50 years of Leadership Dallas: ‘My classmates rallied around my candidacy’

By Catie George, Director, Communications & Storytelling

To celebrate 50 years of Leadership Dallas (LD), presented by Grant Thornton, the Dallas Regional Chamber’s premier leadership development program, we are highlighting a series of alumni to learn more about the LD experience.

Rafael Anchía, Representative of District 103 in the Texas House, was already involved in the community when he joined LD but was surprised by how the program broadened his horizons.

“When I was accepted into Leadership Dallas, it opened my eyes to the different opportunities for getting involved in community beyond what I was already doing,” said Anchía, member of the LD Class of 1999. “Exploring early childhood development and other volunteer activities, Leadership Dallas exposed me to the need and the different ways to make an impact.”

LD also inspired him to run for school board, after a program hosted then-Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk.

“When the mayor called upon [the room] to run for the school board, Jon [Dahlander, Communications Director for Dallas Independent School Board and LD classmate] pulled at my jacket and said, ‘You need to run’,” said Anchía. “That was followed by a meeting with Mayor Kirk wherein he committed to supporting me to run in the newly vacant District 7 School Board seat.”

Anchía relied on his LD classmates throughout his campaign.

“My Leadership Dallas classmates were a powerful resource not only for fundraising but for campaign volunteers. I’ll never forget how my Leadership Dallas classmates rallied around me to support my candidacy. With all their support and volunteer efforts, I secured my seat without a runoff in a five-person race.”

Anchía encourages others to get involved in LD, even if they are already involved in the community.

“If you’re looking to get involved in the community more broadly and want a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges that our city faces, there is no better way to than through Leadership Dallas.”