By Catie George, Director, Communications & Storytelling
Average reading time: 4 minutes
To celebrate five decades of transforming communities, developing visionary leaders, and shaping the future of Dallas, the DRC brought together alumni, community partners, and civic leaders for the 50th anniversary of Leadership Dallas (LD) celebration, presented by PNC Bank. The event honored the program, sponsored by Grant Thornton, and the graduates who have gone on to serve the Dallas Region.
Honoring distinguished alumni and their legacy
“2,300 people, including many of you tonight, have made themselves better leaders, helped make our community better, helped make their companies better, and just set the bar in our community,” said DRC President & CEO Dale Petroskey at the celebration, which took place at the Perot Museum. “I hope [future generations] will remember that this was the moment where the DRC was a catalyst for helping lift up under-championed populations by narrowing the opportunity gaps in our communities.”
To honor meaningful contributions to the community, the Leadership Dallas Alumni (LDA) Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Peter Brodsky, CEO of The Shops at RedBird and member of LD ‘10.
“Leadership Dallas really did change the course of my life,” said Brodsky. “I had never been to Southern Dallas, I didn’t know much about the community, I wasn’t civically plugged in, and through this incredible program and most importantly through my incredible classmates, I was able to get exposed to the fullness of this city, the richness of this city. I love this city, and my love is really rooted in the things that I learned about in Leadership Dallas.”
Also honored were two alumni of the first class of LD ‘75, Allen Dogger and the Honorable Allen Clark.
“Mr. Dogger and Mr. Clark, you represent the kind of people and leaders Leadership Dallas is meant to serve and cultivate,” shared Petroskey. “People who use their skills and experiences to help the people around them lead good lives and make the world a better place in the process.”
Alumni reflections on connection and community impact
Brodsky’s transformation from someone unfamiliar with parts of Dallas to a passionate advocate illustrates the program’s deeper purpose.
“Leadership Dallas made Dallas home for me,” said Senior Vice President and Director of Client & Community Relations at PNC Bank Amber Scanlan, LD ‘19. “Part of the vision of LD is creating inroads, creating networking, and creating opportunity not only for all of us but for the City of Dallas, and there’s no organization who does it better than the DRC.”
This sense of home and connection that Scanlan describes reflects the program’s reach beyond professional development. LD received official recognition from the Texas Legislature, highlighting the program’s statewide significance.
“Since 1975, Leadership Dallas has helped shape the future of North Texas by investing in people. It is a program built on a simple but powerful idea: that informed, connected and compassionate leaders can change the trajectory of a city,” shared Rep. Linda Garcia, who presented House Resolution 1126. The resolution honored the members of the Leadership Dallas class of 2025 and commemorated the 50th anniversary of the program. The resolution was originally filed and presented in the Texas Capitol by Rep. Rafael Anchia, LD ‘99.
“Leadership Dallas alumni are everywhere, serving on boards, launching initiatives, running businesses, holding office, and of course mentoring the next generation. They are firmly integrated into every part of our community. It is the ripple effect of leadership that reaches every corner of our region,” continued Rep. Garcia. “As a member of the Texas House, I can tell you firsthand what a difference you all are making not just here at home but across the state.”
Current leaders of LDA emphasized their commitment to continuing the program’s mission of community engagement, underscoring how individual leadership development creates community-wide change.
“We are all like-minded in that we care deeply about the community in which we live, work, and play, and it is people like us that this city and this chamber can rely on to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible,” said Jennifer Bartkowski, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, class of LD ‘16, and LDA Chair for 2024-2025. “Without Leadership Dallas, I don’t know that I would’ve valued the city for what it is and found myself wanting to fight for it like I do.”
The evening concluded with recognition of the corporate partners who have supported LD throughout its history, ensuring the program’s continued success.
“For 15 years, Grant Thornton has been a participant in the Leadership Dallas program, and I have seen firsthand the Leadership Dallas graduates and the development of their leadership,” said Nichole Jordan, Grant Thornton’s Dallas and Texoma Regional Managing Principal and Honorary LDA Member. “We’re grateful to be a part of this Leadership Dallas ecosystem, [and] we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our Leadership Dallas alum.”
Thank you to presenting sponsor, PNC Bank, and silver sponsor, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Thank you to Grant Thornton, the LD class sponsor.