Partner Profile: Dick and Lisa Evans

Frisco resident Dick Evans and his daughter, Lakewood resident Lisa Evans, have come up with a new way to spend quality father-daughter time: in engaged philanthropy. Dick is CEO of Proliance Resource Group and has been a partner in DSVP since 2007. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2010, and has also served as co-chair of the committee which determines which nonprofits will receive grants. Dick has also worked extensively with two grantees: Vision Regeneration, a South-Dallas based group whose mission is to eradicate gang violence, and KIPP DFW, an Oak Cliff-based charter school whose mission is to provide underserved children with a free, rigorous, high-quality education.

But Dick has gone beyond his own efforts—he recruited his daughter, Lisa Evans, to be a co-partner with him. An account manager for Behringer-Harvard, Lisa spearheaded the development of a marketing campaign for VMLC (formerly known as Vickery Meadow Learning Center), including launching a new name and logo. She also participated in a door-to-door recruiting campaign for KIPP DFW, accompanying several DSVP partners as they knocked on doors to spread the word about the possibilities KIPP offers. Said Lisa of the experience, “everyone we spoke to was very interested in learning more about KIPP. They really liked the sound of a free, college preparatory school that would help their children receive a higher level of education and help them with character traits that would set them up for success in life.”

Dick comments that “Engaged Philanthropy is not reserved just for those in the later stages of life or those with years of “life experience”. Younger people not only bring energy but also a fresh perspective in how they look at opportunities and challenges. DSVP is a great way to introduce them to the various ways they can share this with their communities.”