Carlos Gonzalez Peña

Carlos Peña’s interest in non-profits started while earning a master’s degree at The University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs. There, he learned how influential these organizations are in enhancing quality of life across the United States.

Carlos earned a Bachelor of Science from Tecnológico de Monterrey (Monterrey Tech) in Mexico. After graduating from the LBJ School in 1987, he joined the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission as a program analyst, then relocated to Dallas to work with The Meadows Foundation as a Program Officer in grants administration. Carlos also served as Vice President for University Advancement and Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Dallas before entering the executive search field in 2006.

He helped establish Peña Search in 2009 to assist mission-driven organizations. He is dedicated to matching candidates with the right cultural fit for each organization. Carlos currently oversees many CEO-level searches and also concentrates on growth and team management.

Carlos’s current and past community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Communities Foundation of Texas, Southwestern Medical Foundation, SMU’s Annette Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dallas County Community College District Foundation, The Hockaday School, Educational Opportunities, and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, among others. He is also active in the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and The Dallas Assembly. When he’s not working, Carlos enjoys discovering new foods while traveling and playing golf with his family.