Matthew Randazzo

Matthew began his tenure with the organization in May 2018 after a nearly twenty-year career working to advance educational equity and improve college readiness for students of color and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

In his current role, Matthew leads a team of 25 professionals, partners with a dynamic board of community leaders, and supports hundreds of donors in our collective efforts to create meaningful and measurable outcomes. The Foundation focuses it giving on initiatives that (1) provide a strong and healthy start for children; (2) advance equity and inclusion; and (3) lift up the civic priorities of Dallas. Our investments prioritize partnerships that reduce intergenerational poverty and meet today’s pressing needs while positioning Greater Dallas for a brighter, more equitable tomorrow.

Matthew was named to the 10th class of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Children and Family Fellows – a select group of leaders from the public, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors dedicated to leading measurable improvements for children and families. He was also recently invited to participate in one of Casey’s newest fellowships, Holding Boundaries for Equitable Results as a White Leader, a leadership program focused on issues related to racially disparate outcomes.

Reducing intergenerational poverty is a personal issue for Matthew. He grew up in Detroit, the only child in an economically disadvantaged family. He’ll tell you that his family experienced all the ills of poverty and that providence, and several caring adults played a role in leading him to where he is today. He also openly shares how education altered the trajectory of his life and, as a result, spent much of his career focused on increasing opportunities for children from low-income backgrounds to access a high-quality education.

In 2017, he was awarded The University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs’ Rising Leader Award, which recognizes young alumni who have stood out as leaders and catalysts for change. He was most recently presented with the Public Safety Award presented by Safer Dallas Better Dallas.

Matthew earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science and Latin American studies from Albion College in Michigan and his Master of Public Affairs from The University of Texas at Austin. He is active in the community and serves on the boards of The Commit Partnership, Education is Freedom, the Clariden School, and Philanthropy Southwest. Matthew is a member of the Dallas Assembly’s Class of 2022. He and his wife, Gitu, a clinical psychologist, reside in Westlake and have a son, Grayson.