The Dallas-Fort Worth Conversationon Board Leadership
About the Event
Securing a board position is rarely the result of a single conversation. It is built through preparation, sustained visibility, and trusted relationships developed over time.
This in-person gathering connects aspiring board leaders and business executives with corporate directors serving on boards across your region and industries. Through curated conversations, strategic introductions, and candid governance insight, participants expand their network, elevate their visibility, and take meaningful steps toward board service.
- Venue
- SMU Cox School of Business
- Time
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM CT
People
Nina Vaca
Moderator
CEO and Founder, Pinnacle Group Inc.; Board Director, Austin Industries, Cinemark, Comerica Bank
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Kamila Chytil
Chief Operating Officer (Former), DentaQuest; Board Director, Synchrony
Diane Paddison
Founder, 4word; Board Director, Lightstone Value Plus REIT V, Hines Global Income Trust
Debra Hunter Johnson
Founder & CEO, Reciprocity Consulting Group; Board Director, Oncor Electric Delivery
Beth Garvey
Chairman of the Board, CEO, President (Retired), BGSF
Manny Fernandez
Retired Office Managing Partner - Dallas, KPMG; Board Director, Jacobs, HF Sinclair
Deirdre Drake
Retired EVP, Chief People Officer, Head of Communications, USCellular; Board Director, USCellular, TopBuild
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Melisa Denis
Retired Senior Partner, KPMG; Board Director, SmartKem and Hydrofarm
KPMG
Dan Clifford
Board Network Leader
EY
Debra Von Storch
Partner, Retired, EY; Board Director, Canoo, Inc., Vari
Anne Motsenbocker
Retired Managing Director, JPMorgan Chase; Board Director, U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc., CSW Industrials, Inc.
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Shane Goodwin
Associate Dean & Finance Professor, SMU Cox School of Business; Board director, Truist, OrthoMed Anesthesia, Crystal Clearwater
Shelie Gustafson
President, SMG Global Advisory; Board Director, SCIO Automation
Bets Lillo
Independent Director, River Logic, Entara, Skylark Wireless
Judy Bruner
Retired EVP Adminstration & CFO
SanDisk
Katherine Motlagh
Independent Director, EvGo, Crown Castle
Maria Castanon Moats
Independent Director, Casey's
Nina Vaca
CEO and Founder, Pinnacle Group Inc.; Board Director, Austin Industries, Cinemark, Comerica Bank
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Maureen Tarantello
SVP, Executive Coaching
Challenger Gray & Christmas
Lisa Tran, Ed.D.
Senior Assistant Dean, Executive Education & Strategic Partnerships, SMU Cox School of Business
Nina Vaca
CEO and Founder, Pinnacle Group Inc.; Board Director, Austin Industries, Cinemark, Comerica Bank
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Kortnie Napier
Philanthropy Manager
JCPenney
Jervonne Newsome
Partner
Winston & Strawn LLP
Ellen Smith
Managing Director
Riveron
Candice Aaron
Chief Compliance Officer
Charles Schwab
Elizabeth Brandon
Partner
Reed Smith
Esther Oyetoro
Corporate Associate
Shields Legal Group
Cecily Gooch
Executive Vice President
FTI Consulting
Tom Leppert
Chair, NACD North Texas; Board Director, Austin Industries and Fluor Corporation
Santhi Gullapalli
Senior Vice President, Finance
AMN Healthcare
Doreen Griffith
Partner
Grant Thornton
Sharon Stufflebeme
Managing Director, CIO Solutions Manufacturing & Distribution
Protiviti
Carole Chichester
Chief Accounting Officer
Ecobat
Suzana Blades
VP, Deputy General Counsel, Litigation, Govt Relations
Kimberly-Clark
Joanna Ridgway
SVP, Head of Global Sales
Cien.ai
Michelle Vopni
Dallas Office Managing Partner
EY
Tracey Doi
Chief Financial Officer (Retired), Toyota NA; Board Director, Quest Diagnostics, Pentair
Nichole Jordan
Partner
Grant Thornton
Megan Burkhart
Senior EVP, Chief Administrative Officer, Comerica Bank; Board Director, Xcel Energy
Kim Keating
Managing Director & Partner
BCG
Debra Brennan Tagg
President
BFS Advisory Group
Holly Tucker
Partner
Deloitte
Kelly Ann Doherty
Chief People & Communications Officer
Mr. Cooper
Carrie Kirby
Chief Administrative Officer
Vistra Corp.
Debbie Dennis
Chief Customer Officer, SVP and CHRO
Oncor
Wendy Bridges
EVP, Corporate Responsibility
Comerica
Samantha Crispin
Global Corporate Department Chair
Baker Botts
Sandra Phillips
SVP, Enterprise Integrity, Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Secretary, Toyota NA; Board Director, MSA Safety







