Peña Search Seeking Major Gifts Officer for Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep
October 27, 2025 – Peña Search was recently selected by Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep (Cristo Rey Dallas) to lead in its search for a major gifts officer. Cristo Rey Dallas seeks a major gifts officer to join its advancement team at a pivotal moment in the school’s history. As Cristo Rey Dallas enters its second decade of impact, demand for access continues to grow, and philanthropic support is essential to expanding capacity, strengthening student services, and deepening community partnerships.
The MGO will serve as a key partner to the vice president of advancement, the president of Cristo Rey Dallas, and board members in growing and managing a portfolio of major donors and cultivating and soliciting transformational gifts. With an annual fundraising goal of securing $1 million in commitments and pledges, this role provides the opportunity to engage directly with Dallas’ most generous philanthropic leaders while building lasting relationships that sustain Cristo Rey’s mission.
Candidates must have a documented track record of a minimum of five years successfully soliciting and managing current and prospective donors at the major gift level preferably $5,000 and above. They should have proven success in donor stewardship and moves management, with the ability to cultivate relationships and secure progressively larger gifts over time. Those applying must also have familiarity with the Dallas non-profit landscape and philanthropic community as well as proven experience successfully collaborating across departments, including programming, communications, and finance, among others.
Peña is seeking a natural connector who meets people easily, networks intuitively, and builds authentic relationships with the executive team, the board, teammates, donors, and volunteers. The firm is looking for an exceptional communicator with the ability to move comfortably in a wide variety of social settings, including among people of substantial influence and wealth, and the ability to forge solid personal relationships.
Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep is a private, independent Catholic, college preparatory high school committed to academic excellence for students of all faiths with limited financial resources. An essential part of the Cristo Rey academic model is its Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), where students work in a professional setting one day a week, actively contributing to the culture of Dallas’ most successful companies.
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.
Related: Peña Search Recruits Chief Development Officer for Healthy Futures of Texas
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.
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church Search
Peña Search was also recently retained by Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (PHPC) to lead in its search for a new executive director. PHPC seeks an experienced and dynamic executive director to join its leadership team.
Peña Search Recruits CFO for Visit Dallas
Peña Search has assisted in the recruitment of Kathie Parsons as the new CFO of Visit Dallas. “Kathie brings to our organization a superb financial track record of transparency, accountability and collaboration,” said Craig Davis, president and CEO of Visit Dallas. “Her experience and strategic vision will be invaluable as we continue to grow and position Dallas as a premier destination. We are thrilled to welcome her to our leadership team and are confident she will play a pivotal role in shaping our future.”
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.
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.
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
