New Friends New Life (NFNL) has appointed Cole Edmonson, DNP, RN, FAAN, as the nonprofit’s new board chair for a two-year term. Dr. Edmonson succeeds Jane A. Rose who has served in this role since 2023. A healthcare executive, registered nurse, and former chief nursing and clinical officer with over three decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Edmonson has been an active supporter, advocate, and board member of NFNL. The mission of NFNL is to restore and empower trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drive awareness of the issue and its prevalence. 

“I am honored and humbled to serve as the chair of the NFNL Board and to support the nonprofit’s incredible CEO, Bianca Davis, as well as the phenomenal team in the impactful work they do every day,” said Cole Edmonson. “Their trauma-informed care model with critical wraparound services provide our members with the innovative, supportive, caring, and transformative services needed to change the paradigm from surviving to thriving.”

NFNL also announces the induction of five new board members: Deondriea Cantrice, Lynn Dowdle, Lonnie Falgout, Tracey Nash-Huntley, (returning), and Beth Thoele. Tiffany Odum, Junior League of Dallas project chair, has also joined the board for a one-year term.

Additionally, Amanda Muhammad has been named president of the NFNL Auxiliary Circle of Friends (COF) Board, where she will serve for two years. C. Davis Prescott will return for a second year as president of the NFNL Auxiliary Men’s Advocacy Group (MAG) Board. First on the agenda for COF President Muhammad is the spring fundraising event hosted by Circle of Friends – a Wine Tasting on May 6, while MAG President Prescott is preparing for the annual ManKINDness Breakfast on May 12.

Returning to the board are Adam Cannon, chief brand officer, Extended Stay America; Erin Nealy Cox, partner at Kirkland & Ellis and a former U.S. Department of Justice official; Laura Harris, journalist and co-anchor, NBC5; Fallyn Jones, senior vice president, Citigroup, Inc.; Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM, FNAP, senior vice president, Customer Development Group, EssilorLuxottica; Camelia Lopez Shoemaker, prosecutor; Sarah K. Miller, philanthropist; Cheryl Monroe, vice president, controller and treasurer, Mary Kay Inc.; Laura Nieto, managing director of corporate responsibility, Southwest Airlines; Jane A. Rose, (immediate past chair), general counsel Irwin R. Rose & Co.; Elena Sacca Smith, group manager for the Office of Social Innovation, Toyota North America; and Jessica Turner Waugh, actor and community leader.

“While these dynamic leaders bring a broad range of expertise from across the Dallas community, their passion for our mission is singular,” said Bianca Davis, CEO, NFNL. “Because we know that the issue of human trafficking intersects across industries, the addition of board members from diverse professional and personal backgrounds will help prepare NFNL to continue delivering on its mission now, and into the future. I am excited and inspired to work alongside each of these committed and caring individuals.”

For more information, visit newfriendsnewlife.org or call (214) 965-0935.

NEW CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026

NEW BOARD MEMBERS 2025-2026

Dr. Cole Edmonson is a distinguished leader in healthcare with a career spanning over three decades, from clinical nursing to executive roles in hospitals and industry. He currently serves as the CEO of the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC), championing nursing leadership in governance and policy. A recognized expert in nursing leadership, Dr. Edmonson is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, American College of Healthcare Executives. He is also an Executive Nurse Fellow Alum of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Edmonson earned his BSN and MSN from the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing and his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Texas Christian University. His career has been dedicated to advocating for vulnerable populations, advancing the profession of nursing, and fostering collaboration between prevention, acute care, and community health. Beyond his leadership roles, he has served on numerous local, state, and national boards, including the American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and as past chair of the National League for Nursing Education Foundation. He also served as past president of the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership and as a board member of the Texas Hospital Association. Dr. Edmonson is also dedicated to global health, serving as a supporter and service team leader with the International Esperanza Project (IEP) dedicated to strengthening communities in Latin America.

Deondriea Cantrice is a celebrated author, certified confidence coach, and an accomplished IT program and change management leader with over a decade of experience guiding global teams through transformation. A dedicated community servant, Cantrice has mentored youth and served on multiple boards at both state and local levels. She was named the 2024 Volunteer of the Year by Junior Achievement-Dallas. Her advocacy work took a powerful turn when human trafficking directly impacted her family, fueling her mission as a lived experience anti-trafficking activist. Today, she champions prevention, awareness, and survivor empowerment.

Lynn Dowdle, principal, Dowdle Real Estate, is a top producing real estate broker in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with extensive experience in hospitality site selection and land sales, restaurant, ground lease, build-to-suit and development opportunities. She is a past long-term member and past president of the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and the 2023 Stemmons Service Award recipient. She has held board and leadership positions in the real estate field as well as in the community and received several honors from DCEO magazine, including being named to the Dallas 500. She is also the founder of If You Knew, raising money for clean water in Africa.

Lonnie Falgout, director, family security, at Palette Investment Company, is responsible for all security aspects surrounding an ultra-high net worth family. Prior to this role, he spent 17 years of decorated service as a special agent with the United States Secret Service, where he provided protection to seven former and current U.S. Presidents. He led high-profile investigations of our nation’s payment systems and provided technical forensic expertise in support of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Falgout earned a B.S. from the University of Holy Cross, New Orleans, and completed graduate level studies through the U.S. Department of Defense.

Tracey Nash-Huntley, community leader, is a former NFNL board chair and luncheon co-chair. She serves on the board of Goodwill Industries, Dallas and the advisory board of SMU’s Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility. She is a member of the Dallas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and is passionate about creating a pipeline to STEM education and careers for underrepresented girls. Nash-Huntley is a founding member of The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation, a Junior League of Dallas Sustainer, a Life Member of the Jesuit Women’s Auxiliary, and a member of The Girl Friends, Incorporated, Dallas Chapter. She received a B.S. in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology after spending her first two collegiate years at Southern Methodist University.

Tiffany Odum, Junior League of Dallas project chair, has also joined the board for a one-year term. She serves as a PM&R (physical medicine and rehabilitation) program manager for the Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Beth Thoele is the immediate past president of the Callier Center for Communication Disorders Foundation. She also serves on the boards of Methodist Health System Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, the Senior Source and Lovers Lane United Methodist Church Foundation. She was previously chair for the Wilkinson Center Can Do Luncheon and a member of the Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School Advisory Council.

NEW CHAIR, CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AUXILIARY BOARD 2025-2026

Amanda Muhammad is an international mindfulness-based stress management & psychological safety consultant based in Dallas. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in business psychology and has a master’s in organizational leadership and a bachelor's in management and leadership. As a certified mindfulness trainer, compassion fatigue trainer, and yoga instructor, Muhammad combines academic expertise with accessible strategies to create healthier, more resilient workplaces. She is the founder of Mako Mindfulness, a boutique professional development company that helps schools and organizations enhance well-being, reduce burnout, and build cultures of psychological safety. She also serves on the mental health and wellness committee for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and the Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee for Prairie View A&M University. She recently completed a cohort with DCEO Emerging Women Leadership Network.

RETURNING CHAIR, MEN’S ADVOCACY GROUP BOARD 2025-2026

C. Davis Prescott, senior vice President, First Horizon Bank, recently celebrated 16 years with First Horizon, formerly IBERIABANK. A native of Baton Rouge, he began his career in credit and private client services and then pivoted to middle market commercial banking. He joined the Dallas market in 2021. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a BBS in finance. He is a proud supporter of the Men’s Advocacy Group and other community organizations.

# # #

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 2024, NFNL served 342 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of sex trafficking through advocacy, legislative alignment 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 www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

The runway came alive on the evening of Friday, May 2, at Texas Woman’s University’s annual Senior Fashion Showcase, held at the Blagg-Huey Library. Hosted by the Division of Fashion Design and Merchandising, the event spotlighted the creativity, collaboration, and talent of graduating students in both design and merchandising. The evening featured two major components: a curated pop-up retail market designed by merchandising students and a high-energy runway show presenting collections of original designs by senior design students.

This year’s theme, Chateau Bordeaux, was inspired by the long-awaited return of TWU Fashion’s study abroad experience in Paris. Thirty students will head to France this May, marking the program’s first international trip since the pandemic.

“It’s a class students can choose for an elective," said Anna Magie, PhD, professor and division head, fashion design and merchandising. "It's only a week long, but they see all of the fashion sites within a week. The Louvre has an exhibit this year they've never had before called Louvre Couture, an exhibit 200 years in the making.”

In addition to celebrating senior creativity, the event serves as a capstone for students across every year and discipline of the program. Seniors in design and merchandising presented their final collections and retail concepts, juniors managed event planning, sophomores operated the retail market, and first-year students provided volunteer support.

"All senior students in fashion design and merchandising showcased their work,” said Remy Odukomaiya, MFA, lecturer, fashion design and merchandising. “It's good for the department because it shows a more rounded view of what we do, that we don't only make garments. We are also in the business of fashion."

Magie added, “The showcase blends design and merchandising, working together as it will happen in industry. A lot of other schools just design in one program, merchandise in another, maybe even fashion marketing in another. But we're all intertwined here, so I think it helps students when they graduate.”

About TWU: Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation on contributions in nursing, healthcare, education, the arts and sciences, and business. TWU’s inclusive culture prioritizes experiential learning, leadership, service, discovery and health and wellbeing, and national media have recognized the university as a top college for student-parents, veterans and social mobility. In 2023, TWU publicly launched Dream Big, a $125 million fundraising effort to support programming, equipment, scholarships and faculty. To learn more about the campaign or the university, visit dreambig.twu.edu or twu.edu, or connect with TWU on Facebook @TexasWomansUniversity, Instagram @txwomans, Twitter @txwomans, and LinkedIn @texaswomansuniversity. 

Murder on the Mississippi

Sally Witherspoon Mystery, #2

by

Erik S. Meyers

Hoping for a little R&R after the events of the previous six months, Sally Witherspoon finds herself smack in the middle of another puzzling murder.

Murder on the Mississippi is the second book in author Erik S. Meyers’s intriguing Sally Witherspoon Mystery series, and while Sally embarks on a luxury river cruise to relax, it turns out no one on board will be getting much rest. With a boatload of quirky potential murderers to consider and an interesting travel itinerary besides, readers will be tempted to stay up late turning pages to find out what is going to happen next to those aboard the River Queen. 

Sally Witherspoon, the bold and brash biker-bar owner, is due for a little R&R on this high-end river cruise after the events of book one, and despite her good intentions, she’s dragged into this new murder case out of self-preservation. In this modern-day locked-room mystery, one of the few passengers and crew aboard the River Queen is a murderer. 

Sally is such a fun, engaging character; I felt like I was getting reacquainted with an old friend. Still, readers new to the series will easily be able to pick up her story in this standalone second book. Almost all of Sally’s fellow passengers have interesting international origins. One is a diplomat whose elite status will have an impact on the trajectory of the story. As a group, I thought the passengers were an argumentative lot, with a nasty or sarcastic remark or gesture always on the ready. I was glad to see the last of them and hope Sally doesn’t keep up with the few that she promised she would. 

The setting on the upscale River Queen cruise is a tantalizing one, and it had me googling Mississippi River excursions as a real-life vacation possibility. This particular cruise had a historical theme that took its participants to diverse, off-the-beaten-paths locations that hold tragic places in our nation’s history: a sad but unexpected highlight of the story. 

One murder follows another, as does plot twist after plot twist, and the truth seems more elusive than ever after the arrival of an FBI agent to take charge of the investigation. The resolution came as a complete surprise as the unusual aspects of the situation were finally revealed. 

With its likable main character, intriguing cruise theme, and intricate plot, I recommend MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI to mystery fans.

 I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

The Whisper Legacy

Pappa Legacy, #1

by

Tj O’Connor

Political intrigue, plot twists galore, and a PI who could certainly use a break.

The Whisper Legacy is the first book in author Tj O’Connor’s new political thriller Pappa Legacy series and features the aging but still canny and cunning private investigator and security consultant Marlowe S. Curran. With its non-stop action and intricate plot full of surprising twists and turns, I was compelled to keep reading page after page without stopping to find out what would happen next! No regrets! 

While resolving a computer hacking case using less than legal methods for his most lucrative client, Marlowe Curran’s landlady’s philandering husband and his current paramour are murdered during a tryst on the estate. Without a less criminal alibi to offer, Lowe becomes a suspect in their murders and must undertake clearing his own name. However, someone seems to be working against him every step of the way. 

Marlowe Curran, Lowe to his friends, is a complex character with a tough backstory, a humorous inner voice, and a soft spot for dogs. A smart, deadly operator, Lowe is best by a seemingly never-ending run of bad luck as he tries to fulfill his responsibilities to his confidential and well-heeled clients, including his landlady, Janey-Lynn Cantrell, whose cheating husband and his latest clandestine amour have just been found murdered in their love nest. 

Multiple storylines unfold through Lowe’s viewpoint and that of a political mover and shaker as the President of the United States narrows down his search for a replacement VP. While they appear unrelated, as the story fights its way to its exciting conclusion, the disparate storylines cleverly converge into one riveting whole. 

I recommend THE WHISPER LEGACY to readers of political thrillers and mysteries featuring private eyes. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

Texas Women's Foundation hosts its Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration on May 8, 2025, at the Omni Dallas Hotel (555. S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75202). A highlight is the Leadership Forum, presented by Merrill, a Bank of America Company/Crockett & Associates, where the 2025 Maura and Young Leader awardees will share insight and inspiration in micro-learning sessions from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Afterwards, there will be a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and an awards celebration, presented by Oncor Electric Delivery, at 6:30 p.m. Individual tickets are now on sale at https://txwf.org/join-us/events/lfac-event/. 

Anne Talk: “Lead Bigger”

Presented by Anne Chow, The Rewired CEO Founder  

In a “TED Talk-style” keynote, Chow will share insights from her recent book, Lead Bigger. She will also explore the transformative power of connectedness to create stronger businesses and more vibrant communities. 

Power Panel: Women, Girls & STEM, moderated by TXWF Board Director Debra Hunter Johnson, Reciprocity Consulting and featuring: 

• Jennifer Bartkowski, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas CEO 
• Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University Chancellor and President 
• Nirupama “Rupa” DeSilva, M.D., Parkland Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center Professor 

2025 Maura Award recipients Bartkowski, Dr. DeSilva and Dr. Feyten will explore how increasing representation in STEM not only empowers women and girls, but it also drives innovation, enhances problem-solving and strengthens the entire sector.

Young Leader “5-in-5’s”

Haleigh Jones, Crawford, Wishnew & Lang Attorney 

Cristal Retana Lule, Children’s Health Vice President of Community Relations 

The 2025 Young Leader award recipients, Jones and Retana Lule will answer five “rapid-fire” questions in five minutes in interviews conducted by aspiring young journalists from Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, a school in the Young Women’s Preparatory Network.

Real Talk with Anne Chow, moderated by Deborah Ferguson, NBC Anchor 

Chow will discuss her journey to becoming AT&T’s first woman of color CEO, how she navigated that historic role, and what leadership lessons she learned.

Texas Women’s Foundation President and CEO Karen Hughes White said, “The heart of the Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration is getting to know our  honorees and hear how they have learned and continued to grow in their careers and in service to their communities. I know you will be inspired, encouraged and empowered by their stories.”

Co-chairs for the event are business and community leaders Debbie Dennis, Chief Customer Officer and SVP Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at Oncor Electric Delivery, and Brooke Hopkins, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal. Dia Wall, WFAA anchor/reporter, will emcee the evening awards celebration.

To learn more about this event and purchase a sponsorship, visit https://txwf.org/join-us/events/lfac-event/ For those interested in sponsorship, contact Joy Busch at maura@txwf.orgor 214-525-5321.

About Texas Women’s Foundation: One of the largest women’s foundations in the country, Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) knows that now more than ever is the time to create more equitable communities to build #StrongWomenBetterWorld. TXWF raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $6 million in investments each year that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through research, advocacy, grantmaking and strategic/educational initiatives. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested nearly $85 million in Texas women and girls. The Foundation’s statewide research on issues impacting Texas women and girls provides corporate, state and local decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. Its advocacy, grantmaking and educational initiatives support solutions that help Texas women and girls survive and thrive. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now

About the Maura Women Helping Women Award:

For 46 years, the Maura Women Helping Women Award has been presented to more than 230 courageous individuals who have catalyzed change for women and girls.

Brenda Jackson, a former Maura Women Helping Women Award recipient and TXWF Board Director, and Carrie Freeman Parsons, TXWF Board Chair co-chaired the 2025 Award Selection Committee that chose the following honorees:

Cynt Marshall, Marshalling Resources Founder and The Dallas Mavericks (retired CEO) 

Cynt Marshall has been a dynamic force in business over a 36-year career at AT&T.  When she was hired as the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks in March 2018, she set her sights on a culture transformation. Her vision was for the Mavericks organization to become the NBA standard for inclusion, diversity, and workplace culture, and the Dallas Mavericks have twice received the NBA’s Inclusion Leadership award. She is  founder of Marshalling Resources, a consulting firm. Her first book, You’ve Been Chosen, was released in September 2022 and was nominated for an NAACP Image award. Marshall is the recipient of several honors and awards including the 2024 Lone Star EMMYS President’s award, the 2024 Junior Achievement of Dallas Business Hall of Fame Laureate award, among others. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with degrees in Business Administration and Human Resources Management and holds four honorary Doctorate degrees.

Anne Chow, The Rewired CEO Founder 

Anne Chow is a transformative business leader whose trailblazing corporate career spans over three decades. She is currently Lead Independent Director on the Board of Directors of Franklin Covey and serves on the boards of 3M and CSX. She is a Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor of Executive Education at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the national best-selling author of LEAD BIGGER: The Transformative Power of Inclusion. In her prior role as CEO of AT&T Business, she was the first woman of color CEO in AT&T’s 140+ year history, responsible for leading a $35B global operating unit comprised of over 35,000 people. Widely recognized for her role model leadership, Chow was named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business twice, Forbes inaugural CEO Next List of Leaders set to revolutionize American business and was inducted into the Dallas Business Hall of Fame. 

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University Chancellor and President 

Since 2014, Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D. has served as chancellor of the Texas Woman’s University System and president of Texas Woman’s University, the nation’s largest university with a woman-focused mission. Spearheading the largest construction boom in the university’s history (nearly $500 million) and first ever comprehensive campaign, she has more than tripled the endowment, launched many major initiatives such as the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership and the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences focusing on preparing women pilots. Personally, she is deeply committed to amplifying the impact that emerges from TWU’s distinctive campus where women comprise 90% of the student body. She has made strategic investments to extend the university’s mission to whole-person development. Her leadership fosters a supportive environment that prepares graduates to succeed in today’s complex global society. These efforts were recognized by the American Council on Education with the 2023 ACE/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation.

Jennifer Bartkowski, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas CEO 

Jennifer Bartkowski is the Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX), having held multiple leadership roles over the last 15 years. She pioneered a national Girl Scout STEM initiative built on the success of the $15M STEM Center of Excellence in southwest Dallas to change the workforce pipeline for North Texas. She is now leading a transformational strategy to reimagine Girl Scouts to serve more girls in more communities in more inclusive ways. Bartkowski holds a Master of Public Administration from Texas A&M University and has worked with a variety of organizations including United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the American Lung Association of Texas. She serves as Chair of the Leadership Dallas Alumnae Association and The Dallas Summit, Board Chair of Black Women in Nonprofit Leadership, sits on the Aggie Women Network Board of Directors, and is a founding board member of Carson’s Village.

Nirupama “Rupa” DeSilva, M.D., Parkland Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center Professor 

Nirupama “Rupa” DeSilva, M.D. is a Professor of OBGYN at UT Southwestern.  A specialist in pediatric-adolescent gynecology, her clinical practice is at Children’s Medical Center. Dr. DeSilva also serves as Parkland’s Medical Director of Family Planning and Child Poverty Action Lab’s Expert in Residence. Throughout her career, Dr. DeSilva has had great interest in increasing access to effective medical care within her community, as well as educating people about their reproductive needs so that patients can decide if a contraceptive option is best for them. In her role as Medical Director of Family Planning, she is dedicated to working with her team to increase access to women’s health for marginalized women through innovation. In this vein, she has created many new projects, including a new mobile van that can make access to contraception easier for those women who desire it.  

About the Young Leader Award: 

The Young Leader Award recognizes breakthrough leadership exhibited by a trailblazer who is achieving success in a field, initiative or sector, and creating a path of opportunity for other women to follow. This year’s recipients:

Haleigh Jones, Crawford, Wishnew & Lang Attorney 

Haleigh Jones is an attorney practicing civil litigation in Dallas. She handles trials and appeals in high-stakes, commercial cases. She uses her law degree to effect positive change and advance the lives of women in Texas, most recently pursuing a school district for violations of Title IX that led to sexual abuse of a female minor student. Jones is a mentor in and servant of her local and state bar associations. She served as the president of the 2024 Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, a 2,500-member bar association with more than 30 committees whose two-fold mission is to improve the lives of young lawyers and to improve the DFW community. In 2021, the Dallas Women Lawyers Association recognized Jones as its “Rising Raggio.” The award, named after Louise Raggio, recognizes an outstanding young woman lawyer who has had significant professional accomplishment and acted as a leader in the Dallas community.

Cristal Retana Lule, Children’s Health Vice President of Community Relations 

Cristal Retana Lule is committed to advancing equitable access to opportunities and resources to enhance the overall quality of life for all. As Vice President of Community Relations at Children’s Health, she leads the organization's community outreach initiatives also focusing on local and regional advocacy. Lule is a first-generation Texas and proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. She began her public policy career as a legislative staffer in the Texas Senate and has held several influential roles at both the state and local levels. She also served as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Farmers Branch where she launched several initiatives including the city’s first night court, youth commission, senior repair program and more. Lule has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 League of Women Voters Volunteer Award, 2023 DFW Hispanic 100 Emerging Latina Leader Award and was recently appointed to serve as the 2025 state chair-elect for the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas.