On track for women

Empowering Dallas luncheon races to raise funds with track & field superstar Allyson Felix

What: Texas Women’s Foundation Luncheon

Where: Hilton Anatole Hotel

The 411: The most decorated American Track & Field Olympian of all time, Allyson Felix, raced into Dallas to help raise funds in support of women and girls.

Appropriately themed "Transforming Texas," the Texas Women’s Foundation 37th annual luncheon on October 6 was co-chaired by business leaders Laura Nieto and Rachel Vinson, with Hilda Galvan serving as Texas Women’s Foundation board chair, and Miki Woodard, the organization's president and chief executive officer.

After a high-spirited performance by Garland High School's award-winning step team and opening remarks and tributes, the main event of the afternoon was an on-stage conversation between Felix and Cynt Marshall, president and CEO of The Dallas Mavericks and author of the just-released memoir You’ve Been Chosen: Thriving Through the Unexpected.

Felix and Marshall talked their love of track (both ran track), sports, role models, motherhood, and transformation. Little-known fact: Felix started out as a basketball player before she decided to try track. “This is my thing that makes me feel alive. I found out I like to win,” she told the audience.

Off the track, the winner of 27 global medals has made it her mission to help women. Felix parted ways with her shoe sponsor, Nike, when they asked her to take a 70 percent pay cut when she got pregnant — so she started her own line, called Saysh, shoes designed for and by women. She's also advocated for better childcare, which, she expressed, is an ongoing struggle for women.

In a unique twist, more than 200 students live-streamed the luncheon program next door. They were from Young Women’s Preparatory Network, Sunset P-TECH, Early College High School – Carrollton, and Woodrow Wilson High School.

To them, Felix said, “We think we have to have a massive platform, but you don’t. Start where you’re at. Know your worth and know your value.”

At the conclusion of the luncheon, the co-chairs donned their sneakers onstage and left the crowd with an empowering message: “We can’t continue to stay where we are … we have to sprint towards a better Texas for all. Let’s cross this finish line together."

Fundraising totals were still being tallied as of press time. Luncheon proceeds support the foundation's work to advance women’s economic security, leadership, education, health and safety in Texas through research, advocacy, programs, and grantmaking.

Who: Clarissa Luckey, Catherine Helm, Ashley Slaughter, Ashley Harris, Jennifer Stimpson, Tricia Watson, Cousia Towns, Arnetta Harris, Favor Lee, Mylinh Luong, Charmaine Tang, Tracey Doi, Gowri Sharma, Radhika Zaveri, Neena Newberry, Jessica Robinson, Jennifer Bartlett, Rachel Sargent, Melissa Lynch, Lily Brown, Shonn Brown, Ryan Brown, Samantha Ward, Mike Ireland, Bonnie Clinton, Shrini Arole, Tiffanie Rice, Rebecca Bennett, Trenessia Smith, and Sophia Swalbach.

Photo by Kim Leeson for Texas Women’s Foundation

Rachel Vinson, Allyson Felix, Laura Nieto

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