The Center for BrainHealth® had been an interest of Kay Winzenried for several years. She attended their well-known lecture series and joined a site visit with The Dallas Foundation’s Women’s Philanthropy Institute. She also followed the scope of the Center’s scientific research projects.
When she began exploring ways to expand her philanthropy, Kay was excited to connect with Dr. Sandi Chapman, Ph.D. A leading cognitive neuroscientist, Dr. Chapman is Chief Director of the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas. She also serves as Dee Wyly Distinguished University Professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
The Launch of The BrainHealth Project
In 2020, the Center for BrainHealth launched The BrainHealth Project, a landmark scientific study. Its goal is to measure and track personal brain fitness.
The Project is powered by an online platform, with a mobile app under development. It aims to reach adults, age 18–100, across the U.S. and beyond.
For its 25th anniversary, the Center needed funding for a professional agency. The goal was to execute a national marketing campaign to increase awareness and boost participation. Kay appreciated that the Center asked for exactly what they needed.
Dr. Chapman shared: “Kay’s drive to make an impact investment combined with her desire for action makes her a unique philanthropic partner in our effort to change the conversation around brain health from brain drain to gain. The timing of her gift could not have been more perfect to fuel our global efforts to engage younger audiences. Kay’s investment allows us to launch our first national marketing campaign which will be transformational to attracting and empowering young adults to take simple steps to build a better future, driven by scientific discoveries from the Center for BrainHealth.”
Building Confidence in Philanthropy
Over the past several years, Kay has developed confidence in expressing her philanthropy in meaningful ways. Working alongside The Dallas Foundation has been an important part of that journey. She credits the Foundation for giving her the courage and tools to evaluate funding opportunities.
These tools helped her make sound decisions using resources from the charitable trust she and her late husband, Peter, established in 1999.
Kay’s background in retail and marketing, combined with her interest in project-oriented philanthropy, gave her insight into the potential impact. She saw how the grant could help thousands learn about, practice, and adopt brain-healthy habits.
A Role in the Creative Process
The Center invited Kay to serve as an advisor in the selection process for the marketing agency. While she did not influence the final decision, the experience was invaluable. Being part of the process allowed her to witness the creativity behind the campaign.
Kay explained: “We focus on the health of our bodies, such as nutrition and exercise, but this is an opportunity to expand the conversation to include our brains, the most powerful tool in our fitness toolkit. There are positive and proactive ways to influence our brain’s health, and this Project can change the conversation, to help others learn how to improve our brain’s functions, rather than accept what is.”
The Lasting Impact Made By Kay Winzenried
The partnership of Kay Winzenried with the Center for BrainHealth highlights the power of philanthropy to fuel bold, innovative change. Her investment empowers a global effort to expand brain health awareness, engage younger audiences, and inspire lifelong habits that strengthen the mind.
