2023 Sally Kallam Award

In 1988, Leadership Arlington devised an alumni leadership award to be given to an individual who best emulated the ideals of leadership through efforts devoted to Leadership Arlington and the community. The first award was presented to Sally Kallam and thereafter named for her.

Adult Leadership Arlington

youth leadership arlington

About Sally Kallam

Sally Kallam had the vision which became Leadership Arlington. Sally participated in Leadership Fort Worth and believed Arlington would benefit from such a program. The Chamber of Commerce, UTA and the Junior League were approached for support. A steering committee was formed and the first class was held in 1980. Sally remained as the Executive Director of Leadership Arlington until her relocation from Arlington in 1989.

Nancy Blinn

Nancy Blinn

2023 Award Recipient

Recognized for her outstanding commitment to community service, Nancy Manion Blinn, RDH, stands as an exemplary role model in our city. Her unwavering dedication to the well-being of our community is evident through her active involvement in various impactful organizations.

Nancy proudly serves on the Youth Services Committee of the Rotary Club of Arlington, contributes her expertise to the Women’s Advisory Board of the Chamber of Commerce, and is an integral part of the Inspired Women’s Luncheon Committee. Additionally, she plays a crucial role in the TCC Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Advisory Boards, the United Way Public Policy Committee, the Cook Children’s Oral Health Coalition, and the Leadership Arlington Board of Directors. Notably, she has been the Co-Director of Youth Leadership Arlington for the past five years and was recently appointed as the Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Wellness Coalition.

A lifelong resident of Arlington, Nancy’s educational journey includes graduating from Lamar, attending UTA, and graduating with her degree in Dental Hygiene at Tarrant County College. Currently pursuing a master’s degree from Ducere Global Business School, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her roles.

Nancy has left an indelible mark on the dental hygiene community, having served as the President of both the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Greater Fort Worth Dental Hygienists’ Society. In 2014, she assumed the role of Executive Director for the nonprofit organization, Dental Health for Arlington, Inc. (DHA).

Under Nancy’s leadership, DHA addresses the oral health needs of uninsured or undocumented low-income families through programs like SMILES, providing free preventive dental care in school-based settings, and the Schoening Dental Clinic, offering low-cost routine dental services.

Nancy expresses her passion for advocacy, stating, “I enjoy being an advocate for dentistry for people in need. We have a beautiful new clinic, ensuring our patients have access to improving their oral health and, in turn, enhancing their lives. We make dental care affordable for our disadvantaged neighbors and educate the young students in AISD about healthy dental habits. In the last year alone, our outreach has positively impacted approximately 12,000 people in Tarrant County.”

Past Award Recipients​

  • 2022  Judy Rupay, Business Owner
  • 2021  Victoria Farrar-Myers, Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore & Arlington City Council Place 7 (at-large)
  • 2020  Victoria Farrar-Myers, Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore & Arlington City Council Place 7 (at-large)
  • 2019  Julie Reinhardt, Non-Profit, Junior League of Arlington M.A.Y. Program
  • 2018  Paulette Tutor, Non-Profit Management and Operations
  • 2017  Julie & Tony Pompa, General Assembly
  • 2016  Will Johnson, Police Chief, Arlington Police Department
  • 2015  Mary Hibbs, Community Outreach Director, Camp Thurman
  • 2014  Patti Diou, Executive Director, Friends of the Levitt Pavilion
  • 2013  Scott Reading, Relationship Banking Officer, Frost Bank
  • 2012  Jimmy Bennett, Place 7, Arlington City Councilman
  • 2011  Robert Cluck, M.D., Mayor, City of Arlington
  • 2010  James D. Spaniolo, President, The University of Texas at Arlington
  • 2009  Sheri Capehart, District 2, Arlington City Councilwomen
  • 2008  Theron Bowman, PhD Chief of Police, City of Arlington
  • 2007  Sally Hopper, Dental Health Arlington
  • 2006  Lana Wolff, District 5, Arlington City Councilwoman
  • 2005  Kimberly Phillips, Leadership Arlington Class of 2000
  • 2004  Joe Bruner, District 1, Arlington City Councilman 2000-2006
  • 2003  Gary Hardee, Publisher, Arlington Star-Telegram
  • 2002  Patty Decker, Medical Clinician
  • 2001  John Ramon, Small Business Consultant
  • 2000  Craig Hubble, Attorney
  • 1999  Ricky C. Childers, City Manager, Longview
  • 1998  Tom Vandergriff, Judge, Tarrant County
  • 1997  Richard Greene, Former Mayor, City of Arlington
  • 1996  Marietta L. (Lee) Peas, Community Volunteer
  • 1995  Elwood J. Preiss, Executive Director of Admin Services, UT Arlington
  • 1994  Lisann Peters, Community Volunteer
  • 1993  Jim Ash, Leadership Arlington
  • 1992  Don Wheaton, Steering Committee
  • 1991  Richard “Rick” Berry, Superintendent, AISD 1990-1992
  • 1990  Paul Geisel, PhD, Speaker
  • 1989  R.G. “Wick” Alexander, DDS, MSD, Chairman Leadership Arlington 1980-1995
  • 1988  Sally Kallam, Executive Director, Leadership Arlington 1980-1988