November 14, 2016
Scullin to continue CFT’s philanthropic leadership in North Texas and beyond
The board of trustees of Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), one of the largest community foundations in the nation, is pleased to announce that David J. Scullin will become its new president and chief executive officer, starting in January 2017. Scullin replaces Brent E. Christopher, who led CFT for nearly eleven years.
“On behalf of the board of trustees, I am thrilled to welcome Dave Scullin, as the new president and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas,” said Frank Risch, board chair of CFT. “Dave is known for his seasoned leadership, strategic acumen, financial expertise and his ability to build relationships. We look forward to his leadership which we believe will bring CFT to even higher levels of achievement in developing philanthropy within our North Texas community.”
Scullin is a multifaceted leader, strategic business adviser, financial expert and CPA, having served Fortune 500 clients at two global firms, Deloitte and Arthur Andersen, across North Texas and far beyond for more than forty years. Prior to his retirement in May 2016, Scullin was recognized as a top partner, holding multiple leadership roles over his career including at different times managing partner for Fort Worth and Phoenix, the lead client service partner for major global audit and non-audit clients, the industry leader of multiple sectors and creator and leader of Deloitte’s nationally-recognized North Texas CFO Forum.
Dave has extensive leadership experience with public, private, nonprofit and civic groups including the Fort Worth Chamber, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Greater Phoenix Leadership.
“Dave is known as a builder—of people, relationships and goal-oriented teams. His prior leadership roles entailed creating growth and engaging diverse stakeholders to work together toward a shared vision, and that’s what he will do with Communities Foundation of Texas,” said CFT trustee Jim Bass, who chaired CFT’s search committee. “Dave will boost the power of philanthropy in our region through Communities Foundation of Texas.”
With assets of $1 billion, CFT is one of the largest of nearly 800 community foundations in the nation. CFT’s strategic plan is clearly focused on growing giving in our region, catalyzing change in critically important areas such as education, medical and scientific research and public safety and strengthening the local philanthropic sector of donors and nonprofits.
“I’m thrilled to join Communities Foundation of Texas’ effort to improve life in our region and beyond. It’s truly an honor,” Scullin said. “CFT has been a trusted partner here since 1953, and I look forward to leading the team to support philanthropic impact in the community I love.”
To support the mission of amplifying philanthropic impact in North Texas and beyond, Scullin will work with CFT’s strong board of trustees who have wide-ranging knowledge of community needs, philanthropic perspective and fiscal responsibility. CFT’s trustees act as stewards for more than 950 charitable funds and exercise the final authority regarding foundation investments and charitable grants. In addition, Scullin will lead the foundation’s professional staff that has grown to include a team of high-capacity members across the entire organization, bringing their insight and expertise to the areas of grantmaking, education, donor relationships, fund administration, asset management, finance and communications.
Dave is a graduate of Marquette University and lives in Plano with Susan, his wife of forty years. His two adult children also reside in Texas. Scullin will begin his term as president and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas starting in January of 2017.