Jennifer Sampson, who helped reshape the mission and reach of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas during more than two decades with the organization, will step down as president and CEO later this year, the United Way announced on Thursday. Sampson, who has served as CEO for 15 years and has spent 25 years with the organization overall, will remain in the role through Sept. 30. She will then step into a new position as the inaugural CEO of The Stephens Greth Foundation. “United Way of Metropolitan Dallas will always be one of the great loves of my life,” Sampson said in a statement. “For 25 years I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team and partners who believe deeply in this mission and in the power of coming together to expand opportunity for our neighbors.” A Dallas native who grew up in Arlington, Sampson joined United Way of Metropolitan Dallas in 2001. During her tenure, the organization shifted from traditional grantmaking to a data-driven, outcomes-focused strategy centered on education, income and health. Under Sampson’s leadership, United Way introduced regional goals, competitive grantmaking and rigorous evaluation standards, while also expanding beyond grant funding to help design and launch community initiatives alongside funders and partners. The organization now reports impacting more than 1.7 million North Texans each year. Antonio Carrillo, chair of United Way’s board of directors and president and CEO of Arcosa, credited Sampson with redefining the organization’s role in the region. “Jennifer has been a visionary leader for our region,” Carrillo said in a statement. “She helped reimagine what United Way could be – an organization that not only mobilizes generosity, but deploys data, partnerships and accountability to drive real progress. What she built reflects a clear vision, genuine courage and a refusal to settle for the status quo.” A certified public accountant by training, Sampson emphasized financial discipline and measurable outcomes at a time when data-driven philanthropy was still emerging. One of her signature efforts was a partnership with the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation to create the Community Vulnerability Compass, a mapping platform that identifies needs by census tract across North Texas. The tool is now used by more than 200 nonprofit organizations. Sampson also launched United Way’s social innovation efforts, including GroundFloor and its successor programs, which invested millions of dollars in social entrepreneurs and community-based ventures over the past decade. Her leadership earned national recognition, including back-to-back appearances on the NonProfit Times list of the top 50 nonprofit leaders in the country. In her farewell message, Sampson said she plans to remain involved with United Way after her departure. “The work continues, and I will be fully engaged through September 30,” she said. “Long after that, I will remain an investor, a volunteer and a champion for this mission.” The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas said it will continue advancing its Aspire United 2030 goals as the organization prepares for a leadership transition later this year. To read more about Sampson’s work with the United Way and the nonprofit’s next steps, click here to read the full announcement. ...read more read less