DALLAS (June 3, 2019) – Seven powerhouse leaders whose passion and perspective reflect the evolving Dallas landscape were recently elected as the next generation of philanthropic stewards for The Dallas Foundation.
Only the second person to be at the helm of The Dallas Foundation in its 90-year history, president and CEO Matthew Randazzo is taking bold steps to lead the organization into a new century of giving. For months, he has intentionally courted a network of individuals who bring a diverse range of experience and perspective to the board of governors.
“The energy that Matthew brings to the table is contagious,” said recently elected Board Chair Jeanne Whitman Bobbitt. “One year into his tenure, he’s surrounded himself with a talented group of philanthropic and civic leaders. It’s exhilarating to see such extraordinary individuals joining together to reshape giving in Dallas.”
The newest members of the Foundation’s esteemed board of community advocates are:
- Catherine Rose, president of the Dallas Museum of Art’s board of trustees. Rose also serves as chair of Teach For America DFW’s advisory board and on the executive committee for Southwestern Medical Foundation. She is a member of the Dallas Assembly and past chair for The Lamplighter School.
- Chris Luna, vice president of legal affairs at Metro by T-Mobile, a brand of T-Mobile US, Inc. Luna is past president of The Dallas Assembly and previously served on the Dallas City Council, Garland Utility Advisory Board, and Parkland Health and Hospital System Board, Richardson Chamber of Commerce Board and the Dallas Zoological Society Board. He is currently on the boards of the Dallas Theater Center and Garland Housing Finance Corporation.
- Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, social entrepreneur and head of Phillips Philanthropies and the Phillips Foundation, where she has launched its impact investing program and an online platform for philanthropic education and tracking. She is also the founding president of Echelon, the national young adult auxiliary of The Salvation Army.
- Jeremy Smith, president and executive director at the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, which is dedicated to improving education for children in underserved communities, as well as medical research in the field of neuroscience. He also serves as a board member for Reading Partners, Teach for America DFW, and the Commit! Partnership.
- Mark Okada, co-founder and chief investment officer of Highland Capital Management. He is chairman of the board of directors for Education Is Freedom; Common Grace Ministries, Inc.; and is a board member for the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society. He is also on the executive board executive board of Dedman College Humanities and Sciences at Southern Methodist University and is a council leader at the U.S.-Japan Council.
- Patsy Woods Martin, founder, board member and the former chief executive director of I Live Here, I Give Here, a collaboration between individual philanthropists, nonprofit organizations, family foundations, local businesses and religious organizations together to create impact for Austin, Texas. She was previously the vice president of resource development for United Way Capital Area.
- Steffen Fuchs, senior partner in the Dallas office of McKinsey & Company. Since joining the firm in 2006, he has worked with clients on strategic and operational transformation topics in a variety of industries and is the leader of McKinsey’s global Capital Productivity & Infrastructure Practice. He also serves on the Dallas Citizens Council.
Jeanne Whitman Bobbitt, a management and leadership consultant, has been elected chair of the board. She previously served as the Eugene McDermott Headmistress of the Hockaday School of Dallas and, before that, vice president for development and external affairs at Southern Methodist University.
Continuing their leadership roles on the Foundation’s board are: Immediate Past Chair Jim Moroney; Lydia B. Addy; S. Todd Maclin; Clint D. McDonnough, secretary; Lizzie H. Routman; Michael J. Sorrell; and Mary K. Suhm.
Randazzo has also appointed three new staff to the Foundation’s executive team.
- Helen Holman has been promoted from chief philanthropy officer to senior vice president and chief impact officer, where she will shape the organization’s strategic efforts to partner with donors, community leaders, and nonprofit partners to make impactful change in Dallas. Holman previously led the foundation’s grantmaking function and served as interim co-president during Randazzo’s transition.
- Julie Diaz was named the foundation’s first-ever vice president of philanthropic partnerships. She previously served as the chief advancement officer at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Prior to her time at the Perot, Diaz held leadership roles at Greenhill School, Southern Methodist University, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra.
- Heather L. Flabiano, Ph.D., joined the foundation as the vice president of finance and operations. She previously served as vice president of finance and chief financial officer of St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Flabiano has also held leadership positions at St. Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Southern Methodist University, and Deloitte Dallas.
“The leaders we have in place are well-poised to shepherd The Dallas Foundation into the next century, which will be catalytic to individuals and families reaching their full potential,” said Randazzo. “Together with our donors and partners, we are stretching into a reimagined role for community philanthropy, one focused squarely on impact.”
About The Dallas Foundation
The Dallas Foundation, established as a community foundation in 1929, brings together people, ideas, and investments in Greater Dallas so individuals and families can reach their full potential.
