Sculpting for a Cure

Philanthropic Dallasites show a lot of heart at fashionable luncheon

For its 34th year, the St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show took the party outside — sort of. A crystal-clear tent was erected in the CenterPark Garden at presenting sponsor NorthPark Center, meaning that guests at this cherished fundraiser could look out over the spring florals and stunning outdoor artwork while they helped fund the fight against blood cancer.

Chairs Rozalyn Columbo and Nancy Gopez, along with sponsors Nancy and Richard Rogers and Melody and Rick Rogers, welcomed a parade of attendees clad in shades of crimson, scarlet, fuchsia, and ruby, all dressed to honor the luncheon's namesake holiday. Keeping to the theme, flutes of Impatience rosé were passed while honorary chair Nancy Nasher and advisory chair Heather Perttula Randall mingled with the crowd.

To get the program started, emcee and Fox 4 anchor Clarice Tinsley introduced LLS board chair Don Armstrong and executive director Dr. Patricia Thompson. Tissues were quickly pulled out of handbags all over the room as the two detailed the efforts of the LLS, which has invested more than $1 billion in research funding since its inception in 1949.

Honoring the afternoon's award recipients began by presenting the Memorial Hero award to Kimberly Alexander on behalf of her late husband, Elijah. Before being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2005, Elijah had a 10-year career in the NFL as a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, and Oakland Raiders. He started the Tackle Cancer Foundation, which provides financial and emotional assistance to those battling cancer, and Kimberly has continued his legacy.

Next, Mona Carlton Stogner and Greg Stogner received the Lynda Adleta Heart of Gold award for their steadfast dedication to the LLS-led Beat AML initiative in honor of Mona's late brother, Olan.

And if the previous two recipients weren't touching enough, 7-year-old Kaitlyn Johnson joined Tinsley onstage to accept the Spirit of Tom Landry Character award. A video featuring Kaitlyn and her parents, James and Mandy, detailed the little girl's two separate battles with cancer, and how LLS-funded groundbreaking CAR-T therapy helped her beat it for good.

Guests finally got to dry their eyes during the fashion show, where Jan Strimple sent dozens of models down the runway to show off spring looks from CH Carolina Herrera, Elie Tahari, Canali, Roberto Cavalli, Rebecca Taylor, Peek Kids, and Neiman Marcus. Each of these NorthPark retailers, along with several others, invited guests to shop for a cause after the luncheon by donating a portion of sales back to LLS.

A meal of butternut squash soup, quiche, and pretty pink cupcakes from Wolfgang Puck Catering got guests ready to donate even more through purchasing raffle tickets, which included such outstanding prizes as a suite at the P!ink concert on May 1 at the American Airline Center, a trip to Carolina Herrera's showroom in New York City, a mink coat, moonstone and diamond chandelier earrings, and $5,000 in NorthPark Gold with a 2018 VIP valet card.

Underwriting chairs Carmaleta Whiteley Felton and Kim Hext, table sales chairs Maggie Kipp and Mary Parker, raffle chairs Jenna Alexander and Andrea Nayfa, and design and decor chair Cathy Kincaid must have surely considered the afternoon a success, as the event surpassed its budget of $630,000.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer and funds lifesaving research around the world while also providing free information and support services.

Melody Rogers, Nancy Gopez, Rozalyn Colombo, Nancy Rogers

Photo by Dana and Daniel Driensky

Melody Rogers, Nancy Gopez, Rozalyn Colombo, Nancy Rogers

Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

executives parks klyde warren park