Our Board of Directors consists of esteemed members of the Dallas County community, each contributing their unique expertise and insights drawn from various industries and services across the region.
At Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas (WFSDallas), we recognize that robust governance is the cornerstone of any successful organization. Our Board of Directors, composed entirely of volunteers, exemplifies commitment and dedication, playing a critical role in steering our operations towards sustainable success. These individuals do not merely oversee; they actively engage in shaping the strategic framework that guides every aspect of our organization, ensuring that we operate with integrity and a forward-looking perspective.
These leaders dedicate significant time and effort, going beyond traditional governance roles to actively empower and uplift the workforce of the Greater Dallas Area. Their involvement is pivotal in maintaining our alignment with our mission and values, while also pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in workforce development.
These board members are deeply involved in our community, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience that is vital for both our current operations and future initiatives. They ensure that WFSDallas not only adheres to the highest standards of responsibility and accountability but also leads with innovation in workforce solutions.
To learn more about the impactful work of our Board and the core values they uphold, we invite you to explore our mission and values.
We are immensely proud of their contributions and grateful for their unwavering commitment to enhancing the industries and workforce of our region. Their visionary leadership not only directs WFSDallas towards achieving its goals but also ensures we make a meaningful impact on the economic and social fabric of the Greater Dallas Area.
Meet our Board of Directors
Board Chair
Consultant
NEC Corporation of America
Carter Holston
Carter Holston is a Consultant with NEC Corporation of America. NEC is located in Irving Texas where Carter oversees and manages their real estate operations in the US. He was recently responsible for all areas of the NEC US headquarters relocation in Irving. During the relocation he was responsible for the site selection, lease negotiation, design, construction management and budgetary control of this project. He has managed the real estate of NEC for 17 years including commercial and warehousing properties totaling in excess of 1.5 million square feet located in 16 states. Prior to NEC he was employed at EDS, Trammell Crow and AccuBanc Mortgage Corporation.
Carter currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Business (txbiz.org). He is the Chairman of the Economic Development Committee. The Texas Association of Business is the statewide chamber of commerce and is responsible for advocating for business in Texas. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Catch Up and Read Organization (catchupandread.org) which provides after school tutoring for DISD students focusing on improving reading skills at the grade school level. He is a member of the Irving Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce where he has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee and Chairman -Technology Leadership Council. He has provided Economic Development consultation to the City Manager and CFO of the City of Irving. He also served on the Irving ISD Superintendent’s Business advisory council. He oversees the Community Relations for NEC foundation which supports Irma Rangel Young Leadership School, Irving Family Advocacy Center, Dallas Heart Association, Herbert Marcus Elementary, Irving Cares and Habitat for Humanity.
Board Treasurer
Shareholder
Polsinelli
Harry Jones | Shareholder, Polsinelli
He has led more than 90 board-level high-profile investigations for school districts, cities, colleges and institutions. Harry is a published author on Dallas’ rivers and dams.
Harry provides day-to-day advice to human resources professionals on hiring, training, pay, discipline and termination, including complex C-suite misconduct issues.
With a national and international focus in his practice, he guides general counsel and HR departments through 50-state and complex cross-border issues, particularly in Europe, Africa and Latin America.
Past Board Chair
Consultant
MIINC Mechanical
Bill O'Dwyer | MIINC Mechanical
Assistant VP of Communications
AT&T
Rebecca Acuña | AT&T - Assistant Vice President of Communications
Rebecca Acuña is an Assistant Vice President of Communications for AT&T, focusing on Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility. She previously worked as a Director of Government Affairs for PepsiCo where she represented the global portfolio before public policy makers in seven states and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Prior to joining PepsiCo, she was the Executive Director of the Latino Center for Leadership Development, an organization that develops a diverse pipeline of policymakers and thought-leaders. A veteran of the Texas State capitol, Rebecca served as a Chief of Staff and Communications Director for three members of the Texas House of Representatives and one Member of Congress.
Rebecca is the Board Chair for the Childcare Group of Dallas, and serves on the Board for the Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.
American Federation of Teachers
J. Susie Battie | American Federation of Teachers
J. Susie Battie (Upshaw) was born in Chicago, Illinois. She is happily married to her husband, Derrick Battie and together they are loving parents and grandparents to 6 sons, and 8 grandchildren.
Susie has been a Dallas resident for over 25 years and a Texan for over 35 by way of Houston. She is an Alumna of Southern Methodist University graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and History and Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Organizational Dynamics and Leadership. Graduating with honors, she is also a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society as an undergraduate and the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Program (AGLSP) Honor Society with her Master’s.
Mrs. Battie has been working in educating our youth for over 16 years and has earned the status of “Master Teacher” by the Texas Education Association and was awarded the 2019-2020 Campus Teacher of the Year for Townview School of Business Management. Over the years, she has taught at schools throughout the southern sector including Lincoln High School, Maynard Jackson Middle School, South Oak Cliff High School, Dade Middle School, and currently at Townview Magnet Center. She has taught a multitude of courses from English to most Social Studies classes including AP Macroeconomics.
Susie has been serving the South Dallas and South Oak Cliff community and the city of Dallas for over 20 years. She has worked with the District 3 Economic Development Steering Committee, Dallas Black Chambers of Commerce Economic Development Committee, member of the NAACP, curriculum developer for Southwest Coalition For A Better Dallas Youth Construction Program, member of SBDM committees in both Dallas ISD and International Leadership of Texas Lancaster Campus, serving on South Oak Cliff PTA, and partnered with the Dallas Parks & Recreation Department to help bring new green space and parks to the 75216 area code. Her and her family have given tirelessly and countless hours to the community by coordinating back-to-school events, food drives, community and park clean-ups, voter registration, working with our homeless student population, and serving on numerous community committees and organizations for a better quality of life for all residents in the southern sector of Dallas. She was featured as one of the Who’s Who in Black Dallas for 2017 for her achievements and leadership in the city. Mrs. Susie Battie is proud to serve the City of Dallas.
Principal Consultant for Behrendt Consulting
William M. Behrendt | PhD, PCC
Dr. Behrendt began his career in retailing with the May Department Stores Company headquartered in St. Louis, where he held positions in consumer research, strategic planning, recruitment, executive development and human resources. He earned a B.S. in Psychology from Tulane University in New Orleans, and his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and completed a psychology internship at UT Southwestern in Dallas. He is also a graduate of the Certificate in Executive Coaching Program at University of Texas at Dallas.
Dr. Behrendt has held faculty positions in the Jindal School of Management at University of Texas at Dallas, where he taught management and coaching classes to MBA students, as well as Southern Methodist University, Simmons College in Boston, and UT Southwestern. He has served as a board member for the Barnes and Jewish Colleges of Nursing, the Picker Institute, My Possibilities and HealthPartners of the Midwest. He was named the 2015 “Talent Development Champion of the Year” by Skillsoft, and is a 2011 recipient of the “Top 10 Breakaway HR Leadership” Award from the Global HR Summit, the 2014 Strategic HR Leadership Award from Strategic HR Excellence, and winner of the 2012 “PRISM” award for Excellence in Coaching from the International Coach Federation – N. Texas Chapter.
Program Manager – Region 3
Texas Health and Human Services
Jeffrey Caldwell | Program Manager – Region 3 | Texas Health and Human Services
Jeffrey is currently the Eligibility Operations Program Manager for Texas Works with the Access and Eligibility department at Texas Health and Human Service Commission. In this role, he provides a structured and intentional approach to the eligibility process, and offer tools to help staff determine eligibility effectively, with the goal of optimizing positive performance, and increasing accuracy during the eligibility determination process.
Jeffrey began his career Texas Health and Human Services in 2004 as a Texas Works Advisor where he determined eligibility for State and federally funded benefits for the citizens of the Texas. In 2012, he later entered management, where he served as a Texas Works Advisor III and OJT (On the Job Training) Mentor and Unit Supervisor. Jeffrey has been on various HHSC committees to assist in improving quality for the clients.
Jeffrey currently lives in Dallas and enjoys cooking and enjoying life. Jeffrey has a passion for encouraging and assisting future leaders to assist them in furthering their career and enhancing their abilities in doing great things.
Chief Legal & Administrative Officer
Jacobs
Joanne Caruso | Chief Legal & Administrative Officer | Jacobs
Joanne is EVP, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer at Jacobs, a 55,000-employee, Dallas-based firm providing consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery services to clients worldwide. In this role she leads global functions that work together to align to the overall business plan and strategic direction of the Company, specifically in the areas of Legal, Compliance and Insurance, Human Resources, HSE, Global Security and Sustainability, Enterprise Risk Management and the Sales Center of Excellence. She is also the Executive Sponsor for Prism, Jacobs’ employee network for LGBTI+ people and their allies. Prior to her current role, Joanne had the roles of SVP, Human Resources and Vice President, Global Litigation. Prior to joining Jacobs in 2012, Joanne was a partner in 2 international law firms. She was named one of the top 100 attorneys in California (2006) and was repeatedly named as one of California’s Top 75 Women Litigators. Throughout her career, she has been involved in many professional and civic organizations. Joanne is currently a member of the Economic Leadership Council of the Texas Women’s Foundation. Previously, she served on the boards of Break the Cycle, a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to ending relationship violence for young people, the Constitutional Rights Foundation, a non- profit, non-partisan, community-based organization dedicated to educating America’s young people about the importance of civic participation in a democratic society and was the Vice-Chair of California’s Access to Justice Commission, a statewide Commission dedicated to exploring ways to improve access to civil justice for Californians living on low and moderate incomes. She is a graduate of Boston College and Boston College Law School. Joanne is based in Jacobs’ Dallas Texas office and relocated to Dallas in 2017 when Jacobs moved its global headquarters here.
Vice President and Principal
Dunaway
Cristina Criado | Vice President and Principal | Dunaway
Cristina Criado is Vice President and Principal with Dunaway. Prior to joining Dunaway, Cristina was the owner of Criado & Associates. Her experience consists of design and management of municipal projects, roadway and freeway projects, interchanges, hike and bike trails and land development projects. Her project experience includes coordination and management among all different disciplines required to complete any project from start to finish, including designs for grading, paving, water and sanitary sewer systems, storm sewer systems, horizontal and vertical geometric alignments and hydraulic analyses, cost estimating, preparation of boundary surveys, plats, and site inspection. As the founder, President and CEO, she has been involved in a number of key assignments and ensures client satisfaction and quality performance on every project.
Managing Director
OMNI Dallas
Carolyn Dent | Managing Director | OMNI Dallas
Carolyn Dent is a 39-year hospitality veteran and currently holds the position of Managing Director at the Omni Dallas Hotel. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Missouri – Columbia, Carolyn started her hotel career path with MHM, Inc. based in Dallas, Texas. Her 16-year tenure with this management company provided her with experience in all areas of hotel operations and sales with emphasis in food and beverage and catering sales.
Her portfolio includes 8 hotel brands, and she is now enjoying a 17-year career with Omni Hotels and Resorts.
Prior to her current role, Carolyn was the General Manager, Hotel Manager and Director of Events at the Omni Dallas. She was on the opening team at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel as the Director of Catering and Convention Services and held the position of Corporate Director of Catering and Convention services at Omni where she established programs, guidelines, and processes for this discipline brand wide. The Hilton Anatole was her home for 6 years prior, where she held the positions of Senior Convention Services Manager and Associate Director of Events.
As the youngest of 11 children growing up in a small farm town in Missouri, Carolyn understands the importance of family, community and taking care of your neighbors. These values are the foundation of her work ethic and appreciation that everyone’s role is important to the success of the operation. She jokes about being raised in a bed and breakfast and understands the true meaning behind the farm-to-table concept.
Carolyn is an advocate for the Dallas community and has held numerous leadership roles for the hotel and tourism industry (HANTX, THLA, Visit Dallas), she is a committed supporter of hospitality and culinary education (Dallas College, UNT, DISD, RHS, MU), and consistently volunteers with several organizations (North Texas Food Bank, Salvation Army, American Heart Association).
Carolyn was nominated by the Dallas Business Journal in 2020 for Women in Business and most recently was a nominee for Women of Impact by the American Heart Association for 2023. She is passionate about supporting young adults achieve their career goals and is particularly active in developing women in hospitality. Awarded General Manager of the Year for the Omni Hotel and Resorts Convention Collection in 2023, Carolyn is a proven leader with a passion for developing talent.
Carolyn pioneered a groundbreaking partnership with Richardson High School, the Hospitality Hub, a state-of-the-art simulated hotel lobby, providing students with an immersive learning experience. The innovative program provides students with invaluable hands-on experience, inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals.
Carolyn met her husband Bill in the hotel business and has been married for 36 years. They have 3 children, Dustin, Mackenzie and Austin, and two-year old granddaughter, Baker Paige. Carolyn loves to have fun, never takes herself too seriously and is a stranger to one. She truly believes that a career in the hotel business has not only been her calling but intends on her work being part of her legacy.
Vocational Rehabilitation Manager
Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Rolinda Duran | Manager Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Rolinda Duran is a Vocational Rehabilitation Manager with Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services. She has over twenty years experience working with persons with disabilities, assisting with advocacy, independent living skills training, and employment services. Rolinda has coordinated workshops, seminars, and training sessions at the local, regional, and state level for persons with disabilities, school district personnel, and vocational rehabilitation professionals. Rolinda manages an office of 45 staff with responsibilities for direct supervision including hiring, performance appraisals, and compliance with HR policies, and ensures that the agency’s mission is carried out.
Political Director
AFL-CIO
Lewis Fulbright | Political Director AFL-CIO
Vice President and Ethics Director
Texas Instruments
Bessie Gray | Texas Instruments
Superintendent
Irving ISD
Magda Hernández | Irving ISD Superintendent
I am humbled by the opportunity to lead this incredible district. I have proudly served Irving ISD for more than two decades because of our remarkable students and because it is a great community, says Superintendent Magda Hernández. I am fully committed to guiding the district with my leadership and passion for education to meet every student’s highest potential, improving our engagement with families and the community and positioning Irving ISD as a premier district.
Thank you to my colleagues for the shared passion to see each student succeed. Principals, teachers, support staff, administrators’ ‘ your zest for doing what’s right by kids is contagious. It is an exciting time to continue to be a part of team Irving, now in the role of Superintendent of Schools, and I look forward to continuing excellent success for our students and staff, added Hernandez.
Hernandez was named the lone finalist for the position last month. After completing the state required 21-day waiting period on Monday, she signed a contract during a special-called board meeting Tuesday afternoon.
The three-year contract is effective immediately.
“Although we are making history today with the hiring of the first female superintendent in Irving ISD, we are hiring someone who is also dedicated to this district,” says Board President Randy Randle. It was important to the board that the next leader of the district know Irving ISD, the students and the community. We are ready to hit the ground running, pairing her long tenure with the great momentum already in place.
Hernández began her career in the district 26 years ago as a bilingual aide before earning her teaching degree from Texas Woman’s University. Hernandez was then a bilingual and gifted and talented teacher at Good and Townley elementary schools before promoting to assistant principal at Townley. She then moved up to the administration building where she has served as human resources staffing and recruiting coordinator, director of human resources, assistant superintendent of human resources, associate superintendent of human resources and deputy superintendent of administrative services.
Hernández also held the position of assistant superintendent of human resources in Waxahachie ISD. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in educational administration from TWU. She holds superintendent certification from the University of North Texas. She currently serves as Region 10 Human Resources Advisory Board Member and District IV representative for the Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators (TASPA).
Senior Vice President of Community Impact
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
Susan Hoff | United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
Prior to joining the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas team in 2009, Susan was the CEO and President of ChildCareGroup, a Dallas based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, delivering and expanding the best child care services available outside the home. She worked in several other nonprofit organizations including Educational First Steps, Good Shepherd Community Center, and Rainbow Days.
President and CEO
Vogel
Karen Hughes | President and CEO Vogel
Early Career Karen has 41 years experience in early childhood and 25 years in nonprofit management. Her history includes teaching kindergarten in the public school system and owning her own early childhood center.
Prior to joining Vogel, Hughes was President & CEO at The Campagna Center Alexandria, VA, an organization operating high-quality programs that support child education. The Center’s services prepare children for school and ensure academic success at each grade level. Additional previous positions include Associate Executive Director/COO at the National Association for the Education of Young Children and Director of Child Care Services at Houston Community College.
Vogel During her tenure at Vogel, Karen Hughes’ leadership has transformed the nonprofit into the comprehensive facility it is today. She guides the staff through challenges and identifies goals that best support the children and families of Vogel.
Internal process successes include implementation of a strategic plan to measure outcomes of goals and objectives and development of an electronic data collection system. Hughes revised “customer friendly” enrollment procedures and implemented an EOS operating system to track outcomes of strategic initiatives.
Owner
Black Jack Enterprises
Terry Jones | Black Jack Enterprises, Owner
Terry began working for Zale Corporation as a computer operator in 1979 after he graduated high school. He worked there for at least 4 years. During this time, he also attended El Centro College in Downtown Dallas.
He was offered a better opportunity at Fidelity Union Life Insurance Company as a senior operator in 1985.
In 1985, Jones was offered a new assignment at Lomas and Nettleton, where he worked as a senior analyst.
Upon his retirement from Lomas and Nettleton in 1990, he founded Black Jack Pizza.During this time Jones also established his own record label, Black Jack Records where he managed and produced several local recording artists and also produced several music videos.
Mr. Jones has since established Black Jack Enterprises where he has developed several other business projects.
He is an avid golfer and enjoys playing golf throughout the city and around the world.
Chancellor
Dallas College
Dr. Justin Lonon | Chancellor, Dallas College
Lonon previously served as executive vice chancellor leveraging his institutional knowledge to provide intentional leadership to the finance, governmental relations, legal, board relations, diversity, equity and inclusion, facilities, human resources, innovation and technology, marketing and communications, safety and security, emergency management, institutional effectiveness and strategic initiatives functional areas.
Lonon served as a driving force in the consolidation of the 55-year-old Dallas County Community College District — and its seven colleges — into one Dallas College. The historic move helps to meet the needs of Dallas County students, improving their access to in-demand degrees and credentials.
With a keen focus on equity and inclusion, Lonon championed the creation of the college’s inaugural Office of Social Responsibility and Inclusion. The office is in response to Dallas College’s longstanding commitment to creating and promoting a diverse and inclusive environment that supports all students’ and employees’ pursuit of excellence.
Lonon’s experience as a collaborative leader in higher education transcends the executive suite. He previously served as interim president of Dallas College’s Brookhaven Campus, overseeing the 13,000+ students the campus welcomes each semester.
Prior to joining Dallas College in 2005, Lonon worked in the private sector providing public affairs council to local and national companies and non-profit organizations. Lonon began his career in Dallas at City Hall serving as press secretary for the Mayor’s Office.
Because of his commitment to higher education and the Dallas community, Lonon serves on several national and local boards including the Austin-based United Ways of Texas, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas’ Advancement Committee, the North Texas Crime Commission, the Dallas Father of the Year Awards, Rebuilding America’s Middle Class (RAMC), COMBASE, a national consortium of leading community colleges, and as past chair of the Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations for the American Association of Community Colleges, among others.
The Arkansas native earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Missouri State University, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Texas and a doctorate in management from the University of Maryland – Global Campus.
President and CEO
North Dallas Chamber of Commerce
Ken Malcolmson | President and CEO North Dallas Chamber of Commerce
Prior to joining the NDCC, Ken had a lengthy career as an executive in the health insurance and benefits business with Aetna, Towers Perrin, CIGNA, Express Scripts and most recently as the West Region CEO for the Commercial Segment of Humana. Immediately before joining the Chamber, Ken served as the CEO of a health care start-up – Afferent Provider Solutions.
Ken also has a real passion for civic engagement as evidenced by his key impact roles in numerous non-profit organizations. He has served on the Boards of Directors of the YMCA of Metro Dallas, the Dallas Regional Chamber, Momentous Institute, the Dallas Breakfast Group, the Dallas Friday Group and the Friends of Katy Trail.
Ken has a B.A. in political science and government from Southern Methodist University, where he has served on the Board of Trustees, Chair of the SMU Alumni Board, and a multitude of executive and advisory Boards.
About the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce
The North Dallas Chamber of Commerce is an association of businesses and individuals who come together to promote the most favorable environment for business. We are here to make Dallas a better place to live, work, raise a family and build a business.
DISD Board Trustee
Partner Emeritus
Law Firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld
Daniel J. Micciche | Partner Akin Gump
Key Experience
Extensive experience in tax and business planning.
Handles federal and state tax controversy matters.
Practice
Dan Micciche advises in business and tax planning for:
- acquisitions
- divestitures
- specialized capital structure planning
- the formation and operation of corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies.
Dan has a long record of service within the legal community in Texas. He is a former chair of the Section of Taxation of the State Bar of Texas and was elected by the Council of Chairs of the State Bar of Texas as one of six representatives on the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors. He served on the Comptroller’s Tax Advisory Group under three different Comptrollers.
Dan chaired the firm’s School Partnership Program with James Fannin Elementary School in Dallas, winning the Texas State Board of Education’s highest award for community partnerships. He currently serves on the Dallas office’s Inclusion Council and on the firm’s pro bono and retirement committees.
Education
J.D., University of Chicago Law School, 1981
B.A., Stony Brook University, State University of New York, with highest honors, 1978
Public Service and Affiliations
Trustee, Dallas Independent School District.
Member, board of directors, American Red Cross Dallas
Recognition
Named in Turnarounds & Workouts Top Bankruptcy Tax Specialists list, 2017-2018, 2020.
Honored by Advocate magazine for his work improving schools and fighting for children at the Children at Risk annual gala, 2019.
D Magazine, The Best Lawyers in Dallas, 2011 to 2020.
Chambers USA, Tax, 2003 to 2020.
Vice President of the Corporate Work Study Program and Strategic Initiatives
Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep
Gunnar Rawlings | Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep
After that, he worked in the commercial construction space for five years leading business development efforts for two separate large general contractors, Suffolk and DPR Construction. He helped Suffolk establish a North Texas office in 2017 and left to join DPR in early 2020 helping guide their business planning through the COIVD-19 pandemic.
Gunnar lives with his wife, Gaby, in Old East Dallas. He serves on the board of Jubilee Park and Community Center as well as the Texas advisory board for the Trust for Public Land. Previously, Gunnar worked with neighborhood advocates to get Crockett Dog Park built in their neighborhood. Currently, he is the Dallas District 2 appointee on the Community Bond Task Force for the anticipated $1.1 Billion 2024 bond election.
Texas Workforce Commission Integrated Services Area Manager (ISAM) for Region II
Crystal Sanders | Texas Workforce Commission Integrated Services Area Manager (ISAM) for Region II
Board Chair
The Human Impact
Grant Schmidt | Boad Chair, The Human Impact
In 2010, Grant graduated from the University of Notre Dame with honors and earned his Bachelor of Arts with a degree in Economics and Political Science. During his senior year, Grant served as student body president.
Grant currently serves on the Northern District of Texas’s Advisory Committee and previously served as the President of the Federal Bar Association’s Dallas Chapter. He is a member of the board of multiple organizations, including the Advisory Council of the Catholic Foundation, Saint Mary of Carmel Catholic School in West Dallas, Faith Fitness, and the Human Impact, a non profit that partners with the homeless of Dallas. Grant is a member of the City of Dallas’s Ethics Advisory Commission (appointed by Dallas City Council) and serves as the chair of the Dallas Alumni Steering Committee for the University of Texas School of Law. Grant formerly served as a member of the Executive Board of the Jesuit College Preparatory School Alumni Association, his high school alma mater.
Grant is also the creator and host of “I Do This Because,” a podcast that profiled the motivations and personalities of Dallas leaders.
Grant and his wife, Cynthia, who is also an attorney at Hilgers Graben, maintain their national practice in Dallas where they live with their 5 children.
Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer
Woodbine Development Corporation
T. Dupree Scovell | Woodbine Development Corporation
Prior to joining Woodbine, Dupree spent five years working for Trammell Crow Company in Dallas, where he focused on retail and mixed-use development projects. He was named one of “Tomorrow’s Newsmakers” by the National Real Estate Forum and was listed among “40 Under 40” by the Dallas Business Journal, which spotlights local executives for their professional and civic contributions to the local community. Early in his career, he was recognized by Dallas CEO magazine as one of the “Top 30 Real Estate Professionals Under 30.” Recently, he was named one of the Dallas CEO magazine’s 500 most powerful business leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Dupree earned four bachelor’s degrees from Texas Tech University and two master’s degrees from Stanford, including a M.Ed. from the Stanford Graduate School of Education and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Beyond real estate and hospitality, his passions include supporting public education, racial reconciliation and organizations that prevent human trafficking.
About Woodbine Development Corporation Woodbine Development Corporation is a full-service real estate company with more than 45 years of development, investment, acquisition and asset management experience. With offices in Dallas, Phoenix and Los Angeles, Woodbine specializes in hotels, resorts and mixed-use developments throughout the United States. The company’s hospitality portfolio features major brands, independent hotels, full-service destinations and select-service stays alike. Since 1973, Woodbine has been involved in more than $7 billion in commercial real estate projects, including the development, ownership, asset management, repositioning or renovation of over 17,000 hotel rooms. To learn more, visit www.woodbinedevelopment.com.
Assistant Vice President of External and Legislative Affairs
AT&T
Lisa Sherrod | Assistant Vice President, External and Legislative Affairs at AT&T
Previously, Lisa worked as Director of External and Community Relations for Tenet Healthcare. At Tenet, she managed national and local community relations efforts, supporting all of Tenet’s markets and hospitals. Lisa also managed the Tenet Foundation and supported Tenet government relations with a focus on coverage reform, in addition to serving on Tenet’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.
She successfully led company initiatives, including a national campaign connecting residents to healthcare coverage and the Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive. In 2019, this signature program collected over 4.5 million pounds of cereal by employees and donated to local food banks across the country.
In 2011, she received her Masters in Public Administration from the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University and completed her undergraduate studies at Alabama A&M University. Prior to working as Outreach Director for Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson in Dallas, she served on the Washington policy staff of Congresswoman Johnson and Congressman Ken Bentsen.
In addition to her professional work, Lisa is committed to several civic organizations, including The Family Place, Dallas Breakfast Group and the Dallas Regional Chamber Public Policy Council.
She is an alumna of Leadership Dallas and Leadership Texas programs. In 2020, Lisa chaired the UNCF North Texas Walk for Education which raises money for deserving college-bound minority students. She served as a 2023 Northpark Ambassador and was recognized as one of PNC’s 2021 North Texas Women in Business.
Lisa is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Dallas Chapter of The Links Inc. volunteer organization where she co-chaired the 2023 Women Who STEAM Awards Luncheon, which honors women in STEAM fields and provides scholarships for high school students.
Lisa has been featured in Roll Call, Congressional Quarterly, Paper City and Who’s Who In Black Dallas.
Chief of Staff
The Commit Partnership
Miquel Solis, Literacy | Chief of Staff | The Commit Partnership
Since 2009, Miguel Solis has served the residents of Dallas in the areas of education, housing, and transportation. Miguel began his professional career in Dallas as a teacher and later, special assistant to the Superintendent in the Dallas Independent School District; co-founded the non-profit Latino Center for Leadership Development; and ran the urban policy think tank Coalition for a New Dallas. In 2013, Miguel was elected to the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees at the age of 27. During his tenure he has also served as the Board President and Vice-President making him the youngest person ever to hold these roles.
As Dallas ISD Trustee, Miguel’s efforts included drafting and unanimously passing the district’s first early childhood education policy; a ban on out-of-school suspensions for the district’s youngest children which is now state law; a comprehensive racial equity policy and department; and helping to create the district’s revolutionary teacher excellence evaluation, support, and pay system among other initiatives. During his decade of service to the district, Dallas ISD underwent a monumental transformation which saw the number of its improvement required schools significantly reduced and its innovative concepts used as models for other districts across Texas and the nation.
Currently, Miguel serves as a Chief of Staff for The Commit Partnership. He conducts a national, state and local landscape analysis of school district professional development, recruitment opportunity racial equity policies and programming. He spearheads the design thinking process leading to the removal of discretionary in-school and out of school suspensions for DISD. Miguel serves as the program manager of professional learning for the Texas Urban Council consisting of ten of the largest school districts in Texas (Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, Aldine, and San Antonio ISDs). He also manages the creation of a regional tutoring support infrastructure to support Dallas County school districts with post-COVID19 academic recovery.
Miguel graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Harvard University with a Master of Education in Education Policy and Management.
Vice President of Global Philanthropy and Corporate Responsibility
JPMorgan Chase
Michelle Thomas | Vice President, Global Philanthropy Corporate Responsibility JPMorgan Chase
Michelle has been in the financial industry for more than 25 years as a banker, human resource and community development professional. A Dallas native, Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from the University of Oklahoma and a MBA from Dallas Baptist University. In addition, she received her teaching certification from the State of Texas and Oklahoma.
She is personally committed to the community through her many volunteer roles, including Advisory Board of the Center for Nonprofit Management, Junior League of Dallas and the Kipp DFW Council, Board of Director for the African American Museum, Dallas Summit, Methodist Health Foundation and UT Southwestern Medical Foundation. She is an alumnus of Leadership Dallas and a member of Dallas Assembly and Dallas Summit. Michelle was recently recognized as a 2014 Minority Business Leader in the Dallas Business Journal and the recipient of the 2015 Business and Civic Leader award by the Dallas Black Dance Theater and the 2015 Income Award by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. Under Michelle’s leadership, JPMorgan Chase received Outstanding Corporation of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2015. Being a catalyst for meaningful, positive, and sustainable change within high need neighborhoods and communities across the globe is important to JPMorgan Chase and to Michelle as a champion of the firm’s commitment to corporate responsibility.
Chase and J.P. Morgan are affiliates of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which employs more than 26,000 Texans. The firm employs more than 12,500 people in North Texas, making it one of the 10 largest employers in North Texas.
Partner
Frost Brown Todd Attorneys
Jason Villalba | Frost Brown Todd Attorneys
Jason serves most frequently as a seasoned business advisor, partner and general counsel for companies that have engaged him for his strategic, corporate, and legal advice on matters spanning financing, litigation, government relations, executive compensation, and operations.
Director, Corporate Affairs
Kroger
John Votava | Director of Corporate Affairs, Kroger
As a seasoned communications professional, he has managed proactive, reactive and crisis communications, both externally and internally, for corporations and agencies in the telecommunications, technology, real estate, and entertainment industries.
Prior to The Kroger Company, Votava held a variety of communications roles over 13 years at Sprint, where he was a primary point of contact for global, national, local, financial, and trade media interested in the company’s products and services.
He has also worked for several public relations agencies, specializing in planning, execution and delivering results for companies large and small on the local, national and global scale.
