GRACE is honored to announce Lynda and Robert Warner as the 2018 Chairs for the GRACE Gala, championing fifteen outstanding years of critical program funding.
The New York natives have been married for 21 years, but the dynamic duo first met 33 years ago when Robert offered to light Lynda’s Bunsen burner in their college sophomore chemistry class. Since their burgeoning “meet cute”, the two have come a long way from the lab room.
As the Global Head for Alcon Laboratories’ Vision Care Franchise, Robert managed over 4 billion dollars and delivered up to $187M in sales growth over the course of one year. Robert’s keen understanding of the complex pharmaceutical and medical device industry, along with his propensity for relating to people have made him instrumental in virtually every executive capacity at Alcon, which has generated over $10 billion in global sales.
Lynda holds a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, which studies individual and group behavior in the workplace in order to find complex solutions. For many years Lynda spearheaded leadership programs and specialized in training materials for pharmaceutical and medical device companies for crisis management and optimum performance.
Despite their distinguished careers, family ranks the highest on their priority list, and so does sharing their blessings with local families needing support. As Lynda and Robert’s two daughters, Ana and Erin, got older, they made a conscious effort to engage in meaningful projects that would make a positive impact and instill strong virtue in their girls.
Over the holidays, the family would gather ingredients from the supermarket for GRACE families to enjoy a warm holiday meal. The girls were also encouraged to sacrifice their toys and other belongings to donate to GRACE each Lent season.
Meanwhile, their parents served as team parents, school chaperones, and chairing school charity events, including Thunder Water Polo campaigns, Carroll Dragon Band, Emerald Belles’ Junior Clinic, and Band competitions. Lynda enjoys storytelling while Robert takes on the indoor games during VBS at White’s Chapel United Methodist Church, where they attend.
Robert brings his visionary mindset, zeal for people and experience in corporate charity work to the GRACE Gala. Lynda brings her analytical approach to refine every facet of the event, and community engagement to garner support from corporate sponsors and attendees alike.
The Warners distincion, charisma, luxuriant talents and genuine spirit make them a tremendous asset to make this the best GRACE Gala yet.
“We have always held GRACE close to our hearts and feel that this is our next volunteer home,” said Lynda. “We had prayed for guidance about what would be out next step. Within weeks [GRACE] reached out to us.”
This year’s commemorative 15 year anniversary returns to the Gaylord Texan, set in the new high-rise of the resort’s $120 million expansion project.
The Gala is the single, largest fundraising event for the agency, and revenues from the event are used to fund the many programs and services offered to GRACE clients throughout the year.
Sponsorships for the black-tie event are available. Please contact Melissa Ansley at 817-467-4672 for tailored sponsorship options.
The Warners have called Southlake home for 20 years, and have watched their children grow and thrive in the community. NYU Freshman, Ana, was an Emerald Belle, and the goalie for the Southlake Carroll Water Polo team, who were state champions in 2014 and 2015. Eric is currently on the Drum Line and Indoor Percussion, and enjoys taking part in the Spartan Races. The family has two rescue dogs, Zac and Lizzy.
