Author: Ashlynn Bouldin

Building for public safety: A look at City of Dallas Proposition A

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By DRC Communications

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Dallas voters will consider a $443 million bond proposition this November that would fund five public safety facility projects across the city.

City of Dallas Proposition A would provide funding for a new law enforcement training center and public safety training complex, a modernized emergency operations and 911 facility, a consolidated police property room and crime lab, and a replacement for Fire Station No. 4. Proposition A is the only City of Dallas bond proposition on the November ballot.

The projects address several long-standing facility needs for Dallas police, fire and emergency response operations.

Modernizing police training

A significant portion of Proposition A would support new facilities for the Dallas Police Department’s (DPD) training operations.

DPD officers have trained in a temporary warehouse facility since 1990. The proposed Law Enforcement Training Center at the University of North Texas at Dallas would replace the academic portion of the existing police academy, providing space for academic instruction, physical training and reality-based training for recruits and current officers.

The $227 million project has already secured $145 million from city, state and private sources. Proposition A would provide the remaining $82 million needed for completion. Construction broke ground in September.

An additional $149 million would go toward a more than 60-acre Public Safety Training Complex at Dallas Executive Airport. The facility would provide advanced scenario-based field training. Together, the two facilities would serve as complementary sites for recruit and in-service police training.

Investing across public safety operations

Proposition A would also direct $40 million toward relocating and equipping the city’s Emergency Operations Center and 911 call center into an existing city-owned facility. The Emergency Operations Center coordinates city departments and resources during emergencies ranging from severe weather to other major incidents.

Another $150 million would fund a consolidated DPD facility for property and evidence storage, forensic crime laboratory functions and secure evidentiary vehicle storage.

The remaining $22 million would replace Fire Station No. 4, which has served Dallas since 1953, with a new five-apparatus-bay station.

Why it matters for Dallas

Public safety infrastructure supports the people and systems responsible for serving a growing city. Proposition A would make long-term investments in facilities used to train police officers, answer 911 calls, coordinate emergency response, process evidence and support fire and rescue operations.

The $443 million would be issued as general obligation bonds and repaid over a period not to exceed 20 years. While state law requires the ballot language to state that the proposition is a tax increase, the City of Dallas tax rate will not increase as a result of this bond program.

The DRC and its members have supported efforts to develop a new law enforcement training facility, including state appropriations secured in 2023 and 2025 and the 2024 city bond campaign.

Early voting runs October 19-30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Visit the DRC’s North Texas Voter Resources for more information.

Investing in workforce pathways: A look at Collin College Proposition A

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By DRC Communications

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Collin County voters will consider a $600 million bond proposition this November that would expand Collin College’s capacity for workforce training, career and technical education and academic instruction.

Collin College Proposition A would fund the next phases of Destination 2030, the college’s long-range master plan. Projects include new campuses in Anna and Royse City, expanded workforce and academic facilities at existing campuses and a new Aviation Academy in McKinney.

The proposed investments come as Collin College continues to grow alongside the communities it serves.

Over the past decade, the college’s credit enrollment has increased 31%. Today, Collin College serves more than 62,000 students annually, offers more than 200 degrees and certificates, including five low-cost bachelor’s degrees, and provides dual credit to more than 14,000 students at more than 50 high schools.

Expanding access across Collin County

Proposition A would fund 11 projects across Phases II and III of Destination 2030, including new facilities and expansions in McKinney, Wylie, Plano, Allen, Celina, Frisco and Farmersville.

It would also establish new campuses in Anna and Royse City, expanding access to higher education and workforce training in growing parts of the county. Both campuses would include space for career and technical education programs and general academic instruction, with room for future expansion as their surrounding communities continue to grow.

Several existing campuses are also experiencing significant enrollment growth. Enrollment at the Wylie Campus has increased 78% since fall 2021, while enrollment at the Celina Campus has increased 198% over the past five years.

Building capacity for high-demand careers

Workforce training is a significant component of Proposition A. The bond would expand more than 20 career and technical education pathways in high-demand fields, increasing the space available to prepare students for careers across the region.

Proposed projects would increase capacity for programs in health care, information technology, cybersecurity, welding, HVAC, construction management, advanced manufacturing and automotive technology.

A new Aviation Academy in McKinney would add hangar, simulation and classroom space for programs including aircraft mechanics, commercial airline piloting, avionics technology and air traffic control. The college says the programs are intended to help address workforce gaps in the region’s aviation industry.

Building on previous investments

Proposition A would be Collin College’s first bond since 2017, when voters approved a $600 million package to expand educational opportunities across the county.

Since then, the college has opened the Technical Campus in Allen, campuses in Wylie, Celina and Farmersville, the Public Safety Training Center, the Frisco Campus IT Center and the McKinney Campus Welcome Center.

Collin College’s tax rate has remained at $0.08122 since 2018, the third lowest tax rate for a community college in Texas. The 2026 bond proposal is structured to maintain Collin College’s current tax rate.

Why it matters for the Dallas Region

Collin College serves as an important connection between education and the workforce in one of the Dallas Region’s fastest-growing areas. Proposition A would expand the college’s ability to serve a growing student population while increasing training capacity in fields with regional workforce demand.

The investments would also extend Collin College’s physical footprint into additional communities, providing more students with access to academic and workforce pathways closer to where they live.

Early voting runs October 19-30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Visit the DRC’s North Texas Voter Resources and the Collin College bond website for more information.

Scaling what works: A look at Dallas County Proposition A

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By DRC Communications

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Dallas County voters will consider a proposition this November that would provide dedicated funding to expand the region’s coordinated response to homelessness and mental health needs.

Dallas County Proposition A asks voters whether the county should adopt a property tax rate of 24.865 cents per $100 of valuation, approximately 2.4 cents above the voter-approval rate. The increase would generate an estimated $100 million annually dedicated to programs designed to measurably reduce homelessness. For a home valued at $250,000, the estimated cost would be approximately $60 per year.

The proposition comes as Dallas County has seen measurable progress in reducing homelessness through a more coordinated approach known as the “Street-to-Home” initiative.

Since 2021, more than 25,000 people have exited homelessness through the county’s coordinated response system, while street homelessness has declined 25%. In Downtown Dallas, where the model has been concentrated, street homelessness has fallen by more than 80%.

The challenge now is capacity.

Approximately 11,000 households experience homelessness in Dallas County each year, but the existing system only has capacity to serve roughly 60% of them. Proposition A is designed to close much of that gap, helping up to 4,500 additional households exit homelessness each year.

Scaling a coordinated approach countywide

Funding from Proposition A would expand the Street-to-Home model across Dallas County, connecting people experiencing homelessness with services based on the level of assistance they need.

That includes coordinated outreach and immediate connections to shelter, treatment and housing, as well as specialized responses for people with mental health needs. The county currently operates a five-zone model designed to coordinate those services across the region.

The proposed investment would expand several levels of intervention, including relatively small costs that can quickly help someone remain housed or return to housing, transitional assistance and permanent supportive housing for people with the most significant needs. Funding would also support coordinated intake hubs intended to streamline drop-off, triage and connections to shelter, treatment and housing.

Proposition A also includes funding for mental health and addiction treatment, employment connections and short-term financial assistance. Dallas County would retain oversight of the funding, with performance expectations, independent audits and public reporting intended to measure results.

Why it matters for the Dallas Region

Proposition A would allow Dallas County to build on recent progress by expanding the reach and capacity of programs already operating across the county. With approximately 8,400 jail bookings involving unsheltered individuals each year and more than $161 million in estimated annual hospital utilization costs associated with homelessness, the proposal aims to reduce pressure on costly public systems by connecting more people with housing and supportive services.

The DRC is a member of Safe in the City, which helped provide the model for the programs that would be scaled countywide.

Early voting runs October 19-30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Visit the DRC’s North Texas Voter Resources for more information.

Engaging with Cultural Holidays in October: National Disability Employment Awareness Month

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By Makayla Rosales, Manager, Opportunity & Impact

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) recognizes the valuable contributions of people with disabilities to workplaces and the broader U.S. economy while highlighting the importance of expanding employment opportunities and creating workplaces where people of all abilities can thrive.

The observance dates back to 1945, when it began as a weeklong national recognition of the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the observance to a full month, broadening its focus over time to recognize people with a wide range of disabilities, including mental health conditions and other non-apparent disabilities. In 2001, Congress established the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), which assumed responsibility for NDEAM, including the development and promotion of its annual theme.

The 2026 NDEAM theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” builds upon last year’s theme while coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States. This year’s theme recognizes the skills, perspectives and contributions that Americans with disabilities bring to our workplaces and communities. It also provides an opportunity for employers and communities to reflect on how greater access to employment can strengthen both businesses and the workforce.

Engage in the workplace

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy offers a range of resources to help organizations strengthen disability inclusion in the workplace. For companies looking to take meaningful steps toward greater inclusion, a good place to start is by reviewing existing policies and practices to ensure they reflect a clear commitment to accessibility and an inclusive workplace culture. Organizations can also look beyond their own walls by partnering with local disability-focused organizations and nonprofits. These partnerships can provide valuable perspectives, expertise and resources to help companies better understand the experiences of people with disabilities and identify opportunities to create a more supportive workplace.

Employers can also reference the DRC’s Disability Inclusion Toolkit, presented by EY, for practical guidance and resources to help strengthen their inclusion efforts. By continuing to learn, evaluate current practices and engage with community partners, organizations can take intentional steps toward creating workplaces where employees of all abilities have the opportunity to thrive.

Additionally, The North Texas Disability Chamber is another valuable local resource for organizations looking to strengthen their disability inclusion efforts and build connections locally. Companies can engage with the Chamber, attend its events and connect with the other individuals and companies who are invested in learning directly from disability advocates, professionals and community partners across North Texas. Participating in these opportunities can help organizations continue their education, gain new perspectives and build meaningful relationships with those working to advance disability inclusion throughout the region.

October holidays to recognize

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, observed on October 12, recognizes and celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples and communities. It is also an opportunity to learn from Indigenous voices, support Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations and deepen our understanding of Indigenous history and culture. This day is one that can serve as a starting point for continued learning, connection and support throughout the year.

Attend an event or explore an opportunity

If you’re interested in bringing your team, friends or family to engaging opportunities to learn, connect and explore resources throughout October, here are a few upcoming events to consider:

EmployAbility Dallas’ 2026 Career Expo & Job Fair for People with Disabilities | Tuesday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Gilley’s Dallas: 1135 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215

This free career expo features 50+ Dallas-Fort Worth companies and is attended by 500+ job seekers. Volunteer HR professionals and managers host resume reviews and mock interviews to help job seekers improve their skills and gain confidence. Sign language Interpreters and Event ambassadors will be available for those with hearing, seeing and other disabilities. A sensory support booth and quieter section is also available for neurodiverse job seekers.

Texas HireAbility Employer Forum & Lex Freiden Employment Awards | Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Collin College – McKinney Campus Conference Center: 2400 Community Ave., McKinney, TX 75071

The Texas HireAbility Employer Forum & Lex Freiden Employment Awards is a lively employer forum and luncheon that brings together civic, community and business leaders.

48th Annual International Conference on Learning Disabilities | October 22-23, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (both days)

Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel: 1701 Commerce St., Fort Worth, TX 76102

This conference brings together the latest research, evidence-based practices and innovative strategies designed to support individuals with learning disabilities across their lifespan.

EnAble Learning: Build Accessible and Welcoming Workplaces on Demand

EnAble Learning, a national organization on disability, delivers on-demand training focused on disability inclusion, mental health, neurodiversity, accessibility and emerging technology. Through engaging, expert-designed courses, organizations can build stronger teams, improve employee experiences and create workplaces that are accessible and welcoming to all.

 

Member Spotlight: Pivot One-Eighty

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By Pivot One-Eighty

Estimated reading time: 1.5 minutes

Pivot One-Eighty is a change intelligence and organizational strategy company. We help leaders and teams shape how work is experienced, especially during change. Change intelligence means knowing which behaviors make change succeed and when leaders and teams need them. Our behavioral data connects those behaviors to results.

How does Pivot One-Eighty help its clients build value?

We help organizations create transformation that acknowledges the business and its people. That means helping leaders and teams clarify what needs to change, designing the roles and systems to support it, building the capacity to lead it and guiding people through the transition.

Our methods center the experience of the teams living through the change. When people feel seen and prepared, they commit sooner, and organizations adopt new ways of working faster.

What differentiates Pivot One-Eighty within your industry?

Pivot’s approach starts with the brain science behind change. People respond to uncertainty in predictable ways, and the behavioral data we have gathered over years of client work shows us what leaders and teams need during a transition and when they need it. For example, we’ve learned that when a change is shared across five to seven communication touch points, team members move toward acceptance and become willing to experiment rather than resist. How often and when a message is shared matters as much as the message itself.

Our practitioners have also led change from inside organizations, not only advised from the outside. We know how messy, tedious and challenging transition can be, and we honor that reality in how we advise. That perspective lets us see what traditional approaches miss. Instead of focusing only on strategy, process or employee sentiment, we look at how decisions translate into leadership actions, team behavior and the daily experience of work.

Most importantly, we build capability. We help leaders rethink their role in change, make better decisions and create the conditions for their organizations to move forward long after our engagement ends.

What benefits does Pivot One-Eighty enjoy by doing business in the Dallas Region?

Dallas is growing and changing quickly, which makes it a natural home for our work.

The region puts us close to Fortune 500 companies, fast growing businesses, nonprofits and community organizations, each facing its own kind of organizational complexity. Working across that range keeps us learning what helps organizations change well.

Dallas also offers a deep leadership and talent pool and a business community actively shaping the region’s future. We get to contribute here at home while bringing what we learn in Dallas to organizations operating nationally and globally.

Why did Pivot One-Eighty become a member of the Dallas Regional Chamber?

We believe better organizations create stronger communities, and we want Pivot to be part of the network shaping how leaders in this region grow and lead.

We also want to add a perspective often missing from business conversations: how to design and lead change in ways that work for the business and for the people responsible for making it happen.

The DRC brings together leaders across industries and organization sizes. That creates room to build relationships, exchange ideas, learn from our peers and share expertise with the broader business community.

How has Pivot One-Eighty changed in the last five years?

Over the last five years, Pivot has grown from a change management consultancy into a change intelligence company.

Our early work focused on guiding specific moments: organizational transitions, culture challenges, leadership needs and strategic initiatives. As that work expanded, we saw a larger opportunity. Organizations don’t only need help managing individual changes. Leaders need the ability to understand change, anticipate its impact, make better decisions and bring people with them.

Along the way, we tracked what we put into each engagement and those outcomes. That behavioral data became insight into how to strategize, plan and lead change well consistently.

Those practices and insight have shaped who we are today. Our design and implementation are guided by strategy and informed by behavioral data.

Morgan Stanley’s Dallas expansion adds momentum to a growing financial hub

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By DRC Communications

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

 

Takeaways

  • Morgan Stanley will establish a new U.S. hub in Dallas, investing $684 million and creating more than 3,800 jobs.
  • The Dallas Regional Chamber worked with Morgan Stanley for more than 18 months as the firm evaluated the Dallas Region for its expansion.
  • The project adds to the Dallas Region’s momentum as one of the nation’s leading financial services centers.

Morgan Stanley has made it official: The global financial services firm will establish a new U.S. hub in Dallas, with plans for a new office tower in Uptown.

The company plans to invest $684 million and create more than 3,800 jobs by the end of 2035, according to the Office of the Texas Governor. Trammell Crow Company is expected to invest an additional $650 million in the development of the new tower, bringing the total value of the project to approximately $1.2 billion.

Beginning in March 2025, the DRC supported the firm’s evaluation of the region with research and regional insights, introductions to key partners and coordination throughout the site selection process.

“When the Dallas Regional Chamber first met Morgan Stanley more than 18 months ago, what stood out was the depth and sincerity of their investigation,” said Brad Cheves, President and CEO of the DRC. “They were focused on understanding the region’s talent, growth patterns, infrastructure, quality of life, business conditions and long-term trajectory.”

Cheves said the firm was interested not only in the Dallas Region’s current strengths, but in understanding how the region has grown and where it is headed.

“Morgan Stanley’s investment and the thousands of jobs it is expected to support represent a significant vote of confidence in the future of North Texas,” Cheves said. “Just as importantly, the way they approached this process indicates they will be a strong, long-term partner in our community.”

The project is the latest major financial services investment in the Dallas Region and adds to the concentration of financial institutions around Uptown, Victory Park and the McKinney Avenue corridor, an area increasingly associated with the region’s “Y’all Street” momentum.

“This announcement is a reminder that major economic development wins happen when public and private sector partners work together,” Cheves said. “We are grateful to Governor Abbott, the State of Texas, the City of Dallas and the business leaders and partners who helped showcase the strengths of this region.”

 

Member Spotlight: CrossCountry Consulting

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By CrossCountry Consulting

Estimated reading time: 2.5 minutes

CrossCountry Consulting is the transformation partner for the Office of the CFO. Its work spans the full scope of the finance function, from end-to-end workflows and operating models to transactions, technical accounting and risk, all powered by data, AI and technology. The firm serves CFOs and their C-suite peers at private equity sponsors, Fortune 500 companies and emerging growth market leaders, with expertise across industries and a commitment to a better experience for its people and its clients.

How does CrossCountry Consulting help its clients build value?

CrossCountry closes the gap between how finance functions operate today and the strategic value they could deliver. That work reaches across FP&A and reporting, the revenue cycle, procurement and financial close, as well as corporate transactions like acquisitions, carve-outs and IPOs.

The firm starts by fixing the fundamentals: the processes, people and data that everything else depends on. Rather than applying AI to broken workflows, they reimagine and rewire those processes first, then embed the technology and controls that make transformation durable. An integrated team spanning finance and accounting; AI and technology; and risk and governance works alongside client teams, with change management built in from the start.

The result is human-centered transformation that elevates the professionals doing the work, builds lasting capability inside the organization and creates present and future enterprise value that outlasts any single engagement.

What differentiates CrossCountry Consulting within your industry?

CrossCountry differentiates itself in a few clear ways:

  • High-caliber, experienced practitioners at every level, doing the work alongside the client and backed by U.S. and global delivery locations
  • An integrated team spanning finance and accounting; AI and technology; and risk and governance, rather than siloed capabilities
  • Pre-built AI solutions tailored to specific industries and workflows, so teams start further ahead and deliver audit-ready outputs
  • A relationship-driven, empathetic way of showing up that stands apart from day one, not just the deliverables
  • A tailored point of view on sequencing the journey toward a future state in every engagement, whether the client’s need is immediate or foundational

What benefits does CrossCountry Consulting enjoy by doing business in the Dallas Region?

CrossCountry has always been drawn to markets where ambition and growth run deep, and Dallas is exactly that kind of place. As client relationships grew across the region, from Fortune 500 companies to private equity backed businesses to fast-scaling growth companies, it became clear that Dallas was not just a market to serve. It was a community to be part of.

Texas has a spirit all its own: bold, resilient and always building toward what is next. That same energy drives the finance and business leaders CrossCountry works with every day. Expanding here was a natural next step, rooted in relationships already built and momentum already felt. The firm brings high-caliber talent and genuine commitment to its clients while showing up as neighbors, not just consultants: present, engaged and invested in the community.

Why did CrossCountry Consulting become a member of the Dallas Regional Chamber?

CrossCountry joined the DRC because the organization’s core priorities closely mirror what the firm already believes about doing business well. Advocating for pro-growth public policies, strengthening education, developing talent and enhancing quality of life across the region all connect directly to how CrossCountry operates.

Talent development is a natural point of alignment. CrossCountry’s work is built on high-caliber practitioners and on helping client teams build lasting capability, not just deliver a project and leave. Pro-growth policy and economic vitality also connect to why the firm is in Dallas in the first place. Its client base, from Fortune 500 companies to private equity-backed and fast-growing businesses, depends on a region that continues to invest in the conditions for growth. Supporting the Chamber’s advocacy work is a way of investing in that same environment.

Quality of life for the community reflects the “neighbors, not just consultants” posture CrossCountry brings to every market it enters. Recognized as one of the most respected business organizations in the country, the DRC represents the kind of collaborative, growth-minded community CrossCountry wanted to join, not just serve.

How has CrossCountry Consulting changed in the last five years?

Over the past five years, CrossCountry has expanded its national platform built for the Office of the CFO. That growth has been deliberate, combining geographic expansion, new service line development, and targeted M&A to broaden capabilities and reach.

Since then, CrossCountry has extended its footprint into new markets, including Chicago and Texas. In 2024, the firm acquired SCS Cloud, a Tampa-based NetSuite firm, deepening its technology implementation capabilities. In 2026, CrossCountry added three firms: CDS, a San Francisco-based financial due diligence firm that expanded its transaction capabilities on the West Coast; CNM LLP, a Southern California-based Office of the CFO advisory firm that further strengthened its West Coast presence; and Dupont Circle Solutions, a Washington, D.C.-area Salesforce firm. Together, the SCS Cloud and Dupont Circle Solutions acquisitions significantly advance the firm’s technology capabilities, complementing its broader strategy of pairing organic growth with targeted M&A.

Alongside this growth, CrossCountry has deepened its alliance ecosystem and woven AI into the core of every service offering, rather than layering it on top after the fact. The firm now brings the combined power of data, AI and leading technologies to address complex business challenges, maximize transaction value and drive human-centered transformation across accounting advisory, business transformation, risk and technology. New partnerships with technology platforms and industry specialists have expanded what CrossCountry can offer clients directly and through referral relationships. These moves reflect a firm that has scaled its markets, its capabilities and its technology in step, while staying anchored to the same client-first culture that fueled its early growth.

Higher education’s role in North Texas’ evolving job market

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By Ashlynn Bouldin, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Takeaways

  • The value proposition of higher education is a leading challenge facing student enrollment, and developing non-traditional learning pathways and opportunities may be a solution.
  • Partnerships between businesses and education institutions build technical talent pipelines and expand human-specific skills in the age of AI.
  • Capital and research investments are key priorities for education institutions for the upcoming 90th Texas Legislative session.

By Ashlynn Bouldin, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing

On Thursday, Sept. 3, the DRC’s Education & Workforce Council convened to hear insights from North Texas’s newest higher education leaders on key trends shaping postsecondary education. The event’s panel featured SMU President Dr. Jay Hartzell, University of North Texas President Dr. Harrison Keller, The University of Texas at Dallas President Dr. Prabhas Moghe and University of North Texas at Dallas President Dr. Warren Von Eschenbach—all of whom assumed their roles within the past three years.

DRC President & CEO Brad Cheves opened the council meeting with a call-to-action for business and education leaders, highlighting the crucial role education plays in regional prosperity.

Brad Cheves, President & CEO, Dallas Regional Chamber

“If we continue to strengthen our institutions, expand opportunity, foster innovation and build meaningful connections across sectors, higher education can be one of our region’s greatest competitive advantages.”

Innovative learning pathways expand access to higher education

While introducing the panel, Texas Woman’s University Chancellor and President, Dr. Carine Feyten, discussed how higher education can help organizations address the growing demand for critical thinkers. To meet that need, Dr. Feyten urged leaders to expand innovative learning opportunities to reach more students.

“In Dallas, we have over 8,000 college-ready high school graduates that are missing from our colleges and universities. … The pathways we have do not fit their circumstances. … Online learning helps, but we also need experiential learning opportunities and new pathways designed around the lives that many of these potential students actually live.”

During the panel, Dr. von Eschenbach emphasized the impact affordability has on enrollment. While affordability concerns typically stem from tuition costs, he identified cost of living as a greater factor. Although UNT Dallas now offers free tuition for qualified students through its Trailblazer Tuition Trust, Dr. von Eschenbach noted that enrollment remains largely unchanged.

“[Free tuition] is not driving enrollment like you would think because, for many students, this is a trade-off. They’re not able to work to contribute to their home budget, and they’re expected by their families to work. Some of our students work two jobs because they have to help pay bills at home. As the cost of living goes up, this is really impactful, and it’s difficult to scholarship that.”

Jennifer Chandler, President, Bank of America Dallas; Dr. Harrison Keller, President, University of North Texas; Dr. Warren von Eschenbach, President, University of North Texas at Dallas; Dr. Jay Hartzell, President, SMU; Dr. Prabhas Moghe, President, The University of Texas at Dallas

Much like Dr. Feyten encouraged, UNT Dallas is addressing this affordability issue by creating new learning opportunities and pathways through their Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success (CELCS), which supports student career development through coaching, hands-on experiential learning and industry connections.

Education institutions develop the talent needed in the age of AI

As the conversation shifted toward future-focused strategies, all presidents agreed that industry partnerships offer impactful opportunities for universities to effectively explore and apply AI. Dr. Keller discussed UNT’s AI strategy, which spans preparing students to use AI, applying it to improve university operations and advancing AI-driven research, and the role industry-education partnerships play in technological applications.

“What’s going to be important in our college and all the efforts around AI—because it’s going to be so fast—is working with industry on AI applications so that we can learn and tackle these issues together.”

Dr. Hartzell, echoed Dr. Keller’s sentiment and discussed how industry-education partnerships can help businesses develop talent. In partnership with AECOM, SMU established a doctoral fellowship program with the Lyle School of Engineering that supports Ph.D. and Doctor of Engineering candidates whose research focuses on applying AI to complex infrastructure challenges. Dr. Hartzell also emphasized that, with the rise of AI and programs focused on technical expertise, liberal arts-related skills are growing in importance for employers.

“I think it’s going to be a really great time to study liberal arts. Because people who can read, write, communicate and talk to humans that are empowered by technology are going to be in a really good spot.”

Higher education priorities in the upcoming legislative session

Higher education is one of many pressing topics legislators will examine during the upcoming 90th Texas Legislative session, and North Texas’ university presidents agreed on two primary priorities for lawmakers to consider: capital and research investments.

Both Dr. Moghe and Dr. Keller urged the business community to support capital investments in higher education. Dr. Keller noted that such investments are critical and are growing in necessity for infrastructure, maintenance, projects and more.

 

Dr. Moghe also emphasized the importance of research investments as North Texas’ higher education institutions emerge and compete as national research centers.

“I really hope that Texas comes through in terms of investing in research at a time when there’s less money coming here. Because the last thing you want to tell the world is that Texas is not open for business. That’s why research is so important. If research is happening, the good minds will come here, and they will educate the workforce that you need.”

Whether through expanded enrollment opportunities, innovation-focused programs or research and infrastructure investments, industry-education partnerships are vital to ensuring North Texas’ economic and population growth does not outpace the capacity and adaptability of its education institutions.

The Education & Workforce Council oversees the DRC’s efforts to ensure a regional workforce pipeline that meets ever-changing business needs. To learn more about the council and the DRC’s education, talent and workforce efforts, contact education@dallaschamber.org.

Members of Congress tackle top priorities and policies affecting North Texas

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By Ashlynn Bouldin, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing

Estimated reading time: 2.5 minutes

 

Takeaways

  • Congressman Marc Veasey and Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne acknowledge community concerns surrounding data center development.
  • Both members of Congress consider infrastructure and housing development as critical focus areas for supporting North Texas’ continued growth.
  • Both members of Congress encourage business and policy leaders to raise awareness of middle-skill jobs and incentivize middle skills development.

On Thursday, Aug. 13, business and policy leaders gathered for the DRC’s 21st Congressional Forum, presented by Fidelity Investments, at the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel, where Congressman Marc Veasey and Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne shared their federal perspectives on the future of North Texas and its most pressing priorities.

Below are key insights from the conversation led by NBC Anchor Phil Prazan.

Balancing data centers and community input for North Texas’ future

The conversation kicked off with one of the hottest topics currently in Texas and national politics: AI and data centers. Both members of Congress agreed that data centers will have a long-lasting role in the region by supporting a wide range of innovative technologies and industries, but they validated voter concerns, as well.

Congressman Marc Veasey, U.S. House of Representatives; Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, U.S. House of Representatives; Phil Prazan, Anchor, NBCUniversal

Congressman Veasey acknowledged the fear surrounding AI and noted its importance as a key—and potentially election-turning—issue for voters.

“It’s a very real issue. The anxiety that people are feeling is very real, and I think there are going to be political consequences for it. I think it’s really going to change how people get elected in primaries and in the general election.”

Congresswoman Van Duyne urged business leaders to listen to the local communities affected by data centers and explore ways of resolving their concerns about water, electricity and noise levels.

“Make sure that you are listening to the people who have invested by buying homes, who have kids. They’re investing in your communities, and they do have some concerns.”

Transportation infrastructure is critical to North Texas’ long-term success

As the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) approaches its September 30 expiration, Congress has devised new proposals for expanding and improving upon surface transportation infrastructure, including the BUILD America 250 Act. Both Congressman Veasey and Congresswoman Van Duyne expressed support for the proposal—and concerns for Texas’ ability to support its growing population should it not obtain approval in Congress.

“Not only will [the BUILD America 250 Act] help us be able to deal with the infrastructure we need for all the new people that have moved here, but it’s a great job creator,” said Congressman Veasey. “And with those dollars [from IIJA] set to expire soon, I think that it’s very important that Congress act on it.”

Revisiting the Affordable Care Act amidst rising health care costs

After Congress did not extend the enhanced federal subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in December 2025, subsidy rules reverted to pre-2021 rules, causing insurance and health care costs to rise in 2026. Both Congressman Veasey and Congresswoman Van Duyne agreed that the ACA requires revisiting and restructuring to reduce costs and increase accessibility, but their perspectives on the law’s impact differed.

Congresswoman Van Duyne argued that the ACA failed in its attempt to make health insurance available and more affordable and, instead, required substantial federal funding to maintain it.

“The amount that we are having to pay on deductibles now, the amount that we’re having to pay just to keep our monthly premiums, is outrageous. So the idea that [the ACA is] going to be struck down—no. What’s going to happen is we are going to look at other solutions that people find a lot more affordable.”

Congressman Veasey agreed that the ACA needed improvements, but he noted that the number of individuals in his district with insurance increased with it and argued that many of its policies, like reducing discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions and allowing parents to keep their children on their insurance through age 26, benefit Americans.

“I think [the ACA has] made huge improvements. I’ve seen it in my own district, but no, the bill is definitely not perfect. And we need Democrats and Republicans to come together to try to come up with something that is going to be better for the American public when it comes to health care.”

Middle-skill jobs are integral to North Texas’ economic prosperity

Despite North Texas’ workforce growth in sectors like financial services, life science and advanced tech, concerns surrounding the region’s increasing demand for middle-skill jobs remain. Congressman Veasey noted that strengthening the middle-skilled workforce requires solutions for growing income disparities.

“We must start addressing the issue of pay because people feel like they just cannot get ahead. The people in those middle-skill jobs feel that housing is becoming more expensive, and we, as political leaders and business leaders, really need to tackle those issues when it comes to income inequality.”

Brad Cheves, President & CEO, Dallas Regional Chamber

Both members of Congress agreed that the federal government should raise awareness of middle-skill jobs as career opportunities for young Americans. Congresswoman Van Duyne suggested providing schools that offer middle skills development with the same incentives given to four-year universities.

“[We can] take those middle skills and support them with grants just like we support four-year college degrees to make sure that there’s a value add.”

Positioning North Texas for the future

As North Texas evolves with industrial development, population growth and increasing workforce, infrastructure and housing demands, the DRC remains committed to working across districts and party lines to advocate for policies that will sustain both Texas and the region’s economic success.

“The Dallas Region is a sum of many parts—parts like economic development, infrastructure, workforce development and innovation,” said DRC President & CEO Brad Cheves. “And the parts that we prioritize today will shape our region’s tomorrow.”

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Fidelity Investments, our Media Partner NewsRadio 1080 KRLD and our Silver Sponsors, American Airlines, QTS, Southwest Airlines and Verizon.

What federal priorities are most important to your business? Connect with the DRC’s Public Policy team to share your thoughts and learn how to engage with elected officials.

Member Spotlight: Improving

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By Bethany Hilton, Director of Corporate Affairs, Improving

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Bethany Hilton, Director of Corporate Affairs, Improving

Improving is a global IT services company, specializing in enterprise AI, data, application and platform engineering services that help organizations build, modernize and scale their software. We’re headquartered right here in the Dallas area with 21 offices spread across the world.

Trust is at the heart of everything we do. Our industry has trained clients to expect overpromising, understaffing and scope creep, and we built Improving to be the alternative to that. We say it all the time internally: trust changes everything. A primary reason our client relationships tend to last for years is because we lead with credibility first and let the technology follow.

What is your role at Improving, and how do you support the organization’s community engagement efforts?

I’m the Director of Corporate Affairs for Improving, and I sit in the Office of the CEO. I lead our global initiatives around community engagement, stakeholder involvement and philanthropy, and I get to be a voice for our CEO’s public presence and community involvement.

I run our new Improving Cares program, which is a year-round program that recognizes employees for local volunteer work while connecting their efforts back to Improving. I also lead our Women of Improving program, which provides education, support and connection for the women in our organization. Internally, I head our Dallas Regional Chamber engagement, where we’re involved in 14 task forces and councils and encourage our senior leaders to stay active in their communities.

A big part of my role is also supporting our CEO directly, helping guide his community involvement and public presence, and in a lot of ways, I get to be his voice to the general public on the causes we care about.

What does community engagement look like at Improving, and why is it important to the organization?

Community engagement at Improving is baked into how we think about the whole business. Our stakeholder model includes our clients and vendors, but it also includes our communities, cities and the people connected to them. We’re founded on the principles of Conscious Capitalism, and we intentionally build a culture where all of our stakeholders thrive.

That shows up through nonprofit initiatives, community organizations and programs like Improving Cares, but really it comes down to believing a business is a holistic system. If we want to be a thriving organization, we have to pay attention to everyone connected to it. We believe a business should exist with purpose beyond profit, and that all comes back to trust. We want to build trust with our clients, employees and the communities we’re a part of, and community engagement is one of the clearest, most tangible ways we put that into practice.

Why did Improving become a member of the DRC?

We became members of the DRC because it lines up perfectly with who we already are. It goes back to that same stakeholder model. Improving believes we have a responsibility not just to our employees, but to the communities they live and work throughout.

We also believe deeply in the DRC’s vision around public policy and economic development. The DRC does so much to help this region thrive, and we want to bring our own resources, knowledge and expertise to further the DRC’s initiatives. We want to be a genuine partner in the work that’s already happening in the DFW.

What benefits does Improving enjoy by doing business in the Dallas Region?

Dallas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and a large majority of our clients are based here in the U.S., with several corporate headquarters calling this region home. That concentration makes it easier for us to connect with clients and build our presence in the market.

Dallas has also historically been friendly to business, with a public and private sector that work incredibly well together. It’s a culture we didn’t have to create from scratch, and that’s a huge benefit. This is already a region where the community benefits from the companies that operate here, and we get to be part of continuing that mission.

What makes the Dallas Region a meaningful place for you and Improving to be engaged in the community?

The Conscious Capitalism mission is something this whole region rallies around, whether they’re doing it on purpose or not. There’s a real spirit of helping each other, staying connected and creating meaningful things and a genuine culture of philanthropy where the big organizations give back in a real way.

There’s also a tremendous amount of creativity, talent and hard work in this city. Dallas might be the most corporate city in the world at this point, but that corporate energy translates into real community investment. I see that same spirit in our own user group community. We open up our office space for free to local tech meetups and user groups across most of our cities, no strings attached and nothing to do with sales. People show up again and again just to learn from each other and build real relationships.

I also have to give a shoutout to Leadership Dallas, the DRC’s flagship leadership program, which I had the chance to participate in myself. It deepened my own connection to this region in a way I didn’t expect, and it’s a huge part of why I’m so glad we get to be engaged here.

Engaging with Cultural Holidays in September: Hispanic Heritage Month

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By Makayla Rosales, Coordinator, Opportunity & Impact 

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15 through October 15 and recognizes the histories, cultures, contributions and achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans. The month celebrates those whose heritage connects to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America while highlighting the many ways Hispanic and Latino communities have helped shape the United States. The celebration begins on September 15, the anniversary of the independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, followed by Mexico and Chile on September 16.

Originally established in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson, the observance was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan. Today, Hispanic Heritage Month serves as an opportunity for workplaces, schools, organizations and communities to deepen their understanding of the rich histories, cultures, traditions and experiences of Hispanic and Latino communities while recognizing their lasting contributions and impact across the United States.

Engage in the workplace

One way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the workplace is by strengthening connections with the Hispanic and Latino communities near your business. Consider partnering with local Hispanic and Latino organizations, chambers of commerce, nonprofits and community leaders while also supporting local restaurants, cultural exhibits, performances, festivals and other events that showcase Hispanic and Latino cultures.

Within the workplace, employee resource groups (ERGs) can play an important role in shaping thoughtful and engaging programming. ERGs can help identify opportunities for employees to learn, connect and participate, whether through internal programs or by encouraging departments and teams to attend local Hispanic Heritage Month events together. These experiences can help companies move beyond recognition and create meaningful connections with employees and the broader community.

Another meaningful way to engage employees during Hispanic Heritage Month is to create opportunities for Hispanic and Latino business and corporate leaders to share their experiences, perspectives, and professional journeys. Companies can host an interview-style conversation, fireside chat or panel discussion where leaders share their career paths and personal journeys, as well as insights on leadership and navigating the business community. These conversations provide employees with valuable professional perspectives while highlighting the diverse experiences and contributions of Hispanic and Latino leaders across industries.

September holidays to recognize

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is observed in 2026 from sundown on Friday, Sept. 11, through nightfall on Sunday, Sept. 13. It marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days and is a time for prayer, reflection and renewal, when individuals consider the past year and set intentions for the year ahead. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is observed in 2026 from sundown on Sunday, Sept. 20, through nightfall on Monday, Sept. 21. Considered the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur concludes the High Holy Day period and is dedicated to reflection, repentance, forgiveness and spiritual renewal.

Additionally, Patriot Day is observed annually on September 11 as a national day of remembrance for the lives lost during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It honors the victims, their families, first responders and all lives impacted by the events of the day. Americans are encouraged to reflect and remember through moments of silence, memorial observances and community service.

Attend an event

If you are interested in bringing your team, friends or family to engaging and educational opportunities occurring in June, here are some events:

The Latino Cultural Center | Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5 p.m.

2600 Live Oak Street., Dallas, TX, 75204

The Latino Cultural Center (LCC) hosts a variety of multidisciplinary activities for audiences of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels throughout the year. In addition to rotating gallery exhibitions that highlight the work of local, regional and international artists, the LCC offers a range of community-focused programs, including exhibition-related workshops, senior engagement activities, youth art camps and special series that explore diverse cultural traditions.

Dallas Arboretum: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and Quinceañera Fashion Show | Saturday, Sept. 12, 10-5 p.m.. & 5-9 p.m.

8525 Garland Rd., Dallas, TX, 75218

The Dallas Arboretum’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration on September 12,  celebrates Hispanic culture and traditions through live entertainment, local vendors, family-friendly activities, food and beverages and the popular Quinceañera Fashion Show. The event features both a daytime celebration from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and the separately ticketed Twilight Noches from 5-9 p.m., giving guests a full day of cultural experiences throughout the garden.

Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Hecho en Fort Worth Gala | Saturday, Sept. 12, 5:30-11:30 p.m.

Fort Worth Convention Center: 1201 Houston St., Fort Worth, TX, 76102

The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting an unforgettable evening celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and honoring the individuals and organizations driving positive change in our community. with over 800 community leaders, partners and guests expected to celebrate in their largest event of the year.

Latinidad Festival 2026 | Saturday, Oct. 3, 6-10 p.m.

Strauss Square, 2389 Flora St., Dallas, TX, 75201

The AT&T Performing Arts Center presents their fifth annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Experience the food, dance, music and cultures of Latin America brought together by the Hispanic and Latino communities of Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond.

Member Spotlight: Movate

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Estimated reading time: 3.5 minutes

Movate is an applied AI company helping enterprises translate the potential of AI into measurable business impact. With over 12,000 employees across 20 global locations, augmented by AI collaborator agents, it brings together human expertise and technology to help organizations rethink operating models for efficiency and growth. Powered by Mova iO, its intelligent outcomes platform, Movate delivers practical, scalable and industry-contextualized solutions that address real business challenges.

Our business is anchored across enterprise IT operations, data and enterprise intelligence and engineering. We apply AI to reimagine customer and business operations, unlock intelligence from enterprise data and accelerate the engineering and modernization of products, applications, cloud and technology environments.

Our approach to applied AI is deliberately pragmatic. We focus on where AI can materially change the economics, speed, experience or effectiveness of a business process, and then we bring together the right combination of AI agents, data, automation, enterprise platforms, engineering and human expertise to deliver that outcome.

Powered by Mova iO, we help clients progress from isolated AI initiatives toward enterprise intelligence, where intelligence is embedded across the enterprise and continuously drives better decisions, greater productivity, stronger customer experiences and sustainable growth.

How does Movate help its clients build value?

Movate approaches transformation from the standpoint of ‘business value first.’ We begin by identifying the outcome that needs to change and then determine where AI, data, engineering, automation and human expertise can have the greatest impact.

This may involve redesigning an enterprise operation to improve productivity and customer experience; modernizing data estates to enable trusted, real-time intelligence; or embedding AI across the engineering lifecycle to improve development velocity, quality, modernization and technology performance.

A critical part of creating value from AI is ensuring that it operates with the right enterprise context. Where required, we strengthen the underlying data and semantic foundations through governance, knowledge graphs, ontologies and context engineering, enabling AI systems and agents to understand the relationships, terminology, policies and knowledge specific to the business.

Our capabilities across enterprise operations, data and enterprise intelligence and engineering allow us to connect these elements rather than address them in isolation—linking data to decisions, decisions to workflows and AI to the systems and people that execute them.

Equally important, we align execution to measurable value. Our outcome-based commercial models, including milestone-based, SLA-linked, gain-share and success-based structures, create greater alignment between investment and impact and give us shared accountability for the outcomes we commit to deliver.

What differentiates Movate within your industry?

The next era of technology services will not be defined by the ability to scale talent alone. It will be defined by the ability to orchestrate intelligence at enterprise scale.

That is the premise behind Movate’s applied AI strategy.

Enterprises have made substantial investments in technology, data, cloud, automation and, now, AI. The strategic imperative is to make those investments work together—within the context of the enterprise—to materially improve business performance.

Our differentiation is also commercial. We are progressively moving beyond effort-based delivery toward outcome-based partnerships, where our success is increasingly linked to improvements in productivity, customer experience, service performance, engineering velocity, cost and other business metrics.

For CIOs, AI has become a strategic priority even as technology budgets face increasing pressure. Movate helps bridge this gap by rationalizing the existing IT portfolio and unlocking savings across applications, infrastructure, cloud, licensing and operations. These savings can then be reinvested into AI transformation initiatives, enabling enterprises to fund AI from within their existing technology spend rather than relying on significant incremental budgets.

Movate is also a right-sized technology services partner—big enough to deliver at enterprise scale, yet small enough to care. We combine the global delivery capabilities, technology depth and scale required for complex transformations with the agility, responsiveness and leadership attention of a focused partner.

This combination of Applied AI, services depth, intelligent orchestration and outcome accountability positions Movate to help enterprises move from AI adoption to enterprise-wide value creation.

What benefits does Movate enjoy by doing business in the Dallas Region?

The Dallas Region represents a compelling environment for Movate’s continued growth, combining the scale of a major global business center with a strong technology ecosystem, deep talent base and a culture of enterprise innovation.

The region is home to a diverse concentration of global corporations and high-growth businesses across industries that are investing significantly in AI, data, cloud, digital engineering, customer experience and operational transformation.

Our presence in the region gives us valuable market proximity, through client engagements, industry forums, leadership networks and conversations with technology and business leaders, we gain a sharper view of evolving priorities and emerging opportunities. This helps us stay closely connected to the market and continuously refine how we bring Applied AI and technology transformation to our clients.

Why did Movate become a member of the Dallas Regional Chamber?

Movate joined the Dallas Regional Chamber as part of our commitment to deepening our engagement with one of North America’s most important business and technology ecosystems.

The DRC convenes the enterprises, business leaders, policymakers, academic institutions and innovators shaping the region’s economic future. That role is particularly relevant at a time when AI is beginning to reshape enterprise strategy, operating models, workforce structures and competitive advantage.

As an Applied AI Services company, Movate brings a practical enterprise perspective to this transition. Our focus is on helping organizations move beyond experimentation and determine where AI can create meaningful value across operations, data and engineering—and how it can be deployed responsibly, governed effectively and scaled across the enterprise.

Membership at the DRC provides an important platform to engage with leaders navigating these priorities, develop strategic relationships, exchange perspectives and contribute to the broader dialogue around technology-led business transformation.

We also see it as an opportunity to contribute to Dallas’ continued evolution as a leading destination for enterprise innovation, technology talent, investment and AI-led growth.

How has Movate changed in the last five years?

Over the past five years, Movate has undertaken a significant strategic transformation, evolving into an Applied AI Services company built for a fundamentally different era of enterprise technology.

This transformation extends well beyond adding AI to our services portfolio. We are systematically embedding AI into how services are designed, delivered and commercialized.

Across enterprise operations, we are evolving traditional delivery models through AI agents, automation, intelligent workflows and human expertise. Across data and enterprise intelligence, we are helping clients move from fragmented information environments toward trusted, contextual intelligence that can power decisions, applications and AI. Across engineering, we are embedding AI throughout the technology lifecycle to accelerate development, quality, modernization, cloud transformation and ongoing technology operations.

We have reinforced this strategy through Mova iO, which enables the orchestration of AI, automation, data, enterprise technology and human expertise around defined business outcomes.

In parallel, we are reshaping our cultural fabric to thrive in the AI era—building AI fluency across the organization through continuous learning, role-based training, certifications and hands-on adoption so our people can work effectively with emerging AI technologies and new delivery models.

Our commercial model is evolving in parallel. As AI changes the relationship between effort and output, traditional headcount- and capacity-led models are giving way to greater emphasis on productivity, service levels, milestones, gain-share and business outcomes. Movate is actively embracing that shift through outcome-based engagement models that create stronger alignment and shared accountability with clients.

North Texas school districts continue upwards trend in latest PK-12 accountability ratings

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By Michael Wood, Vice President, Education & Workforce

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

 

Takeaways

  • 24% of Texas districts increased their accountability rating between 2025 and 2026.
  • North Texas’ 10 largest school systems maintained or improved their numeric accountability score in 2026.
  • Texas public schools will transition to a new testing system, the Student Success Tool (SST), in the 2027-28 school year.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released A-F accountability ratings for the state’s public school districts and campuses for the 2025-26 academic year on Friday, Aug. 14.

Texas’ A-F Accountability System is the statewide rating system for public schools and the primary tool stakeholders and policymakers can use to evaluate campus and district performance.

The state determines A-F ratings through a combination of measures that gauge student achievement, academic growth and outcomes across student groups. These indicators are informed by a variety of metrics, such as state assessment results, graduation rates and College, Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) criteria.

North Texas’ largest school districts continue improving

Across Texas, 24% of districts increased their rating compared to 2025. 64% of school districts earned an “A” or “B” rating, up from 55% in 2025. 92% of districts earned an acceptable rating, or any grade above a “C,” up from 86% in 2025.

In North Texas specifically, the 10 largest school districts and charters maintained or improved their numeric accountability score in 2026, while two improved their overall letter grade from the year prior. Frisco ISD, Dallas ISD, Garland ISD and Plano ISD lead the pack, each earning at least an 85 overall.

Among North Texas school districts, Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD and Richardson ISD have posted the biggest gains since 2023, when a refresh of the A-F Accountability System enhanced the rigor of the state’s accountability grades.

See the table below to evaluate how the 10 largest public school systems in the region performed in 2026. You can search for your neighborhood school or school district at www.txschools.gov.

*Increased letter grade in 2026

Changes to Texas’ PK-12 assessments and accountability measures will impact future grades

In 2025, the Texas Legislature approved a bill to overhaul Texas’ public school assessment system. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, the state will transition to a new test, called the Student Success Tool (SST). STAAR will still be administered in the 2026-27 school year.

The SST will make notable changes to how and when Texas assesses student competence. Rather than a single end-of-year exam, students in grades 3-8 will take abbreviated tests at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. This new cadence is designed to give teachers and families more feedback throughout the academic year and inform instruction accordingly.

Additionally, a forthcoming change to the CCMR component of the A-F Accountability System will weigh criteria based on correlation to postsecondary outcomes, such as credential and wage attainment.

Both changes, once implemented, will impact the A-F ratings of school districts and campuses throughout the state.

Join us at the DRC’s annual State of Public Education, presented by Toyota Motor North America and The Commit Partnership, on Wednesday, Dec. 9, to hear more about trends in student achievement and public school accountability across the state from Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath.

Work-based learning: Connecting students to careers and employers to talent

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By Jarrad Toussant, Senior Vice President, Education & Workforce

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

 

Takeaways

  • Work-based learning (WBL) gives students real-world experience and gives employers a direct pipeline to emerging frontline talent.
  • Capstone WBL programs are built on four primary models, each of which are flexible to industry and business needs.
  • The DRC’s new WBL Toolkit is a comprehensive resource designed to help employers strengthen talent pipelines, close workforce gaps and prepare students for lasting careers.

The DRC’s new WBL Toolkit is a comprehensive resource designed to help employers strengthen talent pipelines, close workforce gaps and prepare students for lasting careers.

The Dallas Region continues to experience extraordinary economic growth, attracting corporate relocations, expanding local companies and creating new jobs. With this growth comes an increasing demand for skilled talent across nearly every industry. While significant investments in education, workforce development and talent attraction help the region meet this growing demand, employers continue to identify a common challenge: finding workers with the skills, experiences and career awareness needed to succeed in today’s workforce.

To equip employers with the tools, resources and information needed to solve this challenge, the DRC launched its Work-Based Learning (WBL) Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to help employers close workforce gaps, strengthen talent pipelines and prepare students for lasting, high-demand careers through career-connected learning opportunities—all while delivering measurable business results.

Work-based learning closes the workforce and readiness gaps

For years, leaders have focused on improving educational outcomes and increasing workforce readiness as independent priorities. In fact, the state expends over $160,000 to educate each student in the state of Texas from kindergarten through high school graduation. Yet according to the National Skills Coalition, Texas faces a middle-skills gap of approximately 1.4 million workers.

WBL helps close that gap by connecting students to real-world experiences that build skills, competencies and career awareness long before they enter the workforce. It serves as a bridge between the classroom and the workplace, giving students opportunities to apply what they learn, explore career pathways and develop the professional skills employers consistently value.

Work-based learning positions high-demand sectors for the future

WBL is especially important in industries facing significant talent shortages and growing workforce demand, such as health care and information technology (IT)—two sectors that are critical to the Dallas Region’s economic future.

Health care is projected to create 2.1 million jobs between 2022 and 2032, representing nearly half of all projected job growth in the United States, but shortages of over 500,000 nurses nationwide are expected by the mid-2030s.

Information technology (IT) occupations, meanwhile, are expected to grow 15% by 2031, adding nearly 700,000 new jobs nationwide, but more than 80% of employers report difficulty finding qualified technology talent. Additionally, 82% of technology job postings require prior work experience, creating a significant barrier for students and early-career talent seeking entry into the workforce.

WBL helps solve this challenge by providing students with meaningful opportunities to gain experience before they enter the labor market, equipping talent with essential, relevant skills and building a robust talent pipeline for employers to hire from. The DRC’s WBL Toolkit offers specialized toolkits catered to the health care and IT sectors.

 

Work-based learning is a competitive advantage for employers

Employers have a unique opportunity to influence and strengthen their future talent pipeline by opening their doors to students and emerging talent. A single WBL experience can help a student better understand career options, build professional networks and connect academic learning to future goals.

According to a report from the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), 80% of employers say internships—one form of WBL—offer a higher ROI than any other recruiting method, and up to 60% of interns convert to full-time hires. WBL simultaneously helps employers build industry awareness and identify prospective employees earlier.

By investing in WBL, employers strengthen their workforce today while building a more resilient, prosperous economy for tomorrow. Whether an organization is taking its first steps into student engagement or looking to scale an existing program, the DRC’s WBL toolkit provides practical guidance and actionable resources that make employer participation easier, more structured and more impactful. To learn more about WBL and how it can impact your business, explore the toolkit.

DRC launches 2026 Talent Labs cohort

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The Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) has launched its 2026 DRC Talent Labs cohort, presented by Bank of America, bringing together talent and human resources professionals from across the Dallas Region for a five-month program focused on strengthening workforce and talent strategies. Representing 14 industries, with 72% of participants from organizations with more than 1,000 employees, the cohort includes professionals well-positioned to apply lessons learned within their organizations and influence workforce strategy across the region.

DRC Talent Labs equips participants with evidence-based strategies to address evolving workforce needs within their organizations. Through hands-on sessions, peer discussions and practical application, cohort members will examine key areas of talent management while developing a Capstone Talent Plan tailored to their organization.

The 2026 cohort began the program Wednesday, Aug. 5, with its first session, Organizational Alignment & Culture, focused on the relationship between organizational goals, workplace culture and employee engagement.

Running through December, Talent Labs features five monthly sessions that explore some of the most pressing issues shaping today’s workplace. Topics include building internal talent pipelines through upskilling and workforce development, adopting AI to increase workforce capacity and translating lessons from the program into actionable talent strategies.

The program also includes Bank of America Workforce Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Bank of America’s Infomart, providing cohort members with an opportunity to examine workforce strategies and practices in action.

Throughout the program, participants will build connections with fellow talent leaders from across the region while developing their Capstone Talent Plans. The cohort will conclude Wednesday, Dec. 2, with group presentations focused on applying program insights within participants’ organizations.

Upon completion of DRC Talent Labs, participants will earn eight Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) recertification credits.

The members of the 2026 DRC Talent Labs cohort are:

NAME ORGANIZATION
Ali Stillman McCarthy Building Companies
Asia Wellington AMN Healthcare
Charla Callier Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas
Colton Prater PepsiCo
Danielle Williams Regal Rexnord
Ebony Alexander UT Southwestern
Erika Guerrero City of Dallas
Gabriela Garza-Ramos Improving
Jennifer Weir Children’s Health System of Texas
Jessica Staggs Schneider Electric
Jessica Pfeiffer AT&T
Jim Croall Tonic3
Judi Umali-Rajkumar SMU Cox School of Business
Kaitlyn Osteen HKS, Inc.
Krystina Myers PGA of America
Larry Walker Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC
Laura Mirochna Dallas College
Meagan Clemons Saville CPAs & Advisors, L.L.C
Nicholas Coy KPMG US
Samantha Heckroth Arcosa
Stephen Tusken City of Dallas
Taylor Bretl Two Roads Consulting
Traci Kirkland Ruiz Foods
Tyrel Jernigan Scouting America
Victoria Hortman Child Poverty Action Lab

For more information or to learn more about joining next year’s cohort, contact DRC Director of Talent Strategies, Tyler Files.

Engaging with Cultural Holidays in August: National Black Business Month

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By Makayla Rosales, Coordinator, Opportunity & Impact

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Every August, National Black Business Month recognizes the enduring contributions of Black entrepreneurs, and the essential role Black-owned businesses play in driving economic growth, creating jobs and strengthening communities across the country.

Established in 2004 by engineering entrepreneur Fredrick E. Jordan and historian and publisher John William Templeton, the observance celebrates the achievements of Black business owners while raising awareness of the systemic barriers that continue to limit equitable access to capital, resources and growth opportunities. The month also honors a rich legacy of Black entrepreneurship spanning more than two centuries—a legacy shaped by resilience, innovation and determination in the face of adversity.

Today, National Black Business Month serves as both a celebration of the success and impact of Black-owned businesses and a call to action for organizations, communities and consumers to invest and support Black entrepreneurs whose leadership continues to fuel a more inclusive and stronger economy.

Engage in the workplace

Whether through intentional purchasing, education or community engagement, organizations can create meaningful opportunities for employees and organizations to engage with, invest in and celebrate Black-owned businesses while strengthening local economies.

One way to increase awareness of local businesses is by creating a shared resource that highlights and organizes them by categories (e.g., restaurants, coffee shops, professional services, retail, wellness, etc.). A digital version, such as a shared spreadsheet or collaborative document, allows coworkers to add their own recommendations, reviews, and favorite businesses throughout the year. Accessible resources like this build engagement that lasts well beyond the month of August.

Another meaningful way to support Black-owned businesses is by incorporating them into your organization’s everyday operations. Consider ordering team lunches from Black-owned restaurants, sourcing office supplies or promotional items from diverse vendors or selecting Black-owned businesses for client gifts and company events.

Beyond day-to-day purchases, organizations can also evaluate their procurement practices to identify opportunities to expand partnerships with Black-owned vendors and build relationships with local business organizations and chambers of commerce. By incorporating these efforts into ongoing business practices, not just during National Black Business Month, companies can help create lasting economic opportunity, strengthen local businesses and foster a more inclusive business community.

August holidays to recognize

Additionally, World Cancer Support Month is observed each August to raise awareness, offer hope and show solidarity with the millions of people around the world affected by cancer. The month emphasizes the importance of support, collaboration and access to resources while encouraging individuals, communities and organizations to work together to lessen the impact of cancer and improve the lives of patients, survivors and their loved ones.

Connect with businesses

If you are interested in engaging with local Black Businesses, please connect with them here:

LEAFBERRI Co. | Open: Online and Store Locator; featured in the DRC’s 2025 Women’s Business Conference

LEAFBERRI is a wellness-focused tea company founded by Dr. Yvonne, a board-certified clinical pharmacist and fourth-generation Kenyan tea producer, that sources premium, hand-picked Kenyan teas directly from small-scale farmers. The company is dedicated to showcasing the quality and heritage of authentic Kenyan tea while supporting sustainable farming, empowering local communities and giving back through initiatives that improve maternal and infant health in Kenya.

HUG BBQ | Open: Wednesday-Saturday, 11-8 p.m.

133 Historic Town Sq. Lancaster, TX, 75146

HUG BBQ is a family-owned-and-operated craft BBQ restaurant, located in the heart of the historic Lancaster town square. All of their signature recipes are scratch made using the freshest ingredients possible.

Enid b. | Open: Online, Farmers Markets & In store; featured in the DRC’s 2025 Women’s Business Conference

Enid b. is a North Dallas-based artisan skincare and haircare brand that creates small-batch soaps, body butters, scrubs and herbal oils inspired by Jamaican traditions and made with organic, wild-crafted and locally sourced ingredients. Founded by Kareen Harmon, the company combines natural, plant-based ingredients with sustainable practices to provide nourishing products that promote healthy skin and hair while honoring heritage and craftsmanship.

Kendall Karsen’s Upscale Soul Food | Open: Wednesday-Sunday, 11-8 p.m.

3939 S. Polk St. #305, Dallas, TX, 75224

Kendall Karsen’s Upscale Soul Food is a Dallas-based, family-owned restaurant that serves elevated Southern comfort food made from scratch, featuring favorites like baked ribs, fried catfish, rotisserie chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens and other classic soul food dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and a healthier approach to traditional recipes. Founded by Chef Kevin Winston and named after his two sons, the restaurant is known for its warm hospitality, commitment to quality and catering services for businesses, events and the local community.

Pan-African Connection, Bookstore and Resource Center | Open: Tuesday-Friday, 11-7 p.m., Saturday, 10-7 p.m. & Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; featured in the DRC’s 2025 Women’s Business Conference

4466 S. Marsalis Ave., Dallas, TX, 75216

Pan-African Connection is a Dallas-based, Black-owned bookstore, art gallery and cultural resource center dedicated to celebrating African history, culture and the global African diaspora through books, art, clothing, jewelry, wellness products and educational programming. In addition to its retail offerings, the organization serves as a community hub by hosting cultural events, workshops and discussions that promote education, wellness and cultural connection.

Brown Brownie | Open: Online; featured in the DRC’s 2025 Women’s Business Conference

Brown Brownie is a mother-and-daughter-owned stationery and gift company that creates wrapping paper, gift bags, greeting cards and other paper goods designed to celebrate and reflect the beauty, diversity and traditions of communities of color. Inspired by cherished family memories, the company is committed to producing high-quality products that foster representation, celebrate individuality and make gift-giving more meaningful.

The Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce (DBCC)

Founded in 1926 as the nation’s first Black chamber of commerce, the DBCC advocates for the creation, growth and long-term success of Black-owned businesses and organizations across North Texas by promoting economic development, education, business opportunities and strategic partnerships. Through programs like the Black Business Bootcamp, accelerator initiatives, technical assistance, networking events, grant opportunities and advocacy, the Chamber equips entrepreneurs and businesses with the resources, training and connections needed to grow and compete.

Organizations and individuals can engage with the DBCC by becoming members, participating in educational programs and networking events, joining committees, sponsoring initiatives and partnering to support Black business and community development throughout the region. To connect with businesses belonging to The Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, visit their website.

Looking for more black-owned businesses to support? Click here.

Community college outcomes spike following overhaul of state funding model

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By Michael Wood, Vice President, Education & Workforce

Estimated reading time: 2.5 minutes

 

Takeaways

  • Community colleges are outpacing state expectations for student outcomes, thanks to legislation that funds community colleges based on student achievement.
  • Community college overperformance is stretching limited state funds, so many colleges will see declining state revenue despite improving results.
  • With the upcoming Texas Legislative Session, legislators are working to identify long-term solutions that maintain the state’s innovative funding model.

Following the Texas Legislature’s passage of landmark legislation to transform the state’s community college funding system in 2023, community colleges across Texas are outperforming expectations, signaling that the strategy is successfully advancing student outcomes. Because of that success, however, Texas is short the funding necessary to fully award colleges for their results.

Looking ahead to the 90th Texas Legislative Session in 2027, prioritizing this innovative approach is critical to delivering results for the state’s future workforce.

Community college funding is an essential workforce development strategy

State legislators unanimously supported House Bill 8 (HB 8) during the 88th Texas Legislative Session, investing significantly in Texas community colleges and shifting nearly all the state’s funding toward incentivizing colleges for attaining student outcomes, such as degree completion or transfer to a four-year institution.

The DRC was highly supportive of HB 8, both leading up to and during the legislative session. Throughout 2022, the DRC convened a working group of executives from 11 regional employers to monitor and advise the Texas Commission on Community College Finance, which was preparing recommendations for legislators’ consideration. During session, the DRC advocated strongly for HB 8, mobilizing business leaders from the Dallas Region to testify for the bill in Austin and providing numerous letters of support to the Legislature.

HB 8 was positioned as a direct response to Texas’ statewide strategic plan for higher education, Building a Talent Strong Texas, which aims to equip 60% of all working-age Texans with a postsecondary degree or credential by 2030. In the Dallas Region today, just 26% of students meet this mark within six years of high school graduation.

Community colleges are central to bridging this gap. In North Texas alone, community colleges enroll nearly 250,000 students, from high school students earning dual credit to adult learners seeking to upskill or reskill into a new occupation.

HB 8 is delivering improved academic and workforce outcomes

Three years in, the early results are clear: HB 8 is working. In just the first year of HB 8 implementation, North Texas community colleges posted significant improvements in student outcomes.

Across Collin College, Dallas College, North Central Texas College and Tarrant County College, attainment of high-demand credentials increased by 27% overall. Economically disadvantaged students and adult learners saw even bigger gains, improving 39% and 44% respectively.

Dual credit attainment rose, too. Students earning at least 15 credit hours through dual credit programs at local high schools jumped 26% across North Texas institutions.

Despite investment, community college overperformance creates funding challenges

Not only did HB 8 revolutionize how Texas funds community colleges—it also carried significant new investment for community college systems.

Overall state funding for community colleges is up considerably compared to FY2023, before HB 8 was passed into law. Community colleges in the Dallas Region are generating nearly $36 million in new state revenue today than prior to HB 8.

However, the most recent batch of community college outcomes widely exceeded the state’s projections. Because the Legislature allocated funding based on those projections, available dollars are insufficient to cover the outcomes reported by community colleges. As a result of this overperformance, 42 of 50 community colleges statewide will see a decrease in state revenue from FY2026 to FY2027, despite improving student outcomes.

In the Dallas Region, Dallas College, North Central Texas College and Tarrant County College will each see a decline in state revenue, ranging from a 3% to 7% drop, for FY2027. Collin College, however, is one of a handful of community colleges in the state that will see a funding increase, up 7% compared to FY2026.

What comes next for community college funding

In passing HB 8, Texas positioned itself as a national leader in innovative postsecondary policy. By all accounts, HB 8 is working as intended, as community colleges have quickly improved educational and workforce outcomes across the board.

The present funding challenges are an indicator of that success, but also a sign that additional legislative attention is necessary to right-size the funding incentives provided by HB 8 and stabilize projections for future years.

State legislators dug into this issue during two separate interim hearings on Tuesday, July 28, during which the DRC submitted written testimony to members of the Senate Higher Education Committee, strongly advocating for state action. The Senate Finance Committee also took a look at community college outcomes and the funding shortfall in a hearing focused on higher education funding transparency.

The House Higher Education Committee is expected to conduct its own interim hearing on community college funding in August.

Heading into the 90th Texas Legislative Session, the DRC looks forward to working with legislators to maintain the state’s commitment to this innovative and successful funding model that is driving outcomes for our future workforce.

Interested in learning more about community college funding or how to get engaged before the Legislative Session kicks off in 2027? Send me a note at mwood@dallaschamber.org.

 

DRC Announces 52nd Class of Leadership Dallas

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The Dallas Regional Chamber has announced the 52nd class of Leadership Dallas (LD), powered by Grant Thornton, the Dallas Region’s premier leadership program. The 55 members of the LD Class of 2027 represent a wide range of industries and organizations. 

Established in 1975 by the DRC, the Leadership Dallas program unlocks leadership potential and inspires class members to elevate engagement within their organizations and communities. The nine-month curriculum positions class members to address the challenges and opportunities facing the Dallas Region.

“The best leaders understand the region they’re operating in—its people, its pressure points, its possibilities. The members of the Leadership Dallas Class of 2027 are each accomplished leaders inside their companies. We are grateful they are choosing to spend the next year getting to know North Texas far more deeply than most people ever will. That’s a real commitment, and it’s the kind that will make our region stronger for generations,” said Brad Cheves, DRC President and CEO. 

Through expert-led sessions, peer discussions and a community-focused project, class members gain firsthand insight into the key opportunities shaping the Dallas Region, including economic development, education, innovation, health care, public policy and more. 

“Leadership Dallas gives participants the opportunity to step outside of their day-to-day roles and experience the Dallas Region through a broader lens,” said Evelyn Solorzano, Managing Director of Leadership Programs at the DRC. “The Class of 2027 is bringing tremendous energy and curiosity to the program, and I look forward to seeing how they learn from one another, build lasting relationships and grow as leaders throughout the year.” 

The members of the Leadership Dallas Class of 2027 are: 

 

NAME  ORGANIZATION 
Amanda Gathmann  Lockton Dunning Benefits 
Ashlee Verner  Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas 
Betsy Thomas  Axxess 
Billy Wang  Thomson Reuters 
Boski Sharma  Communities Foundation of Texas 
Brandon Dinwiddie  UMB Bank
Brandon Wilson  HUB International Texas, Inc.
Brian Mason  Greenberg Traurig, LLP 
Bryan Shahan  Hillwood, a Perot Company 
Chad Barton  Holland & Knight 
Connie Piloto  Oncor 
Corey Chandler  KPMG 
Cory Cooper  McCarthy Building Companies 
Courtney Johnson  United Surgical Partners International 
Craig Foster  Baylor Scott & White Health 
Elena Sacca Smith  Toyota Motor North America 
Erin Fischer  Girlscouts of Northeast Texas 
Hillary Strong  Deloitte 
Hunter Hezmall  Regions Bank 
Irfan Dossani  Whitley Penn 
Jake Coursey  The Huntington National Bank 
James Rhodes  Children’s Health 
Jeff Slade  AT&T 
Jon Reale  Forvis Mazars 
Joseph Yoshitomi  Broadway Dallas 
Kate Humphries  Balfour Beatty 
Kate Pennartz  Troutman Pepper Locke 
Katherine Archer   Cresset Capital 
Kent DeWolfe  Jacobs 
Kevin Baker  Improving 
Kristina Holcomb  AECOM 
Lacey Jeffrey  SMU Cox School of Business 
LaCrecia Perkins  Carrington Coleman 
LaTasha Jarrett, MD  HHM Health Group 
Lauren Rodgers  McKesson 
Marjie Zethraus Mros   JPMorganChase 
Matt Robben  JE Dunn Construction 
Michael Iyescas  Fossil Group 
Michael McLaughlin  Turner Construction Company 
Minoo Blaesche  Jackson Walker LLP 
Neima Golnabi  Grant Thornton 
Rachell Allen  7-Eleven, Inc. 
Rachel Chewakin  United to Learn 
Ross Roark  PwC 
Ryan Vickers  Caterpillar 
Shannon Davis  Schneider Electric 
Shannon Fisher  Texas Health Resources 
Stephanie Bowers  Texas Capital Bank 
Susan Kennedy  Baker Botts, L.L.P. 
Teresa Patton  Bank of America 
Tim Newman  Haynes Boone 
Todd Bynum  Dallas Mavericks 
Trey Slinkard  EY 
Victoria Lopez  Arcosa 
Vince Manna  Bank of Texas 

Member Spotlight: Waypoint Wellness HQ

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By Waypoint Wellness HQ

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Waypoint Wellness HQ helps individuals, teams and organizations build resilience from the inside out through nervous system regulation, breathwork, mindfulness, cold exposure education and experiential wellness training. Our work is rooted in practical, science-informed tools that help people manage stress, increase emotional capacity and reconnect with their own sense of clarity and agency. 

We specialize in helping high-capacity people, leaders and teams move beyond burnout and into sustainable performance. Our offerings include corporate wellness workshops, breathwork sessions, nervous system regulation programs, one-on-one coaching, digital wellness resources and experiential learning sessions designed to help people regulate, reset and expand. 

How does Waypoint Wellness HQ help its clients build value?  

Waypoint Wellness HQ helps clients build value by improving the human systems that support performance: stress regulation, emotional resilience, focus, communication and sustainable energy. When individuals and teams learn how to regulate their nervous systems, they are better equipped to lead, collaborate, recover from stress and make thoughtful decisions under pressure. 

For organizations, this creates value through healthier teams, stronger leadership capacity, reduced burnout risk and a more engaged workforce. For individuals, it creates value by offering practical tools they can use in real time to manage anxiety, increase self-awareness and build a more grounded, resilient life. 

What differentiates Waypoint Wellness HQ within your industry?  

Waypoint Wellness HQ bridges personal transformation and organizational performance. We are not simply offering wellness as a perk or a one-time relaxation experience. Our work is designed to teach people usable regulation skills that can be practiced in the middle of real life and real work. 

What differentiates us is our combination of experiential learning, science-informed nervous system education, breathwork, mindfulness and identity-level growth. We help people understand not only how to calm down, but how to expand their capacity, lead with more clarity and grow from the inside out. 

Waypoint also brings a grounded, accessible tone to wellness. We make these practices practical, approachable and relevant for modern professionals, especially those navigating stress, leadership pressure, burnout, transition or high-demand work environments. 

What benefits does Waypoint Wellness HQ enjoy by doing business in the Dallas Region?  

The Dallas Region offers Waypoint Wellness HQ access to a strong and diverse business community, including growing companies, corporate headquarters, health care organizations, technology companies, entrepreneurs and leadership networks. It is a region where innovation, growth and professional development are highly valued, which makes it a strong fit for our work in resilience, wellness and leadership capacity. 

Dallas also gives us access to organizations that are actively thinking about employee wellbeing, retention, culture and sustainable performance. For a company like Waypoint Wellness HQ, the region provides both a practical business base and a meaningful opportunity to support leaders and teams who are shaping the future of work. 

Why did Waypoint Wellness HQ become a member of the Dallas Regional Chamber?  

Waypoint Wellness HQ became a member of the Dallas Regional Chamber to build meaningful relationships within the Dallas business community and to connect with organizations that value leadership, innovation, wellbeing and workforce resilience. 

The DRC gives us an opportunity to learn from other business leaders, contribute to conversations around employee wellness and organizational health and introduce our work to companies that are looking for practical ways to support their people. It also helps us stay connected to the growth and direction of the Dallas Region as we continue developing our corporate wellness offerings. 

How has Waypoint Wellness HQ changed in the last five years?  

Waypoint Wellness HQ has evolved from a wellness-centered idea into a more focused business with a clear mission: helping individuals and organizations build resilience through nervous system regulation, breathwork, mindfulness and experiential learning. 

Over time, our work has expanded from individual practices and personal wellness tools into corporate wellness, leadership support, digital programs, group workshops and structured offerings for organizations. We have clarified our message, refined our audience, developed products and programs and moved toward serving both individuals and companies. 

The biggest change has been our shift from offering wellness experiences to building a broader framework for regulation, resilience, expansion and growth. Waypoint Wellness HQ is now positioned to support not just personal transformation, but healthier teams, stronger leaders and more sustainable workplaces. 

Downtown Dallas, Inc. transforms an urban district into a home for everyone

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By Chatashia Brown, Managing Director, Opportunity & Impact

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Jennifer Scripps grew up in Dallas dreaming of life in a big city. She pursued her dream in New York, Boston and Philadelphia before finding her way back to Dallas in 2007 to work with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. What she found when she returned surprised her: the Arts District was taking shape, Klyde Warren Park was rising from a freeway cap and trails were beginning to stitch neighborhoods together.

Now, nearly 20 years later, Scripps leads Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI) as its President and CEO and holds a community seat on the DRC’s Board of Directors, helping turn the momentum she came home to into the downtown that exists today.

A neighborhood—not just a business district

For more than 70 years, Downtown Dallas, Inc. has been the principal champion, advocate and steward for Dallas’ urban core. Over the last two decades, DDI’s work has transformed to simultaneously manage a growing central business district and cultivate an authentic, livable neighborhood.

Today, Downtown Dallas is home to more than 16,000 residents, supported by 20+ acres of green space, the largest contiguous Arts District in the U.S., a thriving food and beverage scene and two A-rated DISD choice schools serving pre-K through 12th grade.

“This work has evolved,” said Scripps. “We’re not just a business district anymore. We’re a neighborhood, and everything we do reflects that.”

Creating a safer, more welcoming downtown

Among DDI’s recent accomplishments, Scripps is most proud of the Safe in the City initiative, a multi-pronged safety strategy supporting long-term solutions like housing, re-entry support and community court expansion. With support from the Tomorrow Fund, the DRC was an early investor in the Safe in the City initiative, helping strengthen safety and vitality in the heart of the Dallas Region.

Working with Boston Consulting Group, DDI identified gaps in public safety resourcing and helped make the case for a more coordinated, city-wide response. Thanks to the initiative and its many partners, crime in Downtown Dallas decreased by more than 10% from 2024 to 2025—a trend that has continued throughout 2026—and approximately 400 individuals previously without stable shelter have received housing support.

“This is what it takes to help Downtown be the place people want to work, live and visit,” said Scripps. “And we’re not done.”

Putting Dallas on the Global Stage

With Dallas serving as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, DDI worked alongside the FIFA Organizing Committee, Visit Dallas and the City of Dallas to prepare downtown for global visitors and ensure local businesses and residents were well-positioned to benefit from all the event entails. To help small businesses understand what to expect, DDI hosted more than 200 attendees at a Merchant Meeting in April to detail everything from park activations and street closures to hotel demand and visitor patterns.

The World Cup also sparked a long-term vision for the streets themselves. Through a partnership with Better Block, DDI activated Main Street by converting parking lanes into pedestrian-friendly spaces with seating, pop-up vendor booths and performance areas. For four Saturdays, Main Street closed to cars entirely.

“I hope this pilot program is successful and becomes a standard offering in Downtown,” said Scripps. “This is about showing what our streets can be.”

And when fans from around the world arrived, Scripps wanted them to experience exactly that.

“Whether the fan hails from Argentina, Japan or Croatia, we want them to go home and tell their friends and colleagues about the wonderful stay they had in Dallas. We are ready to welcome the world.”

That spirit of civic pride and possibility is exactly what Scripps brings to her seat on the DRC’s Board of Directors, grounding regional conversations in the lived experience of a downtown that is still writing its story. Under her leadership, Downtown Dallas is no longer just the center of the region’s business activity; it is becoming a destination, a community and a showcase for what the Dallas Region is capable of.