“A Conversation with The McConaugheys” will highlight the work of the couple’s just keep livin Foundation as well as personal stories of life, love, career, family, and the importance of “legacy choices”
New Friends New Life (NFNL) announces Camila and Matthew McConaughey will headline its annual luncheon, on Friday, September 20 at noon, at the OMNI Dallas Hotel. Academy Award-Winning Actor Matthew McConaughey is the CEO of the just keep livin Foundation and its founder along with his wife, Camila. “A Conversation with The McConaugheys” will highlight their work with the foundation, which focuses on empowering high school students to make healthy choices for a better future, and will also include highlights from their careers, family life, and philosophies for living. Luncheon co-chairs are JoJo Fleiss and Lisa Rocchio. Honorary co-chairs are Robin and Norm Bagwell.
“The McConaugheys’ work through their just keep livin Foundation impacts young lives in a powerful, pro-active way and is aligned with the work of New Friends New Life to fortify and support the vulnerable teen girls we serve,” said Bianca Davis, CEO, New Friends New Life. “Additionally, the just keep livin Foundation provides an environment encouraging respect and healthy relationships – an important lesson NFNL also teaches high school boys through our ManKINDness curriculum. We could not be more excited to welcome this charming and beloved duo to Dallas and look forward to a luncheon that will not only be informative and inspiring, but also memorable and fun.”
Texas native Matthew McConaughey is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men. A chance meeting in Austin with casting director and producer Don Phillips led him to director Richard Linklater, who launched the actor’s career in the cult classic “Dazed and Confused.” Since then, he has won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Ron Woodruff in “Dallas Buyers Club”; appeared in over 40 feature films that have grossed over $1 billion; and has become an author, producer, and philanthropist with his just keep livin Foundation – all the while sticking to his Texas roots and “jk livin” philosophy. He is co-owner of The Austin FC Soccer Club and a professor at the University of Texas in Austin. In 2020, McConaughey released his first book, Greenlights, which became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His second book, a children’s book titled Just Because, debuted in September 2023 and was an instant New York Times #1 bestseller.
Camila Alves McConaughey is a dedicated mother, entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author. Born and raised in Brazil to a family of farmers, she grew up with a strong connection to the taste and aroma of food made using only fresh-picked ingredients. After moving to the United States in her teens to pursue a career in fashion, she later established herself as a well-known lifestyle expert – hosting the Food Network’s “Kids BBQ Championship” and Bravo’s “Shear Genius,” guest judging on “Chopped Junior,” and co-founding a frozen organic baby food brand, Yummy Spoonfuls. Camila regularly makes appearances on morning and daytime talk shows sharing her fresh, modern approach to entertaining, beauty and cooking.
Throughout her career, Camila has traveled the world and with each journey found a deep interest and connection to different cultures and communities around the globe. With this vision, in 2015 she launched the lifestyle and community website Women of Today, which encourages connection around content focused on family, food, fashion, wellness, home and more.
In 2022, Camila released her first children’s book Just Try One Bite, a fresh and hilarious new take on picky eating, which became an instant New York Times Bestseller. It is with whimsical role reversals in which three kids are determined to get their parents to put down the ice cream, cake, and chicken fried steak to just try one bite of healthy whole foods.
In October 2023, Matthew and Camila launched their own tequila brand, Pantalones, the first joint venture for the couple. The dynamic duo resides in Austin, Texas, with their three children.
Luncheon Co-chairs JoJo Fleiss and Lisa Rocchio are both passionate supporters of community nonprofits and value community engagement. Working with the arts, museums, and charities, Fleiss, who has lived in Dallas since 2021 with her husband, Eric, and their children, believes in education through experience. She serves on the board of the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and is a Lion of Judah with the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. She has served on the NFNL Circle of Friends Board with Rocchio, and she is active at her children’s schools.
“Sex trafficking devastates the lives of young women and girls, and NFNL empowers them by giving them the tools they need to make a fresh start,” said JoJo Fleiss. “It is an honor to have the McConaugheys headlining this well-known annual luncheon that raises critical funding to help so many. Without question, Lisa and I know that their passion to make a difference in the lives of others will help to amplify and support this important cause.”
Co-chair Lisa Rocchio has been an active member of the Crystal Charity Ball since 2018 and is on the board of the Texas Ballet Theater (TBT), where she serves on the nominating committee and has represented TBT as a NorthPark Ambassador. She previously served as president of the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Health, where she founded and chaired the Mahjong fundraiser, co-chaired Six Flags Family Night, and co-chaired the gifts committee. She and her husband, John, have adamantly modeled the true heart of a philanthropist to their three adult children.
“Once you learn about this issue, it is difficult to look away. After attending one of NFNL’s bus tours, which brings to life the reality of sex trafficking throughout Dallas, I made a commitment to raise more awareness of this issue,” said Rocchio. “My daughter and I have volunteered at NFNL for several years, and both JoJo and I have served as Circle of Friends board members. I am honored to co-chair this event and hope it will enlighten more individuals about this issue and the many ways NFNL is helping victims break through trauma and rebuild their lives.”
Honorary Co-chairs Robin and Norm Bagwell are well-regarded philanthropists, business and community leaders. Robin has been a member of NFNL’s Board of Directors since 2007, until recently rolling off the board, and is a former NFNL luncheon chair. Norm Bagwell is the chairman of Bank of Texas and chairman of the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation.
Underwriting sponsorship opportunities begin at $2,500. A limited number of individual tickets will be released in September and will begin at $250 each. To reserve your sponsorship or seats, please visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon, email events@newfriendsnewlife.org or contact Chief Development Officer Priya Murphy at 214-217-8652.
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About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. The agency’s vision is to create a community where women and girls can soar above the limits of their past and achieve their dreams. In 2023, NFNL served 328 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of sex trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, the YRC has served more than 550 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. In 2024, D CEO Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards honored NFNL as “Organization of the Year” (midsize category). For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon.