Peña Search Seeking Executive Director for Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church
October 6, 2025 – Peña Search has been retained by Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (PHPC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. Holly Sherman Peña and Carlos González Peña are leading the assignment.
PHPC seeks an experienced and dynamic executive director to join its leadership team. This pivotal role serves as the Integrator within the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) model and will oversee internal day-to-day business functions and manage key operational areas including finance, facilities, contracts management, and human resources, to ensure the business of PHPC functions at a high level and meets performance goals. As a member of the executive leadership team reporting to the senior pastor, the executive director will directly supervise the director of finance, facilities manager, and senior associate pastor.
Peña is looking for a strategic thinker with the ability to translate concepts into action as part of building and inspiring a strong team. The organization is hoping to attract an innovative leader with a hands-on and involved style marked by collaboration and a willingness to think creatively. Ability to balance and/or respond to multiple organizational priorities simultaneously, including strong problem-solving and decision-making is preferred.
Operational expertise including budget, project, process, and resource management is needed. A background that includes strategic perspective including ability to develop and lead strategic initiative implementation working closely with other key stakeholders is also preferred. Candidates should have a record of building, managing, and setting clear and attainable goals for a highly motivated, intelligent, and committed group of staff. Experience working in a nonprofit organization and/or with CRM and financial software is a plus.
Personal Characteristics
- An engaging leader who is highly relational, polished, and articulate, and displays a strong sense of self and self-confidence to implement vision, while maintaining an optimistic outlook.
- A team-oriented, collaborative individual with warm, professional interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with staff and members of the congregation.
- A person of unquestioned honesty and integrity who honors commitments and deals with people in a straightforward and respectful fashion.
- One who will be passionately committed to PHPC’s mission and vision and who enjoys working with a variety of constituencies.
Related: Peña Search Recruits Chief Development Officer for Healthy Futures of Texas
Today PHPC is one of the larger congregations in Dallas, with a little over 2,000 members and Sunday attendance of about 650. Its campus includes the landmark Georgian sanctuary seating almost 1,000, along with extensive facilities for education, music, and fellowship. The church maintains a staff of pastors, educators, musicians, and administrators led by senior pastor Matthew Ruffner. The church’s annual budget is just over $5 million, sustaining robust worship, program, and mission commitments both locally and globally.
Proven Search Firm
Headquartered in Dallas, Peña Search’s specialties include: non-profit organizations, mission driven organizations, foundations, higher education, independent schools, religious organizations and educational institutions, human services organizations, museums, collective impact organizations, professional and trade associations, art culture and humanities organizations, environment and animal welfare organizations, fundraising, chief financial officers, chief executive officers, healthcare organizations, chief development officers, and advocacy organizations.
The Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms
Hunt Scanlon Media proudly presents the Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms.
This comprehensive online directory is your definitive resource for finding the best executive search firms to serve your talent needs.
Our guide is meticulously curated to connect you with leading firms that specialize in various industries and functions, ensuring you find the perfect match for your executive recruitment needs.
Ms. Sherman Peña is founder and CEO of Peña Search. Over a 20-year career in recruiting, she has a track record of successful, high-level placements across the United States and in Mexico. Currently, Ms. Sherman Peña leads many of the CEO-level searches while also managing and assisting team members. She also practiced law for seven years, focusing on cross-border transactions and trade.
Mr. González Peña’s fascination with non-profits began while earning a master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs. It was there that he was exposed to how influential these types of organizations are in improving quality of life across the U.S. He helped found Peña Search in 2009 to serve mission-driven organizations. Mr. González Peña is committed to finding the best cultural fit for each individual candidate and institution. He currently leads many of the CEO-level searches while also focusing on growth and team management.
Related: Peña Search Recruits CEO for the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
