Jennifer Sampson to Take Over Top Job at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Board Chooses New CEO Focused on Collaboration

DALLAS, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  In a unanimous vote on September 13, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Board of Directors named Jennifer Hilton Sampson as the organization's Chief Executive Officer and President. Sampson has served United Way as the acting CEO and president since July 1, after longtime leader Gary Godsey retired from the organization.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110913/DC67853 )

Sampson is the first female to hold the top job at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and has a lengthy history of accomplishment since joining United Way in 2001. She was promoted in 2004 to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, the number two position within the organization.

"After an intensive two-month validation process during which we engaged dozens of key community stakeholders, Jennifer Sampson became our clear choice," says United Way Board Chair Debbie Taylor, Southwest Regional Director, Texas State Director, Citi Community Development. "Jennifer is a phenomenal leader, convener and collaborator who is committed to successfully steer United Way toward its strategic vision of changing lives forever in North Texas."

"Sampson is devoted to working closely with United Way service providers, donors, volunteers and staff to break the destructive cycles of high school dropouts, poverty and poor health in North Texas — making our community a better place to live and work," says CEO Search Committee Chair Clint McDonnough, Dallas Office Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP.  "Sampson will work to create a culture where our constituents are at the center of United Way's vision, by showing our partners humility and great respect as we remove barriers of engagement."

Sampson aims to increase United Way's capacity to help the community and provide a greater return for every dollar and volunteer hour invested in the organization. Her plans for progress include diversifying revenue sources, using technology strategically and strengthening collaborative partnerships throughout the region.

"I am honored and eager to lead United Way as we continue to achieve the groundbreaking United 2020 community goals, focused on long-term solutions in the areas of Education, Income and Health," says Sampson. "With the help of key community partners, I'm committed to making these bold 10-year goals a reality, forever changing the lives of North Texans."

Sampson brings an extensive background of corporate, nonprofit and community involvement to her role. Before joining United Way, Sampson began her professional career with Arthur Andersen in 1991. She spent 10 years in the Dallas unit of the firm's audit practice, where she worked with corporate clients in various industries. Sampson received her BBA degree from Baylor University. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Texas, and has completed executive education courses through the Harvard Business School.

A committed community advocate, Sampson has served in leadership roles for numerous organizations in the North Texas community throughout her career. In addition to being a founding member of the United Way Women of Tocqueville Society and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Dallas, she was a member of the Cattle Baron's Ball Committee from 2001 to 2008. She served on the 2007-2009 Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for the Baylor University Alumni Association and has been a member of the Crystal Charity Ball Committee since 2009.  She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Foundation and the 2011 Dallas Assembly. Sampson serves on the Customer Advisory Board for Atmos Energy and is a graduate of Leadership Dallas. She was the recipient of the 2010 Women in Business Award from the Dallas Business Journal.

About United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas offers North Texans highly effective ways to help people change their lives forever. United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of programs to improve Education, Income and Health in Dallas, Collin, Rockwall and southern Denton counties. By breaking the cycles of dropouts, poverty and poor health for hundreds of thousands of people over the next ten years, United Way donors, volunteers and advocates will create long-term improvements throughout the region. To learn more, please visit UnitedWayDallas.org.

SOURCE United Way of Metropolitan Dallas