Moderator:
Sharon Grigsby
A former columnist, editorial writer, and editor at the Dallas Morning News, Sharon Grigsby is co-founder and senior writer at The Lab Report: Dallas. You Through a shared mission with its parent company, the Child Poverty Action Lab, The Lab Report will deliver insightful short- and long-form enterprise journalism aimed at reducing childhood poverty and making Dallas a better place for everyone. You can sign up at labreportdallas.com.
Sharon's reporting has taken her inside Parkland’s pandemic ICUs, Dallas narcotics raids, and flooded homeless encampments. She led the Dallas Morning News' Pulitzer Prize-winning “Bridging Dallas’ North-South Gap” project and, in 2018, was a Pulitzer finalist for her editorials related to the sexual assault scandal at her alma mater, Baylor University.
Panelists:
Elizabeth Wattley
Elizabeth Wattley is President & CEO of Forest Forward, a South Dallas nonprofit leading revitalization efforts in the 75215 ZIP code through arts, education, housing, and economic development. With a place-based approach centered on restoring the Historic Forest Theater, Elizabeth brings 15 years of experience in social enterprise, including transformative roles at CitySquare and Paul Quinn College. She holds degrees from Spelman College and SMU’s Cox School of Business and has been recognized as a Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 and SMU Cox Outstanding Young Alumni.
Matrice Ellis-Kirk
Matrice Ellis-Kirk is CEO of Ellis Kirk Group and Board Chair of Forest Forward, bringing over two decades of leadership in executive search and civic engagement. With a career that began in banking and public sector finance, she has since guided major search firms and corporate boards in advancing community-focused leadership. Matrice also serves on the boards of Jefferies Financial Group and the Communities Foundation of Texas, and was honored with the prestigious Linz Award for her contributions to Dallas. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
| 6/10/2025 |    |