On October 3, Dallas Women’s Foundation’s patron party, graciously hosted by Lisa and Peter Kraus at their home, was a celebration of sponsors who have contributed to the 33^rd Annual Luncheon. The luncheon, presented by Toyota, is set for November 7 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, and will feature Academy Award nominated director and producer Ava DuVernay in a dialogue with noted journalist Michele Norris.

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Foundation president and CEO, welcomed the crowd. “We are so grateful to each of you and the organizations you represent, for your generous support. This luncheon promises to be one of our most successful ever. And that is due entirely to the marvelous leadership of co-chairs Lael Brodsky and Tricia Miller, with honorary co-chairs Matrice Ellis-Kirk and Ambassador Ron Kirk.”

Dawson Thompson turned the microphone over to the co-chairs to thank the hosts and sponsors by name. Lael Brodsky said, “We are thrilled to have several ‘firsts’ – this is the first year for Toyota to be our presenting sponsor, the first time for Nancy C. Rogers to be our Spotlight Sponsor, the first year for Target to serve as our Speaker Sponsor and the first year for Sammye and Mike Myers to be Platinum Sponsors! And we are delighted to have Lyda Hill and U.S. Trust again generously serving as Platinum Sponsors.”

Tricia Miller thanked the Crystal, Emerald, Gold, Silver and media sponsors, and concluded by saying, “We could not have such a successful Luncheon and raise so much money to support the outstanding work of Dallas Women’s Foundation without the generosity of our sponsors.  A very special thanks to our hosts tonight – Lisa and Peter Kraus. And a very special announcement: We are so excited to tell you that the luncheon is completely SOLD OUT!” 

The sponsors of Dallas Women’s Foundation’s 33^rd Annual Luncheon are:

Presenting Sponsor: Toyota

Spotlight Sponsor: Nancy C. Rogers

Platinum Sponsors: Lyda Hill, Sammye and Mike A. Myers, U. S. Trust

Speaker Sponsor:  Target and with ongoing support from Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Speaker Endowment Fund

Crystal Sponsors: Lael Brodsky and Tricia Miller, Capital One, Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, The Men and Women of Hunt Consolidated, Jones Day, Southwest Airlines and Texas Instruments

Diamond Sponsors: Barings Multifamily Capital; Julie Bleicher, Diana Dutton, Gail Griswold and Patricia Villareal; Ernst & Young, Kimberly Clark Corporation, NexBank

Emerald Sponsors:  AT&T, Inc., AXXESS, Ellenore Knight Baker/Carter Financial Management; Mickie Bragalone, Lynn Hunt Gray and Pam Patsley; Becky Bruder, Debbie Barnes, Faye Lidji and Candace Krause; Jill Cochran, Joyce Goss and Selwyn Rayzor; Claire Dewar, Julie Hawes and Muffin Lemak; Fossil Group; Frito-Lay, Inc.; Haynes and Boone, LLP; The Horchow Family; Daniel and Toni Hunt; Lisa Kraus, Leslie MacLean and Janie Strauss McGarr; Reverend Katherine G. Lyle; Patsy Woods Martin; Paula and Ron Parker; Sprinkles Cupcakes; Betty Suellentrop; Texas Health Resources; Shawna D. Wilson; Women's Foodservice Forum

Media Sponsors: Dallas Business Journal, DCEO, iHeart Radio, My Sweet Charity

Dallas Women’s Foundation is the largest regional women’s fund in the world. It is a trusted leader in advancing positive social and economic change for women and girls. The Foundation was built on the belief that when you invest in a woman, there is a ripple effect that benefits her family, her community and her world. Dallas Women’s Foundation has researched, funded and demonstrated the ripple effect since 1985 in North Texas, granting more than $42.2 million since inception and $5 million annually to help create opportunities and solve issues for women and girls. With the support of its donors, the Foundation unlocks resources to improve education and quality of life, give voice to issues affecting women and girls, and cultivate women leaders for the future. For more information, visit www.DallasWomensFdn.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

Dallas Women’s Foundation has announced eight new board members, who will serve three-year terms from 2018-2021, and has also named A. Shonn Brown as its chair elect. Brown, a partner with Lynn Pinker Cox & Hurst, has been a member of the Foundation board since 2015, co-chaired the Annual Luncheon in 2017 and helped found The Village Giving Circle at Dallas Women’s Foundation.  She will succeed current board chair Caren K. Lock July 1, 2019.

New members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors are: Chrysta Castañeda, shareholder and founder, The Castañeda Firm; Effie Dennison, senior vice president, director of community development and corporate social responsibility, Texas Capital Bank; Stacey Doré, senior vice president and general counsel, Hunt Utility Services, LLC and InfraREIT, Inc.; Samantha Dwinell, vice president of human resources, Texas Instruments; Laura Maxwell, senior vice president of supply chain optimization, Frito-Lay; Sara Madsen Miller, principal and chief operating officer, 1820 Productions; Charmaine Tang, executive director, J.P. Morgan Private Bank; Rachel Vinson, president, Barings Multifamily Capital LLC. For a complete board list, visit https://www.dallaswomensfdn.org/2016/why-us/board.

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Foundation president and CEO, said, “We are so fortunate to have 47 extraordinary leaders on our Board of Directors, and we’re proud that our board is one of the most diverse and inclusive in the entire region, with 43 percent being women of color or LGBTQ.  We are delighted to welcome our eight newest members, who bring expertise, passion for the mission and broad networks of influence to support our work. Our leadership lineup of officers is also an absolute dream team, with Caren Lock as chair, Shonn Brown as chair elect, Beverly Goulet as secretary and Mary Hatcher as treasurer. We are grateful to all of our board and executive committee members for their dedication to Dallas Women’s Foundation.”

Dallas Women’s Foundation is the largest regional women’s fund in the world. It is a trusted leader in advancing positive social and economic change for women and girls. The Foundation was built on the belief that when you invest in a woman, there is a ripple effect that benefits her family, her community and her world. Dallas Women’s Foundation has researched, funded and demonstrated the ripple effect since 1985 in North Texas, granting more than $37.6 million since inception and over $4.5 million annually to help create opportunities and solve issues for women and girls. With the support of its donors, the Foundation unlocks resources to improve education and quality of life, give voice to issues affecting women and girls, and cultivate women leaders for the future. For more information, visit www.DallasWomensFdn.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) will serve as presenting sponsor for the 33rd Dallas Women’s Foundation Annual Luncheon, set for 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 30 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. A sponsor reception will be held at 10:30 a.m.

Community volunteer leaders Lael Brodsky and Tricia Miller will serve as co-chairs for the luncheon, which aims to raise $1.5 million to serve the needs of women and girls in North Texas. Ambassador Ron Kirk and Matrice Ellis-Kirk will serve as honorary chairs.

Further, two of the most influential women in media will engage in a candid, insightful on-stage conversation, as Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay and NPR host Michele Norris discuss the pressing issues facing women today.

DuVernay rose to prominence as the director of Selma and A Wrinkle in Time. Norris was the first African-American woman to host NPR’s All Things Considered.

Toyota Motor North America has signed on as the luncheon’s presenting sponsor, citing shared values with the Dallas Women’s Foundation. The automaker has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and recently celebrated the first anniversary of its new North American headquarters in Plano, Texas.

“The Foundation is the trusted leader in advancing equity and opportunity for all women and girls,” said Bonnie Clinton TMNA’s general manager, indirect procurement. “That mission closely aligns with Toyota’s vision for diversity and inclusion. We’re thrilled to work with the Foundation to help empower women, girls and the whole North Texas community.”

“We are delighted to have Toyota as our presenting sponsor,” said Roslyn Dawson Thompson, the foundation’s president and chief executive officer. “The leadership line-up for this luncheon is extraordinary – from the significant example Toyota is setting as a corporate leader, to the dedication of our awesome co-chairs, Lael Brodsky and Tricia Miller, and honorary chairs, Matrice and Ron Kirk, to the powerful success stories of Ava DuVernay and Michele Norris. I’m confident this leadership line-up is going to help us achieve and even exceed our goal.”

The annual luncheon’s Honorary Chairs – Ambassador Ron Kirk and Matrice Ellis-Kirk – are among the most respected and admired individuals in the community. A 30-year public servant and legal professional, Ambassador Kirk is senior of counsel in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s Dallas and Washington, D.C. offices, and has leadership roles on a number of corporate boards and charitable organizations. From 2009 to 2013, Ambassador Kirk served as U.S. Trade Representative under President Barack Obama, and from 1995 to 2001, he was Mayor of Dallas. Matrice Ellis-Kirk is managing director at RSR Partners, a senior member of the firm’s board of directors’ practice, and head of the Dallas office. She is an active leader in the business and civic communities, and serves on a number of boards, including the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships, North Texas Tollway Authority and The Dallas Center for the Performing Arts.

Dallas Women’s Foundation Annual Luncheon table sponsorships begin at $3,500, and individual tickets begin at $350. Those interested should contact Ashley Lindsay at 214.525.5311, alindsay@dallaswomensfoundation.org or visit www.dallaswomensfdn.org/luncheon.

Dallas Women’s Foundation is the largest regional women’s fund in the world. It is a trusted leader in advancing positive social and economic change for women and girls. The Foundation was built on the belief that when you invest in a woman, there is a ripple effect that benefits her family, her community and her world. Dallas Women’s Foundation has researched, funded and demonstrated the ripple effect since 1985 in North Texas, granting more than $37.6 million since inception and over $4.5 million annually to help create opportunities and solve issues for women and girls. With the support of its donors, the Foundation unlocks resources to improve education and quality of life, give voice to issues affecting women and girls, and cultivate women leaders for the future. For more information, visit www.DallasWomensFdn.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

Dallas Women’s Foundation announced updates for its Unlocking Leadership Campaign on May 30 at its Leadership Key Club dinner hosted by Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, who serve as campaign co-chairs along with Paula and Ron Parker and Trea and Richard Yip. The Leadership Key Club is a donor level recognizing those who have contributed $100,000 or more.

Campaign Co-Chair Ashlee Kleinert said that the campaign was launched in 2013 to raise $50 million to invest in women’s economic security and advancing leadership for women and girls in the region. She said, “Women make up an extremely disproportionate share of households living in poverty. In Dallas County, 34 percent of all households are headed by women. However, 54 percent of households living in poverty are woman-headed. Also, 52% of all professional jobs are held by women, but only 14.6% of executive positions are held by women. Evidence shows that investing in women is the most effective way to lift communities, companies and even countries.”

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Dallas Women’s Foundation president and chief executive officer, thanked the Kleinerts for their gracious hospitality, and said, “The success of this campaign reflects the leadership of our phenomenal co-chairs, campaign cabinet members and every single person in this room! Your inspiring generosity has enabled tremendous growth in our key programs and initiatives that have impacted literally tens of thousands women and girls in North Texas. We are deeply grateful for your role in reaching this campaign milestone, and with your help, we’ll reach our goal!”  

Dawson Thompson gave updates on the Foundation’s key initiatives in economic security and leadership. In addition, she announced that the October 30^th luncheon will feature Ava DuVernay, writer, producer, director and distributor of independent films. DuVernay, who directed A Wrinkle in Time and Selma, will be joined onstage by Michele Norris, noted American radio journalist, former National Public Radio host, and director of TheRaceCard project, who will moderate a dialog. Co-chairs are Lael Brodsky and Tricia Miller, and honorary co-chairs are Ambassador Ron Kirk and Matrice Ellis-Kirk.

Funds from the Unlocking Leadership Campaign are earmarked for the Foundation’s primary focus areas – women’s economic security and women’s leadership.  The Economic Security Initiative aims to strengthen the economic security of 16,000 women and girls by 2021, and to date, has helped strengthen the economic security of more than 30,000 women and their families in the North Texas area. The campaign’s Leadership Initiative aims to provide 60,000 women and girls with leadership training and opportunities by 2021, and thus far has helped to train and support more than 41,000 women and girls as leaders.

In addition to the Unlocking Leadership Campaign co-chairs Ashlee and Christopher Kleinert, Paula and Ron Parker, and Trea and Richard Yip, the Campaign Cabinet members are Lael Brodsky, Ellenore Knight Baker, Kalita Beck Blessing, Julie S. England, Hilda C. Galvan, Caren K. Lock, Janie Strauss McGarr, Maribess Lehmann Miller, Retta A. Miller and Janice V. Sharry.

For those interested in donating to the campaign, contact Shawn Wills, Dallas Women’s Foundation senior vice president of development, at swills@dallaswomensfoundation.org or 214.525.5318.

Dallas Women’s Foundation is the largest regional women’s fund in the world. It is a trusted leader in advancing positive social and economic change for women and girls. The Foundation was built on the belief that when you invest in a woman, there is a ripple effect that benefits her family, her community and her world. Dallas Women’s Foundation has researched, funded and demonstrated the ripple effect since 1985 in North Texas, granting more than $37.6 million since inception and over $4.5 million annually to help create opportunities and solve issues for women and girls. With the support of its donors, the Foundation unlocks resources to improve education and quality of life, give voice to issues affecting women and girls, and cultivate women leaders for the future. For more information, visit www.DallasWomensFdn.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

Dallas Women’s Foundation held its Leadership Forum & Awards Dinner, presented by AT&T, on April 19 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The Foundation honored six exceptional women: four received the Maura Women Helping Women Awards, and two received the Young Leader Award, presented by Capital One. The dinner was co-chaired by community and business leaders, Effie Dennison and Jan Sharry.

Dennison, who has received the Maura award, welcomed the sold out ballroom of 700 attendees. “I am always in awe of the great things accomplished by each year’s Maura and Young Leader Award recipients. From the outstanding work of our award recipients to our groundbreaking keynote speaker, tonight is designed to inspire and to motivate all of us to make a commitment, to do our part and to make sure that more women and girls have the opportunity to lead.” 

Sharry added her thanks to the sponsors. “As a sponsor, you are making an investment to address gender inequity.  Your contributions help level the playing field for women and girls. Very special thanks go to our presenting sponsor, AT&T.” (See sponsors at end of press release).

Brenda L. Jackson, award selection committee co-chair and Maura winner, talked about the Maura Award. “The award was established in 1978 to recognize those who have made extraordinary contributions to the success and well-being of women and girls in the North Texas region. Among the recipients are women and men who have blazed trails and made strides in various fields – from company executives and community volunteers, to those serving on corporate boards, in Congress, and even in the White House.” Then she asked all the previous Maura and Young Leader Award winners to stand and be recognized.

Jackson then introduced each Maura honoree with a video that told more about each one:

“For her work creating opportunities for more women being represented on corporate boards and in the male-dominated construction industry, and her contributions building a college to career pipeline that is changing the trajectory for thousands of young girls and women, we award Arcilia Acosta with the Maura Women Helping Women Award.”

“For her tireless contribution building a STEAM program for young girls in at-risk communities to expose them to careers where there is an underrepresentation of females, we recognize Maura Women Helping Women Award recipient Dr. Jocelyn Kidd.”

“For her role designing and delivering programs that help women find and align their lives with their true purpose, and for providing critical services for women and children in need, we celebrate Maura Women Helping Women Award recipient Cynthia Mickens Ross.”

“For her vision and wholehearted dedication to creating services and ensuring resources for the most marginalized and desperate women and girls – and her courage and determination in fighting to protect girls and women from the ravages of human trafficking, we honor and celebrate Maura Women Helping Women Award recipient Gail Turner.”

Caren Lock, Dallas Women’s Foundation board chairwoman and selection committee co-chair, and Stephanie Jeffery, vice president of diversity and inclusion at Capital One, Young Leader Award sponsor, introduced the two women under the age of 40 who are breaking barriers to help women advance in leadership.

“For exemplary efforts, tremendous courage and vision to create change for women and girls who are victims of human trafficking, we recognize Dr. Vanessa Bouché with the Young Leader Award.”

“For confidence, courage and tremendous effort in raising her voice and putting herself on the line to make change and represent her generation in politics, policy and community, we recognize Brooke López with the Young Leader Award.”

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Dallas Women’s Foundation president and chief executive officer, added her congratulations to the honorees and thanks to the event co-chairs and sponsors. “As we reflect on this vision of equity, I want to acknowledge the role and impact of our founders and the loss of one this past year, the late and so deeply loved Vivian Castleberry.” Thompson recognized the founders in the room, and then she introduced a video. “As you can see from the video, we still have a long way to go to reach equity and equal representation in the halls of power, whether in the C-suite or in Congress. So to give you a real tangible sense of the steps we need to take in order to reach our goals, let me give you a number:  115 is the number of steps to the front door of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.”  She asked people to give at least $115 to further the Foundation’s mission.

After dinner was served, Jennifer Biry, AT&T Technology and Operations chief financial officer and Foundation board member, introduced Nina Tassler. “Nina is an author, entrepreneur, mother, philanthropist and the former chairwoman of CBS Entertainment. She also wrote a book entitled What I Told My Daughter: Lessons from Leaders on Raising the Next Generation of Empowered Women with excerpts from her interviews with notable women and the advice they gave their daughters.”

Tassler told the audience that everyone has a story worth telling. She told her life story of growing up as a daughter of Puerto Rican mother who converted to Judaism before she married, a child of a mixed marriage, and the only Jewish/Puerto Rican kid in her school.

“Throughout my life, and over the course of my career, I have been concerned with three central issues: gender equity, unconscious bias and the exploration of class in America.”

She talked about her career at CBS Entertainment and how she tried to address these three issues. “In order to create the greatest opportunity for success, we had to ensure that every individual at CBS, from executives to support staff to the hardworking people who cleaned our offices at night, were not only recognized for the hard work, but their salaries, raises and bonuses were always looked at through the lens of gender equity.”

About failure: “Each failure provides an opportunity for another success.”

About working moms: “To quote Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, ‘I’ve often said that I have had it all in my long lifetime, just not all at the same time.’ This became my mantra.”

Her closing words included a quote from the late Governor Ann Richards: “This is your life. It is the only one you get, so no excuses and no do-overs. If you can make a mistake or fail at something, you learn from it, you get over it and you move on. Your job is the be the very best person you can be and to never settle.”

Presenting Sponsor: AT&T, Inc.        

Speaker Sponsor: Catherine M. Coughlin Endowment for Women’s Leadership

Crystal Sponsor: Capital One Bank, Haynes and Boone, LLP, Texas Capital Bank

Diamond Sponsor: Axxess, Jones Day

Emerald Sponsors:  Ellenore Baker & Julie England Art, David B. Miller Family Foundation, Ernst & Young LLP, Nancy Ann Hunt

Gold Sponsors: Archer Western, CARCON Industries, Celanese Corporation, Kaleta A. Doolin, Frito-Lay, Inc., Beverly Goulet, Brenda L. Jackson, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Jan Sharry, Major General Mary L. Saunders USAF (Ret.), Texas Instruments, U.S. Risk LLC

Media Sponsors: Dallas Business Journal, DCEO

Dallas Women’s Foundation is the largest regional women’s fund in the world. It is a trusted leader in advancing positive social and economic change for women and girls. The Foundation was built on the belief that when you invest in a woman, there is a ripple effect that benefits her family, her community and her world. Dallas Women’s Foundation has researched, funded and demonstrated the ripple effect since 1985 in North Texas, granting more than $37.6 million since inception and over $4.5 million annually to help create opportunities and solve issues for women and girls. With the support of its donors, the Foundation unlocks resources to improve education and quality of life, give voice to issues affecting women and girls, and cultivate women leaders for the future. For more information, visit www.DallasWomensFdn.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.