Dallas Leadership Luncheon

Texas Woman’s University’s Dallas Leadership Luncheon and presentation of the 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award took place on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Arts District Mansion. Nicole Small was recognized as the 2025 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.

Nicole G. Small serves as chief executive officer of LH Capital, Inc. and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, related entities which use their resources to fund game-changing advances in science and nature, empower non-profits and to improve the local communities of greatest importance to the organizations’ founder, Lyda Hill. In these roles since early 2014, Ms. Small is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of both entities, including their financial and investment activities, as well as their philanthropic initiatives. LHP is committed to finding and funding innovative solutions both in the non-profit and for-profit worlds. This involves an exciting array of work ranging from making biotech investments that impact cancer to working with conservation NGOs. LHP is committed to advancing breakthrough treatments and is working to shape the next generation of scientists, biotech leaders and companies in North Texas. As part of LHP’s ongoing commitment to building a strong biotech ecosystem in North Texas, Ms. Small also plays a leading role in the development and growth of Pegasus Park and all its related entities.

As part of her work at LHP, Ms. Small also co-founded the IF/THEN initiative. The initiative’s purpose is to encourage and advance women and girls in the fields of science, technology engineering and math (STEM). IF/THEN is designed to activate a culture shift among young girls to open their eyes to STEM careers by inspiring girls with better portrayals of women in STEM through media and learning experiences to pique their interest in STEM careers. As part of this work, Ms. Small is an Executive Producer on CBS’s Mission Unstoppable.

From 2001-2013, Ms. Small played a leadership role in the development and opening of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. After being named CEO in 2002, Ms. Small spearheaded the merger of the city’s three, then-existing nature, science, and children’s museums into a sole museum, working with the board, the community and the museum team to raise over $200 million. From 2011 through 2013, Ms. Small was honored to serve as the inaugural Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer of the newly established Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Victory Park. Earlier in her career, Ms. Small held a variety of positions including serving as the founder and CEO of an internet start-up, an entrepreneur in residence at a California-based business incubator and as an analyst with McKinsey & Company.

Ms. Small received an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She currently is a member of The Dallas Assembly, YPO, Charter 100, and International Women’s Forum. She serves on the Boards of Southwestern Medical Foundation, The Hockaday School, UTSW President’s Advisory Board, and Texas 2036. Ms. Small resides in Dallas with her husband, two daughters and two dogs.

 

Page last updated 4:50 PM, March 10, 2025