After conducting a nationwide search, the Dallas Historical Society’s (DHS) Board of Trustees has named Shannon Roberts executive director of the organization, which is dedicated to the preservation of Dallas and Texas history. A fourth-generation Dallasite, Roberts grew up in Dallas and graduated from the Episcopal School of Dallas. Her family is originally from East Texas, so her roots run deep in Texas. 

Most recently, Roberts served as the executive director of the Santa Fe Children’s Museum where she successfully restructured museum operations, programming and financial dependencies after a significant financial crisis nearly closed the institution. Roberts said, “I started visiting Santa Fe when I was 19 years old. When the museum was in crisis, I realized that I have experience with other organizations that could help. I was called to save the institution for the sake of my daughter and the other children who visit it. Now that the museum is in great shape, I have moved back to Dallas for another wonderful opportunity.”

Prior to that, she served as development director for the Resource Center, executive director of the Dallas Children’s Museum when it merged with the Children’s Museum @ Perot Museum (formerly the Museum of Nature and Science), and development director for Dallas Children’s Theater.

DHS board members Bill Helmbrecht and Andrew Clendenen led the search committee, which included DHS Trustee Mary Brinegar and DHS Co-chair Lynn McBee. McBee said, “We were most impressed with Shannon because of her extensive experience in the non-profit world in various management positions, and her demonstrated skills in fundraising, financial management, community outreach, team building, and in clearly defining the missions of the organizations where she has worked.”

Roberts said, “I’m excited to be moving back to Dallas to apply my experiences of working in Santa Fe, which is a historic city with diverse communities.  Dallas is a city that has evolved and grown with so many newcomers. With that growth, it’s important to hold onto the past, embrace cultural traditions, and move forward. I believe that the Dallas Historical Society is poised to tell that story.”

Roberts received her B.A. in communications and journalism from Baylor University and is an M.B.A. candidate at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.

About the Dallas Historical Society:

More information can be found at http://www.dallashistory.org.