The Dallas Economic Forum (DEF) is a pivotal platform connecting, informing, and empowering global business leaders in the Texas Triangle region. As a hub of innovation, finance, and cultural diversity, Dallas is uniquely positioned to drive national economic expansion and lead international economic discourse.
OUR MISSION
The Dallas Economic Forum connects, informs and empowers global business leaders operating across the Texas Triangle region. As a rapidly growing hub of innovation, finance and cultural diversity, Dallas is uniquely positioned to host this forum of global CEO’s and decision makers driving economic expansion across the nation. As a pivotal city in the global economic landscape, Dallas stands poised to leverage its significance for leadership in international economic discourse.
Through showcasing leaders and fostering meaningful discussions on economic trends, policy frameworks and business activities, the DEF provides an effective forum contributing to understanding and opportunity.
FOUNDING MEMBERS
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AREAS OF FOCUS
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MEMBER EVENTS
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OUR MEMBERS
The Dallas Economic Forum is guided and shaped by a distinguished group of business and economic leaders whose vision and leadership anchor the organization’s founding.
Our Founding Membership includes 40 influential executives and innovators. Their participation reflects a shared commitment to advancing thoughtful dialogue, bold ideas, and strategic action that will drive economic progress across the Texas Triangle and beyond.
These founding members are not only key supporters—they are active partners in crafting the DEF’s agenda, identifying high-impact topics, inviting world-renowned speakers, and shaping the trajectory of the Forum’s influence in the years ahead.
Together, these leaders represent a cross-section of sectors that define the region’s economic strength—from finance and energy to real estate, defense, and innovation. Their guidance ensures that the DEF is not only a platform for ideas—but a force for meaningful impact.
A few of our members include:
Kyle Bass | Founder, Hayman Capital Management
Lucy Billingsley | Co-Founder & Partner, Billingsley Company
Joel Colonnetta | Managing Partner, HBC Investments
Harlan Crow | Chairman, Crow Holdings
Antonio Carillo | President & CEO, Arcosa
Joe DePinto | CEO, 7-Eleven
John Donovan | Founder, Qudit Investments
Clay Duvall | Co-CEO, Lincoln Property Company
Curt Farmer | Chairman, President & CEO, Comerica Bank
Ken Fisher | Founder & Executive Chairman Fisher Investments
Craig Hall | Founder, CEO, Hall Group
Rob Holmes | Chairman Elect, President & CEO, Texas Capital
Rob Kaplan | Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs
Sarah Ketterer | CEO, Causeway Capital Management
Harlan Korenvaes | President & CEO, Korenvaes Capital
Jim Lee | Founder & CEO, TXSE
Michael Levy | CEO, Crow Holdings
Josh Lobel | CEO, Milken Family Investment
Lorie K. Logan | President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Tom Long | Co-CEO, Energy Transfer
Drew McKnight | Co-CEO & Managing Partner, Fortress
David Miller | Founder, Encap
Ross Perot Jr. | Chairman, The Perot Group
Mike Rawlings | Partner & Vice-Chairman, CIC Partners
Bob Rowlings | Chairman, TRT Holdings
Sam Susser | Chairman & CEO, Susser Bank
Brian Tyler | CEO, McKesson
Les Ware | Founder, Outlander Capital
Ray Washburne | CEO, Charter Holdings
Rick Wurster | President & CEO, Charles Schwab
Kyle Bass | Founder, Hayman Capital Management
Lucy Billingsley | Co-Founder & Partner, Billingsley Company
Joel Colonnetta | Managing Partner, HBC Investments
Harlan Crow | Chairman, Crow Holdings
Antonio Carillo | President & CEO, Arcosa
Joe DePinto | CEO, 7-Eleven
John Donovan | Founder, Qudit Investments
Clay Duvall | Co-CEO, Lincoln Property Company
Curt Farmer | Chairman, President & CEO, Comerica Bank
Ken Fisher | Founder & Executive Chairman Fisher Investments
Craig Hall | Founder, CEO, Hall Group
Rob Holmes | Chairman Elect, President & CEO, Texas Capital
Rob Kaplan | Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs
Sarah Ketterer | CEO, Causeway Capital Management
Harlan Korenvaes | President & CEO, Korenvaes Capital
Jim Lee | Founder & CEO, TXSE
Michael Levy | CEO, Crow Holdings
Josh Lobel | CEO, Milken Family Investment
Lorie K. Logan | President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Tom Long | Co-CEO, Energy Transfer
Drew McKnight | Co-CEO & Managing Partner, Fortress
David Miller | Founder, Encap
Ross Perot Jr. | Chairman, The Perot Group
Mike Rawlings | Partner & Vice-Chairman, CIC Partners
Bob Rowlings | Chairman, TRT Holdings
Sam Susser | Chairman & CEO, Susser Bank
Brian Tyler | CEO, McKesson
Les Ware | Founder, Outlander Capital
Ray Washburne | CEO, Charter Holdings
Rick Wurster | President & CEO, Charles Schwab
OUR FOCUS
At the heart of the Dallas Economic Forum (DEF) lies a commitment to insight and innovation across the key drivers of global economic growth. As Dallas emerges as a strategic nexus for leadership, investment, and international collaboration, the DEF offers a platform for shaping conversations that matter.
The Forum convenes thought leaders, policymakers, and industry executives to explore challenges and opportunities across the following critical domains:
Economic Policy
Examining the frameworks and regulations shaping domestic and global economies, with a focus on innovation, opportunity, and long-term growth.
Military & Defense
Exploring the economic dimensions of national security, defense spending, and the evolving role of technology in global security dynamics.
Finance
Engaging with leaders in banking, investment, and financial services to navigate global markets, capital flows, and digital finance transformations.
Fiscal Policy
Analyzing government spending, taxation, and financial strategies to better understand the impact of fiscal decisions on economic stability and expansion.
Space
Highlighting the economic potential of space exploration, commercial aerospace, and the role of public-private partnerships in driving the space economy.
Energy
Addressing the evolution of traditional and renewable energy markets, sustainability challenges, and the future of energy independence and resilience.
Healthcare
Exploring healthcare as a catalyst for economic growth by focusing on innovation in medical technologies, public health strategy, and life sciences investment. DEF supports a future where access, efficiency, and global competitiveness define the business of health.
Technology
Showcasing innovation across AI, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and emerging tech sectors that are transforming industries and societies.
Infrastructure
Investigating the policies and projects that are reshaping urban development, transportation, and connectivity across the Texas Triangle and beyond.
Our Founding Members are more than supporters—they are architects of action, driving the ideas and alliances that will shape the economic future of Texas and beyond.
EVENTS
Two additional events in May 2025 and September of 2025.
In 2025, the Dallas Economic Forum will host two premier events shaping the region’s economic dialogue. In May, a dynamic speaker series will spotlight cutting-edge innovations in military defense. Then in September, the Forum will convene top leaders and thinkers to explore transformative economic strategies and the future of regional development.
Learn More
The Dallas Economic Forum brings together senior business leaders and thought partners across the Texas Triangle to engage in dynamic dialogue and advance economic understanding. We provide a platform for global perspectives, regional insight, and collaborative exchange.
To stay connected or learn more about upcoming events and initiatives, please fill out the form below.
ANNUAL EVENTS IN 2025
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The DEF fosters meaningful dialogue, actionable insights, and transformative partnerships to power the next chapter of economic leadership.
Where Leadership Meets Momentum.
Copyright 2025