The Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO DFW) announced the induction of its 2025–2026 Board of Directors. The new leadership team was officially installed during the organization’s Annual Induction Ceremony, held on June 26 at the Tower Club Dallas. This year marks the beginning of a dynamic new chapter under the leadership of Chapter President Karen “KJ” Johnson, with a visionary theme: Empower. Connect. Innovate: Leading Change, Shaping the Future.
KJ Johnson, an acclaimed empowerment coach and business strategist, leads the board with a clear mission: to elevate the visibility, voice, and impact of women entrepreneurs across the region through strategic advocacy, high-impact programming, and deeper member engagement. “This year is about building momentum, creating access, and leading boldly. When women rise, communities thrive—and NAWBO DFW is here to ensure every woman business owner has the tools, support, and sisterhood to do just that,” Johnson said.
The full 2025–2026 Board of Directors includes: ● Karen “KJ” Johnson – President ● Sammi Bivens – President-Elect ● Kate Winsor – Immediate Past President ● Traci McCulley – Secretary ● Tina O’Banion – Treasurer ● Crystal Johnson – Marketing Director ● Dr. Lakeiah Cheatham – Mentorship Director ● Charmaine Byers & Eboni Joseph-Wilson – Programs Co-Chairs ● Carol Urton – Membership Director ● Kristian McCray Stewart & Quin Cromer – Public Policy Co-Chairs ● Latasha Varnadoe-Iloabuchi – DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging) Director ● Ruki Roti-Balogun – Technology Director ● Terri Alford – Chapter Development Director
With programming centered on topics like leadership, innovation, access to capital, and community-building, the board plans to roll out signature initiatives such as the NAWBO ThinkTank, Brews & Views with KJ, The InvestHer Fund, and an EmpowerHER Leadership Series. These initiatives aim to foster deeper connection, provide tactical resources, and strengthen the economic influence of women business owners across DFW.
After serving the National League of Cities as the Program Manager for Children & Nature, Melanie Robinson has started a new position as Director of the Institute for Social Impact at The Hockaday School.
Amy Adkins joins the Trinity Valley School in August as Chief Advancement Officer. She previously served as President of the Baylor Scott & White All Saints Health Foundation.
YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is excited to announce Grace Lewis as their new Corporate Membership Sales Director. She comes to the YMCA from the TCU Sales Center where she supported student and coaches as a Senior Sales Coach.
The Dallas Foundation welcomes Kelsey Picken, PhD, CFRE, CSPG, as the new Senior Director of Legacy Giving at The Dallas Foundation. Kelsey brings over a decade of experience spanning higher education, healthcare, and the arts—along with a deep commitment to helping individuals and families build lasting, purpose-driven philanthropic legacies.
Streams & Valleys is thrilled to announce Lauren Deen as its new Executive Director. A Fort Worth native with more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Deen brings a proven track record in fundraising, community engagement, and organizational growth across education, conservation, and public health sectors.
Goodwill North Central Texas announced that Lynn Allsup has joined the nonprofit as Director, Finance & Accounting. In this role, Allsup will oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes, assist with organizational budgeting and lead the accounting team in supporting Goodwill’s operational and mission-focused initiatives. She brings more than 30 years of experience in finance, accounting and audit leadership roles.
Across Texas, volunteers are transforming lives and strengthening communities every day. The Governor’s Volunteer Awards honor these inspiring stories, offering statewide recognition for the diverse ways Texans give their time, talents, and hearts to serve others.
How have volunteers made a difference in your community this year? Celebrate their impact by nominating them for the 42nd Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards! Nominations are open to individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to service and created lasting, positive change in Texas communities. Nominations due Monday, September 29, 2025.
North Texas Community Foundation announced that it has awarded $590,500 in operating support to 22 nonprofit organizations through the inaugural cycle of the BEACON (Building Economic Access, Community, Opportunity & Networks) Fund.
This new grant cycle drives community development in historically disinvested neighborhoods. By providing operational support to organizations focused on housing, jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential elements required for a thriving community, BEACON aims to illuminate the path for nonprofits to create community-driven change.
BEACON was created to strengthen nonprofits focused on the essential elements of thriving communities, from affordable housing, education, workforce development, healthcare, and more. Grants provide flexible operational support, allowing organizations to meet pressing needs while continuing to grow and sustain their impact. Notably, 32% of the selected grantees are receiving their first-ever grant from NTCF, reflecting a commitment to expanding opportunity and reaching new partners driving impact at the neighborhood level.
In addition to receiving funding, grantees will participate in a yearlong cohort designed to foster professional development, peer learning, and network-building. This collaborative approach aims to deepen organizational capacity and amplify community impact.
“The BEACON Fund supports the extraordinary work already happening in our communities,” said Whitnee Boyd, EdD, director of community impact at North Texas Community Foundation. “We are most grateful to the nonprofits, community leaders, and grantees who helped to co-create this grant cycle allowing us to not only shine a light on the needs of our neighborhoods but also uplift the leaders addressing the needs.”
The 2025 BEACON Fund grantees include:
>4 Saints Episcopal Food Pantry
>619 Productions
>Artes de la Rosa
>BRAVE/R Together
>Building Pathways
>Community Frontline
>Community Healing and Mental Health Project
>Como Lions Heart
>Create + Collaborate
>Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber
>Grace Lutheran Church
>Hispanic Real Estate Brokers Association
>Hope Farm
>Jewel’s Comfort Keeper
>Literacy United
>Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization
>National Juneteenth Museum
>Northside Inter-Community Agency
>Opening Doors For Women In Need
>Tarrant County Academy of Medicine
>The Thank You Darlin’ Foundation
>Water From The Rock
To identify areas of highest need, NTCF utilized the Centers for Disease Control’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), which incorporates data on income, housing, transportation, and healthcare access. This approach ensures funding reaches neighborhoods facing the greatest barriers to opportunity.
A dedicated grant committee composed of community leaders, past grantees, and subject-matter experts reviewed applications and helped ensure funding aligned with on-the-ground needs. Their deep knowledge of local challenges played a critical role in the selection process.
“Receiving this grant brings me joy. Knowing that community leaders served as the grants committee makes me feel seen for the work I do by the community I love and serve. It is an amazing feeling,” said Lachelle Goodrich, executive director of Community Healing and Mental Health Project.
The inaugural BEACON Fund grant cycle was generously supported by the following donors, whose investment makes this work possible:
>ABBA Homan Charitable Fund
>Anonymous Fund
>Don & Barbara Kirk Endowment Fund
>Doris C. & Harry K. Werst Charitable Fund
>Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates
>Fort Worth Advancement Fund
>George C. & Sue W. Sumner Fund
>Hanley Family Charitable Fund
>Jack W. & Paula J. Winter Charitable Fund
>Kristie & Brian Gibson Charitable Fund
>Lisa & Burch Waldron Charitable Fund
>Mebane Atteberry Charitable Fund
>Si & Buck Martin Legacy Fund
>The Sharon Ann McCulloch-Wells & John W. Wells Endowed Fund
“The BEACON Fund is an important step toward building stronger, more resilient communities across our region,” said Rose Bradshaw, president & CEO of North Texas Community Foundation. “These grantees are trusted leaders doing impactful work. Our goal is to provide the flexible support they need to continue serving their communities effectively.”
The All Neighbors Coalition announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a qualified subrecipient to implement a Rapid Rehousing program. This program provides short-term rental assistance, case management, and linkage to community-based services to support housing stability for eligible households.
The FY2024 Rapid Rehousing RFP includes funding being pursued through the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Domestic Violence (DV) Bonus. This funding is specifically designated to serve households who are experiencing trauma or lack of safety due to fleeing or attempting to flee or domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Eligible households must meet the criteria outlined in Category 4 of the HUD homeless definition under 24 CFR 578.3 or section 103(b) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
This opportunity is exclusively available to HUD-designated Victim Service Providers (VSPs).
Review the application details. The application will open on Thursday, August 7th. All applications are due no later than Monday, August 18th at 11:55 p.m.
The 2025 Dallas History Makers Awards for Excellence will be the 44th annual award event held by the Dallas Historical Society. The awards were established on behalf of the Trustees of the Dallas Historical Society in 1981. The first Awards program was so well received it was decided to continue the idea of recognizing community service with an annual awards ceremony sponsored by the Society.
Outstanding individuals and organizations are selected for this honor from nominations solicited from the Dallas community. The recipients are chosen for their contribution to the quality of life in Dallas in multiple categories, including Arts Leadership, Business, Creative Arts, Education, Health/Science, History, Humanities, Philanthropy, Volunteer Community Leadership and Jubilee History Maker. Recipients must be residents of Dallas County and willing to accept their awards in person. Awards are not voted posthumously.
Awards Recipients:
Arts Leadership – Dr. Samuel S. Holland
Honored for being a long-standing champion of the Dallas arts community and as the Dean of the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, he has fostered an environment where innovation and artistic excellence thrive by bringing his leadership and musical accomplishments to the faculty and student population.
Business – Microchip Cookies
Honored for being founded by two “Mompreneurs in America” according to the Katie Couric Show, theMicrochip Cookie is the world’s smallest chocolate chip cookie and has become an international sensation.
Creative Arts – Tomás Bustos
Honored for being a distinguished artist, educator, and mentor, Tomás Bustos founded the Fine Arts Sculpture Studio, nurturing emerging artists. In retirement he is involved in Masterpiece Relief for the Blind, which makes fine art accessible to the visually impaired through 3D relief sculptures.
Education – Mary Pat Higgins
Honored for her dedication to education as the former Head and CFO of The Hockaday School and currently the President and CEO of The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, her devotion to education our community on civil rights, history, and social injustice is unparalleled.
Health/Science – Dr. Robert Fine
Honored for his commitment to palliative care for end-of-life patients and their families, through lectures and teaching. As the Director of Baylor Scott & White Health’s 18 supportive palliative teams he is an expert leader is this much neglected field.
History – Harryette Ehrhardt
Honored for her dedication to the preservation of historic structures and those whose stories helped build them, the staunch humanitarian is a symbol of how history can benefit our community.
Humanities – Donna Wilhelm
Honored for her thoughtful and deliberate support of mental health, conservation and education efforts, her involvement with the Dallas Theater Center, KERA, NPR Foundation, DFW World Affair Council, and SMU Meadows Data Arts, to name a few, has enhanced their services and programing.
Philanthropy – Hoblitzelle Foundation
Honored for approving over 3,500 grants to Dallas and Texas’s non-profit community since 1942. TheFoundation has supported institutions that provide social, cultural, educational, and medical services.
Volunteer Community Leadership – Founders Garden Club of Dallas
Honored for the restoration and historic preservation of the Aldredge House Museum Conservatory, which encourages educational outreach, partnerships with historic architecture and horticulture experts and volunteers, enabling the Conservatory to be an asset to the community.
Jubilee History Maker – Friends of the Katy Trail
Honored for a 25+ year commitment to transforming an abandoned 3.5-mile rail line that ran through the middle of Dallas into a flourishing outdoor amenity that offers Dallas a clean, safe, and beautiful trail.This public-private venture is a prime example of how such a partnership can benefit the citizens of Dallas.With millions of visits from the community each year the Katy Trail has become a recreational haven forDallas.
Contact for more information: Ashlee Weidner, Director of Marketing and Development ashlee@dallashistory.org or call 214-421-4500 x 107.
Prism Health North Texas (PHNTX) is proud to announce Alexis Bromley as the new Director of Development for the organization. The creation of the position comes as funding needs increase as federal funding is in flux.
Bromley joins PHNTX from previous experience in Omaha, NE. Positions at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Seventy-Five North Revitalization Corporation led to her role as the Founding Executive Director of One Omaha, a city-sponsored neighborhood improvement program transformed into an independent 501(c)3 organization.
Corey Troxell started a new position in June as Chief Communications and Development Officer at Communities In Schools of the Heart of Texas. Corey is a Learning and Development Specialist with an MBA and over nine years in combined education and business leadership.
Pegasus Park, the 26-acre and 885,000-square-foot mixed-use office campus serving as a hub of biotech, life sciences, social impact, and corporate innovation Dallas Design District and Southwestern Medical District, has officially named David E. Snow, PhD, as the campus’ first Executive Director. Dr. Snow joins Pegasus Park with more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of research, entrepreneurship, and economic development, and is passionate about the power of place-based innovation and the opportunity for community it brings.
Rivertree Academy welcomes Michael Handley as the new Director of Finance. Michael transitions from his role as Vice President of Development at Communities in Schools of Greater Tarrant County.
Shay Feeney has started a new position as Director of Philanthropic Strategy at ConnectIDD, where she previously served as Director of Operations.
Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas promoted Beth Myers from CEO to President. she and her team help young women in and around Dallas County break the cycle of poverty and achieve lasting success. Under her leadership, the organization has grown from approximately 1,000 girls served annually to nearly 3,000 in 2022. She has the vision to serve 25,000 girls by the end of this decade.
YMCA of Metropolitan Ft. Worth brings Jacob Meeks on as Director of Impact Funding. An award-winning Division I student-athlete turned mission-driven nonprofit professional, Jacob brings a powerful combination of discipline, creativity, and purpose to this vital role. With experience in grant writing, fundraising, and community engagement, most recently at a local art museum. Jacob has built a career centered on amplifying access, preserving culture, and driving sustainable impact.
Tasha Majewski expands her role with Dynamic Development Strategies to full-time grant writer. With nearly a decade of nonprofit grant experience, Tasha Majewski has written more than 400 proposals and helped secure over $14 million in funding, with a focus on healthcare, education, and social services. Her expertise strengthens fundraising strategies and supports mission-driven organizations making a lasting impact.
Heritage Grocers Group, the largest Hispanic and ethnic food retailer in the country and parent company of El Rancho Supermercado (El Rancho), is joining Texas Health Resources in its efforts to make fresh produce more affordable for area families. Heritage is working with Texas Health to offer Double Up Food Bucks Texas benefits to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients at eight of its North Texas El Rancho stores. El Rancho’s entry into the program brings the total number of grocery stores and farmers markets accepting Double Up Texas benefits in North Texas to 25.
Double Up Texas is led statewide by Sustainable Food Center and carried out regionally by Texas Health Community Hope, Texas Health’s unique approach to promoting healthier futures through a broad range of impactful initiatives, investments, and collaborations. The program allows shoppers receiving SNAP benefits to double their purchasing dollars when buying fresh fruits and vegetables at participating grocers and farmers markets by either matching or discounting fresh produce purchases. This work is supported by the Double Up Food Bucks Texas program, project award No. 2024-70415-43711, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
As an introductory offer through August 31, anyone using a Lone Star Card at a participating El Rancho store will automatically receive 50% off their fresh produce purchase, up to $10 per day per transaction. After that date, the offer will be 50% off, up to $5 per day per transaction.
“We’re proud to partner with Texas Health to expand the Double Up Food Bucks program in North Texas,” said Adam Salgado, president and executive director for the Heritage Grocers Giving Foundation. “Making benefits available to our customers means more nutritious food on the table for families who need it most. But the impact goes beyond individual households. This partnership is a commitment to food security, to public health, and to the well-being of the communities we serve every day.”
Since its inception, El Rancho Supermercado has been dedicated to making Hispanic customers feel at home. The company prides itself on selling authentic and affordable offerings in a welcoming environment. The eight El Rancho locations participating in the Double Up Texas program are:
655 W. Illinois Ave., Dallas, TX 75224
701 S. Stemmons Freeway, Lewisville, TX 75067
10020 Marsh Lane, Dallas, TX 75229
4812 South Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76115
821 N. McDonald St., McKinney, TX 75069
2506 S. Belt Line Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
3460 W. Walnut St., Garland, TX 75042
3535 N. Belt Line Road, Irving, TX 75062
Double Up Texas benefits are also available at three additional El Rancho locations — two in Houston and one in Odessa.
“El Rancho has a well-established and trusted local presence,” said Matt Dufrene, a vice president for Texas Health. “El Rancho’s participation in this important initiative means more local families can now access Double Up Texas benefits, and that’s a win for the well-being of our entire community.”
Texas Health first introduced Double Up Food Bucks to North Texas in 2020 at Fort Worth’s Cowtown Farmers Market as part of its larger efforts to make healthy choices easier and more accessible. The program has since expanded to include Foodland Markets and Tom Thumb grocery stores, as well as a number of additional farmers market locations.
Double Up Texas locations are selected based on a variety of factors, including findings from the Texas Health Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA); the geographic area served by vendors willing and able to implement the Double Up Texas program; and the ability to fund new locations. Texas Health continues to seek out funding partners and expand Double Up Texas by working with area merchants to accept and promote benefits. Plans are in place to add additional Double Up locations in the coming year.
A full list of locations for Double Up Texas and Texas Health’s other healthy food access programs can be found at this link.
The North Texas Food Bank is proud to announce that Annam Manthiram has joined them as the new Chief External Affairs Officer and member of their executive leadership team. In this vital role, Annam will lead their external engagement strategy—encompassing philanthropy, marketing and communications, volunteer engagement, public policy, and more. Her experience in strategic planning, fundraising, and wrap-around services will be instrumental in advancing their mission to close the hunger gap in North Texas.
The North Texas Community Foundation welcomes two new faces to the NTCF team! Sabrina Conner joins as Community Impact Program Officer, where she will oversee the Foundation’s grant cycles and help drive positive outcomes. William Abigail, CPA, takes on the role of Advisor Relations Specialist, strengthening partnerships with professional advisors. Together, their expertise will deepen community partnerships and enhance our philanthropic impact across North Texas.
Center for Transforming Lives is thrilled to announce two new members to their leadership team: Corrie A. Harris, MA, MBA, Chief Development Officer, and Steven Gonzalez, Chief Operating Officer. Corrie and Steven join the team at a pivotal moment with the opening of the new Riverside Campus, and Center for Transforming Lives is thankful to have their experience, expertise and vision during this new chapter!
Arlington Charities welcomes new CEO. Vicky Martinez is happy to announce her new role as Chief Executive Office of Arlington Charities. She previously served at the Tarrant Area Food Bank for over fifteen years.
