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 | HUB International Texas, Inc. |
| Brandon Wilson | UMB Bank |
| 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 |