Texas Woman’s University Honors Nicole Small and Virginia Chandler Dykes

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) hosted another successful Dallas Leadership Luncheon on March 6 at The Arts District Mansion, where the university recognized Nicole Small as the 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award recipient. A signature fundraiser for TWU, the event supports scholarships for graduate students while celebrating leaders who have made a significant impact on education and the quality of life in the Dallas community. The presenting event sponsor was Luther King Capital Management. 

Nicole Small and Dr. Carine Feyten

The highlight of the luncheon was a moderated conversation with Small, who is the CEO of LH Capital, Inc. and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, and education philanthropist Abby Williams, who with her husband Todd Williams received the 2024 TWU Leadership Award. The event also featured the announcement of $77,000 in scholarship awards presented to the 32 graduate students selected for the 2025 class of Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholars. Six of those were recognized: Abi Rainey (College of Arts and Sciences), Bradaisea Ridge-Law (Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business and Entrepreneurship), Dr. Savitha Sundar (College of Health Sciences/Occupational Therapy), Jenny Reynolds (College of Health Sciences), Kiara Whitney (Houston J. and Florence A. Doswell College of Nursing), and Christiana Parra (College of Professional Education). 

Carol Glendenning, Barbara Glendenning, Don Glendenning, Leigh Glendenning Roberts (TWU alumna)

Luncheon speakers were the program emcee, Lisa Rampy, Vice President of University Advancement and Alumni Engagement; Shannon Mantaro, Executive Director of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, the luncheon sponsor; Ralph Hawkins, event chair and a past Leadership Award recipient; and TWU Chancellor and President Dr. Carine M. Feyten. 

Chuck Chandler, Patricia Crocker, Dr. Ron Chandler

The TWU Dallas Leadership Award is named in honor of the late Virginia Chandler Dykes, a TWU alumna and TWU Board of Regents member who was a noted healthcare leader and champion for education. Dykes’ sons Dr. Ron Chandler and Chuck Chandler attended, as was Virginia’s longtime friend, Patricia Crocker. 

Since 2002, the event has raised $2.42 million for graduate student scholarships.  Returning as the event’s presenting sponsor was Luther King Capital Management. 

Dr. Monica Williams, Dr. Carine Feyten, Abby Williams, Nicole Small, Monica Christopher

Additional thanks to these sponsors

Luncheon Sponsor: Texas Woman’s University's Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership

VIP Reception Sponsor: Billingsley Company

Pioneer Platinum Sponsor: Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Pioneer Investors: Sue S. Bancroft, Carol & Don Glendenning & Leigh Glendenning Roberts 

Pioneer Premier Partners: Children’s Health, Haynes Boone, The Hersh Foundation, The Hirsch Family Foundation, Nicole and Justin Small/Justin and Nicole Small Fund, Valeo Partners  

Learn more about the Dallas Leadership Luncheon at twu.edu/DallasLeadership

Nicole Small Selected as 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Honoree

Texas Woman’s University will present the 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award to Nicole Small at the Dallas Leadership Luncheon, set for Thurs., Mar. 6, 2025, at noon at The Arts District Mansion in Dallas.

In addition to the Leadership Award presentation, the luncheon will also recognize the 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholars: 
Christiana Parra (College of Professional Education)
Kiara Whitney (College of Nursing)
Jenny Reynolds (College of Health Sciences)
Savitha Sundar (College of Health Sciences)
Bradaisea Ridge-Law (College of Business)
and Sarah “Abi” Rainey (College of Arts & Science)

“Nicole’s vision and leadership have enhanced the lives of thousands of North Texas residents, and what I love the most is her efforts to highlight the magnitude of women’s contributions to STEM fields,” said Texas Woman’s Chancellor Carine Feyten. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to honor someone whose life and work so perfectly embodies the spirit of the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award and aligns with our strategic imperative at Texas Woman’s University to double the number of STEM opportunities for our students.”

About Nicole Small:

Small is the CEO of LH Capital, Inc. and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, where she leads efforts to fund groundbreaking innovations in science and nature, empower non-profits, and uplift local communities. Since 2014, she has overseen both organizations’ strategic direction, investments, and philanthropic initiatives. Her work spans a wide range, from advancing cancer-fighting biotech to supporting conservation efforts.

One of the spotlight achievements in Small’s current role is her co-founding of IF/THEN®, an initiative to inspire girls and women to pursue STEM careers through hands-on learning experiences and the promotion of positive portrayals of women in STEM fields.

From 2001-2013, Small played a critical role in the creation of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, merging several museums into a single institution and raising more than $200 million in support of the museum’s formation. She also served as the museum’s inaugural Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer.

Small holds a degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. She is a member of The Dallas Assembly, YPO, Charter 100, and the International Women’s Forum.  She also serves on the boards of Southwestern Medical Foundation, The Hockaday School, UTSW President's Advisory Board, and Texas 2036. She resides in Dallas with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs.

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Texas Woman’s graduate student scholarships.

Tables, tickets and sponsorships: Individual tickets and couple tickets for the Dallas Leadership Luncheon are $175 and $300 respectively; table sponsorships begin at $1,500. To purchase, visit https://giving.twu.edu/DallasLuncheon

Children's Health Innovators Launch Event

 

Thursday, October 8, 2020

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Join Children’s Health virtually for an intimate conversation about how breakthrough thinking led to innovative solutions during COVID-19 that have transformed the way we do business today. Plus, hear how the dedication to excellence and spirit of innovation at Children’s Health drives the field of pediatric research forward.

Panelists

• Julie Hall-Barrow, Ed.D. (Moderator) - Children's Health
• Sarah Beddoe - Chief Brand Officer at Main Event Entertainment
• Paul Puopolo - Executive VP of Innovation at DFW Airport
• Cindy Revol - Principal at Perot Jain L.P
• Nicole Small - CEO at LH Capital/Lyda Hill Philanthropies
• Hubert Zajicek, M.D., M.B.A. - CEO, Co-founder & Partner at Health Wildcatters

https://give.childrens.com/get-involved/join-a-group/innovators