2026 YMCA KEY LEADERS LUNCHEON
Presented by: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Beyond the Ball: Access. Opportunity. Character.
The YMCA Key Leaders Luncheon event is designed to connect key community and business leaders with timely local issues that have a regional impact while also sharing a few accomplishments and priorities of the Dallas YMCA.
Sports do more than build athletes. They build confidence, resilience, leadership, and belonging. Join us for this year’s luncheon: Beyond the Ball, as community leaders explore how sports can help shape a stronger future for North Texas. Moderated by FOX 4’s Shannon Murray, our panel will feature:
- Dr. Sophia Ulman, Director of the Movement Science Lab at Scottish Rite for Children, sharing how sports support healthy childhood development and what helps keep young athletes active and participating long-term
- Kendall Miller, Athletic Director for Plano Independent School District, exploring how sports build character, confidence, leadership, and educational opportunity that can shape a young person’s future
- LaDondra Wilson, Vice President of Social Responsibility and Executive Director of the Community Foundation for the Dallas Wings, discussing how access and intentional programming can create opportunities and keep girls engaged in sports
Join business and community leaders for a conversation about how North Texas can expand opportunities for young people and the role each of us can play in shaping what comes next.
SHANNON MURRAY
Anchor & Reporter
FOX 4
MODERATOR
DR. SOPHIA ULMAN
Division Director of Movement Science
Scottish Rite for Children
PANELIST
KENDALL MILLER
Athletic Director
Plano Independent School District
PANELIST
LADONDRA WILSON
Vice President of Social Responsibility and Executive Director of the Community Foundation
Dallas Wings
PANELIST
LUNCHEON SPONSORS
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for making the 2026 YMCA Key Leaders Luncheon possible. Their generosity and commitment fuel the YMCA’s mission and strengthens our community by ensuring North Texas continues to thrive as a hub for opportunity and innovation.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SPONSOR
HEALTHY LIVING SPONSOR
HEALTHY LIVING SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSOR
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPONSORS (TABLE)
Allyn
Felix Lozano
Haynes Boone
Jill & Brent Magnuson
Jonathan Clarkson
YMCA Key Leaders Luncheon Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in learning more about sponsorship with the YMCA?
Complete the form below, and Melis Jones, Senior Director of Corporate Relations, will reach out to you soon!
North Texas stands at the forefront of economic growth and innovation, and its success depends on a workforce ready to meet tomorrow’s demands. The 2025 luncheon brought together leading voices from education, industry, and civic leadership to explore how our region is aligning its talent pipeline for the future. Moderated by FOX4’s Shannon Murray, our panel featured:
- Dr. Justin Lonon, Chancellor of Dallas College
- Dr. Mike Waldrip, Superintendent of Frisco ISD
- Christy Pambianchi, Chief Human Resources Officer of Caterpillar Inc.
SEE PHOTOS
2025 ADVANCING COMMUNITY IMPACT WINNERS
2025 Advancing Community Impact Award - Individuals
Jill and Brent Magnuson
2025 Advancing Community Impact Award - Organization
The Touchdown Club of Dallas
CHANGING COMMUNITIES: ENSURING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
The YMCA Key Leaders Luncheon event is designed to connect key community and business leaders with timely local issues that have a regional impact while also sharing a few accomplishments and priorities of the Dallas YMCA.
On October 17th, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas hosted its Key Leaders Luncheon at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. This year's luncheon focused on the critical issues affecting North Texas, including transportation accessibility, childcare, and workforce development. Expert speakers and panelists will share insights, strategies, and success stories that highlighted the importance of collective action in driving positive change.
Moderated by FOX4's Shannon Murray, the panel featured the unique perspectives of Nadine Lee, President & CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Lynn McBee, Workforce Development Czar of the City of Dallas, Tori Mannes, President & CEO of ChildCareGroup.
2024 CATALYST ADVANCING EQUITY WINNERS
2024 Catalyst Advancing Equity Award
Araceli Mercado
2024 Catalyst Advancing Equity Award
Metrocare Services and Grant Halliburton Foundation
BREAKING BARRIERS, FEEDING FUTURES: Fighting For A Healthier North Texas
The 2023 Key Leaders Luncheon focused on the pressing need for community health support and advocacy. Through a panel, we’ll discover how culinary education shapes healthier choices, how innovative programs bridge the gaps in food access, and how advocacy initiatives are reshaping policies for a healthier North Texas.
Moderated by FOX4's Shannon Murray, our panel featured the unique perspectives of:
Dr. Jaclyn Albin, M.D., CCMS, DipABLM, Associate Professor in the Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center
Benaye Wadkins Chambers – President & CEO of Crossroads Community Services
Timmy Newsome – Children At Risk Advocate and Former Dallas Cowboys football player
2023 CATALYST ADVANCING EQUITY AWARD WINNERS
SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY: Supporting Mental Wellbeing in Our Youth
This year's luncheon focused on a topic that has become more crucial to address due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pressures of the social media age, and our increasingly competitive society: the mental well-being of our youth.
Moderated by WFAA's Cynthia Izaguirre, our panel featured the unique perspectives of renowned psychiatrist Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, Director of the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Jessica Gomez, Licensed Psychologist and Executive Director of Momentous Institute, and Sonya Parker Goode, Director of Outreach and Education at Grant Halliburton Foundation.