D CEO

This holiday season, give yourself a gift and cross this off your list. Register TODAY and set yourself up for success in 2025. Join us for D CEO’s Business Growth Summit on February 6, 2025, a powerful half-day event designed specifically for people like YOU - the business owners driving the North Texas economy. Do you lead a small – medium sized business? Presented by Amazon, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), and Comerica Bank, this summit is replete with keynotes and workshops that are timely and relevant. Join other leaders to learn, network, and elevate your business in 2025.   The program will help answer questions such as: - How can talent strategies be aligned with scalable growth? - How can we get the most from our banking relationship? - What are the secrets to building a sustainable brand? Save your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gRebsVvH

Get the inside scoop on the Dallas Region’s winning playbook at the Dallas Regional Chamber’s Annual Meeting, with a powerhouse lineup of all-star speakers and unparalleled networking opportunities at Globe Life Field. Join 1,000+ business leaders as we celebrate our successes, look forward, and dive into our region’s prosperity. Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gGMX_YJv #ad

After a decade at the helm of HKS, Inc., CEO Dan Noble will be stepping down from the role and handing the reins to Heath May, the current global practice director of HKS LINE (Laboratory for INtensive Exploration), Noble told D CEO in an exclusive interview. May will officially become CEO in January 2026 after a year of apprenticeship and preparation. “Leading HKS has been the privilege of a lifetime,” Noble says. “Over the years, I’ve had the honor of working with some of the most talented and creative individuals in our industry. Together, we have redefined what’s possible in architecture and design. I am confident that Heath’s leadership will propel HKS toward continued innovation and success.” The global architecture firm behind SoFi Stadium in LA, Jinjiang International Exhibition Center in China, AT&T Stadium and American Airlines Center in Dallas, and other iconic projects turns 85 this year. Noble was the firm’s fifth CEO. He was named to the post in 2014, but his career with the company goes back to 1983 when he joined as an intern architect. He never left. Noble was named director of design in 2009. During his tenure as CEO, according to the firm, HKS “expanded its global reach, diversified its portfolio, and fostered a culture that drives innovation, inclusivity, and community impact.” That included launching a strategic plan that teed the company up for exploring the implications of design beyond architecture. “We knew that our success depended on transformational leadership, and since then, we have made significant investments in developing our next generation of leaders,” Noble says. The firm has grown by leaps and bounds from its Dallas origins, now boasting 1,600 employees at 29 offices across the globe. The firm stands to generate about $600 million in revenue this year, Noble notes, and it saw 36,000 applicants apply for a job with the company this year. When considering who would fit the bill for the firm’s next chief executive, Noble and team had a number of characteristics in mind. “Where we think the future is going requires somebody who has an insatiable curiosity and an adept handle on the trajectory of technology as it’s integrated into our industry—how we can be leaders in that and not just participants,” Noble says. Humility and a sense of humor were also important, he adds, and design talent was key. “When you put all that together, there are a few people in our firm who have those tools, but I don’t think anyone has it to the degree and the balance that Heath does in a way that will resonate with the future of our talent base,” Noble says. 

Looking for the perfect place to grow your career AND enjoy life? Allen, Texas is booming as a tech hub, thanks to major companies like IntelliEPI leading innovation. With its prime location along the 75 Corridor, you get all the perks without the hassle of tollways. And after work? Explore unique spots like The Hub for fun and relaxation and Chicken N Pickle, coming in Spring 2025. Ready to see why professionals are flocking to Allen? Learn more at the link below. Allen Economic Development Corporation #ad

Our homes are inherently personal. They are the spaces into which we welcome friends and family, where we retreat for a respite after a long workday, and the places where we can most be ourselves. How we decorate and live in them offers a glimpse into who we are and what we hold most dear—our truest selves as told through statement art pieces, a beautifully set table, throw pillows, or even a messy kitchen that’s complete with tiny handprints dotting a stainless steel refrigerator. We recently asked three Dallas business leaders to show us the spaces they feel are most reflective of them. From a memento-filled dining room and multipurpose home office to a luxe lounge, these spaces provide intimate insights into their owners’ lives beyond the boardroom. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gaBBRFiC

Dallas businesses, it’s time to rethink your printing habits! Standley Systems is leading the way in helping companies reduce costs, streamline operations, and embrace the future with secure print solutions and document digitization. From healthcare to finance, discover how going paperless (or at least less paper) can transform your business! #ad

Nearly 500 of Dallas’ most influential business leaders gathered at the Dallas Museum of Art to celebrate the launch of D CEO’s 10th edition of the Dallas 500. This honors North Texas’ most powerful and impactful executives across more than 50 industry categories. Guests at the exclusive event enjoyed light bites served throughout the evening, photo opportunities, a popcorn and candy bar by MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEETER, craft cocktails from On The Rocks, and samples of aged rye whiskey by WhistlePig Whiskey. The Dallas 500 is the result of months of meticulous research and hundreds of personal interviews conducted by D CEO editors. Each year, the list evolves as new names are added and others fall off, reflecting the dynamic nature of leadership in the region. The 2025 edition introduces 181 new honorees, featuring a blend of well-known figures, emerging talent, and behind-the-scenes leaders who drive the local economy. During the event, Gillea Allison, President of D Magazine Partners, expressed her gratitude for the thriving Dallas business community. We also had the pleasure of hearing from our title sponsors, Rogge Dunn of Rogge Dunn Group, PC and Ryan Chismark, CCIM of Meritax Advisors, who shared their insights and expressed their enthusiasm for supporting this celebration of Dallas’ most influential leaders. Christine Perez, Editor of D CEO, followed with remarks on the publication’s significance before unveiling the 2025 cover stars: Vikram Agrawal of American Resilience Partners, Jennifer Sampson of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Jenny Martinez of Munck Wilson Mandala LLP, Rogers Healy of Morrison Seger Venture Capital Partners, NéAndré Broussard of BMW Digital, Mahisha Dellinger of Huzzy Smart Sips, and Nirav Tolia of Nextdoor. A special thank you to our title sponsors—JBB Advanced Technologies, Meritax Advisors, and Rogge Dunn Group, PC—for their generous support in making this event a success, as well as our premier sponsors for their invaluable contributions. See full scenes from the Dallas 500 event here: https://lnkd.in/ekYyd-ih See the full list of honorees featured in the 2025 Dallas 500: https://lnkd.in/gC7gVMNt

Dr. Sana Syed has always known she wanted to put human rights front and center in her life. “I’m one generation removed from war,” she said. “The war that happened in post-colonial India tore my entire family heritage apart.” It resulted in multigenerational trauma that she inherited—a trauma that took years to address. It was a journey that included pursuing a doctorate degree and growing a passion for human rights advocacy. Today, she’s the president of POETIC, a nonprofit that focuses on supporting girls who have been victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse. The organization focuses on using therapy, counseling, and education in a safe environment to support girls in the juvenile justice system and in the child protective service system.    She’s well aware of the mission before her. Syed notes that Texas is No. 2 in the country for human trafficking and 48th in the country for mental health services. According to POETIC, an estimated 19,000 girls are sold for sex in North Texas each year. The average age that girls become victims of sex trafficking is 13. In addition, 70 to 90 percent of sex trafficking victims were abused as children. “Some of our girls have been bought and sold,” Syed said. “They have been trafficked. Some of them have just endured immense trauma, sexual violence, domestic violence, and so [we are] able to give them a safe space where they can come in and they can heal and they can be valued and seen as a human being.” That includes trauma therapy, art therapy, a school program that allows clients to earn their GED or high school diploma, and a design company that allows clients to earn an hourly wage for creating stationery out of recycled paper in an effort to teach them about employment, addressing adversity in a workplace, and overcoming obstacles. The programs are showing results. Ninety-five percent of POETIC clients do not return to the juvenile detention system. And clients don’t age out—Syed noted there are women in their early 20s who are a part of the POETIC community. Looking ahead, Syed is exploring the opportunity for the nonprofit to incorporate other types of trauma therapies as a way to expand the organization’s offerings. Syed also looking at how to expand the nonprofit’s social enterprise arm in a way that allows clients to join POETIC as paid employees. There are hopes to position POETIC to be a part of preventative measures, too. Syed said she is looking to develop a program that allows staff to share information with law enforcement agencies, including what they’re seeing on the ground and what they’ve heard from their clients. The goal, she said, would be to let agencies know about areas and traits that have come to POETIC staffs’ attention. Read the full story from Audrey Henvey below.

You’re invited to join us for D CEO’s Business Growth Summit on February 6, 2025, a powerful half-day event designed specifically for the business owners driving the North Texas economy. Small – medium sized businesses face unique challenges, but you’re not alone. This summit is packed with expertise and relevant topics through keynotes and workshops that will inject enthusiasm into tackling a new year. Come alongside other business owners to explore topics like these, network, and gather the inspiration to elevate your business in 2025.

Twenty years ago, Julie Diaz moved from the East Coast to North Texas. Up until that point, the Atlanta native had spent most of her professional career working in Boston and Philadelphia. After working for Southern Methodist University, the Greenhill School, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, she joined The Dallas Foundation in 2019 as executive vice president and COO. This past March, she was named president and CEO of the near-century-old organization, which has doled out more than $1 billion in grants since its inception in 1929. “Community foundations at their core have been entrusted by people to support and care for the community in which they are in,” Diaz says. “By nature, they are a collection of people who make investments in different causes in different ways. Mechanically speaking, we are a collection of funds. There’s nuance around how money comes, where people make investments, and how they go out into the community.” One of the notable collaborations in which the Dallas Foundation has been involved over the past several years is the Water Cooler at Pegasus Park, where the organization is based. It serves as managing partner in conjunction with Lyda Hill Philanthropies, among others, of the 175,000-square-foot complex. It’s one of the largest nonprofit shared spaces in the country, housing 35 social impact organizations with a total of 700 employees. The project reflects the region’s vibrant nonprofit sector. “When I moved here from the East Coast, my friends said, ‘The thing with Dallas is that can-do spirit is real,’” Diaz says. “People here have an amazing sense of pride, there is energy and enthusiasm to embrace the city. Over the past few decades, North Texas has been one of the most philanthropic regions in the country—and that’s not going to stop.” One of the foundation’s main area of interest is early childhood initiatives, from early learning and childcare to the wraparound issues affecting a child’s life, such as parents’ employment and transportation status. Diaz and The Dallas Foundation has also played a key role in supporting The Commit Partnership and its Opportunity 2040 project, which is aimed at creating enhanced economic mobility for more than 150,000 Dallas County students as well increasing the rate of livable wages for young adults. Looking ahead, she and her team are at work on strategic planning, mainly focusing on the organization’s centennial in 2029. “How do we commemorate and document those stories and our role [in the past century]?” Diaz says. “There’s not a big civic project in Dallas that we’ve not been a part of. I’m excited about what that can do for the foundation while ensuring the organization is as strong as possible. “Our superpower is understanding the current needs and how philanthropy can make a difference,” Diaz says. “We’re always working with folks today and looking ahead at what’s coming—and how to anticipate being able to make a difference in those different areas.”