Expert Guidance
DJCF’s experienced staff actively partners with and guides our donors, empowering them to accomplish their charitable objectives.
Megan serves the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation (DJCF) and its related organization, the Southwest Community Foundation (SWCF), as President and CEO. In this role, she leads a talented team focused on advising individuals, families, and community agencies, helping them achieve their philanthropic goals and to increase support for the nonprofit community in Dallas, Israel, and around the world. DJCF maintains a 50-year track record of strong governance, prudent investment management and making charitable giving simple and efficient for its fundholders.
Megan is responsible for oversight of $330 million in charitable assets across donor-advised funds, nonprofit agency accounts, endowments, and scholarships. Leveraging her experience and network within financial services, Megan also leads the overall strategy and relationships under SWCF, where her team serves as the trusted philanthropic partner of financial institutions, family offices, and independent wealth management firms, allowing advisors to remain in control of asset management for their clients’ donor-advised funds and endowments.
Megan joined DJCF in September 2022 after 15 years at J.P. Morgan, where she served in a variety of roles, most recently as a banker, advising corporations, families, foundations, and endowments. Throughout her career, Megan’s focus has been on helping business leaders, individuals, and generations of families achieve financial clarity, confidence, and control. Her roles in corporate and private banking have delivered financial strategies and solutions that help people and organizations achieve their financial goals and live rich, fulfilling lives. She is honored to continue this effort in the philanthropic world.
A first-generation college student, Megan is a graduate of Indiana University, where she earned her B.S. in Marketing from the Kelley School of Business. Megan holds certification as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), and successfully obtained her Series 7, 63, SIE, and 79TO FINRA licenses. She is a convert to Judaism and actively involved in her local community. Born in California and raised in Indiana, Megan worked for J.P. Morgan in Illinois, New York, and Texas. Megan now lives in Dallas with her husband, Adam, and their two young children.
Jerry is responsible for strategic oversight of the Foundation’s finances and operations, investments, and accounting systems. He also regularly works with professional advisors and donors to facilitate complex charitable gifts of real estate, partnerships, and closely held businesses. Jerry works closely with the CEO & President and Chief Impact Officer to drive innovation and add value to our donors and partner organizations.
Jerry has been with the Foundation since December 2006. He came to the Foundation from a 10-year public accounting career with McGladrey & Pullen LLP with a focus in Financial Institutions and Not for Profit. Jerry is a CPA and has both a MS in Accounting and BA in Accounting from Texas Tech University.
Cynthia is involved in the operations, finance and investments, human resources, and information systems of the Foundation’s work. She oversees the financial reporting and analysis, internal control review, and implementation and management of annual audits.
Cynthia joined the Foundation in 2002, bringing substantial experience in Non-Profit Accounting, Financial and Credit Card Industries and served as Auditor for a former “Big 8” Public Accounting Firm. Cynthia is a member of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Herb supports the Foundation’s Chief Financial Officer and Finance Director, partners with the Grants Coordinator in grant processing, and he leads the administration of the Foundation’s supporting organizations.
A native of West Texas, Herb grew up in Lubbock and attended Texas Tech with a scholarship from the Lubbock Arts District. After visiting Dallas on spring break, Herb moved to Dallas and earned an associate’s degree in accounting. Gaining extensive experience in analytical finance, Herb then worked for a local real estate company. Herb joined the Foundation in 2008.
Herb lives in Carrollton, Texas with his wife and daughter. Herb, involved with family and community activities, enjoys many aspects of art including life drawing, acrylic painting, woodwork, and transparency watercolor. Herb utilizes his personal pastime by participating in local craft shows.
Mary is responsible for overseeing grant administration for donor-advised funds, scholarships and endowments overseen by the DJCF. She serves as a trusted resource to donors, as well as to charities receiving funds. Mary is responsible for performing due diligence and research on all grants made through the Foundation.
Mary joined the Foundation staff in 2016 as Development Coordinator. She spent the prior 14 years as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager for a technology services firm.
Mary has an Associate of Arts degree from Collin Community College and lives in Wylie along with her husband, Robert. She has 2 grown daughters, Amber and Jenna, and keeps busy with crafting and sharing time with her large family and friends.
Mona leads the Foundation’s donor-advised fund, endowment, scholarship, and non-profit agency development efforts. She works to connect charitably minded individuals, families, and businesses with their philanthropic passions. She is a liaison with community non-profit organizations, working to promote their philanthropy, enrich their relationships with the Foundation, and support and ensure strong community connections.
Mona’s 35+ year Jewish communal career has utilized her degree in Special Education from Kent State University and her passion for caring about the Jewish community. Mona is married to Artie and they have 4 sons.
Risa is responsible for developing the overarching strategy and implementation of DJCF/SWCF’s work with professional advisors, financial institutions and supporting organizations, including the acceptance of complex and planned gifts. She also advises on legal and documentation matters, while managing a portfolio of prospects and fundholders.
Risa Gross (she/her) joined DJCF in 2023, bringing with her both public charity and private foundation experience. Born and raised in Dallas, she is committed to tikkun olam—repairing the world—in her native city and beyond.
Risa holds an A.B. in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University and a J.D. from American University. She is a Leadership Dallas alumna and has served on a number of nonprofit boards: Anti-Defamation League (Texoma), Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, National Council of Jewish Women (Greater Dallas), and Temple Emanu-El of Dallas. In her free time, Risa is likely to be found with a book or a dog—or both.
Shalon is responsible for new account opening and documentation for the Foundation. She is a liaison for the Foundation’s work with financial institutions and serves as the grants coordinator for donor-advised funds, scholarships, and endowments overseen by SWCF. Shalon uses her analytical and creative skillset to perform data and fund analyses, oversee statement processing, and lead creative projects on behalf of DJCF and SWCF.
Shalon joined the Foundation in 2022. Bringing over 10 years’ experience consulting, directing, and managing business affairs for corporations and non-profits, her portfolio includes grant management, program evaluation, compliance monitoring and strengthening donor relationships. Shalon’s driven passion in philanthropy, community leadership collaborations, and secondary education are all attributes in her role.
Natasha is DJCF’s scholarships coordinator, overseeing the administration of the Foundation’s scholarship funds, applicant review, and grant distribution process. She also serves as the platform specialist, overseeing the use of systems and software used by the Foundation in the course of its work to serve the philanthropic community with a focus on innovation, automation and data-driven decision making.
Natasha moved from Virginia to Dallas in November 2004 and has worked with the Jewish Community since 2005, and non-profits in general since 2000. In 2008 she joined the Foundation as a receptionist. In 2011, Natasha received her associate’s degree in business. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their friends and their cat.
Regan serves as the first impression for the Foundation’s visitors, and represents the executive team of the Foundation, facilitating the open and efficient flow of information and ensuring the effective integration of the strategic and operational priorities. She is also responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the Foundation’s events.
Regan was born and raised in the DFW metroplex. She received her bachelor’s degree at the University of North Texas in 2020 majoring in Psychology, Rehabilitation Studies, and Human Development & Family Sciences. She joined the Foundation staff in 2023 as Office Manager.
Regan has a passion for helping others and is excited to expand her career in the nonprofit sector. She is currently working towards attending The University of Texas at Arlington in the Spring of 2024 to pursue a master’s degree in business administration. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and raising her 2-year-old son.
Sarah oversees the Foundation’s strategy, operations, and programming in her role as Chief Operating Officer. Her attention is primarily focused on streamlining organizational efficiencies, refining professional services, and driving long term, strategic growth for the Foundation.
Over the course of her career, she has held significant positions in consulting and Jewish communal organizations, where she oversaw grant administration, key partnerships, board development, and strategic & organizational planning for institutions of varying sizes. Her strengths include communication, critical thinking, leadership development, and problem solving. Sarah translates this wealth of knowledge and experience to her work at DJCF/SWCF, which includes partnering with a broad range of stakeholders to create measurable impact and drive results.
Sarah completed her degree at UT Austin in 2007, where she was a member of Sigma Delta Tau and majored in Jewish & Middle Eastern studies. She lives in Dallas with her husband Brett and two young daughters.