Leighton earned a bachelor's degree in Human & Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University. He enjoys traveling, all things related to Chicago sports, and is always up for trivia. Leighton lives in Oak Cliff with his wife and daughters.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Foundation Staff Member
- Investment & Treasury Analyst / Finance
Lindsay joined The Dallas Foundation in August of 2021 as the Investment and Treasury Analyst, where she will support the daily operations regarding the various investments and treasury accounts at the Foundation. Previously, she was an independent contractor helping small businesses and private clients with their financial needs as well as working as an independent personal fitness trainer. She earned an MBA from Rice University in 2020, and while pursuing that degree, she realized she wanted to apply her analytic skills to work that makes the world a better place. She is excited to have joined The Dallas Foundation where she can help make an impact on her hometown.
Lindsay grew up in Dallas and also attended Rice for her undergraduate studies, graduating in 2008 with a BA in Kinesiology, and playing Division I soccer all four years. In her spare time, Lindsay enjoys sports, calligraphy, puzzles, and spending time with her family. She lives in Addison with her husband, daughter, and their two puppies.
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Director, Governance & Special Projects
As the Director of Governance and Special Projects, Liz spends her day playing the part of chief scheduler and gatekeeper to the President and CEO. When not managing Matthew, she ensures our Board of Governors are informed and prepared for meetings, and that the organization's policies and procedures align with the forward momentum of the Foundation. Liz also serves as project manager on strategic and organizational priorities across the Foundation.
Liz enjoys spending time with her husband and their 13-year-old daughter, cooking, and seeing movies. Her favorite season is Oscar season and vows each year to see every Oscar-nominated movie.
Job Titles:
- Community Volunteer
- Member of the Maclin Management Team
Job Titles:
- Community Volunteer
- Vice Chair
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Director, Strategic Partnerships
- Member of the Giving Pledge
Mackenzie joined The Dallas Foundation in June 2017 and currently serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships. She is passionate about connecting donors, along with their families, to organizations who are making our community a better place. With over 15 years of non-profit management and philanthropy experience, she is dedicated to helping donors make the greatest impact possible. As a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) and 21/64 Certified Advisor, she is devoted to engaging, educating and empowering the next generation of volunteers and philanthropists.
Prior to The Dallas Foundation, Mackenzie served as the Grants Administrator at the Lyda Hill Foundation, where she assisted Miss Hill, a member of The Giving Pledge, support organizations focused on game-changing advances in science, healthcare, nature and community empowerment.
When she's not working with donors and partners, she is completing her Masters of Philanthropic Studies at The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She is a Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, serves on two nonprofit boards, and is also a proud alumna of the Mayor's Star Council, a civically-minded leadership development organization for young professionals who are committed to making transformational change in Dallas. Mackenzie enjoys traveling, live music, volunteering, a nice patio with friends/family and spending time with her pug, Taco. Her world revolves around good food, so she is always up for trying a new lunch spot.
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Marketing & Communications Specialist / Marketing & Communications
- Marketing & Communications Specialist, at
Madalene joined The Dallas Foundation in February 2021 and currently serves as the Marketing & Communications Specialist. She is experienced in marketing, communications, and project management from her past roles with non-profits that focused on literacy and STEM education.
Madalene is from Temple, Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Communication and minor in Business Administration. Her passion for the non-profit sector began with a two-year internship at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station. After graduation, she then relocated to Dallas where she began a role with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, where she remained for two and a half years.
During her free time she enjoys visiting her friends and family across the state, loves her daily group fitness classes at a local women's studio, and keeps busy by trying all the delicious restaurants around DFW!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Maclin Management Team
- Co - Founder & Chief Executive Officer / Sycamore Tree Capital Partners
Job Titles:
- Community Volunteer
- Member of the Maclin Management Team
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Foundation Leadership Team
- President
Matthew began his tenure with the organization in May 2018 after a nearly twenty-year career working to advance educational equity and improve college readiness for students of color and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
In his current role, Matthew leads a team of 25 professionals, partners with a dynamic board of community leaders, and supports hundreds of donors in our collective efforts to create meaningful and measurable outcomes. The Foundation focuses it giving on initiatives that (1) provide a strong and healthy start for children; (2) advance equity and inclusion; and (3) lift up the civic priorities of Dallas. Our investments prioritize partnerships that reduce intergenerational poverty and meet today's pressing needs while positioning Greater Dallas for a brighter, more equitable tomorrow.
Matthew was named to the 10th class of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Children and Family Fellows - a select group of leaders from the public, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors dedicated to leading measurable improvements for children and families. He was also recently invited to participate in one of Casey's newest fellowships, Holding Boundaries for Equitable Results as a White Leader, a leadership program focused on issues related to racially disparate outcomes.
Reducing intergenerational poverty is a personal issue for Matthew. He grew up in Detroit, the only child in an economically disadvantaged family. He'll tell you that his family experienced all the ills of poverty and that providence, and several caring adults played a role in leading him to where he is today. He also openly shares how education altered the trajectory of his life and, as a result, spent much of his career focused on increasing opportunities for children from low-income backgrounds to access a high-quality education.
In 2017, he was awarded The University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs' Rising Leader Award, which recognizes young alumni who have stood out as leaders and catalysts for change. He was most recently presented with the Public Safety Award presented by Safer Dallas Better Dallas.
Matthew earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science and Latin American studies from Albion College in Michigan and his Master of Public Affairs from The University of Texas at Austin. He is active in the community and serves on the boards of The Commit Partnership, Education is Freedom, the Clariden School, and Philanthropy Southwest. Matthew is a member of the Dallas Assembly's Class of 2022. He and his wife, Gitu, a clinical psychologist, reside in Westlake and have a son, Grayson.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Maclin Management Team
- President
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Senior Systems & Data Administrator
Michelle's father is a retired math teacher who encouraged a love of learning, so it's no surprise that she developed an early inclination for analytical thinking and a keen interest in human behavior. As the Senior Systems and Data Administrator at The Dallas Foundation, Michelle applies both talents to ensure technology applications and data meet the needs of fundholders and staff.
Michelle received her undergraduate degree in computer science from Iowa State University, her MBA from Duke University, and later studied environmental science and anthropology at the University of North Texas. Her career journey has supported the missions of technology and travel, as well as land trusts, education and conservation.
When she needs a break from screens and numbers, Michelle spends time with her fiancé replacing grass in their landscape with native plants and enjoys observing the wildlife they encounter while doing so.
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Associate for Scholarship Funds
- Grants Processing Associate
A native of the West Texas borderland, Paulino grew up in El Paso, regularly spending summers with his grandmother in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. These summers included frequent walks to the local tortilla factory, which reaffirmed his unwavering belief that the tortilla is humankind's greatest invention.
Paulino currently serves as Grants Processing Associate for Scholarship Funds. He finds this work especially rewarding and motivating because it contributes to helping students achieve their educational aspirations.
Before joining The Dallas Foundation, Paulino spent nearly two decades working in various capacities for nonprofit arts organizations and in higher education, including Texas Performing Arts, El Paso Holocaust Museum, and The Dallas Opera. He earned a bachelor's degree in music from The University of Texas at Austin. Paulino maintains a small cello studio with a handful of students, and he enjoys attending live music events and reading about social movements in Latin American history.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Maclin Management Team
Job Titles:
- Advisory Member
- Investments Committee / Business Leader and Community Volunteer
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Foundation Staff Member
- Senior Director
Samantha joins our team with a career focused on serving the non-profit community in Dallas. She has worked side-by-side with non-profit organizations her entire career to help solve their operational and day-to-day accounting challenges. She is a graduate of Abilene Christian University, with a B.B.A in Accounting and a Masters of Accountancy.
Samantha is passionate about supporting the community and furthering our donors' philanthropic impact in Dallas. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys spending time her goldendoodle and traveling with her husband.
Job Titles:
- Senior Partner, Dallas / McKinsey & Company
Job Titles:
- Superintendent - in - Residence
Job Titles:
- Foundation Staff Member
- Director, Donor Services
As the Director of Donor Services, Theresa is passionate about helping donors fulfill their philanthropic goals. She spends each day engaging, assisting, and supporting them in creating meaningful gifts that impact the community.
Before joining The Dallas Foundation in 2021, Theresa served as the Director of Capital Campaign & Stewardship Events at The da Vinci School where she was a part of the senior leadership team and executive campaign planning committee. Prior to that, she spent 12 years at The Greenhill School in several roles including Director of Special Events, Stewardship Manager, and Parents' Association Liaison where in collaboration with the advancement leadership team, she developed fundraising strategies and secured gifts for Greenhill School's largest capital campaign, raising $54.6MM.
Theresa attended the University of California, Irvine where she majored in Psychology & Social Behavior (Go Anteaters!). In her time away from work, she serves on the advisory committee for Cattle Baron's Ball. She loves entertaining family and friends, cooking, gardening, listening to live music, and finding the best hiking trails in Dallas with her husband and two daughters. Her favorite all-time song is Lovely Day by Bill Withers.
Job Titles:
- Advisory Member
- Audit and Risk Management Committee
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Finance
- Member of the Foundation Leadership Team
Torrey has over 15 years of experience in accounting across several industries including, healthcare, chemical engineering, and manufacturing. He ventured into the nonprofit sector because of the opportunity it offered to impact the quality of life across the community and attributes much of his success to his parents, who continue to inspire him each day.
Torrey earned his undergraduate degree at Tennessee State University and his graduate degree at The University of Dallas. He is an active volunteer with the Mansfield Cedar Hill Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In his spare time, Torrey enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters and rooting for his favorite sport team. He also enjoys channeling his inner mechanical engineer when home furnishings and appliances break.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Maclin Management Team