D CEO

Meet the Dallas 500: Elizabeth Mack, Locke Lord LLP As chair of the environmental section of Locke Lord, Dallas office Managing Partner Elizabeth Mack’s fields of expertise include environmental litigation and environmental compliance. She also holds influence in other leadership positions. She was named “Outstanding Law Firm Pro Bono Coordinator” by the Dallas Bar Association and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Harvard Alumni Real Estate Board: A Member of the Harvard Alumni Real Estate Organization. Mack’s initiatives have centered around the well-being of the community, as well as the ecosystem. Federal issues like The Safe Drinking Water Act were pushed along by Mack, creating a huge impact on the public. Mack talks about her environmental practice, reveals her most embarrassing moments, and shares the best books she's recently read at the link below. #DCEO #Dallas500

Kate Rose Marquez grew up as the youngest of six children in South Bend, Indiana. The family lived about a mile away from University of Notre Dame, where her father, Jim Murphy, led public relations and fundraising efforts for the school, working out of the university’s iconic golden-domed Main Building. For Marquez, Notre Dame was an idyllic childhood playground. “I can tell you some of the best hide-and-seek places on campus,” she says. “I would ride my banana-seat bike around, learned to swim in the lakes, and took classical lessons for eight years in the music department.” Today, Marquez is CEO of Ascend Dallas, an influential community organization that until April was known as WiNGS. It launched in 1908 as the YWCA. It’s no surprise that her career path eventually led to nonprofit leadership. Marquez got her start working at her father’s fundraising events when she was in the fifth grade. But her meandering career path started with journalism. Her father, who worked as a television news producer before joining Notre Dame, oversaw the school’s Ave Maria Press, a publishing arm formed in 1865. She and her parents and siblings avidly consumed the news, with multiple newspapers landing in the front yard every morning and PBS NewsHour often playing on the television at night. “It’s what dictated our table conversations at dinner,” Marquez says. After earning a B.A. in American history and English (Notre Dame did not offer a journalism degree at the time), she worked as a television producer and radio broadcaster for NBC affiliates in South Bend. She moved to Dallas in 1989 and ran her own communications firm, before working at what’s now Cumulus Radio and DDB Needham Worldwide. A chance meeting ultimately led to her becoming VP of marketing at the Dallas Morning News, where she had a $13.7 million budget and a team of more than 30. The entrepreneurial bug bit again in 2001, and after developing branding and cause marketing initiatives for corporations and nonprofits for 17 years, she took over marketing and development for Society of St. Vincent de Paul of North Texas.  These myriad but aligned experiences made her the ideal choice to lead Ascend as CEO, a post she has held since January 2020. She hit the ground running and developed a new three-year strategic plan. Every single milestone was achieved within 18 months. The organization’s budget increased by 84 percent. In the past year, the number of clients served has grown by nearly 40 percent, and Marquez expects an additional 27 percent in growth by the end of this fiscal year. Read more on how Kate Rose Marquez is taking Ascend to new heights at the link below.

This week in personnel moves: Dallas Symphony Orchestra taps Michelle Miller Burns as President and CEO; PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh steps down after six years; SMU Cox School of Business Dean Matthew B. Myers plans to step down at the end of the 2024-25 academic year; and more at the link below. #DCEO #PersonnelMoves

“As a woman in leadership, there are often moments of self-doubt, where every decision feels scrutinized, and imposter syndrome looms large. However, during my time in EWLN, I have found reassurance that I am indeed on the right path and fulfilling my calling to utilize my experiences to effect positive change in my community.” Comments like this are why we created the Emerging Women Leadership Network last year. The EWLN cohort is designed to elevate your career, connect you with industry trailblazers here in Dallas, and gain the confidence, skills, and support needed to thrive as a leader. Our program offers invaluable opportunities for professional growth, networking, and mentorship from experienced leaders who have walked the same path. Apply now and join a group of dynamic women who are making a difference in Dallas. Remember, applications close on July 3rd, so don’t miss out! Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gW3rzd8E #WomenLeadership #DCEO #CareerDevelopment #LeadershipNetwork #Empowerment #ProfessionalGrowth #EWLN

On the Links With: State Fair of Texas® President Mitchell Glieber Don’t challenge Mitchell Glieber to a fairway-hitting competition. On a perfect spring day at Royal Oaks Country Club, the State Fair of Texas president brought his A-game from the tee box. And it’s not like the 57-year-old was bumping it 180 yards down the fairway—the former SMU wide receiver was ripping it 250. As the top executive for the State Fair of Texas, Glieber’s job is to ensure that the 24-day event is true to its roots yet innovative, fun yet secure, and—of course—a booming economic engine for the region. In 2023, the State Fair of Texas, a nonprofit event and organization, not only welcomed over 2.3 million visitors but also generated $80 million in revenue. With operating expenses just over $70.5 million, the fair was able to increase its net assets from $88.8 million to $102.5 million. The fair’s impact extended beyond financial success, contributing nearly $15.8 million to local philanthropic causes and over $17.4 million to more than 3,000 students through its Big Tex Scholarship Program. Glieber anticipates these numbers will continue to rise. 

It was an evening of celebration in Baton Rouge last Friday at the 2024 Editorial Excellence Awards. D CEO, the business title of D Magazine Partners, was named the best regional business magazine in the nation—for a fourth consecutive year. Judged by faculty at the esteemed University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism on behalf of the The Alliance of Area Business Publishers, the program is considered the Oscars of the industry. “This publication is impressive and distinctive, with a stylish look and a classic, refined sensibility that mirrors its city,” the judges wrote about their decision to award D CEO the Best of Show prize. “Covers are beautiful, with sophisticated typography and technically superb portraits. Design is graceful and well-balanced; and the writing is consistently excellent, with lively profiles and richly reported narratives. This is clearly a top-tier publication.” Creative director Hamilton Hedrick swept the design categories with four golds, including Best Overall Design and Best Use of Photography and Illustrations, along with Best Cover and Best Feature Layout, both for “The Loop Comes Full Circle.” The judges praised the photography by Kathy Tran and Hedrick’s “creative and resourceful” design, commenting on his “flawless execution” and calling his work “a clear cut above the rest.” Stories “come to life through exquisite and quintessential visual storytelling,” they wrote. “The design of this publication checks all the boxes, with impactful and memorable covers, beautiful photography, impressive use of illustrations, innovative designs, and a pioneering use of graphic elements.” The magazine’s annual Dallas 500 won gold in the Best Ancillary Publication category. And its “Roots” series, featuring stories written by Ben Swanger and Christine Perez, won a Silver award for Best Recurring Feature. “The tales of ambition, resolve, and resilience are expertly told with solid reporting and skillful writing,” the judges wrote. The Alliance of Area Business Publishers represents more than 70 regional and local business journals and magazines in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Puerto Rico. Together, they reach more than 1.2 million business professionals. Congratulations to the D CEO team! Christine Allison, Gillea Allison, Noelle LeVeaux, Christine Perez, Hamilton Hedrick, Ben Swanger, Will Maddox, Audrey Henvey, Layten Praytor.

This week in personnel moves: The North Texas Disability Chamber has named Dylan M. Rafaty, MADR, CDP (deaf/HoH) as its new president and CEO; Investment tech platform Nada Inc. has tapped Tore Steen as the company’s CEO and president; Global fin-tech company MoneyGram International has appointed Gary W. Ferrera as CFO; NDBT (North Dallas Bank & Trust) has formed a data analytics team that will be led by the newly created position of CAO, which will be assumed by James Tipton; Real estate services and investment firm Foundry Commercial has hired Beth Lambert as executive vice president. #DCEO #PersonnelMoves

Introducing D CEO's June/July 2024 issue, which showcases how Taylor Shead built her education-technology platform Stemuli, how Claudia Mirza capitalized on job loss and a chance encounter to build translation platform Akorbi, and an inside look at the state of women's entrepreneurship in DFW. North Texas has become one of the best places in the country for women to launch and run their own enterprises. Our comprehensive guide looks at DFW innovators, emerging leaders, big exits, challenges, and more. Paving a way is Taylor Shead, who founded her AI-powered company Stemuli in 2018. Today, her education platform boasts 100,000 learners and she hopes to triple that by next school year. For Mirza, she came of age in Cartago during the height of Colombia's violent drug wars. Now, her company Akorbi has translated more than 45 billion words. Also featured in the issue is Celanese CEO Lori Ryerkerk, who is a world-traveling scuba diver; Susan Sarich, who built the fast-growing SusieCakes Bakery; and Amy M. Stewart, who transitioned from a college basketball coach to a Dallas lawyer. Get the latest news, information, and insights on Dallas-Fort Worth business delivered right to your mailbox with a complimentary subscription to D CEO here: https://lnkd.in/gSypGYDZ #DCEO #AI

Jay deVenny is the new CEO of Medical City Healthcare Dallas. With a lengthy tenure at Medical City Healthcare, he will now lead the 909-bed hospital and its 3,300 employees, deVenny’s journey to this position has been marked by dedication and growth. deVenny began his career with what is now Baylor Scott & White Health, spending time at multiple Baylor facilities in Plano before joining Medical City Children’s and Women’s Hospital in 2013. He most recently served as CEO of those hospitals before moving down the block to Medical City Dallas. Reflecting on his experience, deVenny says his rise through the ranks is the result of prioritizing expansion and building his network, “I’ve spent a decade at Medical City Dallas, initially focusing on growth strategy and development. Through nurturing relationships with our healthcare partners, local leadership, and the talented physicians who serve here, I find myself now at the helm.” His roots are deep in his new hospital, as he was born in the hospital he now leads. He sees the appointment as a full-circle moment. Medical City Dallas will celebrate its 50th anniversary in October. Over the past five decades, the hospital has established a highly successful organ transplant program for kidney, pancreas, liver, and heart and become one of the largest oncology programs in North Texas. The hospital now boasts 100 specialties with more than 1,500 physicians. #DCEO #Healthcare

Meet the Dallas 500: Rick Merrill, Cook Children's Health Care System In 2023, Cook Children’s Health System, led by Rick Merrill since 2007, opened its 23-acre Prosper hospital in Denton County, part of a multiple-year expansion that will include an emergency department, surgical and procedural floor, pediatric ICU, and inpatient unit. The system was also named the fourth-best pediatric hospital in the Southwest by U.S. News & World Report. Prior to leading Cook, Merrill was the leader of Driscoll Health System. His truest passion is helping kids “know that they matter.” #DCEO #Dallas500