DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--James Dondero, co-founder and president of Dallas-based asset management firm Highland Capital Management, L.P., has teamed up with Linda Owen, Dallas civic leader and former president of The Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, to provide strategic direction to Highland’s philanthropic activities as the firm’s charitable giving program continues to expand.
Owen will serve as the firm’s charitable giving manager, operating in partnership with The Dallas Foundation, which administers Highland’s dedicated charitable giving fund.
“As we’ve expanded our philanthropic activities, we recognized the need for a dedicated professional to ensure our contributions make the greatest impact,” said Dondero. “Linda has a proven track record of building effective public-private partnerships in Dallas and shares our vision for making an immediate and tangible difference in our community.”
Highland contributes more than $3 million annually to charitable organizations through The Dallas Foundation, focusing on supporting veterans’ causes, education, health care and the Dallas community. Local beneficiaries include the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the Center for Brain Health, the Dallas Zoo, Uplift Education, Snowball Express and the American Heart Association, among many others. James Dondero and a number of other Highland executives provide guidance to many of the organizations the firm supports through board service and other leadership roles.
“Highland’s commitment to philanthropy is inspiring. The firm’s engagement in the work of all the organizations it supports goes beyond funding. Employees readily give their time and energy as active board members, coming up with creative solutions to the challenges these nonprofits face and constantly looking for additional ways to support these causes,” remarked Owen. “It’s an incredible opportunity to work alongside a firm with that kind of dedication, and I look forward to helping channel it into thoughtful, impactful giving.”
As the president and CEO of the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, Owen oversaw the development of Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, which was completed in 2012. Before that she served as president and CEO of The Real Estate Council (TREC), leading the Dallas-Fort Worth area commercial real estate association and its nonprofit.
Owen began her career as a real estate associate at the law firm Wald, Harkrader & Ross. She earned a BA in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a JD from the University of Texas School of Law. Throughout her career, Owen has been involved in a number of philanthropic organizations in the Dallas area, including the Crystal Charity Ball, The Family Place and the Circuit Trail Conservancy.
About Highland Capital Management, L.P.
Highland Capital Management, L.P. is an SEC-registered investment adviser that, together with its affiliates, has approximately $17 billion of assets under management. Founded in 1993 by Jim Dondero and Mark Okada, Highland is one of the largest and most experienced global alternative credit managers. Highland specializes in credit strategies, including credit hedge funds, long-only funds and separate accounts, distressed and special-situation private equity, and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). Highland also offers alternative investments, including emerging markets, long/short equities, and natural resources. Highland’s diversified client base includes public pension plans, foundations, endowments, corporations, financial institutions, fund of funds, governments, and high net-worth individuals. Highland is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and maintains offices in New York, Sao Paolo, Singapore, and Seoul. Founders Jim Dondero and Mark Okada continue to lead the firm today. For more information visit highlandcapital.com.
About The Dallas Foundation
Founded in 1929, The Dallas Foundation is a public charity that works to improve life in North Texas by bringing together generous donors and effective nonprofits. The Foundation holds more than 300 individual funds, and awards competitive grants to agencies in a variety of fields including health, education, social services and animal welfare.
