Every year, Dallas 500 recognizes the most influential business leaders across North Texas. This year, SMU is once again strongly represented. The newly released 2026 list of the most powerful business leaders in Dallas–Fort Worth includes 19 SMU alumni making an impact across industries and in our city.
The extent of SMU representation on this list reflects the strength of the SMU alumni network and the leadership of graduates across business, philanthropy, and the community. We are grateful for the meaningful contributions SMU alumni continue to make across key sectors of the region.
SMU alumni continue to lead and serve across North Texas. Below are the Mustangs leading the way and recognized as standout leaders in the 2026 Dallas 500:
Technology / Innovation
Amber Venz Box — Co-founder & President, LTK
Suresh Narayanan — Founder & CEO, Jets MRO
Finance & Private Equity
Nafees Alam — CEO, DRG Concepts
Margaret Black — Managing Director, LH Capital / Lyda Hill Philanthropies
David Binswanger — Co-CEO, Lincoln Property Company
Energy / Natural Resources
Joseph Foran — Founder, Chairman & CEO, Matador Resources Co.
Ray L. Hunt — Chairman Emeritus, Hunt Consolidated/Hunt Oil
Real Estate / Commercial Property
Torrey Littlejohn — Senior Managing Director, JLL
Bobby Lyle — Founder, Chairman & CEO, Lyco Holdings Incorporated
Scott Barnard — Partner in Charge of Dallas & Fort Worth, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Taylor Toynes — CEO & Co-Founder, For Oak Cliff
Law / Professional Services
Rogge Dunn — CEO, Rogge Dunn Group, PC
Donald Godwin — Chairman & CEO, Godwin Bowman PC
Charles Dannis — Senior Managing Director, National Valuation Consultants Inc.
Corporate Leadership / Large-Scale Business
Kim Butler — Executive Vice President, HALL Group
Doug Deason — President, Deason Capital Services
Consumer / Lifestyle / Hospitality
Connie Babikian — President, The Pillow Bar
John Dallager — CEO, Toucan Cocktails
Health & Nonprofit
Amy Yeager — Chief Legal Officer, Children’s Health
We are proud to recognize these SMU alumni leaders and their contributions to Dallas. Their achievements reflect the continued influence of SMU alumni across Dallas–Fort Worth — including those within our own 1911 community who embody this same spirit of leadership. We look forward to seeing how SMU alumni continue shaping the future of our region and beyond.
