PROFILE

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

Jennifer Sampson helps North Texans aspire, give and lead united ›

Story by RENEE UMSTED | Photo courtesy of JENNIFER SAMPSON

When Jennifer Sampson was in elementary school, “I wanted United Way to be an organization that could she spent summers in Arkansas at the Siloam deliver social return on investment, not just sprinkle goodSprings Baptist Church Camp where her grand- ness all over the community to great organizations that father, Dr. Lawson Hatfield, was camp director for decades. needed resources. I wanted to be able to prove that our Sampson watched Hatfield, a Southern Baptist minister, as investments actually drove measurable outcome that we he inspired campers to financially support Baptist mission identified in our three areas of focus,” Sampson says. work and programs. Last year, United Way announced its Aspire United 2030

During those early years of her life, Sampson’s parents goals. In terms of improving education, the organization and grandparents instilled in her the importance of servant has selected one challenge to tackle: 50% of North Texans leadership. Hatfield in particular was an exemplar of the do not read on grade level. The plan is that in the next 10 “golden rule” message found in Luke 6:31: Do unto others years, 50% more students in our region will be reading as you would have them do unto you. on grade level by third grade. And, United Way wants to

Sampson took that to heart. As student body president double the achievement rate for Black and Latinx students. at Arlington High School, she had a hand in the student “In our work, we believe that everyone should have the council’s fundraising and volunteer activities. At Baylor same opportunity to reach their full potential,” Sampson says. University, she held leadership po- To achieve this, United Way begins sitions in her sorority Kappa Kap- addressing educational issues in chilpa Gamma, and was connected to nonprofits in Waco. In addition, she “We believe that dren even before they enter school. Its home visits and parent education learned about corporate philanthropy and social responsibility as a student everyone should support program, which transitioned to virtual interaction, serves almost in the Hankamer School of Business. “But I really got more engaged have the same 15,000 parents of young children. Another program, which was personally after I graduated from opportunity to funded by Atmos Energy, provides college,” she says. So engaged, that she turned reach their full free subscriptions to Vooks, a storybook streaming app. This helps philanthropy into profession. Now, as chief executive officer and self-pro- potential.” parents and teachers build language and literacy skills for children up to claimed chief encouragement offi- age 6. cer of United Way of Metropolitan United Way also provides assisDallas, Sampson relies on her back- tance to children in school. When the ground in business to improve the income, health and pandemic started, the organization ensured that students education of North Texans. had internet access and equipment so they could continue

For Sampson, who’s lived in Preston Hollow for eight learning at home. years with her husband, Edward, and son, Hilton, philan- But education isn’t just for kids. United Way is helpthropy and finance are fundamentally related. ing young adults land and keep living-wage jobs through

Prior to joining United Way in 2001, she worked as a CPA Pathways to Work, a program that focuses on developing and manager in the audit and business advisory practice new skills and gaining credentials. at the Dallas office of accounting firm Arthur Andersen. “When I think about my future, I want to ensure that It was at Andersen where she first learned about United we not only meet but we exceed these goals that we’ve set Way and became involved with it as a donor and volunteer. for the community,” Sampson says.

“When I was at Andersen, United Way was a part of the She has come a long way since her summers at the Siloam culture, the DNA of our firm,” she says. Springs Baptist Church Camp. Rather than spending days

Her experience in the business world is apparent in the watching her grandfather inspire campers and churchgoers language she employs to define philanthropy. to give to charitable causes, Sampson’s days are usually ded-

“Sometimes that (philanthropy) requires financial in- icated to back-to-back Zoom calls with investors and others, vestment. Sometimes it requires volunteerism. Sometimes starting around 7 a.m. and ending no sooner than 6 p.m. it requires a random act of kindness,” she says. “But to me, Just as her philanthropic journey began during childphilanthropy is investing, whether it’s any of those things, hood, she encourages the next generation to be “just as in activities that help drive impact.” generous, just as resilient as the generations before them.”

Before becoming United Way’s first female CEO, Samp- Her message to the next cohort of philanthropists is, son was the organization’s CFO and COO. Though each “You’re never too young to get involved, to give back, to of these roles included different responsibilities, her goals serve, to advocate, to invest.” remained similar.