It might have been described as a gathering of North Texas fundraising eagles since the 2024 NorthPark Ambassadors dinner was an array of all types of area non-profit representatives. Returning to the Mansion on Turtle Creek on Monday, May 6, it was an elegant salute to this year’s class of area non-profits and their leaders hosted by NorthPark Center‘s first couple Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger. It also provided an opportunity for the charities to talk about news to come, like the results of their spring fundraising and plans for 2025. Even though, in some cases they only hinted slyly what was to be reported in the days and weeks ahead. Stay tuned for those news flashes as they come to official light.
On the other hand, Dallas Theater Center Ambassador Hamilton Sneed accompanied by Dawn Mellon and DTC Executive Director Kevin Moriarty explained that despite the Theater Center’s invites for the past weekend’s Centerstage Gala being delayed due to a printer’s “Oops!”, the fundraiser had been a great success, with the early calculations proving that. In fact, Hamilton was so energized by this year’s fundraiser that’s he’s already signed up to chair the event again next year.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Chief Advancement and Revenue Officer Terry Lofits was subbing in for DSO President/CEO Kim Noltemy, who was probably in the transitional stage of high-tailing it to California, where she’ll be heading up the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
In discussing Kim’s move, NorthPark Center’s David Haemisegger admitted that while he hadn’t been involved with the situation, he did say that the LA Phil is one of the great orchestras in the realm. And he agreed that it’s a tip of the hat for the DSO to provide Kim with the opportunity to showcase her leadership talents as a CEO.
As a jazz bass clarinetist and a pianist provided the background music for the cocktail reception in the restaurant’s dining room and adjacent veranda, snapshots of the night included: NorthPark Ambassador of Luxury/Genesis Women’s Shelter Ambassador Kimberly Schlegel Whitman wearing earrings that her mother, Myrna Schlegel, had given her a couple of years ago; Children’s Medical Center Foundation President Brent Christopher being energized by the million-dollar momentum resulting from the the philanthropy of Jean and Max Pogue for the building of the new Children’s Medical Center; Children’s Ambassadors Madison and John Isner arriving fresh from John coaching his son’s T-ball game; Children’s Cancer Fund Executive Director Jennifer Arthur standing in for Ambassador Emberlin Pridham, who was unable to join the dinner due to a commitment in California; Texas Rangers Executive VP/GM Chris Young, representing the Rangers Foundation, being in Oakland for the Rangers-Athletics game against and having Texas Rangers SVP of Community Impact and Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Executive Director Karin Morris subbing in for him.
As the guests took their places at the two long tables in the main dining room, Nancy Nasher took her place at the podium and thanked the guests for “allowing us to be your partner.” She then reported that “over the past seven years of the Ambassador program, we have hosted more than 100 charitable events that directly impacted over 40 different charities across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.” Over the year the 2024 Ambassadors will host fundraising events in association with NorthPark merchants.
Nancy then introduced members of the DSO Young Strings program/Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts freshman Kaira Rasa and junior Aissatou Rasa, who performed their rendition of Leclair Sonata No. 5.
Following Nancy was Kimberly, who introduced the Mansion’s Chef Charles Olalia, who took a bow in the dining room and headed back to the kitchen.
Kimberly invited the Dallas Opera’s soprano Courtney Maina, tenor Jordan Hammons and pianist Sara Steele to take their places in the room to perform selections from La Traviata.
Following their performance, Kim recognized the following Ambassadors and their non-profit representatives including the following:
- Allison Brodnax representing the Dallas Arboretum with the Arboretum’s Chief Advancement Officers Christie Eckler;
- Lora Farris and Marjon Henderson representing the 2024 Cattle Baron’s Ball accompanied by Dr. Bennett Schmidtt and Chris Kimbrough, respectively;
- Madison and John Isner representing Children’s Health with Brent Christopher of the Children’s Medical Center Foundation;
- Cheryl Joyner representing the 2024 Crystal Charity Ball accompanied by her husband Richard Joyner;
- Laura Harris-Means and Patrick Means representing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with Chief Advancement and Revenue Officer Terry Loftis;
- Lee Michaels representing the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum with Museum President Mary Pat Higgins and her husband Paul Michaels;
- Hamilton Sneed representing the Dallas Theater Center accompanied by Dawn Mellon and DTC Executive Director Kevin Moriarty; and
- Kimberly representing Genesis Women’s Shelter with Genesis Founder/CEO Jan Langbein.
As an added touch, Kim reported that her sister Krystal Schlegel Davis and her mother-in-law Gail Davis had signed up to chair the 2025 Genesis Luncheon.
In closing, Kim noted other members in attendance included Neiman Marcus VP/Market GM (NorthPark and Downtown) Scott Mitchell, Business Council for the Arts CEO Stacie Adams and COO Programming Director Jill VanGorden, BCA Board Member/former NorthPark Ambassador Andrea Nayfa and the NorthPark Center team (Kristen Gibbins, Angela Boots, Meredith Hays, Shelby Foster, Isabelle Haemisegger and Kristin Williams).
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