Dallas Leadership Luncheon

Carine M. Feyten, PhD
Chancellor and President, Texas Woman's University

Christopher Johnson
President, TWU Dallas

Ralph Hawkins
Honorary Chair Emeritus

Lucy Billingsley
Honorary Chair

Lee Callum
Honorary Chair

Texas Woman’s University’s Dallas Leadership Luncheon and presentation of the 2027 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award will take place on Thursday, March 25, 2027 at the Dallas Hilton Anatole. Jennifer Sampson will be recognized as the 2027 awardee.

The Dallas Leadership Luncheon, founded by Virginia Chandler Dykes, is a Texas Woman’s University signature event honoring one of Dallas’ most accomplished citizens, heightening the visibility of the university, and raising funds for graduate student scholarships. Scholarship funding is key to helping TWU attract the best and brightest graduate students from across the nation.

Jennifer Sampson is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of The Stephens Greth Foundation and Head of Philanthropy for Stephens Greth Capital. With deep roots in North Texas, the Permian Basin and communities across Texas, the Foundation invests in organizations that expand opportunity, strengthen communities and improve lives.

Jennifer spent 25 years with the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, the largest non-governmental funder of education, income and health programs in North Texas. During her tenure, including 15 years as the CEO, the organization mobilized more than $1 billion in philanthropic resources and today reaches 1.7 million North Texans each year.

A Certified Public Accountant in Texas and having earned a BBA from Baylor University, she began her career at Arthur Andersen in 1991, then served as an independent director of Comerica Incorporated through the close of its merger with Fifth Third Bancorp in February 2026.

Jennifer previously served on the Community Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and other civic and nonprofit organizations. Her recognition includes D CEO’s 2026 Leadership Excellence Award and the Baylor University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award, of which she was one of the youngest recipients.

Jennifer and her husband, Edward, have one son who attends The University of Texas at Austin.

Lee Cullum

Conversation Moderator

Lee Cullum is a senior fellow at the John G. Tower Center for Public Policy & International Affairs and the Dallas Institute for Humanities and Culture. She contributes to the Dallas Morning News and Patron Magazine, and writes the column La Vie en Orange.

Formerly a regular commentator on what is now the PBS News Hour and NPR's All Things Considered, she is currently a member of the Trilateral Commission.

Page last updated 3:59 PM, November 3, 2026