21st Century Council

The 21st Century Council serves as a primary advisory organization for the President of SMU.  Council members are appointed by the President for the purpose of providing the President with advice on contemporary issues, challenges, and opportunities facing America’s colleges and universities.  The Council provides an opportunity for its members and the President to address these matters in a frank, confidential, and collegial format.  Input from Council members is especially important in providing the President with an off-campus perspective of Dallas and other communities as well as perceptions about SMU held by constituencies and individuals important to the future of SMU.

2021-22 21st Century Council Directory
Christopher Crum, Chair
William Ware, Chair Elect

Council Members

Connie Kleinert Babikian
President
The Pillow Bar

Rob Bennett
Senior Managing Director
Thackeray Fund Series

Michael Boone
Managing Partner
WestFront Capital Group

Wood Brookshire
CEO
Vendera Resources

Courtney Caldwell
Cofounder & CEO
ShearShare

Kristina Carbonneau
SVP, Change Management
Santander Consumer USA

Brad E. Cheves
Vice President for Development and External Affairs
SMU

Calvert Collins-Bratton
Vice President
Methodist Health System

Justin Cox
Partner
Cox Partners, Inc.

Christopher T. Crum
Principal
Aylstone Capital Management

Peter Hegi
Vice President & General Manager
Castlight Health

Catalina (Cata) Gonzalez Jorba
Founder
Dondolo

Jason Kulas
CEO
EZCORP, Inc.

Kathryn Lake
External Advisor
McKinsey & Company

Greg LaMantia, Jr.
Owner
Favorite Brands

Lauren Leahy
Chief Customer and Legal Officer
Pizza Hut

Noah Mitchell
Director and Partner
The Mitchell Group

Henry (Hill) Perot III
Vice President
Hillwood

Artie Starrs
CEO
Topgolf Entertainment Group

James (Jim) Templeton
Senior Director
WorkRecords

R. Gerald Turner
President
SMU

William Ware
President
Amarillo National Bank