United Way of Metropolitan Dallas today announced that Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton President and CEO, has decided to step down later this year after 25 years with the organization, including 15 years as chief executive.
Over the past decade and a half, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has evolved from a traditional fundraising and grantmaking organization into a catalyst for measurable community change. During this period, the organization sharpened its focus on the building blocks of opportunity — education, income and health — moving from what Sampson once described as “sprinkling goodness across the community” to a disciplined strategy centered on long-term outcomes for North Texas families.
Sampson joined United Way of Metropolitan Dallas in 2001 and became president and CEO in 2011. During that time, in partnership with corporate, civic, and nonprofit leaders, the organization established United 2020, a set of 10-year measurable regional goals in education, income, and health and published annual scorecards tracking progress toward shared outcomes.
Sampson has raised well over $1 billion in philanthropic resources alongside her team — leading and closing the inaugural $100 million Unite Forever endowment campaign three years ahead of schedule, and launching “Greater Than,” an $800 million second-century campaign co-chaired by Karen and Tom Falk, Alice and Curt Farmer, Corrine and Tom Greco, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Mary and Rich Templeton, and Christy and Steven Williams. United Way of Metropolitan Dallas recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.
“Jennifer has been a visionary leader for our region,” said Antonio Carrillo, chair of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Board of Directors and president and CEO of Arcosa. “She helped reimagine what United Way could be — an organization that not only mobilizes generosity, but also deploys data, partnerships and accountability to drive real progress. Her leadership helped position United Way of Metropolitan Dallas as one of the most forward-looking institutions in the country. She also leaves it in the strongest financial position in its history — the result of both record-breaking revenue growth and rigorous financial discipline. That foundation gives the organization every advantage as it enters its next century.”
Sampson will assume the role of inaugural CEO of The Stephens Greth Foundation, concluding a tenure that reshaped United Way’s strategy and positioned it as a national model for data-driven, outcomes-focused philanthropy. She will remain with the organization through Sept. 30, during the organization’s search for its next CEO.
Terri West, chair of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Foundation board of directors, said, “Jennifer has led United Way of Metropolitan Dallas through one of the most significant transformations in its history. She has ensured that the organization enters its second century stronger, more focused and better equipped to deliver measurable impact for the people of North Texas. And none of it happens without the extraordinary team Jennifer built — people whose talent, heart and determination to set the standard, not meet it, will carry this work forward for generations.”
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