Dena L. Jackson, Ph.D. is Chief Operating Officer at Texas Women’s Foundation where she has served since 2012. In this role, she oversees the effective business operations, ensuring a strong and capable team is in place to transform the lives of women, girls and their families across Texas while also driving Foundations research initiatives.
Dr. Jackson has worked in the nonprofit arena since 2001 starting with the Susan G. Komen Foundation training staff and volunteers around the U.S. to develop, manage, and evaluate local breast cancer programs. Later, Dr. Jackson opened both the Foundation Relations and Research Development offices at the University of Texas at Dallas during five years as Assistant VP of Research Development.
A native Texan, Dr. Jackson earned her Doctoral degree in Health Studies at Texas Women’s University. She is a graduate of both Leadership Texas and Leadership North Texas. Currently, she serves as co-chair of Asset Funder’s Network, Incoming Membership Chair for Philanthropy SW and Advisory boards of Early Matters Dallas and AFN North Texas. She spends her free time cooking, reading, playing with her two cats and one dog and traveling with husband, Bob.