United To Learn Staff

Renee Gadson

Chief Advancement Officer

As Chief Advancement Officer, Renee Gadson, serves as the lead representative for advancement in the community, cultivating the resources that enable United to Learn to deliver its vision and mission. The Chief Advancement Officer interacts frequently with all U2L stakeholders including board members, advisory council members, investors, private institutions, public school partners, and agency vendors.

Renee Gadson is a nonprofit executive with nearly 20 years of experience positively impacting the critical work of mission-driven organizations. Renee has a proven track record of identifying and cultivating key external and internal relationships to maximize organizational growth. Renee believes in transforming organizations by inspiring teams to reach their full potential and leads with the end-result in mind.

Renee most recently held the position of Vice President, Heart Challenge at the American Heart Association Dallas Division where she played a key leadership role in driving fundraising efforts across the Greater Dallas area, with oversight of campaign planning and execution, account/sponsorship management, and volunteer management. Renee was responsible for the Dallas Heart Walk, Cycle Nation, and Field Day events. Prior to her role at the American Heart Association, she held the position of Senior Director, Corporate Relations at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas where she managed a multi- million-dollar portfolio of corporate accounts including Fortune 500 companies.

Renee’s career also includes serving as the Executive Director at the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance, a nonprofit organization created to empower Dallas ISD students to become well-trained scholars and effective advocates within their communities. Renee was responsible for creating and executing funding strategies to increase revenue streams as well as working with Dallas ISD leadership to maximize program success. Other career highlights include serving as the North Texas Director at The Souper Bowl of Caring where she led one of the largest community-driven hunger relief campaigns in North Texas, generating over $2 million in resources; serving as the National Executive Director at Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, a historic membership organization for mothers with children ages 2-19, operating in 35 states, plus the District of Columbia; and serving as the Director of Development at KIPP DC, a cluster of high performing charter schools in Washington, DC.

Renee is a graduate of Southeastern University in Washington, DC where she earned a B.S. in Government Management, graduating summa cum laude. She is a member of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated where she served on several executive committees for the Washington, DC, Central New Jersey, and Greater Frisco chapters. She also served on the National Strategic Partnerships Task Force and currently serves on the National Sponsorship Committee for the 2024 National Convention. Renee also served as a member of the Village Circle Giving in Dallas, TX and the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Women of Tocqueville. She was also an Issue Champion for Hunger, with Unite Greater Dallas.

Renee is a native Washingtonian and currently lives in Frisco, Texas with her husband and is the mother of two children.

Back To Team