Keynote: Transforming Adversity into Action

Kim Elenez, President & CEO of North Texas’ Make-A-Wish, Talks with Advocate Mercedes Ramirez Johnson on Strength and Advocacy

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  Kim Elenez

  For over 20 years, Kim Elenez has worked to make an impact for the greater good. Beginning early in her career as an advocate for renewable materials and now as a champion for other people’s dreams, she wants to help the world be a better place. More specifically, she wants to ensure the situation you were born into does not determine whether you thrive. Therefore, she works tirelessly to help people see that anything is possible, and dreams can come true. Kim’s unique blend of professional experiences has given her the skills to lead in complex environments. As the first Chief Marketing Officer for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she used those skills in development fundraising and built the University’s first-ever overarching marketing strategy. As the lead architect for UNC’s award-winning, and most ambitious fundraising campaign’s development strategy, brand, and messaging, Kim was a key executive leader in the University’s historic $5.1 billion comprehensive campaign. The focus of that work was to make high- achieving students’ dreams a reality, as well as bring to life pathways for ground-breaking research and a wide range of global impact initiatives. Currently, Kim serves as the President & CEO for Make-A-Wish North Texas, which is among the largest chapters in the world. A locally run and independent 501c3, Make-A-Wish North Texas serves 11 million people across 161 counties, and aims to grant over 600 wishes annually for the critically ill children of the northern Texas region and is funded 100% by local supporters. Driven by her desire to make a difference in the world, she believes that it all starts with making a difference for one child. The impact of that one child's wish creates a transformation in people's hearts and minds, resulting in stronger and more connected communities. Her skills and experience aside, in 2019, Kim had a transformational experience that revolutionized her professional and personal focus. As a representative of UNC, Kim traveled throughout Zambia, where she saw firsthand the area’s beauty, potential, resilience, and scarcity. People with dreams but few pathways for hope. Since then, working with a Zambian NGO, she created the Zambian Rural Women’s Empowerment Fund, which provides loans and supportive services to rural women entrepreneurs. These experiences, and many since, compel her to share her knowledge and focus her efforts on making a meaningful impact because she firmly believes – once you know, you must do. Even before her time as the Group Publisher for D Magazine/D Media, Kim has been a passionate advocate for North Texas and the incredible philanthropy that abounds in this community. When she isn’t working, Kim enjoys yoga, hiking, reading, and all that her community offers, along with her husband and two children.

  Make-A-Wish® North Texas

  President & CEO

  Kim Elenez

  President & CEO

  Make-A-Wish® North Texas

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  Mercedes Ramirez Johnson

  In 1995, Mercedes Ramirez Johnson narrowly escaped a commercial airplane crash that resulted in the fatalities of 160 individuals, including her parents. She presents her proprietary Second Chance Living concept, an innovative mindset and approach with a demonstrated track record, to organizations such as General Electric, ExxonMobil, Microsoft, NASA, Chevron, and the various branches of the United States Armed Forces. Prior to her career as a speaker, Mercedes spent nearly a decade in high-level sales roles within the pharmaceutical and medical software industries. As a record-breaking, multimillion-dollar producer, she achieved the distinction of becoming the youngest female and sole Latino account executive at Cerner Corporation. She actively engages in philanthropic endeavors, advocating for special needs children and children's health initiatives, particularly with organizations such as Make-A-Wish and The National MPS Society. Mercedes Ramirez Johnson and her message have garnered significant national and international media attention. Her extensive media presence encompasses appearances on The BBC, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Health Channel, and as a recurring guest on numerous nationally syndicated daytime talk shows on NBC and ABC. Additionally, numerous national and international media sources have published cover stories and special-interest articles about her, and she was recognized as one of the country's most prominent Latino emerging professionals by People Magazine's Spanish edition, People en Español.

  Rare Disease Advocate

  Pediatric

  Mercedes Ramirez Johnson

  Pediatric

  Rare Disease Advocate

Leader of the Year

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  Anita Beard

  Anita Beard is a Principal and Sr. Discipline Lead with public and private sector design expertise, including trail system planning, athletic complexes, regional destination parks, community and neighborhood parks, streetscapes, and healthcare garden design. Her diverse range of skills contributes to all project phases, from client engagement and programming, concept development, presentations, construction documents, and construction administration. Anita has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and a minor in Urban and Regional Planning from Texas A&M University and began her Dunaway career as an intern in 2011.

  Dunaway

  Principal, Senior Discipline Lead

  Anita Beard

  Principal, Senior Discipline Lead

  Dunaway

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  Kristin Blackmar

  Project Executive

  The Beck Group

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  Abbey Dugas

  Abbey is the Vice President of Construction and Design for the Corporate Advisory & Solutions Group of Lincoln. Abbey’s responsibilities include supervision of the construction management and interior design teams, as well as oversight of tenant improvement and capital improvement projects across the Lincoln portfolio. The construction management and interior design teams work together to meet clients goals and expectations while staying within budget and ensuring an on-time move in. Throughout her career, Abbey has designed and managed the construction of numerous projects and emphasizes the importance of communication and an interdisciplinary team approach for successful projects. With over 15 years experience in Healthcare design and construction, she has in-depth knowledge of the processes and procedures required to deliver successful projects. Prior to joining Lincoln in 2013, Abbey was the Director of Interiors for The Cirrus Group. She also owned her own interior design and construction management company. Abbey is a Certified PMP and holds an Interior Design license with the State of Texas. She received her Bachelor of Interior Design from the University of Arkansas.

  Lincoln Property Company

  VP, Construction and Design, Dallas

  Abbey Dugas

  VP, Construction and Design, Dallas

  Lincoln Property Company

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  Mandy Pearcy

  Amanda (Mandy) Pearcy has over 15 years of experience in the tenant finish construction industry and has been with Gordon Highlander since 2007. She has played a key role in virtually every business area, from administrative to bid development, project management, and coordinating field teams and subcontractors. She has a proven ability to understand potential risks and bring these issues to the forefront, ensuring that quality projects are delivered on time and under budget, with an eye toward integrity throughout the process. Amanda now utilizes these skills and talents to lead and encourage Highlanders in their roles as she continually builds and promotes the culture Gordon Highlander is known for.

  Gordon Highlander

  Chief People, Culture Officer

  Mandy Pearcy

  Chief People, Culture Officer

  Gordon Highlander

Innovator of the Year

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  Nicole Chambers

  Contract Specialist

  J. E. Dunn

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  Nichole Culak

  Nichole Bradley Culak is an experienced senior project manager who has helped fortify Kirksey's North Texas roster of talented leaders and amplify the firm's interior architecture design depth. Her experience encompasses various sides of the AEC industry, resulting in a strong network of relationships and a dynamic leadership style that yields innovative solutions. Nichole's expertise strengthens the firm's position as a leader in interior architectural design across multiple market sectors.

  Kirksey Architecture

  Director of Interior Architecture

  Nichole Culak

  Director of Interior Architecture

  Kirksey Architecture

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  Julia Lauve

  Known for her eclectic interiors, Julia focuses on practical elegance, with a particular knack for mixing classic lines with modern flair. Born and raised in New Orleans, Julia has lived abroad and traveled extensively. Her design aesthetic is influenced by a deep respect for fashion, art, history, and the incredible diversity of the world. Before joining forces with Kari, Julia sold and raised capital for large-scale commercial real estate developments across the Northeast. Her experience in both real estate and design includes projects for some of the largest property owners in the country — balancing big creative vision with practicality and sharp focus. She is a registered Interior Designer by way of LSU’s Interior Design Program and holds dual Bachelor’s Degrees in International Business & Spanish from The George Washington University.

  WORKSHOP | studio

  Founder

  Julia Lauve

  Founder

  WORKSHOP | studio

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  Kelly Moore

  For over 20 years, Kelly’s expertise has been in developing, aligning, and supporting global corporations with workplace strategy and design to achieve their organizational goals and enhance the overall employee experience. As a Strategy Leader for Gensler’s South Central region, Kelly thrives on design experience solutions that are built upon a framework of strategy, research, and realizing clients’ objectives through a collaborative process. Her clients are often undergoing transformation and seeking change in their work models and new strategies for how the workplace can catapult their teams to success. Kelly’s acumen for managing client relationships and her extensive design knowledge ultimately lead teams and clients to a successful outcome.

  Gensler

  Regional Strategy Practice Area Leader

  Kelly Moore

  Regional Strategy Practice Area Leader

  Gensler

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  Tori Wickard

  Senior Project Architect, Senior Associate

  Perkins&Will

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  Tiffany Woodson

  Founder

  Ink + Oro

Deal Maker of the Year

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  Paige Byrd

  Paige Byrd is an owner and Co-President of Thiel & Team, an architectural, interior design, and procurement firm specializing in hospitality and multifamily amenities. Paige graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s of Interior Design and immediately began her career in the high end hospitality industry. She since has been awarded more than 150 design awards, alongside her team, for projects located across the country in the hospitality, multifamily, and historic preservation categories. Paige’s largest life accomplishment, aside from her beautiful daughters, is working with her cohorts to scale Thiel & Team with innovation, expertise, relationship, and servant leadership at its core. Paige’s passion for design is second only to her calling of connecting with people and learning how her team can best serve them while creating a competitive advantage through storytelling and placemaking. Today Paige, along with business partner Elyssa Barksdale, is honored to lead a team of nearly 40 professionals that have served more than 600 clients delivering more than 1600 projects nationwide.

  Thiel & Team

  Co-President

  Paige Byrd

  Co-President

  Thiel & Team

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  Kelly Smith

  Kelly is the Owner & CEO of All Tech Electric. All Tech is a 2nd generation family business that has been established since 2003 and has offices in Texas and Ohio. All Tech provides specialized electrical services related to the design, installation and maintenance of electrical systems for commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and government/municipality entities.

  All Tech Electric, LLC

  President, CEO

  Kelly Smith

  President, CEO

  All Tech Electric, LLC

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  Chandler Tucker

  Chandler Tucker is Director of Client Services at Bob Moore Construction, a leading general contractor with nearly 80 years of experience in industrial and commercial projects. She leads business development and client strategy, drawing on a background in CRE advertising at the Dallas Business Journal and industrial sales at Uline. Named Business Developer of the Year by SMPS, Chandler also serves in leadership roles with TREC, ULI, NAIOP, and on the NTCAR Board of Directors.

  Bob Moore Construction

  Director of Client Services

  Chandler Tucker

  Director of Client Services

  Bob Moore Construction

Rising Star

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  Rebecca Everitt

  Director of Strategic Partnerships

  Sparrow Partners

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  Hayley Groves

  Project Manager

  Urban Structure Structural Engineering

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  Allison Pales

  Project Manager

  Adolfson & Peterson Construction

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  Macey Taylor

  Associate

  RLG Consulting Engineers

Panel Discussion: Designing, Building, Leading

Lessons in Vision, Collaboration And Defining New Horizons

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  Gracie Andraos

  Gracie Andraos is Director of Design, Interiors, and Principal at HKS. She is known for designing spaces that are flexible and efficient and that tell a story of place and people. She is passionate about mentoring designers and encouraging more meaningful design solutions. Of her accomplishments, the American Society of Interior Designers named her as one of seven Design Scholars, for the Ones to Watch national leadership program.

  HKS

  Director of Design, Principal, and SVP

  Innovator of the Year Honoree

  Gracie Andraos

  Director of Design, Principal, and SVP

  HKS

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  Athena Christodoulatos

  Athena Christodoulatos is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Premier, a Dallas-based architecture and development firm. She plays a key role in expanding the company's presence in the hospitality sector by leading strategic planning, market analysis, and relationship-building initiatives. Her expertise also includes leveraging industry relationships to position Premier as a leading "one-stop shop" in the hotel industry.

  Premier

  SVP, Strategic Partnerships

  Deal Maker of the Year Honoree

  Athena Christodoulatos

  SVP, Strategic Partnerships

  Premier

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  Dana Compton

  Dana is a dynamic and accomplished Business Development Executive in the commercial construction industry, renowned for her exceptional ability to drive growth and profitability. With more than two decades of experience in business development, strategy and positioning, Dana brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role at Ridgemont. As a key member of the leadership team, Dana is responsible for overseeing client relationships, business development, and strategic initiatives for the company. Dana’s relentless focus on planning and coordinating the implementation of business plans and the penetration of new markets has made her an invaluable asset to Ridgemont. Her ability to leverage creative solutions to create deals, coordinate strong project team members and partnerships, and identify new business opportunities has been instrumental in the company’s success. Prior to joining Ridgemont in 2018, Dana held senior positions in Business Development, Marketing and Operations in the A/E/C industry. Her extensive industry knowledge and relationships, coupled with her strong leadership skills and results-driven approach, have enabled her to consistently exceed expectations and deliver exceptional outcomes for clients. Dana is a graduate of Tarleton State University, the Urban Land Institute Center for Leadership, and the CREW Network Leadership Certificate Program. Dana is a Past President of CREW Fort Worth, a recipient of the Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 recognition and has served on various non-profit and A/E/C industry organization Boards of Directors. In her free time, she loves traveling with her husband, Jason, and co-hosting the “critically-acclaimed” comedy podcast, Scandalous Diamonds.

  Ridgemont Commercial Construction

  Director of Business Development

  Deal Maker of the Year Honoree

  Dana Compton

  Director of Business Development

  Ridgemont Commercial Construction

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  Kristine Gray

  With over 27 years of experience in development and construction, Ms. Gray is a results-driven strategic leader who brings in-depth expertise across every facet of general contracting. Her comprehensive industry knowledge stems from hands-on experience in every role, setting her apart as a rare leader who truly understands the industry from the ground up. Early in her career, Ms. Gray co-owned and managed a general contracting company, transforming it from a modest six-figure subcontracting firm into a multi-million-dollar general contractor within just two years. She has since transformed failing businesses into thriving, profitable enterprises; an accomplishment that speaks to her natural strategic foresight, sharp business acumen, and exceptional leadership in finance, accounting, operations, HR, and Risk Management. Today, as Chief Financial Officer of JNT Construction, Ms. Gray leads the company’s financial strategy, operational excellence, and risk management with unmatched precision and integrity. Her leadership ensures that JNT remains resilient, financially sound, and positioned for growth and success in a highly competitive industry. Ms. Gray's impact extends well beyond the workplace. Driven by a Servant’s Heart, she is passionate about mentoring emerging professionals, helping them develop the confidence and skills to achieve their fullest potential, and is also dedicated to giving back to the community. She is the co-founder and Managing Director of Hearts of Grace, a nonprofit organization devoted to serving extraordinary causes through volunteerism, fundraising, and missionary outreach. Her commitment to philanthropy and her work with youth reflect the same core values she brings to her leadership in construction: integrity, service, and an unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference.

  JNT Construction

  CFO

  Leader of the Year Honoree

  Kristine Gray

  CFO

  JNT Construction

• Rising Star Honoree

  Christina Lail

  Lead Consultant

  WSP

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  Debra Velez

  In her role with KDC, Deb Velez plans and facilitates design and construction activities for the interior environment of build-to-suit and speculative projects. She also handles move integration, utilizing strategic leadership and critical thinking skills to improve delivery, process orientation and vendor management. Velez has worked with many high-profile KDC projects, including State Farm’s regional headquarters at CityLine in Richardson, TX, JPMorgan Chase’s and Liberty Mutual’s Legacy West campuses (Plano, TX) the Baylor Scott & White Health administration building (Dallas, TX), as well as the newly substantially completed Wells Fargo Corporate Campus in Las Colinas. Before joining KDC in 2014, Velez served as Health Care Services Corporation’s Director of Design and Construction as well as Senior Manager, Facilities Planning, Corporate Real Estate. The position involved interior construction, buildouts and relocation efforts for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas properties. Velez was also Project Manager, Store Planning and Design, with American TV and Appliances, Inc. Velez earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Millikin University and a Certification in Project Management from the University of Wisconsin. She also studied interior design at the Illinois Institute of Art.

  KDC

  SVP, Design & Construction

  Leader of the Year Honoree

  Debra Velez

  SVP, Design & Construction

  KDC

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  Dee Estep

  Dee is a Principal with CLA’s Real Estate Group, is the Real Estate Leader for Texas, and the Dallas Office Tax Leader. Dee has more than 18 years of experience providing tax and consulting services to privately held businesses and their owners. Dee focuses primarily on serving real estate developers and operators, private equity funds, construction contractors and their families. Dee graduated from Baylor University in 2003 and started her career in public accounting at a small local CPA firm, CPWR, LLP, which had a client focus in construction. For the next 13 years she gained a wide range of valuable experience in assurance, tax, general ledger management and consulting. Dee now focuses her practice as a tax specialist. In 2016, CPWR, LLP joined CLA and Dee and her team became a part of the CLA family. Dee has worked with many of her clients for her entire 18 year career.

  CLA

  Principal

  Moderator

  Dee Estep

  Principal

  CLA