Peña Search Seeking Philanthropy Lead for The Rees-Jones Foundation
April 21, 2026 – Peña Search has been retained by The Rees-Jones Foundation to lead in its search for a senior director of philanthropy. Travis Hillier and Carlos González Peña are leading the assignment. The Rees-Jones Foundation is seeking a senior director of philanthropy to help lead and advance its mission of serving vulnerable populations through faith-driven, high-impact grantmaking. This is a key leadership role within the Foundation, responsible for shaping and executing grantmaking strategy, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that donor intent is translated into measurable outcomes and impact.
As a member of the Foundation’s leadership team, the senior director will work closely with the president and staff to guide the Foundation’s philanthropic priorities, steward relationships with grantees and community stakeholders, and foster a culture of service, learning, and continuous improvement. This individual will lead and develop a team of grant professionals, oversee the full lifecycle of the grantmaking process, and serve as a thoughtful and trusted representative of the Foundation in the community.
The Rees-Jones Foundation is looking for a strategic and mission-driven leader who can translate donor intent into clear priorities and high-impact philanthropic investments that serve vulnerable children and families. The organization is looking to attract a relational and engaging professional who builds trust and credibility with the board, staff, grantees, and community stakeholders, and represents the Foundation and its Founders with authenticity, compassion, and care.
The Rees-Jones Foundation was established in 2006 by Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones with a clear and enduring commitment to improving the quality of life for underserved individuals and families across North Texas. Over the past two decades, it has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to North Texas non-profit organizations working across eight key areas: animal welfare, child welfare, community benefit, disability care, evangelism & discipleship, family & youth support, neighborhood development, and youth formation.
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.
Holly 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, Mrs. 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.
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Mr. Hillier joined Peña Search in 2015. He conducts and supports searches at many different levels, and is committed to finding and placing the right leaders that will have a demonstrable impact in their communities and organizations. Mr. Hillier has search experience across a broad array of sectors and positions, bringing expertise to searches on behalf of educational organizations, those with religious affinities or affiliations, and agencies with international programmatic or fundraising components. He has also carved out a niche on the Peña Search team for his skill identifying development officers.
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.
The SAFE Alliance Search
Peña Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Pierre R. Berastaín as the new CEO of The Safe Alliance. He succeeded longtime CEO Julia Spann, whose decades of leadership built SAFE into a nationally recognized model for integrated services. “For more than twenty years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary staff, board members, volunteers, and survivors to build an organization that believes every person deserves safety, dignity, and love,” said Ms. Spann. “As I prepare to pass the torch, I could not be more confident in Pierre’s leadership. I know he will carry forward this mission with heart and vision, ensuring that SAFE continues to be a place of healing and hope for generations to come.”
“I’ve known Pierre’s work for many years, and his leadership is grounded in compassion and a sophisticated understanding of both community-based needs and national policy,” said Lynn Rosenthal, former White House advisor on gender-based violence and deputy assistant secretary for population affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “SAFE chose an extraordinary leader for this next chapter, and I’m confident he will strengthen not only the Austin ecosystem but the broader national movement to end gender-based violence.”
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
