Dallas Taps Proven Architect to Steer Its Global Economic Ascent

DALLAS, TX – June 16, 2026 – In a move that signals a significant sharpening of intent for Dallas’s business leadership, the Economic Club of Dallas (ECD) has appointed Luisa del Rosal as its new Executive Director. The appointment is more than a leadership change; it's a strategic placement of a uniquely qualified architect at the helm of an institution tasked with framing the economic narrative for one of the world's most dynamic megaregions. Del Rosal, a leader whose career has seamlessly bridged public policy, international diplomacy, academia, and entrepreneurship, steps into the role as Dallas itself solidifies its position as a critical node in the global economy.

For an organization whose mission is to connect and empower global business leaders, this choice is the signal in the noise. It suggests the ECD is moving beyond simply hosting conversations to actively shaping them, leveraging del Rosal's proven institution-building capabilities to amplify its influence across the Texas Triangle and beyond.

A New Architect for Dallas's Economic Dialogue

Luisa del Rosal’s resume reads less like a career path and more like a purpose-built toolkit for modern civic leadership. Her two decades of experience are a rare convergence of strategic vision and on-the-ground execution. Before joining the ECD, she was a formidable force at Southern Methodist University, serving as the Founding Executive Director of both the Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affairs and the Mission Foods Texas–Mexico Center. There, she didn't just manage programs; she built nationally recognized institutions from the ground up, raising over four million dollars and establishing high-level policy forums focused on trade, security, and U.S.-Mexico relations.

This track record of creation is precisely what the ECD board was seeking. “Luisa is a proven leader with the vision, relationships, and execution capabilities to elevate the Economic Club of Dallas to its next chapter,” said Michael Levy, President of the Economic Club of Dallas and CEO of Crow Holdings. Levy’s emphasis on her “extraordinary record of institution-building, fundraising, and forging high-level partnerships” underscores the board's ambition. They aren't looking for a caretaker; they have hired a builder.

Her experience is not confined to the nonprofit and academic spheres. Del Rosal has navigated the corridors of power in Washington D.C. as a Chief of Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives, directing legislative strategy and advising on policy. This political acumen is complemented by a tangible understanding of the private sector, as she is also the founder of a successful franchise business, EverLine Coatings, serving major Texas clients. This multi-sector fluency—the ability to speak the language of policy, commerce, and philanthropy—is her defining asset.

Elevating the Texas Triangle on the Global Stage

The context for del Rosal’s appointment is the meteoric rise of the Texas Triangle, the megaregion connecting Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio-Austin. This area is not just a collection of cities; it is one of the fastest-growing economic zones in the nation, a powerhouse whose combined GDP rivals that of entire countries. Dallas-Fort Worth, with a pre-pandemic GDP already exceeding $620 billion, serves as its northern anchor, a magnet for corporate headquarters, capital, and talent.

This is the landscape the ECD aims to navigate and influence. “Dallas is increasingly at the center of global economic discourse,” noted Lucy Billingsley, Vice President of the Economic Club of Dallas and co-founder of Billingsley Company. She identified del Rosal as “the perfect person to help ECD lead that conversation,” citing her relationships and track record. Del Rosal's deep expertise in international affairs, particularly her work on the crucial Texas-Mexico corridor, provides the ECD with immediate credibility and an expanded network to engage global leaders.

The Club has a history of hosting prominent figures, from U.S. Treasury secretaries to international royalty. Under del Rosal, the expectation is that this platform will become more strategic, evolving from a prestigious speaker series into a vital forum where the policy frameworks and business activities shaping the region's future are debated and defined. Her leadership promises to ensure that as the world looks to Texas, the ECD is the first and most crucial stop for understanding its trajectory.

The Civic Engine: Beyond Boardrooms and Balance Sheets

Perhaps the most telling aspect of this appointment is what it says about the nature of modern economic leadership. Del Rosal’s career is a testament to the idea that regional prosperity is not forged in boardrooms alone. It is cultivated through deep and sustained civic engagement. Her appointment as board chair for Communities in Schools, Dallas Region, and her reappointment by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Medical Board, where her term now extends to 2031, demonstrate a profound commitment to the social fabric of the community.

This commitment to public service, which also saw her mount a campaign for U.S. Congress in 2024, provides her with a holistic perspective. She understands that a thriving economy is inextricably linked to education, healthcare, and effective governance. This perspective is vital for an organization like the ECD, which must address not only the opportunities of growth but also its complex challenges.

In her own words, del Rosal expressed her honor to join an organization that serves as a “convening space where CEOs, business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and others can engage meaningfully across industries and perspectives.” This vision of the ECD as a cross-sectoral hub is critical. In a city experiencing rapid transformation, the ability to foster dialogue between disparate groups is the key to sustainable and inclusive growth. It’s about ensuring the “magnet for capital, talent, and ideas” benefits the entire region.

The Path Forward: Strategy and Execution

As Luisa del Rosal transitions into her role full-time in September, her mandate is clear: to spearhead the ECD’s strategic direction, membership growth, and programming. Her goal is to “amplify ECD’s role as a premier forum for the conversations that will define our economic future.” This is no small task. It will require balancing the interests of a diverse membership, securing new streams of support, and designing programming that is not just relevant but essential for leaders navigating unprecedented change.

Her success at SMU shows she has the blueprint for this kind of work. By building institutions, she has demonstrated an ability to translate a compelling vision into a durable, impactful reality. For the Economic Club of Dallas, and for the city itself, her leadership arrives at a pivotal moment. The city has the momentum; now, with del Rosal at the helm of one of its key institutions, it has an architect ready to help design its future on the world stage.