“Dallas Influencers in Sports and Entertainment (DISE) connects and develops the rising generation of industry leaders to fuel bold social change.”
Our Mission
Dallas Influencers in Sports and Entertainment (DISE) connects and develops the rising generation of industry leaders to fuel bold social change.
The organization is committed to:
- Providing unique professional development opportunities
- Cultivating meaningful experiences and relationships
- Encouraging a community focus that gives back through its mission of focusing on the health and education of children via its nonprofit arm, the Heart of Dallas Foundation
DISE members are DFW area professionals who are employed by or connected to sports and entertainment organizations. DISE hosts multiple events per year for members that focus on the goal of providing professional development, networking, and charitable opportunities. DISE also proudly supports local nonprofits through grants given at the DISE Fast Pitch. Through Fast Pitch and other grant opportunities, DISE has granted over $500,000 to Dallas nonprofits through the Heart of Dallas since 2013.
The DISE logo embraces the iconic Pegasus symbol, beloved by Dallas, that connects the organization to the city’s rich history and symbolizes DISE’s mission to develop the rising generation of influencers and philanthropists to fuel bold social change.
Professional Development
Throughout the year, we host events that allow our Members to learn from and connect with key business leaders and executives in the world of sports and entertainment.
Events include:
• Speaker Series
• Panel Lunches
• Round Table Q&A Discussions
• SMU Athletic Forum Luncheons
Professional Networking
Each quarter, we host professional networking opportunities (e.g., happy hours) for our members to cultivate and develop relationships with people in the sports and entertainment industries.
Giving Back
Each fall, we host a marquee event called Fast Pitch, which is a “Shark Tank” for nonprofits where each selected organization has three minutes to pitch a panel of judges and the audience on why their organization deserves grant dollars to help them achieve their mission and goals.
The event not only allows us to support with funding, but also provides a spotlight and platform to recognize all the outstanding work that each nonprofit is doing here in North Texas.
We also recognize a celebrity who has similarly made a big impact in the community through their foundation, or a charity they support, by recognizing him or her with the Community Excellence Award.
Heart of Dallas
“DISE provides a unique opportunity for our local sports and entertainment professionals to connect, grow, and most importantly give back to our community. We’re proud to have contributed over $500,000 in funding to 22 local nonprofits to date, and grateful for our members and corporate partners who allow us to support those who need it most.”
– Kern Egan, DISE Founder and President, Americas for Lagardère Plus
Our History
Heart of Dallas is a nonprofit organization that hosts sports and entertainment events benefiting Dallas nonprofits.
Heart of Dallas is a 501c3 nonprofit that was launched in 2012 to leverage the Heart of Dallas Bowl game to make a difference in the Dallas area. In 2014, the Heart of Dallas Young Professionals (HODYP) was created as an extension of the nonprofit to inspire the next generation of sports and entertainment professionals to become philanthropy-minded through events and volunteer opportunities.
Over the past four years, HODYP grew and evolved into an organization with over 100 members. In June 2018, this group rebranded itself to the Dallas Influencers in Sports and Entertainment, also known as DISE, in order to more outwardly embrace its purpose of leveraging the powerful platform of sports and entertainment to make a significant impact on the Dallas community.