Longtime Dallas resident Julie Diaz has been named interim president and CEO of The Dallas Foundation, as Matthew Randazzo departs to take the helm of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, The Dallas Foundation’s board announced. Diaz takes her new interim posts after serving as the foundation’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

“Matthew, Julie, and the entire team of The Dallas Foundation have worked very hard to achieve success across key measures of the organization’s philanthropic, financial and operational goals,” Lydia Addy, chair of The Dallas Foundation’s board of governors, said in a statement. “Alongside Matthew, Julie has been the lead on both day-to-day business operations and donor relations, making her the ideal person to take the helm of The Dallas Foundation at this time. We are grateful for her steady hand.”

Diaz has a nonprofit sector career spanning 35 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role, the foundation said.

“The Dallas Foundation remains committed to investing in our community’s greatest needs and to diversifying and democratizing philanthropy,” said Chris Luna, vice chair of the foundation’s board of governors. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside Julie and the entire Foundation team to strategically and purposefully advance this work across Greater Dallas.”

Playing a pivotal role in donor relations, operations, and partnerships

The foundation said that Diaz’ guidance in nurturing relationships with donors and fundholders and her focus on streamlining organizational efficiencies and professional services have been pivotal to the foundation’s success and long-term sustainability. She also played a critical role in operations and philanthropic partnerships and managed the foundation’s dramatic increases in contributions and grantmaking. 

Diaz has held significant leadership roles across a range of flagship organizations including The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Greenhill School, SMU, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and WGBH Educational Foundation.

She embarks upon her leadership of The Dallas Foundation as the organization approaches its centennial of service to Greater Dallas in 2029.

“I am deeply honored to step into this important role for The Dallas Foundation and to work alongside our dedicated board of governors as we continue to serve our donors and drive impact for the Dallas community,” Diaz said.

Milestones under Randazzo’s leadership

Matthew Randazzo

Randazzo joined the Foundation in 2018 after longtime President Mary Jalonick retired following 30 years of service to the organization.

The foundation said milestones achieved during his leadership include leveraging the foundation’s first comprehensive strategic plan to grow fundholders’ capacity to make a meaningful difference, increasing diversity among the organization’s board and staff leadership, and elevating the organization’s community-wide impact in helping individuals and families in Greater Dallas reach their full potential.

Randazzo will transition to the Greater Cincinnati Foundation in late July, the Dallas Foundation said.

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