Roslyn Dawson Thompson

Former Texas Women’s Foundation President

Roslyn “Ros” Dawson Thompson is a lifelong devotee to the calling of community service.

She grew up with parents who were active in the community. Dawson Thompson worked as a “Y teen” at the YWCA (a group promoting peace, justice freedom, and dignity for all) and found ways to give back through high school, college, and her early professional life.

Eventually, Dawson Thompson started a boutique marketing communications and public relations firm in Dallas and dedicated her time to growing the company. However, her service-driven mind didn’t let her stop there.

In 1986, she joined the board of the then-Dallas Women’s Foundation (now Texas Women’s Foundation) where she helped gather data and assist underserved women in the region.

“The mission and purpose of the organization were really close to my heart,” Dawson Thompson said. “The advancement and empowerment of women and girls has always been a focus for me.”

In 2010, Dawson Thompson was in her 25th year at her firm when she had a “personal epiphany.”

She was chair-elect of the Dallas Women’s Foundation’s board of directors at the time and Becky Sykes, longtime CEO of the organization, had just announced her retirement. In a turn of fate, she found her calling for the next 10 years as the organization’s leader.

During her tenure, Dawson Thompson spearheaded critical research campaigns, grew awareness for greater impact, and evolved the organization through her expertise in communications.

“One of the accomplishments that I’m most proud of was that we were able to release a statewide study of the economic status of women and girls in Texas every three years,” Dawson Thompson said.

Dawson Thompson was also the driving force behind transforming the Dallas Women’s Foundation into the Texas Women’s Foundation.

“I think my best memory was being able to stand on the stage of our annual luncheon and reveal that our messaging and our purpose were widely endorsed by an incredibly diverse population across the state,” Dawson Thompson said. “They gave us the support to go from Dallas Women’s Foundation to Texas Women’s Foundation.”

She retired from the Texas Women’s Foundation in late 2021 but has maintained her philanthropic efforts by chairing the Tides Foundation out of San Francisco.

“It’s exciting,” Dawson Thompson said. “I’m constantly in learning mode but excited for what this organization can bring to bear within the community.”