PeopleNewspapers
A SUPPLEMENT TO PARK CITIES PEOPLE AND PRESTON HOLLOW PEOPLE
APRIL 2022
2B April 2022 | People Newspapers | 20 Under 40
PROUD TO PRESENT OUR 20 UNDER 40
Rachel Snyder, Deputy Editor rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
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PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
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first became involved in our 20 Under 40 section in 2019 when we were preparing the 2020 section, and I continue to be amazed by the young professionals from the Park Cities and Preston Hollow. From sports, to business, to the North Texas philanthropy scene, our 2022 honorees have made a difference in their communities, workplaces, and career fields in the North Texas region and beyond. I’m proud to be able to see firsthand and share the stories of how people across age groups in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow are working to solve some of the world’s most intractable problems and help their neighbors. I can say I’ve been inspired by our honorees’ dedication to their various projects, and I hope our readers are, too. Some standouts this year include: A sports star whose charitable endeavors are making a difference in his new home of Dallas, An SMU law student whose family overcame homelessness during his teen years after a snowstorm in Pittsburgh. He now works with organizations helping students and others in poverty, And People Newspapers’ first posthumous 20 Under 40 honoree, a nonprofit leader who helped create more compassionate and inclusive communities for all through his disability awareness education. In addition to our 20 Under 40, we highlight a pair of young siblings. They aren’t yet teenagers but are already making a difference through their nonprofit work. We hope you enjoy meeting your neighbors and come away uplifted.
Sebastian and Valentina Calderon Shining Brownies Education: Episcopal School of Dallas
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ebastian and Valentina Calderon may only be 6 and 9, respectively, but the siblings are already making a difference through their nonprofit Shining Brownies. The brother and sister have provided food, Christmas and Mother’s Day gifts, Halloween candy, and Thanksgiving meals to clients of Family Gateway, a nonprofit serving children and families impacted by homelessness. “Shining Brownies is our favorite nonprofit cause because we created it with our family in 2020 during the pandemic,” the siblings said. “We love helping families in need and seeing them smile.” Valentina is also a published author. Her first book, Unipaw’s Adventures: The Friends of the Forest, came out on Amazon in January of 2021. Valentina plans to donate 25% of the profits from the book to their nonprofit work.
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“I motivate others because I have written and published a book which talks about the power of friendship. It took a lot of dedication, love, and patience,” Valentina said. “I hope I inspire kids like me to follow their dreams.” As for what they plan to do in the future, Valentina hopes to become a pediatrician or an actress, and Sebastian hopes to become a scientist or an artist. “I see myself writing more books and going to college,” Valentina said. “I also want to keep helping kids in need in the U.S. and abroad.”
What are you most excited about for the future? Valentina: I am most excited to travel and see the world. I love to experience new things and meet new people. I want to keep helping people in need. I would also love for Shining Brownies to reach
more people beyond Texas.
If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why? Valentina: A book I would give to my neighbor is called Out of My Mind, by Sharon M. Draper. I choose this book because it is very inspiring. A girl named Melody cannot move or speak on her own, but she is the smartest in her class and accomplishes great things despite her disabilities. She speaks by computer, and she is in a wheelchair. The lesson of the book is that no matter what limitations you have, you can achieve your goals with perseverance and patience. Sebastian: I would give my neighbors the Who Would Win book series by Jerry Pallotta. These books are very cool and teach about animals.
For the full Q&A’s of the honorees and more 20 Under 40 content, follow us online at peoplenewspaper.com and on our Instagram page @PeopleNewspapers. Help share content – and even your own rising stars – by using #peoplenewspapers20under40
Andrew Lauck
Andrea Cheek
Redbird Capital Partners Education: Indiana University | Kelley School of Business
Junior League of Dallas Education: Texas Tech University
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Andrea Cheek brings the same formula for success to her nonprofit work and professional endeavors. “In owning a business and volunteering in the community, my lightbulb moments have always involved believing in what you’re selling,” Cheek said. “No matter if that’s a product your business sells or a nonprofit you’re raising money for if you aren’t passionate and stand behind it, you can’t expect others to.” Junior League of Dallas ( JLD) was the first nonprofit the former Newk’s Eatery franchise owner got involved in upon moving to Dallas 13 years ago. It served as the catalyst for her involvement with other organizations, including Cattle Baron’s Ball and the Family Place. “Thirteen years later, I have met lifelong friends of all ages and backgrounds. I also learned about our city and the different issue areas,” Cheek said. “My involvement in the Junior League and the training I received through it has introduced me to all the other nonprofits I love and volunteer with.” She is co-chairing with Highland Park Mayor Margo Goodwin JLD’s Centennial Gala, set for April 23 at the Hilton Anatole. The art nouveau-inspired gala will commemorate the 100th anniversary of an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community. Cheek supports her children’s schools
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Fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you: I’m a private pilot and have been flying for fun since I was a senior in college. I’ve flown a few hundred hours, have an instrument rating, and have been slowly working on a commercial rating. How do you motivate others? I believe the best way to motivate others is through your own work ethic. My belief is that if I am willing to work as hard or harder than what I ask of my teams, it will pay dividends and set the right example and culture for our firm.
I love volunteering in our community, and I will always spend my extra time giving back to nonprofits and our children’s schools - that will never change.
by volunteering with the Highland Park United Methodist Church Day School, Armstrong Elementary, and the Armstrong-Bradfield Preschool Association. “I love volunteering in our community, and I will always spend my extra time giving back to nonprofits and our children’s schools - that will never change,” she said.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? I worked at a flower shop in high school and drove a delivery van. It taught me to be quick on my feet and efficient. Most floral orders come in the day of, and you must process the order, put it together, and have it out the door within an hour.
Toughest business/personal challenge. Deciding when/if to sell my former restaurants. Being a business owner was a large part of my personal identity, and my stores were like children. It was a challenge for me to make that decision. (She hopes to start another business venture soon.) Fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you: The year after I graduated from college, I was a travel consultant for my sorority, Alpha Phi. I traveled the country for a year living out of my suitcase and in a new city every four days.
Isabelle Galko Education: SMU PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
hen he’s not at work as a partner with the local office of the private investment firm RedBird Capital, you can find Andrew Lauck working to support Vogel Alcove and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association or coaching his children at the Moody Family YMCA. “My wife and I moved to the Park Cities shortly after we relocated to Dallas. We love raising our two kids, Theo (6) and Cassidy (4), in this community. A lot of my community involvement has centered around our kids’ activities,” Lauck said. “I’ve been a coach for both my kids as a part of the Moody YMCA, including T-ball and soccer, and with PCBC’s Upward Basketball program. I also volunteer pretty regularly helping out at Hyer, where my son is in kindergarten.” He moved to Dallas in 2014 after working for BDT Capital in Chicago and Goldman Sachs in New York City. During his tenure with RedBird, he’s helped lead a number of the firm’s investments, including the partnerships with Dallas-based Main Event Entertainment, Jet Linx, Ampler Restaurants, and EquipmentShare. Outside of work, Lauck is co-chairing Vogel Alcove’s 30th annual arts performance event featuring Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black, April 30 at Gilley’s Dallas. The nonprofit provides services to children and families experiencing homelessness. “I’ve been on the board of Vogel for a few years now and continued to be so moved by the organization’s mission,” Lauck said. “It’s easy for us, especially in the Park Cities, to be unaware of how many families within our broader community struggle with the effects of homelessness.”
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SMU student Isabelle Galko is already teaching others about environmental issues via her research, international conference speaking engagements, and short documentary Sunburnt Reef on how traditional sunscreens affect coral reefs in the Florida Keys. “I lived in Australia when I was younger and had the opportunity to swim on the Great Barrier Reef when I was 10 years old. I remember seeing the beautiful and vibrant ecosystem just inches from my goggles,” Galko said. She said learning in high school about coral bleaching, a process by which corals become white because of stressors like changes in temperature or light, inspired her future studies. “Realizing that coral reefs and other
ecosystems around the world were changing, often negatively, due to climate change is what motivated me to become involved in local conservation projects and eventually pursue environment science studies at SMU,” Galko said. Her work has included doing research in Louisiana and interning for the city of Dallas, where she did policy research about how to increase renewable energy. The SMU senior environmental science major and Tower Scholar (a competitive minor in public policy and international affairs) was the only student from a Texas university named a Marshall Scholar for 2022. She’ll use the two-year scholarship to further her studies on climate and policymaking at Oxford and Durham Universities in England.
Toughest business/personal challenge: Talking about climate change can be difficult because of the psychological distance of climate change. I initially approached this by talking about facts or making it about education, when in fact, presenting people with scary facts actually just makes them feel hopeless. What I found is key was connecting with people first by talking about how climate change impacts something we both care about (for example, the winter storm Texas experienced last February, when many of us lost power and couldn’t go to work or school). When you show people that we all care about climate change because it affects our water, food, security, and health, then it can be easier to talk about solutions and empower people to be part of the solution. What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? I was a summer camp counselor for Girl Scouts. I learned a lot about my leadership style, and it taught me organizational skills, responsibility, and confidence that I now bring to both school and work. Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now? Advising environmental policy for the U.S. State Department or working for an environmental non-profit. I want to work on secure and low-carbon policies that will help communities directly impacted by climate change.
PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
20 Under 40 | People Newspapers | April 2022
4B April 2022 | People Newspapers | 20 Under 40
Bret Alexander
Thomas Laughlin
Ernst & Young Education: University of Southern California
Kirkland & Ellis Education: University of Texas School of Law | Baylor University
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ret Alexander is honoring the memory of a childhood friend by helping others through nonprofit
Toughest business/personal challenge: Toughest personal challenges were watching my best friend succumb to cancer at 19 and then, a few years later, watching my little brother battle leukemia (thankfully, he fully recovered). These experiences have really informed my passion for my work at QuadW and OSI.
work. Willie Tichenor died of osteosarcoma in 2006 at the age of 19, prompting Alexander to become a founding member and advisory board director for the What was your first job, and what What Would Willie Want Foundation did you learn from it? My first job was delivering flowers for (QuadW ). Alexander also serves on the strategic advisory board of the Osteosar- Park Cities Petals in high school. I learned coma Institute. that accountability, responsibility, and “Helping found and lead both of these having fun can all happen in the same job. organizations has been the privilege of my lifetime and instilled within me a deep What is your favorite local store? There are too many to choose from passion for philanthropy and improving outcomes for others,” Alexander said. as I’m a frequent visitor to Bubba’s and Q uadW supBurger House, ports osteosarcoma which are instiresearch and educatutions in our The lightbulb tion with the Willie neighborhood. Tichenor scholarOne more I think moment was ship at the Univerwe should add realizing the sity of Texas and to the list of lothe Willie Tichenor cal institutions is opportunity I and Arts Scholarship LDU Coffee. It’s my fellow board a relatively recent at Highland Park High School. addition to the members had to “For my work in neighborhood make a real impact QuadW and OSI, that, besides making great cofon Osteosarcoma. the lightbulb moment was realizing fee, always makes you feel at home the opportunity I and my fellow board members had to make and (like) everyone knows your name.
Outside of work, Laughlin serves on the board of Camp John Marc, which provides programming for campers living with chronic medical and physical challenges, on the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation council of governors, and the Day School at Highland Park Presbyterian Church board. He and his wife Caitlin are on the host committee for the Blue Ribbon Ball for Equest. “(The Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation) is incredibly important to our family because our 7-year-old daughter Elizabeth lives with CP,” Laughlin added.
PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
a real impact on Osteosarcoma through asking hard questions, driving collaboration, and relentlessly pursuing better answers to difficult problems,” Alexander said. “That realization made me realize that even though I was not a scientist, that I could still be a part of driving progress forward and making a real impact through my work with both QuadW and OSI.” His day job is as a management consultant in EY’s business transformation practice serving clients in the technology and media industries.
Thomas Laughlin joined Kirkland & Ellis in 2018, helping found a Dallas office that has grown from five lawyers to more than 100 in the years since. He enjoys giving back to the Park Cities, where he grew up – his three children are third-generation Hyer Elementary School students – and well remembers a potentially awkward conversation with Paul Dauterive. The former neighbor gave Laughlin his first summer internship when one sought at Archon Group didn’t work out. “But literally my second day driving into work at (First American Field Services), Archon called and said they had changed their minds and had a spot for me if I was available,” Laughlin said. “I braced myself for what I thought would be a hard conversation with Paul, but he could not have been more gracious. He told me that if my goal was a career with Archon, I’d be crazy not to take their internship offer because it was the better path to that goal. “The lesson I learned that day from Paul - that you must take ownership of your own career because no one else will do it for you - is a lesson I have carried ever since, and it is something I constantly stress to more junior lawyers.”
Fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you: Although some readers will know this, I hold the UIL state record for fewest receiving yards in a season. My only catch my junior year at Highland Park was a very ill-fated tight end screen against JJ Pearce (in a game we lost in 5 overtimes) that was poorly blocked and even more poorly executed by me, resulting in a 13-yard loss. What would you tell an 18-year-old you? “Listen to people who’ve walked where you want to walk. Your path won’t be the same as theirs, and what worked for them may not necessarily work for you, but there is no better wisdom than what you learn by doing, and you’ve got a lot to learn.” What’s on your bucket list? Someday when the kids are older, I want to take Caitlin to see some of the major cultural and historical sites in Europe. I’ve been lucky enough to go over there a few times, but she has never been. If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why? The Only Rule Is It Has To Work by Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller teaches really important lessons - namely that “we’ve always done it this way” is not a reason to do anything, and that purposeful creative risk taking can pay big dividends in any endeavor.
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Luka Doncic
LUKA DONCIC CELEBRATES THE DEDICATION OF A BASKETBALL COURT IN HIS NATIVE SLOVENIA.
Dallas Mavericks
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ince joining the Dallas Mavericks after the 2018 NBA draft, the Slovenian-born Dončić has made an impact in his new home that goes far beyond the historic numbers he put up in the court through his first four NBA seasons. Dončić began playing basketball at the age of 8, signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid when he was only 13, and made his professional debut at 16, becoming the youngest person to play for Real Madrid. With the Mavericks, he earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2018-19 and became the youngest European-born player to start an All-Star Game when suited up for Team LeBron at All-Star 2020 in Chicago. Dončić has earned back-toback All-NBA First Team honors, becoming the youngest player in league history to accomplish the feat. His dedication to his new home of Dallas and his hometown of Ljubljana run deep. Dončić represented Slovenia in the country’s historic first appearance at the Summer Olympic Games. After leading his team to the semifinals in Tokyo, Dončić returned to Slovenia to refurbish two basketball courts that he played on growing up, as part of a partnership with the 2K Foundations. Dončić recently launched the Luka Dončić Foundation with a focus on helping children in need in Dallas and Ljubljana. “Growing my foundation, doing more to help those in need – that’s what really excites me,” Dončić said. Last October, Dončić arranged for 80 patients at Children’s Health hospitals in Dallas and Plano to receive a pair of Jordan sneakers, a Jordan drawstring bag, a hoodie, socks, a letter from Dončić, and a signed photo. He also donated to help Texans during the February 2021 winter storm and provided Air Jordan 1 shoes and Mavericks swag to healthcare workers who administered vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Christmas 2021, he devised a surprise for nearly 200 children at the Children’s Hospital of the University Medical
Center Ljubljana, arranging the delivery of hundreds of toys and goodies.
What do you do in your free time? To be honest, I’m on the road so much, I just enjoy relaxing at home. I have three dogs and enjoy playing with them and walking them in the neighborhood. Favorite place for lunch: I usually eat lunch at home after practice, but Nick & Sam’s and Mi Cocina are my favorite spots for dinner. How do you motivate others? I work really hard every day. I love the game of basketball and am passionate about it. I hope I motivate and lead by example.
What makes the Park Cities or Preston Hollow home? I am so happy to be here in Dallas – it has everything! The people are kind and nice. The Mavs fans are the best. It means a lot to be here in Dallas. I just want to thank everyone for their support in making a kid f rom Slovenia feel so good and welcome. You recently participated in a Make-A-Wish grant. What advice did you give? I told them to do what they love. For me, it’s basketball. I have so much fun every time I have a ball in my hand or am on the court. I told the kids to find that thing they love, because it will make them the most happy!
5B PHOTOS: COURTESY THE LUKA DONCIC FOUNDATION AND DALLAS MAVERICKS
20 Under 40 | People Newspapers | April 2022
6B April 2022 | People Newspapers | 20 Under 40
Taylor Custer Crosby
Community volunteer Education: Texas A&M University | SMU
Women’s Business Council - Southwest Education: SMU
PHOTO: ROB WYTHE
Orchestra League executive board for more than four years and helped plan the annual presentation ball. She’s also served on the leadership council for the Junior League of Dallas and on the board of the Notre Dame School of Dallas, which serves students with developmental disabilities ages 6 through 21.
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laire Catrino’s desire to help others prompted her to leave a career in sales. “In 2014, I faced a tragic family loss and felt a calling to focus on mental health and giving back to others in need,” she said. “It was during the hardest time of grief where God gave me clarity for my future.” Catrino became a licensed, nationally certified therapist and got involved with such nonprofits as the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum, Junior League of Dallas, and Dallas Symphony Orchestra League. "I plan to continue giving my time as a volunteer and focusing more on establishing my own private counseling practice focused on adolescent women and women and couples navigating life changes," Catrino said. Catrino is the youngest woman to chair the Mad Hatter’s Tea, set for April 20 at the arboretum and in its 34th year benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum. She’s also chairing the fashion show for the 2022 Children’s Cancer Fund gala. Catrino served on Dallas Symphony
Toughest business/personal challenge: Managing my time between kids, nonprofit commitments, and transitioning into the field of counseling has been a balancing act. I think the pandemic has also definitely made fundraising more difficult, and some people are hesitant to gather in larger groups. Likewise, from an organizational perspective, I think many are cautious not to alienate their member base by making political decisions. It is unfortunate that COVID has become so political and divisive when we should be supporting each other and showing kindness now, more than ever. Fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you: I studied abroad in India through the Honors Business Program at Texas A&M. I love traveling to new places and doing activities outdoors like downhill skiing and horseback riding. I am an Advanced Open Water PADI certified scuba diver and love spending time on the water. What are you most excited about for the future? In the long term I am most excited for the day where nobody is living in fear. We can look back on this time with gratitude that we all made it through. My hope is that it gives me and my loved ones a new appreciation and excitement about life. I have seen an outpouring of support from many people in our community eager to help even during this hard time and this is so encouraging! I am excited when we can plan events and gather without stress or division.
PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
Claire Catrino
Marie Gregory in McKinney. The Preston Hollow native gives back to the community as a member of the Junior League of Dallas and the board of the University Park Preschool Association. She volunteers at the Rise School, which serves children ages 6 months to 6 years with and without disabilities.
Toughest business/personal challenge: I think it’s always tough to manage home and work life. When my daughter was born, I was very overwhelmed by this, as most firsttime moms are. I really think employers and society at-large need to provide more support for working moms. This would help to keep more women in the job market. I think there are a lot of women out there who would like to continue working, but when the support isn’t there, and employers aren’t flexible, it takes their skills and talent out of the workforce.
Taylor Custer Crosby uses her marketing experience to help connect women business owners to government and corporate supply chain opportunities. Custer Crosby started her career at a marketing agency and went on to work for education technology start-up companies Study Fun fact that someone wouldn’t know Island and OrgSync. about you: “I find it really fulfilling to be around enI used to work at a summer camp in high trepreneurial women and to watch their busi- school, teaching kids to water ski. nesses grow. We have women business owners I also love photography and was the winin all different industries from start-ups to $50 ner of a People Newspapers photography million-plus businesses,” she said. “I also real- contest back in 1995 or 1996. ly enjoy working with our corporate members from the major corporations headquartered in What is your favorite local store? DFW. Now in my executive director of marI love Gemma Collection in Snider Plaketing position, I realza for jewelry and Hip ly enjoy having a say Hip Hooray for children’s clothing. Bubba’s in the future direction I find it really has been a lifelong faand strategy of the council.” vorite since I was really fulfilling to As a creative outyoung. Also, Short Stop let, Custer Crosby for sandwiches. be around has made and sold entrepreneurial What’s on your jewelry since 2010. bucket list? women and She started selling Traveling to all sevher earrings, neckto watch their laces, and bracelets en continents, I only businesses grow. on Etsy, then craft have three more to go. I would also like to vismarkets and local it all of the national boutiques. Find her Taylor Custer Jewelparks. I have a plan this ry on Instagram, at Mosaic Makers Collec- year to visit a few with my daughter, sistertive in Bishop Arts and the Galleria, and in-law, and niece.
Service. Above. Self.
You may know the Rotary Club of Park Cities from the Park Cities Fourth of July Parade, but our club members serve the community all year long. Working through our foundation and with such strategic partners as the North Texas Food Bank, Salvation Army, and others, we strive to address hunger, make health care more readily available, and train leaders. We also have fun. Join us for happy hours, community outings, and Friday luncheons, where we celebrate, network, and learn. Visit parkcitiesrotary.org to learn more.
20 Under 40 | People Newspapers | April 2022
To Be Like Me Education: Dallas Baptist University
Bank of Texas Education: SMU
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rian Spann, People Newspapers’ first posthumous 20 Under 40 honoree, died in December 2021 at the age of 27 after a nearly lifelong battle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He left a lasting legacy as a leader with the nonprofit To Be Like Me and Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church’s Epiphany Ministry. To Be Like Me’s disability awareness program is geared toward school-aged children, graduate students, and special groups. Hollis Owens, founder and executive director of the nonprofit, said it was Brian that sparked the idea for the organization as a means of disability awareness education. “Brian entered into my life about 21
years ago when I was working as a research physical therapist for Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. Brian was 6 years old, and he had just been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Over the years, though my career took me to other pediatric hospitals, Brian and I kept in touch. Brian was especially good at messaging me and keeping me up to date on barriers that exist in the community for people with disabilities as well as accessibility challenges he faced along the way,” Owens said. “I remember meeting with Brian at his house about my ‘idea’ for To Be Like Me. He was thrilled with the idea of people with disabilities sharing their stories with school-age children.” One common thread throughout his life was his desire to connect with people, as shown in his church and nonprofit work. “He was a brilliant speaker, and after interacting with him, people would often comment that they had never met anyone with a gentler spirit or sweeter soul,” Owens added. Spann also served on the board of YoungLife Capernaum North Texas, a faith-based organization also meant to celebrate people of all abilities, and with the Disability Ministry Network of Dallas. “I love getting to connect with other people and getting to teach them something new,” he said in a video shared by To Be Like Me. “One big thing is I like to give back to the community and grow in fellowship with other people.”
PHOTO: JOHN CAIN
Mattson H. Uihlein
PHOTO: SEVYN EZRA PHOTOGRAPHY
Brian Spann
Mattson Uihlein worked his way up from an internship after his junior year at SMU to senior vice president and treasury services manager at Bank of Texas. A panel at SMU about careers in commercial banking sparked Uihlein’s interest in the field. “I realized commercial banking utilizes a variety of business skills including finance, accounting, marketing, and negotiations,” he said. “My entire career has been with Bank of Texas. I interned with the bank the summer after my junior year at SMU and then entered into a formal credit training program after graduating from SMU. I have held a variety of roles within the bank including credit analyst, corporate banker, treasury management
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officer, and now manage the treasury services team for north Texas.” His coworkers say Uihlein has taken on a leadership role with the bank’s accelerated career track program, which educates and trains people for careers in the industry. Uihlein doesn’t just help his colleagues, though. He served as president of Bank of Texas Club Dallas. The employee-led club focuses on charitable efforts, including volunteer events with organizations such as the North Texas Food Bank, Feed My Starving Children, Dr. Seuss Reading Days, Susan G Komen, and Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Uihlein, a member of the young alumni board at SMU, served as a raffle committee member for the State Fair of Texas’ general scholarship fund and on the board of the Young Professionals Auxiliary for the American Red Cross.
What are you most excited about for the future? Watching my daughter grow, creating more family memories, traveling the world, and experiencing new cultures, and growing my career with Bank of Texas. How do you motivate others? Leading by example. I am willing to roll up my sleeves to help the team. I give those that deserve credit the credit. On the other hand, I take responsibility for when things don’t go right.
CONGRATULATIONS Bret Alexander The WWWW Foundation (QuadW) and the Osteosarcoma Institute congratulate Bret Alexander on being recognized by People Newspapers as one of Dallas’ 20 Under Forty. We appreciate your leadership and generous donation of your time and talent in support of our work.
www.osinst.org
8B April 2022 | People Newspapers | 20 Under 40
Bora Laci
Carter Weinstein
SMU Tower Center for Public Policy Education: SMU
Attend LLC Education: Georgetown University PHOTO: TIMOTHY DEVINE
PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
at Union Coffee, with 15% of sales going to the charity.
Biggest business/career success in the past 12 months: My brother and I launched a podcast called VentureWorlds … We are beginning the journey by highlighting stories from successful Albanian-Americans and beyond to many other cultures. We started this podcast to honor my father, Gezim Laci, a storyteller at heart, who inspired us to share impactful stories that could create (change and) new ideas.
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ora Laci was 4 in 1996 when her Albanian-immigrant parents immigrated to the U.S., bringing with them an emphasis on the importance of education that would inspire her career and desire to get involved in her community. “My family understood the endless opportunities education would open for my brother and me. So, during my first year of college, I signed up and participated in all the events that SMU offered,” she said. “During this experience, I finally realized the power of being involved in a community.” Laci went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications from SMU in 2013 and an M.B.A. in finance from SMU’s Cox School of Business in 2019. Her connection to SMU continues with
her work as assistant director of programs and director of studies at the Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affairs. “I grew up with two cultures (Albanian and American). I found it difficult to understand how to utilize these identities to share my voice, especially in a leadership setting during college,” Laci said. “But I embraced my cultural diversity and used it as an advantage.” She remains involved with SMU’s Young Alumni Board, but her community service extends beyond campus. As a Crayon Club member, she supports Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. She also got involved with the Think Ahead Group at the Center for Brain Health and helped start Shot of Generosity to spotlight different nonprofits each month
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first job was interning at a law firm at 14. … The firm was jam-packed with many tasks, and I learned how to build responsibility and execute my work with little guidance. At first, it was frightening, but with time, I walked out with the ability to adapt and take on responsibilities with an entrepreneurial mindset. Where do you see yourself and your career 10 years from now? I see myself working with start-ups in an investor relations role and helping guide their way to the right investors, mentors, and resources. … Dallas is growing in the entrepreneurship realm. I want to make someone’s dreams come true and create the next generational leaders. PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
Kevin Lee Education: Paul Quinn College | SMU Kevin Lee has gone from homelessness after a snowstorm while a teenager in Pittsburgh to studying at SMU’s Dedman School of Law. He graduated valedictorian of his class and was inspired to look into schools in Texas when he and his mom watched The Great Debaters, based on the story of a professor at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, who started a debate team there. Now, as part of the steering committee of the nonprofit After8toEducate, the SMU law student works to help unsheltered high school students navigate their journeys. “Our mission is to improve life outcomes and promote self-sufficiency by giving unsheltered high school students a safe place to live and offering as a pathway out of homelessness and poverty,” Lee said. “I love this organization because we are helping change the lives of homeless Dallas ISD students, giving them hope for the future, and offering them resources and a pathway for success.” His work with After8toEducate fits into his larger goal of giving others a hand up. “Whether their need is $100 or $1 million, I want to be a part of their solution. People are told ‘no’ all the time,” he said. “I want others to have a chance.” Lee serves on the CoAct North Texas steering committee, helping homeless college students share their stories, and as a partner with Social Venture Partners Dallas and advisory board member
Ultimately, I want people to look at me and be inspired to do great things in their lives.
of OneCommunity USA. He volunteers with Tarrant County schools to help homeless students graduate high school, obtain jobs, and go to college. As a student ambassador to the White House, he helped develop an initiative to assist college students across the nation experiencing homelessness.
know that it’s not about how you start, but it’s about how you finish. Obstacles will come up all throughout life, and learning how to go through change instead of against change, can help people grow and move forward in life. Ultimately, I want people to look at me and be inspired to do great things in their lives.
How do you motivate others? Telling people how I got to where I am today helps me motivate other people who go through struggles, and are going through hard times, such as dealing with the loss of family and friends to the global COVID-19 pandemic. I let people
What’s on your bucket list? I’d like to travel to a few more countries. I’d like to become a partner at a law firm. I’d like to be a judge one day. And I’d like to get my mom her dream house so that when I’m gone traveling, I know that she is comfortable.
At 19, Carter Weinstein has co-founded his first business and written his first book. “While working through my own anxiety journey, I was given many resources penned by an adult/professional though I had hoped to find something written by a peer,” he said. “When I could not find something, I decided to write my own book.” Conquering Fear: One Teen’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety is endorsed by Mark Cuban. Weinstein interned at Shark Tank and the Mark Cuban Companies, helping research startups seeking investments. Weinstein’s company, Attend LLC, offers software designed to track classroom attendance. A Preston Hollow resident since moving from New York City when he was 15 months old, Weinstein enjoys giving back to his community. As a high school freshman, he founded a teen board for Heroes for Children, a nonprofit that supports families battling childhood cancer. “The board amassed students from both public and private schools in the area and today continues to support families who have a child being treated at Children’s Medical Center and Medical City Children’s,” Weinstein said. Weinstein, the great-grandson of an Auschwitz survivor, also sat on the executive committee for the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum’s teen board when the museum opened in the new building in the city’s West End in 2019.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first job was at the Jewish Community Center as a summer camp counselor. The camp’s director, Laura Seymour, had been at The J for many years, and it was immediately apparent that she loved her job. From the first day of orientation, Laura made it clear that while the campers were there to have a great experience, she wanted the very same for the counselors. She said that as soon as we put on our camp T-shirts, we were part of a team – we were part of something bigger than we knew something special. Fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you? Not many people know that I am super musical. I love to listen to music across many genres and can also sit down at the piano at any point – no matter how long it’s been since I was there last – and crank out some fun stuff. Also, the spontaneous acapella harmonizing that happens amongst my good friends gets rave reviews (by the dogs in the neighborhood).
20 Under 40 | People Newspapers | April 2022
SculptHouse Education: University of Georgia
Home Tax Solutions Education: SMU
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atherine Mason merged her love of fashion and fitness with the creation of SculptHouse, a fitness studio and boutique with shoes, athleisure wear, and accessories that opened its Dallas location in 2019. The North Carolina native previously worked at luxury fitness studios in New York City and with Wilhelmina Models Fitness Division. “I learned the operations of these fitness studios, was a fitness instructor, worked with some of the world’s most well-known fitness brands – including Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas,” Mason said. “During my work in NYC, I conceptualized the idea of combining the Megaformer with a Woodway Curve treadmill to create a low-impact
but high-intensity workout that combines strength training and cardio intervals in a way that had never been done before.” The combination became integral to creating SculptHouse’s signature regimen. SculptHouse opened its first studio in Atlanta in 2016 when Mason was 25. Since 2019, Mason has become immersed in the Dallas community, including the Junior League of Dallas, The Family Place, Community Partners of Dallas, and Gracelyn’s Hope. Nationally, SculptHouse has supported the Alzheimer’s Association, and for the past three years, SculptHouse Dallas has raised money for The Trevor Project. “As the owner, there are nonprofits that pull at my personal heartstrings (anything that has to do with children, animals and helping mothers in need) but I also see the importance of SculptHouse supporting lots of local charities throughout the year(s) with silent auction donations, give back events, fundraisers, etc.,” Mason said.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first job was when I was 16, and I worked for a women’s store called Sloan in Charlotte, North Carolina. . . . I really enjoyed working with women, styling them, and helping them find confidence through understanding their unique styles, what shapes and cuts flattered their bodies and understanding what colors, prints, etc. made them feel great and empowered.
Jessica Bass Bolander
Vice President | jlbass@lockton.com | 214.969.6184 Congratulations Jess! Lockton Dunning is passionately committed to our clients’ most valuable asset: their people. Your commitment to our clients and our community makes us proud.
PHOTO: DANNY CAMPBELL
Trey Rome
PHOTO: ALEXANDRIA MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Katherine Mason
Trey Rome has always wanted his own company, so after starting a career in banking, he founded Home Tax Solutions, a property tax lending company, in 2012. “I always knew that I wanted to start my own company where I could improve an industry, help people, and make money while doing it,” Rome said. “When I discovered the property tax loan industry and did my homework, I knew right away that launching a property tax lending company was something I needed to do, as delinquent property taxes are becoming a growing problem for hundreds of thousands of Texans each year.” Since its founding, Home Tax Solutions was recognized as “one of the fastest-growing private companies in America” by Inc. 5000, one of the “Top 250 Most Inspiring
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Companies in Texas” by Inc. , and for the third year was named “One of The Top 100 Dallas Privately Held Entrepreneurial Companies” by SMU Cox School’s Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship. “I hope to have a greater platform in the North Texas community through expanding HTS to offer a larger umbrella of services, as well as increasing my philanthropy – both with the purpose of helping more Texans,” Rome said. Rome personally and through his company has supported such organizations as The Family Place, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Wipe Out Kids Cancer. "I have been blessed in life and believe it’s our obligation to give back," Rome said. "Jenna and I live in Preston Hollow and started our family five years ago, now we have two young boys, so when you look at the work organizations like The Family Place and the Salvation Army do to help our community, their work is vital. It’s great to be part of a business where everyone gets out of the office and joyfully works together helping others less fortunate."
What are you most excited about for the future? I discovered that I can go to the office to work with my team members as I always have, but that I also can work from home to spend more time with my wife and two young boys and want to continue that. Because of the securitization we successfully obtained this past year, we are able to broaden our offers to our customers as well as grow bigger and better.
10B April 2022 | People Newspapers | 20 Under 40
Texas Capital Bank Education: Baylor University PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
The Family Place Education: Texas A&M University As a student at Texas A&M University, Heather Street Baker realized she wanted her work to have a greater purpose. She has worked in the nonprofit sector ever since. “I decided that working and making a paycheck alone wasn’t enough for me,” Street Baker said. “I needed a greater purpose behind my job.” She worked at a children’s museum, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the North Texas Food Bank before joining The Family Place as an assistant director of development. The Family Place is the largest family violence service provider in Texas. “I have loved fundraising, building relationships, and improving the community that I live in,” she said. A personal highlight of the last year was the record-setting 2021 Trailblazer Awards event in November, honoring former longtime CEO Paige Flink, Street Baker said. “Not only was the event a success financially, it also was a beautiful celebration of Paige’s work and The Family Place.” Street Baker’s community service goes beyond her role at the Family Place, though. She is a member of the Junior League of Dallas and was on the 2021 Cattle Baron’s Ball Committee. Cattle Baron’s Ball is the largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and raised $3.6 million from the 2021 event.
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Fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you: I love to paint – acrylic on canvas mainly – but I rarely feel like I have time to do it these days. I don’t even think I’m very good at it, but it’s soothing, and it transports my mind somewhere else. The best part is that there’s some sense of progress and completion when it is finished. What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Babysitting was my first job as a young girl, and you definitely learn a lot from that. The main takeaway being that things don’t always go as planned. I also worked in a mailroom as my first job at a company, and you quickly learn that a good attitude and finding joy no matter what you are doing is important. How do you motivate others? I’ve always felt the most motivated when I’m empowered and trusted by the people asking me to do something. I also think giving people the benefit of the doubt is important. I hope I do that for people that work with me.
I have loved fundraising, building relationships, and improving the community that I live in.
The American Cancer Society’s mission is personal to Street Baker. “My husband is a firefighter, and the cancer rate is extremely high in their profession because of what they are exposed to,” she said. “I work now to provide prevention and awareness.”
What is your favorite local store? I love St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange. They always have great, new, and unique products. The women who work there are so sweet and helpful, and I love that the money ultimately goes to a greater cause within the community.
What are you most excited about for the future? We welcome our second child in March and are so excited to expand our family and see what impact we can continue to make on our friends, community, and world.
What’s on your bucket list? I would love to visit all seven continents of the world before I die. I’ve been to three so far – North America, Europe, and Australia. I’m excited to meet new people and see new places.
Javier Burkle Burkle Creative Education: University of Dallas
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first large-scale project was for the general manager of Ralph Lauren Home in Highland Park Village. I oversaw the design and renovation of his West Highland Park townhome one summer — it was a privilege to be given complete trust for such a large design, and the end product left me energized and eager for a future in design.
PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
ulie Woidneck enjoys being at the intersection of finance and relationship building as senior vice president over corporate banking at Texas Capital Bank. Woidneck joined Texas Capital Bank last year after three years as a senior vice president over commercial banking in the Dallas-Fort Worth region for SunTrust (now Truist) and more than 11 years with JP Morgan Chase, where she started as an intern in 2006. “The lightbulb went off when I realized that banking was a great mix of finance and interpersonal relationships,” Woidneck said. “I was worried that I would be bored before starting my job (so naïve!), and I was wrong. I love the people, energy, and the companies I got to work with.” The Highland Park High School alumnae volunteers at the Day School at Highland Park Presbyterian Church and on the board of the Junior Group of the Dallas Garden Club. “The church does a great job finding an immediate need in the community and making it easy to volunteer or give to these causes,” Woidneck said. She served on the Young Friends of Ronald McDonald House board and the Friends of Klyde Warren Park, and volunteered with Genesis Women’s Shelter. “I will always have a special place in my heart for Genesis Women’s Shelter,” Woidneck said. “Hearing Jan Langbein talk about the women and families being helped by this organization is impactful, and I can’t forget it.”
PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
Heather Street Baker
Julie Woidneck
Javier Burkle’s interest in interior design and architecture began before he started collecting Architectural Digest as a child. It runs in his family, too. “My grandmother and mom were both involved in art and design, so I grew up surrounded by the excitement and creativity of the design world,” Burkle said. “It didn’t take long for me to come to a crossroad and decide to just go all in.” And ‘go all in’ he did. He was a designer for the 2021 Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas at 5138 Deloache Ave. The Show House doubles as the nation’s leading design event of the year and Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club’s top fundraiser. “I am so honored to have had the oppor-
tunity to participate with such a great organization as well as work alongside many of the designers I’ve idolized throughout my career,” Burkle said. He also uses his skills to help the nonprofit Dwell With Dignity, which designs and installs complete home interiors for families in need. This year, he’s involved with the agency’s Thrift Studio event set for Aug. 26 to Sept. 24. Thrift Studio is a pop-up shop featuring donated furniture, housewares, accessories, and high-end designer finds. Burkle also uses his design skills to help his mother, who operates the nonprofit Mater Filius Dallas, provide provisional housing for pregnant women in need.
Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now? In the next decade, I’d love to launch my own line of furnishings, fabrics, and home accessories to even better deliver turnkey designs for my clients and their projects. My goal is also to maintain the boutique feel of the firm — a tone that enables us to form deep, personal relationships with vendors, clients, and the design community. What are you most excited for in the future? As a firm, we have such a range of projects coming up in the future, from commercial projects (a new restaurant in Snider Plaza) and the official opening of Miron Crosby’s showroom in Aspen, and we’re also donating a decorated table for a dinner party to the Bradfield Elementary auction this spring. Next month, we’ll be designing a table for the New York Botanical Garden’s annual gala, The Orchid Dinner, at The Plaza Hotel.
20 Under 40 | People Newspapers | April 2022
Holden Lunsford
Lockton Dunning Benefits Education: Westminster College
Holt Lunsford Commercial Education: Texas A&M University
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s vice president at Lockton Dunning Benefits, Jessica Bass Bolander has spent the last two years helping clients navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockton Dunning Benefits specializes in the design, implementation, communication, and year-round service of medical, dental, life, disability, and other employer-sponsored benefit programs. “The last 24 months have been extremely challenging for businesses in our community. At Lockton Dunning, we helped clients deploy return-to-work strategies that kept their businesses open and, more importantly, their employees safe,” Bass Bolander said. “Now we’re helping clients modify their employee benefit perks and rewards programs to compete in a
post-pandemic labor market.” Her company is also involved with the corporate work-study program of Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep, a Catholic college preparatory school for students from low to moderate-income households. “I’ve had the privilege of mentoring a young man who would like to study engineering and be the first in his home to attend college,” Bass Bolander said. “It has been an incredible honor to meet with the students in our Lockton Dunning/Cristo Rey work-study program, and I know these students will become future leaders of our community.” The mother of two co-chaired the Armstrong Bradfield Preschool Association Home Tour in 2019 and will chair the Bradfield auction next year.
Toughest business/personal challenge: Going back to work after my kids were born. I remember giving myself pep talks on the way to work, reminding myself that I’m a better mom and wife because I have my career. It was brutal leaving small babies at home and dragging a breast pump to every client meeting or work trip, but fortunately, I had the most amazing support system. Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now? Learning and growing and hopefully inspiring the next generation of female leaders to stay in the workforce.
“There, I developed a passion for the brokerage business and was exposed to the beauty of a well-run enterprise and exceptional leadership, which was life-changing for me,” Lunsford said. “From that experience, I became focused on dedicating my career to pursuing those three goals.” The Preston Hollow-area native also gives back to his community. Lunsford serves on the board of directors of The Real Estate Council (TREC), Friends of the Dallas Police, and the EastWest Ministries Partnership Board. He is also actively involved with Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Planning and Development Committee at First Baptist Church of Dallas.
PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER
Jessica Bass Bolander
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Holden Lunsford has been instrumental in growing over 8 million square feet of office assets from 2014-to 2019. His family’s commercial real estate business, Holt Lunsford Commercial, now oversees 96 million square feet of properties. “I have always been inspired by my father, Holt, to start a business and learn to run it well, and fortunately, we were able to build a sizable office business,” Holden said. “I now focus on leading our brokerage teams firm-wide, and it has been a joy to prepare for and implement growth, operational and cultural initiatives with our teams.” Before joining Holt Lunsford Commercial in 2014, he was a commercial real estate investment banking professional with Holliday Fenoglio Fowler (HFF).
How do you motivate others? With a coach-player-cheerleader approach. Set a demanding goal, cast the vision to achieve it, resource the effort (including yourself first), encourage a lot, and celebrate. You simply have to win a lot too. What makes the Park Cities or Preston Hollow home? Preston Hollow is where my heart and roots are. I grew up here and feel privileged that I get to raise my own family in this community. What would you tell an 18-year-old you? Be intentional, patient, and have faith that the future will unfold according to His plan.
BANK OF TEXAS CONGRATULATES
Mattson Uihlein for being recognized as a 20 Under Forty honoree for 2022. Mattson Uihlein SVP, Treasury Sales Manager muihlein@bankoftexas.com 214.987.8863 bankoftexas.com
Bank of Texas and BOK Financial® are trademarks of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender . ©2022 BOKF, NA.
12B April 2022 | People Newspapers | 20 Under 40
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