Rachel V. Smith- My Dallas Story

Today Rachel V. Smith is the global head of enterprise data governance at McKesson – a pretty big leap from where her interest in technology started.

“One of my first tech experiences was with a second-hand Macintosh computer. It was glitchy at best.”

But at 10 years old, it was good enough to convince her she wanted to learn more. She grew up in rural Mississippi, moved to Atlanta for college and studied computer information systems.  After graduation, she went to work for Emory University as a Project Manager and eventually joined AT&T (formerly BellSouth).  A subsequent corporate relocation took her and the family to Windermere, Florida.  AT&T’ headquarters being in Dallas-Fort Worth allowed frequent visits for her job and how she got acquainted with the area.

“I spent a great amount of time just sort of informally meeting with leaders, mentors, people who lived here. And I remember just being blown away by the culture here … and the economy was booming!”

The idea to relocate her family from Florida began to take shape.

Besides learning about the educational options, the industry diversity, and the overall friendliness of the people – she liked the physical access as well. With extended family in multiple states, work opportunities for both she and her husband, plus family fun, she didn’t want to waste a lot of time just getting to and from places.

So in 2012 they said goodbye to Mickey and Minnie, and moved to Colleyville, Texas where she continued evolving her career.

“Back in 2014, there was the ‘big data’ hype cycle and I realized that I really wanted to be in that space. There was an opportunity at AT&T’s Big Data office to not only propel the company into Cloud, but also get us into what, at the time, was considered ‘integrated data management.’”

Just like when she began researching Dallas, she talked to mentors again – this time about whether she should take the new role.

“And I thought, I’m already doing exciting work. I’d be moving into a space that was in its infancy and where things didn’t look as certain. But when I met with a couple of people, they said, Rachel, chances like this won’t always come. If you don’t take this, you’ll always question ‘what if’.”

Now, in her day-to-day, she manages things like internal and external requirements on data privacy, legalities surrounding data usage in governance, and third-party data contractual obligations. In a world that is increasingly built on bits and bytes, this is work that is challenging, meaningful, and valuable.

“There are great opportunities in health care to leverage emerging technologies, but always in ways that builds capabilities that are safe, secure and compliant. I take stewardship of data very seriously – I actually take it personally. Every single use of data must be used in accordance with privacy laws and individual privacy rights.”

It’s a mindset she tries to develop and instill in her mentees, team members, and her family.

Her daughters – though very different from each other – have excelled here too. Now one says she doesn’t want to leave Texas because she’s creative and the other doesn’t want to leave because she likes tech. And North Texas offers opportunities in both.

“We love DFW, but we’re also beach people. For a family like ours that travels extensively living here has been a big win. We can get to California for a visit – and pretty much anywhere in the country in three- to four hours nonstop.”

From playing around on a secondhand Macintosh to being the global head of enterprise data for one of the largest healthcare companies in the world, Smith has enjoyed the twists and turns and looks forward to what’s next.

 




Elizabeth Barnhill

Elizabeth Barnhill is currently a manager for Pricing & Margins at Options Clearing Corporation (OCC). The OCC is the only clearing house for all U.S. equity option trades. It manages risk for those involved in options trading by being the buyer to every seller and the seller to every buyer.

Originally from Lubbock, she earned her degree in Graphic Design from the University of North Texas in Denton, not knowing that her professional career would pivot to finance shortly after graduation.

While her roots may lie in West Texas and her family is scattered across DFW, she cultivated a network that extends beyond geographical boundaries. She and her family moved to Coppell in 2020 to be closer to work, setting roots in a city with an excellent park system and a diverse culinary scene. On the weekends she enjoys exploring Coppell’s farmers’ market and visiting the Dallas Arboretum. The family has a tradition of taking bluebonnet photos with the kids every spring and pumpkin patch photos every fall.

Living in Coppell gives her the flexibility and balance of a perfect home base and easy commute to her job at OCC, located in Cypress Waters, just northwest of downtown Dallas. When it comes to its employees, OCC focuses on attracting and developing the right people with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) aren’t just buzzwords—they are embedded in their core values, and Elizabeth is privileged to be part of a group that champions diversity, particularly for women, within the organization.

For those unfamiliar with the Dallas Region, Elizabeth often describes it as a city of boundless opportunities and growth. But despite its rapid development, DFW remains relatively affordable compared to other major metros. Whether you’re starting your career or seeking new ventures, this city welcomes diversity and innovation with open arms.

To fellow newcomers embarking on their careers in DFW, she offers this advice:

  • Find your passion, but do not hesitate to explore new horizons;
  • Embrace discomfort, for it is often the catalyst for personal and professional growth
  • Keep exploring and always stay curious.




DFW: A Top Remote Work Destination and Growing Life Science Hub

Remote work, mandatory for non-emergency roles during the pandemic, is now the standard for some people. And DFW is a top choice for those workers who would rather be here than anywhere else in the country – particularly for people who work in life sciences.

“I moved to DFW for my job with Johnson & Johnson,” says Victoria Wilmore, director of external supply services.  “I was working at our orthopedic manufacturing plant outside of Boston and moved here to work at our breast implant manufacturing facility. When I got promoted to a global role with J&J, I was able to stay in Dallas and work remotely.”

Wilmore said “yes” to Dallas because of the lower cost of living and better connectivity.

“I can get to anywhere in the U.S. on a plane in less than four hours.  Even for international flights to our European manufacturing hubs, there are a lot of direct flights.”

The downside of being a remote worker can be isolation, but Wilmore says she easily plugs into local industry groups or spends the day at a coworking space.

For Anup Patel, vice president of program management at Obsidian Therapeutics, the attraction was financial.

“You can’t beat ‘no state income tax’ — when my last company said my role is fully remote, I made the move from California.”

And for Himani Parikh, executive director, regulatory affairs at Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., the pandemic enabled her to make the move she’d been thinking about for several years.

“I wanted to relocate from Chicago to be close to family. One key reason is the weather, the metro city feel, and ease of access that Dallas provides,” says Parikh.


Wilmore, Patel, and Parikh may work remotely for different companies, but they are united by the life science industry, which has shown fast growth in Dallas-Fort Worth in recent years and is expected to stay on that trajectory. It’s one piece of the thriving local economy.

How life sciences fits into DFW
The 35,000-foot view of DFW shows it is one the of the most diverse economies in the country, and includes 22 Fortune-500 and 48 Fortune-1000 companies; the fifth fastest growing life science hub, behind Durham, Raleigh, Phoenix, and Boston; and ranked fourth for number of computer, math, engineering, and engineering tech jobs in the U.S. People move here because of opportunity; they stay here because of the lifestyle it enables.

“I love flying airplanes and I’m currently working on my private pilot’s license out of a local airport,” says Wilmore.  “I also love going on adventures with my husband and two elementary school-aged kids — whether that is going to a festival, trying out new restaurants, or exploring new places.”

“I spend my down time attending sports events and trying all the barbecue and taco spots,” says Patel.

He also appreciates what he calls, “the incredible Indian diaspora” in DFW and the many Indian restaurants and events.

Tapping into Indian culture is something Parikh appreciates too as she enjoys Bollywood classes for fitness and fun. She also loves gardening and just relaxing in her backyard … although she learned quickly that you spend time outside during July and August at your own risk.

Saying Yes to Dallas and to life science, perfect together
At a time when your job and your home don’t need to be the same city, or even the same time zone, Wilmore, Patel, and Parikh are happy with their decision to become North Texans. They predict growth in both their industry and the population.

“Dallas is an up-and-coming metropolitan city that is well located and positioned to be a factor in the life science industry,” says Patel. “Biotech is no longer just on either coast but here in DFW as well.”

“DFW is well-positioned to become a leading hub for life sciences, offering a unique combination of talent, infrastructure, funding, and strategic location that can drive innovation and growth in the industry,” says Parikh. “The access to investment funds and talent pipeline are key reasons DFW region is well-positioned to lead.”

“Being a life science epicenter requires critical mass and I believe that the life science ecosystem will only get stronger with time. I have not met one person that has moved to the area and then decided it wasn’t a good fit,” says Wilmore.

Sure, DFW has shiny new office buildings in the center of densely populated areas as well as sprawling campuses that attract continued investment, but the biggest change we may see for years to come might be commuting from your kitchen to your home office while working in the life science industry – globally approaching $3 trillion, as of 2023.




December Events

Discover December: Holiday Events for Families Across Dallas-Fort Worth

The holiday season is upon us, and Dallas-Fort Worth is bursting with festive events to make your December magical. From dazzling light displays to unique holiday markets and family-friendly parades, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re planning a day out with little ones or looking for new traditions to share, our regional guide highlights the best ways to celebrate across North Texas.

GAME DAY GUIDE

Sports fans in the Dallas Region have a lot to cheer about.  

 

Holiday
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Home for the Holidays: A McKinney Christmas McKinney
Galleria Dallas presents Grand Holiday Ice Show Dallas
Highland Park Village presents Christmas Lights Celebration and Shopping Stroll Highland Park
BMW Dallas Marathon Dallas
Lone Star Winery presents 12 Wines of Christmas Wine Walk McKinney
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame presents Cowgirl Christmas Fort Worth

 

MUST SEE EXHIBITS

 




Finding Success and Community: Laurel Hess’ Return to DFW

Laurel Hess has fond memories of growing up in Dallas. Little did she know life would bring her to Cajun country and then lead her back with a family of her own, and a successful startup.

Hess had left the Lonestar State for college in the early 2000s. She was temporarily driven out of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but managed to finish her degree there. It’s also where she married and began her family.

And after several years in the Crescent City, they moved to Lafayette, which is where inspiration struck and she got the idea for hampr – an app-based laundry service. (See more about hampr in Dallas Innovates.)

Life was good, but Dallas was calling her name. So, they packed up again.

“We moved here in the summer of 2024,” says Hess.

Her sister who lives in Celina actually helped her launch hampr in the Dallas market—their biggest. And she recalls it was their mother, who lives in Frisco, who told Hess about her grandfather, and how entrepreneurship runs in the family.

“It’s funny, I didn’t really think about it, but she had told me that he owned a boat yard. She said he was very entrepreneurial – worked all the time.”

Hess is trying to maintain more of a balance. As she’s expanding the business from just residential service into B to B, she’s also trying to expand her social circle.

“… my husband and I were just talking about this – how do you find friends as an adult?”

As it turns out, she did have one friend here, whose own move into North Texas preceded hers by a matter of months.

“Leigh Ann and I were neighbors in Lafayette. She moved down here before me and told me how much she loved it. And I was like, yea I know, Dallas is great,” says Hess, laughing.

(See Leigh Ann Ripka’s My Dallas Story here.)

With so many foodie options—like Baonecci in Frisco, or concerts at Legacy Hall—and things to do with the kids (they’re currently huge fans of Grandscape—especially Scheel’s and Andretti’s) she’s not overly concerned, but she agrees that it’s harder when you don’t have a cohort that you’re hitting milestones with.

“There is a growing community of entrepreneurs,” Hess concedes.

Needing to travel for business is another reason she values living in Dallas.

“Before we moved here, I would often connect in Dallas, but it would add a whole day of travel just to get here. So, the fact that I can fly three hours in either direction to get where I need to be is huge.”

The culture, the lifestyle … as others have expressed, Dallas isn’t one thing, it’s everything. It’s also everyone … from corporate executives to artists and founders, Dallas continues to be the place people want to be.