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.

2025-26 Council Members

William Ware, Chair
President
Amarillo National Bank

Connie Kleinert Babikian
President
The Pillow Bar

Rob Bennett
Senior Managing Director
Thackeray Fund Series

Wood Brookshire
CEO
Vendera Resources

Kristina Carbonneau
SVP, Change Management
Santander Consumer USA

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

Chase Cooley
General Counsel
Clay Cooley Automotive

Justin Cox
Partner
Cox Partners, Inc.

Travis Goff
President
Goff Capital, Inc.

Catalina (Cata) Gonzalez Jorba
Founder
Dondolo

Kevin Green
Executive Creative Director
Moroch

Jay C. Hartzell
President
SMU

Stephanie Herold
Director
Thackeray Fund Series

James Landen
Texas Market President
Security National Bank of Texas

Lauren Leahy
Chief Transformation Officer
Flynn Group

Noah Mitchell
Director and Partner
The Mitchell Group

Philip Patsley
Associate Director 
Guidehouse 

Artie Starrs
CEO
Harley-Davidson

Haynes Strader
Chief Development Officer
Skybox Datacenters

James (Jim) Templeton
Product Engineer
Amenities Health

Leigh Young
Director
Epoch Estate Wines