Staff Listing | Dallas Jewish Community Foundation

Staff Listing

Main line: 214.615.9351

Fax: 214.363.5942

Megan Hyman

President/CEO
Background

Megan serves the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation and its related organization, the Southwest Community Foundation, as President and CEO. In this role, she leads a team focused on advising individuals, families and community agencies, with the mandate to help them achieve their strategic philanthropic goals and to increase support for the dynamic Jewish community in Dallas, Israel and around the world.
Prior to this role, Megan spent 15+ years as a Banker with J.P. Morgan Chase, advising both corporations and individuals. Most of her career was within the Private Bank, where she was responsible for business management, attracting and retaining new high net worth clients, growing assets under management, and providing strategic advice for families across the full spectrum of their wealth management needs, including philanthropic giving.
As a first generation college student, Megan attended Indiana University where she earned a B.S. degree in Marketing from the Kelley School of Business. While in college, she was an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority, the Global Sales Leadership Society and AIESEC.
Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, reading and traveling.

mhyman@djcf.org
214.615.5236

Mona Allen

Director of Development and Legacy
Background

Mona has been with the DJCF since spring, 2013. Her 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 be it at schools, synagogues or now in her present role as Director of Development and Legacy. Mona is married to Artie and they have 4 sons.

mallen@djcf.org
214.615.5268

Herbert Barrera

Accounting Associate
Background

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 and is mainly responsible for the Supporting Organizations and presently assists with daily accounting operations.

Herb lives in Carrollton, Texas with his wife and a daughter who is currently about to graduate from high school. Herb, involved with family and community activities, enjoys many aspects of art including life drawing, acrylic painting, wood work and transparency watercolor. Herb utilizes his personal pastime by participating in local craft shows.

hbarrera@djcf.org
214.615.5289

Jerry Blair

Chief Financial Officer
Background

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. His responsibilities include oversight over the accounting and operations of the Foundation.

jblair@djcf.org
214.615.5231

Risa Gross

Development Officer
Background

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. In her role as Development Officer, she builds relationships with the professional advisor community, in addition to serving fundholders and partner agencies.

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.

rgross@djcf.org
214.615.5232

Cynthia P. Hendricks

Controller and Senior Director of Research
Background

Cynthia joined the Foundation in 2002 and is responsible for maintaining the financial records of the Foundation, preparation and review of Donor statements and providing solutions to Foundation Information Management System (FIMS software) questions.

She has 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.

chendricks@djcf.org
214.615.5291

Regan Klinke

Office Manager
Background

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.

rklinke@djcf.org
214.615.5258

Shalon Sanders

Philanthropic Relations Manager
Background

Shalon joined the Foundation in 2022 and is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the Foundation’s fund development initiatives. 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 as Philanthropic Relations Manager with Dallas Jewish Community Foundation.

SSanders@djcf.org
214-615-5278

Natasha Shovar

Development & Scholarship Coordinator
Background

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 and is responsible for the smooth running of the offices. In 2011, Natasha received her Associates Degree in Business. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their friends and their cat.

nshovar@djcf.org
214.615.5253

Mary Vaughan

Director of Fundholder Services
Background

Mary joined the Foundation staff in 2016 as Development Coordinator. She spent the last 14 years as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager for a technology services firm.

Mary has an Associate of Arts 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.

mvaughan@djcf.org
214.615.5243

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Joyce and Selly Belofsky

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Ira Silverman, Silverman Goodwin LLP

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For me, the reward of being a DJCF fund holder is equally matched by the honor of serving on a DJCF scholarship committee...

Ann Zimmerman Gallant

I am forever indebted to DJCF for their generosity in awarding me scholarships* to receive my college degree...

Jordan Herskowitz

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Julie and Scott Miller and Family

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