Established in 1996 by the Women’s Council, the Founders Award annually recognizes individuals whose dedication and volunteer service have made a monumental impact on the growth and prominence of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Congratulations to our 2025–2026 honoree, Ms. Lisa Meyer!
Past Honorees
1995–1996 — Mrs. Nell Denman*; Mr. Jim Coker*
1996–1998 — None (Garden Gala years)
1998–1999 — Mrs. Mary Nell Rogers*; Mr. Ralph Pinkus*
1999–2000 — Mrs. Mary Silverthorne*; Mr. Robert K. Hoffman*
2000–2001 — Mr.* and Mrs. Jim Lake (Barbara); Mrs. Amelia (“Mimi”) Lay Hodges*
2001–2002 — Mr.* and Mrs.* Trammell Crow (Margaret); Mr. Pat Spillman
2002–2003 — Mr. Naud Burnett II
2003–2004 — Mr. John Watson*
2004–2005 — Mr. Robert L. Thornton III
2005–2006 — Mrs. Orien L. Woolf*
2006–2007 — Mrs. Willis R. Cowlishaw (Patricia)
2007–2008 — Mr.* and Mrs. Claude R. Wilson, Jr. (Emilynn)
2008–2009 — Mrs. Richard Cree (Mary Ann)
2009–2010 — Mrs. Howard M. Meyers (Rory)*
2010–2011 — Mr.* and Mrs. Willard Baker (Martha)
2011–2012 — Mr. Stephen A. Coke
2012–2013 — Mrs. Lawrence Marcus (Shelby)
2013–2014 — Mr. and Mrs. Tom McCasland (Phyllis)
2014–2015 — Ms. Caroline Rose Hunt*
2015–2016 — Ms. Kathleen Cunningham
2016–2017 — Mrs. Richard L. Brown (Carole Ann); Mrs. Dale Cunningham (Claire)*
2017–2018 — Mr. Dave Forehand
2018–2019 — Mrs. Michael L. McCullough (Jo Anne)
2019–2020 — Mrs. Robert J. Bigham, Jr. (Barbara)
2020–2021 — Ms. Mary Brinegar
2021–2022 — Mrs. Maurice Ballew (Sharon)
2022–2023 — Mrs. Allan Meltzer (Dorothea)
2023–2024 — Mr. Warren Johnson
2024–2025 — Mr. Garry Weber
(* Deceased)
1995–1996 — Mrs. Nell Denman*; Mr. Jim Coker*
1996–1998 — None (Garden Gala years)
1998–1999 — Mrs. Mary Nell Rogers*; Mr. Ralph Pinkus*
1999–2000 — Mrs. Mary Silverthorne*; Mr. Robert K. Hoffman*
2000–2001 — Mr.* and Mrs. Jim Lake (Barbara); Mrs. Amelia (“Mimi”) Lay Hodges*
2001–2002 — Mr.* and Mrs.* Trammell Crow (Margaret); Mr. Pat Spillman
2002–2003 — Mr. Naud Burnett II
2003–2004 — Mr. John Watson*
2004–2005 — Mr. Robert L. Thornton III
2005–2006 — Mrs. Orien L. Woolf*
2006–2007 — Mrs. Willis R. Cowlishaw (Patricia)
2007–2008 — Mr.* and Mrs. Claude R. Wilson, Jr. (Emilynn)
2008–2009 — Mrs. Richard Cree (Mary Ann)
2009–2010 — Mrs. Howard M. Meyers (Rory)*
2010–2011 — Mr.* and Mrs. Willard Baker (Martha)
2011–2012 — Mr. Stephen A. Coke
2012–2013 — Mrs. Lawrence Marcus (Shelby)
2013–2014 — Mr. and Mrs. Tom McCasland (Phyllis)
2014–2015 — Ms. Caroline Rose Hunt*
2015–2016 — Ms. Kathleen Cunningham
2016–2017 — Mrs. Richard L. Brown (Carole Ann); Mrs. Dale Cunningham (Claire)*
2017–2018 — Mr. Dave Forehand
2018–2019 — Mrs. Michael L. McCullough (Jo Anne)
2019–2020 — Mrs. Robert J. Bigham, Jr. (Barbara)
2020–2021 — Ms. Mary Brinegar
2021–2022 — Mrs. Maurice Ballew (Sharon)
2022–2023 — Mrs. Allan Meltzer (Dorothea)
2023–2024 — Mr. Warren Johnson
2024–2025 — Mr. Garry Weber
(* Deceased)