Expert Guidance
DJCF’s experienced staff and board members actively partner with and guide 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.
Phone: (972) 645-1017 Email: [email protected]
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.
Phone: (972) 645-1018 Email: [email protected]
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.
Phone: (972) 645-1016 Email: [email protected]
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.
Phone: (972) 645-1021 Email: [email protected]
Servando Sanchez brings over a decade of expertise in financial operations, regulatory compliance, and team leadership. Throughout his career, he has held key roles, including Vice President of Finance for The Family Initiative, a national child welfare organization, and Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Commission of Fire Protection, a state regulatory agency. Servando has a reputation for simplifying complex processes, improving operational efficiency, and supporting high-performing teams. His earlier roles as a financial examiner for both the Texas Department of Insurance and the FDIC further honed his ability to analyze and strengthen financial systems, ensuring compliance and stability.
Before his finance career, Servando’s professional journey was shaped by his creative and people-focused spirit. He spent more than 10 years as a portrait photographer, capturing the stories of individuals and families through his lens. Before photography, he worked as a hospitality manager with Hyatt, mastering the art of delivering exceptional guest experiences and managing fast-paced operations. His life experience is as diverse as his career, having lived in four states and Brazil, which has given him a broad perspective and a knack for connecting with people from all walks of life.
Servando is a CPA with MS and BA degrees in Accounting from The University of Texas—Dallas. Outside the office, you might find Servando at an indie film screening, wandering through the contemporary wing of an art museum, or exploring a fun new restaurant. His blend of financial expertise, creative perspective, and global experiences makes him a dynamic and engaging leader.
Phone: (972) 645-1019 Email: [email protected]
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.
Phone: (972) 645-1022 Email: [email protected]
Regan works closely with the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer to support key operational functions across the organization. She plays a critical role in enhancing and streamlining finance and operations, overseeing systems and leadership platforms, managing operations and fund administration, and coordinating office and event activities. This includes handling vendor and financial partner relationships, as well as planning and organizing events.
A native of the DFW metroplex, Regan earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas in 2020, with a focus on Psychology, Rehabilitation Studies, and Human Development & Family Sciences. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in finance at The University of Texas at Dallas and joined the Foundation in 2023 as Office Manager.
Regan is passionate about helping others and is excited to continue growing her career in the nonprofit sector. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her 3-year-old son.
Phone: (972) 645-1015 Email: [email protected]
Lisa is a detail-oriented and diligent administrative professional. She assists Megan on multiple organizational levels by managing her schedule and maintaining internal and external communication.
Lisa was raised in Dallas. She received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas in 2009 majoring in Sport Management and minoring in Business and Sociology. Prior to working at the Foundation, she worked for the Dallas Stars Hockey Club and Levine Academy. She joined the Foundation staff in 2024 as Megan’s Executive Assistant.
In her free time, she enjoys raising her 2 young sons, advocating for Autism awareness and playing tennis.
Phone: (972) 645-1100 Email: [email protected]
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 Director of Fundholder Services. 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.
Phone: (972) 645-1026 Email: [email protected]
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 of 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 for philanthropy, community leadership collaborations, and secondary education are all attributes of her role.
Phone: (972) 645-1023 Email: [email protected]