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I’m a social impact leader with experience driving community engagement, membership…
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Destinee Merida shared thisThis Civic Voices cohort has been incredibly informative and insightful. Even after years of working closely within K–12 education, this experience has deepened my perspective on just how critical it is to stay civically engaged, connected, and actively advocating for our students at every level. I’m continuing to grow in my understanding of school board governance and the responsibility we all share in shaping strong, student-centered systems. I’m grateful to be learning alongside leaders committed to making a difference. If you’re interested in learning more about the cohort or considering applying next year, feel free to reach out. I’d love to share more!Destinee Merida shared thisPublic Education Champions! We’re back! 🚀 We’ve officially launched recruitment for Civic Voices Cohort 2027, and I’m inviting YOU (or someone in your network) to apply. Civic Voices is all about building and equipping informed, student focused leaders to navigate systems, use data effectively, and focus on the high-impact levers that improve outcomes for students across Dallas County. The program is offered at no cost to participants and is designed for people ready to lean in, grow, and lead. Tag someone who should apply or learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gApswt4M
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Destinee Merida shared thisJust returned from the Dominican Republic a week ago with a full heart and renewed perspective. As part of Social Venture Partners Dallas’s Dana Juett Residency, I had the privilege of visiting four incredible organizations—Dove Youth Development, Inspire DR, Mariposa DR, and Monkey Jungle—all using education, entrepreneurship, and health to create lasting, community-driven impact. On my final day, I remembered it was my late grandmother’s birthday. At 11, we took our first and only trip together. Now, I’m traveling the world, learning from purpose-driven leaders, and living out dreams that began generations before me. “Lo que se da de corazón, regresa multiplicado.” What’s given from the heart comes back multiplied. Thank you to everyone who donated to our residency fundraiser—we were able to give back to each of these organizations. Your support multiplied the impact. 💛
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Destinee Merida shared thisThis weekend I officially graduated from the 9th Dana Juett Residency Cohort with Social Venture Partners Dallas Finishing this program was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’m walking away with a deeper understanding of philanthropy, an incredible network, and a renewed commitment to doing impactful work—right where I am, with what I have. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference. “Love people well. Serve people well.” That’s the charge I’m carrying forward. To everyone who supported my journey—thank you! If you still feel led to give, it’s not too late: https://lnkd.in/dQdtYQAJ See you in DR! 🫶🏾 #DanaJuettResidency #SocialImpact #PhilanthropyInAction #DoGoodWork #CommunityLeadership
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Destinee Merida shared thisI’ve been on quite a leadership journey, and the past nine months in the Dana Juett Residency have truly shifted my perspective. It’s been incredible to see theories and research come to life. Join me and my cohort as we celebrate our graduation and support four phenomenal social impact organizations we’ll be visiting in the Dominican Republic this June. If you’d like to donate but can’t attend, you can use the link below: https://lnkd.in/dQdtYQAJDestinee Merida shared thisAs Cohort 9 of the Dana Juett Residency at Social Venture Partners Dallas rounds the corner toward graduation, we’d love for you to come celebrate with us and support our efforts as we financially prepare to be a blessing to several missions in the Dominican Republic! Join us at Four Corners Brewing Co. on Saturday, June 14th, and grab a beer or Topo Chico with us! FCBC is graciously donating $1 for every pint sold between those hours 🍻 If you can’t make it out that date, consider supporting with a donation or simply learning more about the missions we’ll serve here: https://lnkd.in/e9QJYFc5
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Destinee Merida shared thisI love the work our Community Partnership department is doing at West Dallas STEM school. I believe this collaborative approach to bridging education, families & social services is how you truly transform communities from the inside. #GSNETX #Collaboration #Impact #STEMEducation #GirlScoutsDestinee Merida shared thisWe’re so excited to see our small part in the incredible work happening at West Dallas STEM School highlighted in this feature article! 🌟 It’s truly inspiring to be part of the transformational efforts happening in this community. A special shout out to our own Destinee Merida, who was quoted in the story—way to go, Destinee! 🙌 Congrats to @Toyota, @DallasISD, and @SMU for the amazing collaboration and impact. 💚 Read more of the story here: https://loom.ly/9uGZM28 #CommunityImpact #STEMEducation #GirlScouts #WestDallasSTEM #GSNETX #PartnershipsForChange
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Destinee Merida shared thisYou’ve made such an impact on my life and I’m grateful to have you in my corner. Thank you for pouring into me wholeheartedly! I will carry it with me always. 💕✨
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Destinee Merida shared this{Black Women In Nonprofit Leadership: Cohort 4} Done. Finished. Completed. This “cohort” was more than learning tools & resources for women working in nonprofit. It was an opportunity to connect, share, learn, heal and more. For me, I was encouraged, supported, challenged & most of all loved on. I’m leaving inspired, motivated & with more sisters & aunties than I ever imagined. 💕 To Errika Flood Moultrie, thank you for being the visionary and giving us this space and opportunity. More importantly, thank you for blessing me with Renita 😂 Renita Joyce Smith, ACC, CDE ! Thank you for going on this journey with me. For seeing me and reminding me to never dim my light. #4REAL WE DID IT! #BWNPL #BWNPLDallas
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Destinee Merida reposted thisDestinee Merida reposted this✨Had a fantastic time participating in the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Food & Health Resources Fair! It was great to showcase the services that Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region offers. 💙 I was able to see my cohort sisters as well which is always a highlight! Destinee Merida & LaQuitha Hasley. It's always inspiring to connect with our community and learn about the amazing resources available to support health and well-being. 😃🎉👍🏾 #UnitedWay #CISDallas #CommunitySupport #HealthAndWellness #AllInForKids
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Destinee Merida shared this[October Life Update] 1. I turned 30 🥰 2. I celebrated by taking my dream trip to South Africa 🇿🇦 3. I was promoted to Director of Membership 💚
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Destinee Merida liked thisDestinee Merida liked thisI had the absolute honor and privilege of coordinating, welcoming, and hosting the 30 plus program providers who attended our Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Kickoff event! I honestly had the most fun running around and assisting each of them. They saw over 500 people that day, sharing their upcoming programs with our girl scouts and girl scout leaders. We could not do Girl Scouts without them, each of them bringing experiences, knowledge, and care in unique ways which encourage our girl scout troop and leaders. I hope it was as awesome for them as it was for myself and the rest of the GSNETX community. We are grateful for your partnerships and all the programming you bring to our girls!!! Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, Turning Teen, Frisco RoughRiders, Dallas Mavericks, Confidence At Any Size, League of Women Voters, Junior League of Dallas, Junior Players, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Trinity River Audubon Center, Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, Texas Woman's University, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Challenge Island - The World's #1 STEM/STEAM Program #1 ,Any Day CPR Training , Sticky Fingers Cooking, Sci-Tech Discovery Center, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza,John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, SMU Meadows Museum, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament - Dallas, National Aviation Education Center, Kaleidoscope Park, Grant Haliburton Foundation, Studio Bella for Kids, Born Strong Martial Arts, Spark! Adventures in Curiosity, Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center, and Dallas Parks and Rec. #programpartners #localpartners #girlscouts
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Destinee Merida liked thisDestinee Merida liked thisI’m proud to represent Dallas Area Rapid Transit at the TEX-21 Statewide Meeting in Houston this week, joining transportation leaders from across Texas for important conversations about the future of mobility in our state. TEX-21 has declared 2026 the “Year of Transit,” and the timing could not be more important. As we look toward the 90th Texas Legislative Session, we have an opportunity to think bigger about what a truly connected Texas transportation network should look like and how we ensure transit is part of that vision. I was honored to speak alongside colleagues from Houston METRO about the role of transit as Texas reflects on FIFA World Cup and, more broadly, the need to build regional multimodal systems that connect people to jobs, education, airports, major events and opportunity. For North Texas, that means continuing to advocate for policies and investments that recognize transportation does not stop at city or county lines. DART’s regional connectivity, from the Silver Line to the TRE to our broader network of bus and rail, is part of a larger mobility ecosystem that requires state and regional partnership. As we head toward the 90th Session, I’m especially focused on how we can: • Strengthen state support for transit and multimodal transportation • Improve regional connectivity between transit systems and major transportation hubs • Leverage major events like the World Cup to demonstrate what Texas can accomplish when we plan regionally • Ensure transportation investments keep pace with Texas’ tremendous population and economic growth The future of Texas mobility cannot be built one jurisdiction at a time. It will take a coordinated, multimodal, regional approach, and strong partnerships between transit agencies, cities, counties, TxDOT and the Legislature. Grateful to TEX-21 and Houston METRO for bringing the transportation community together and for the opportunity to contribute to the conversation. There is a lot of work ahead. And I’m excited about it. #TEX21 #DART #PublicTransportation #Transit #MultimodalTransportation #TexasLegislature #90thSession #RegionalMobility #Transportation
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Destinee Merida reacted on thisDestinee Merida reacted on thisHonored to be named to the inaugural class of Dallas-Fort Worth Urban League Young Professionals Top 100 Most Influential Young Professionals Under 40. Grateful for the people, communities, and opportunities that have shaped my journey—and humbled to be recognized alongside so many inspiring leaders across DFW. #DFWUrbanLeague #Top100Under40 #YoungProfessionals #Leadership
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Destinee Merida reacted on thisDestinee Merida reacted on thisThis weekend marked our last early bird incentive event which I worked on for our members. This was our first time offering these fun-filled large-scale experiences in gratitude for thise members who renewed with Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas early. It was also the first big thing handed to me when I started in February. Five events. Eight hundred plus attendees across them all! The program facilities were great to work through logistics with and we are so grateful for their warm welcomes, as well as, answering my 10,000 questions. From 30 paged rosters, K Pop Demon Hunter Playlist, signing waivers, answering emails, buying fun patches, and smoothing out those check-in logistics, it has been a joy to celebrate with all the GSNETX members. Thank you to our Dreamlab staff for their amazing parties as early bird incentives too! #girlscouts #girlscoutmembers #personalmilestone #eventlogistics #nonprofitevents #earlybird #communityengagement
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Destinee Merida liked thisDestinee Merida liked thisI’m excited to share that I have joined The Commit Partnership as the Manager of Leadership and Pipeline Development! My career has taken me from the classroom, to education policy, to non profit management. Each experience has reinforced one belief: change in education happens when communities are empowered and prepared to lead. In this new role I will be joining the Commit to Leaders team alongside the amazing Tamara Harrington and Joey Rodriguez M.S.Ed and have the privilege of developing leadership programs that equip educators, community members, and advocates to strengthen public education across across Dallas County. I cannot wait to get started on this impactful work! A huge thank you to Big Thought and Rashad Beal for the experiences and support that helped prepare me for this next chapter! Lastly, thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my journey. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue growing while helping develop leaders who will make a lasting impact on public education across Dallas County.
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Destinee Merida liked thisThank you Black Sports Professionals North Texas!!Destinee Merida liked thisHappy Birthday to our #BSPNTX Administration Committee Chair LaDondra Wilson!
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Destinee Merida reacted on thisDestinee Merida reacted on thisIt is with gratitude and humility that I announce Marge Publishing Company LLC. Please visit https://lnkd.in/g7pn-Vff to read about the mission behind Marge Publishing Co. & click on a few of Lindsey’s articles to celebrate her 31st birthday! I am looking forward to seeing how this seed blossoms. Happy Birthday, Linds.
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Destinee Merida liked thisDestinee Merida liked thisI’m so proud of so much of the work I’ve done in my career but currently I’m really grateful to be co-leading the No Ice in the Cup campaign here in Dallas. To learn more about it on the national scale please check out noiceinthecup.us! At a time when we should be joyous, and in awe of the unity, our undocumented communities are still being targeted and living in fear during the World Cup. (Peace prize why?) Did you know Dallas is the host of the most games of all the host cities? Did you know Dallas also lands first in arrests? Our people deserve better! That’s why we’re saying No Ice in the Cup! Find our work on instagram @noiceinthecupDallas. There’s important resources and even a $20 Lyft code to get home safely (NOICE2026). We have our final watch party @ Del Sur Tacos on July 19! Our city must do so much better if we actually want to uplift and evolve into the future. 🫶🏽
Experience & Education
Volunteer Experience
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Executive Director
LIT Bible Study
- Present 1 year 4 months
Social Services
As Executive Director, I lead community engagement and organizational growth efforts, overseeing donor relations, communications, and participant experience. I manage and strengthen stakeholder relationships through strategic outreach, including donor stewardship and impact-driven communications.
I partner closely with the Board of Directors to develop presentations, organizational updates, and messaging that clearly communicate impact and priorities. I also oversee event and retreat…As Executive Director, I lead community engagement and organizational growth efforts, overseeing donor relations, communications, and participant experience. I manage and strengthen stakeholder relationships through strategic outreach, including donor stewardship and impact-driven communications.
I partner closely with the Board of Directors to develop presentations, organizational updates, and messaging that clearly communicate impact and priorities. I also oversee event and retreat execution, managing logistics, vendors, and overall experience.
In addition, I manage budget tracking and ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources to support sustainable operations and growth.
Courses
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Accounting
2000
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Finance
3716
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Information Systems and Decision Sciences
1100
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Management
3200
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Marketing
3401
Honors & Awards
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Reimagined Girl Scout Leadership Academy
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Leadership development program, specially designed for GSNETX in partnership with LeeAnn Mallory focused on developing our team to lead this organization through our transformation and beyond
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Young, Black & Gifted
LSU Black Artist Initiative
Awarded to someone that is an active organizer, participant, and fearless leader for the Black LSU community and keeps this community vibrant and functioning.
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Afro Activism Award
LSU NAACP
This award is an individual who is vocally involved in change and their actions are showed through service on campus and throughout the community
Languages
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English
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Organizations
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Office of Multicultural Affairs
President, Social Events & Special Programming Chair
--Revitalized the organization’s social media presence, including the addition of Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat - Lead monthly Union meetings and bi-weekly leadership meetings -Develop fundraising activity plans that maximize participation and contributions, and minimize costs
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