Two Dallas Powerhouses, One Dynamic Conversation: A Candid Q&A with Lori Jones and Meredith Land, Children’s Cancer Fund Gala Co-Chairs

March 28, 2025
4 mins read
Co-chairs Meredith Land and Lori Jones. Courtesy of Children's Cancer Fund

In A City Known For Style And Substance, This Duo Leads The Way For Good Deeds

In a city known for its larger-than-life personalities, few shine as brightly—or as graciously—as Lori Jones and Meredith Land. As a leading Dallas philanthropist and executive with the Dallas Cowboys, Jones is a dynamo behind the scenes, ensuring that the spirit of giving is as much a part of the team’s legacy as championship rings. Meanwhile, as a respected journalist and longtime anchor at NBC5 News, Land has been the voice of truth and grace in North Texas, bringing clarity and warmth to breaking news. Together, the women are co-chairing the annual Children’s Cancer Fund gala this month, celebrating its 35th year, on Friday, April 11th, in Dallas, and the pair is a force to be reckoned with. Besides their families, their biggest fans might just be the organization’s biggest boosters, Dak Prescott and Troy Aikman, cheering Lori Jones and Meredith Land on every step of the way.

Jennifer Arthur, Lori Jones, Dak Prescott and Meredith Land. Courtesy of Children’s Cancer Fund

Both women have carved out their own distinct paths, balancing high-profile careers, family, and community leadership—all while making it look effortless. In this exclusive style profile with our very own Lance Avery Morgan, they share their thoughts on success, resilience, and what it means to give back in a city that never stops moving. Whether it’s game day at AT&T Stadium or primetime in the newsroom, these two powerhouses know how to lead, inspire, and leave a lasting impact. Now, let’s get to the good part—Lori and Meredith, take it away…

The best career advice I’ve received is…  

LORI JONES: Stay curious and keep learning. 

MEREDITH LAND: Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.

Three qualities that got me where I am today are…   

LORI JONES: Hard work, consistency and patience

MEREDITH LAND: Curiosity. Relentlessness. Compassion.

Easiest career decision I ever made is…

 LORI JONES: Accepting a job I loved for less money.

MEREDITH LAND: Leaving the late news to be with my family more.

Due to my ongoing involvement in media, I have found that…

 LORI JONES: My life’s passion was better as a hobby than a job. 

MEREDITH LAND: I have learned, especially via my Instagram news feed (@thelandlinenews), that everyone is a journalist and news spotter. What we all have in common is a desire to keep our community safe, and that’s what drives news.

What is influencing me right now in philanthropy is…

LORI JONES: As a parent, I value the opportunity for my children to see how they can make an impact in their community and to allow them to see their parents using their time and talents for the good of others.

What is influencing me right now in media is…

MEREDITH LAND: Podcasts. But I won’t name them!

Courtesy of Cancer Children’s Fund

The Children’s Cancer Fund is an important cause to support because…

LORI JONES: It helps raise awareness and funds for treating and caring for children diagnosed with cancer. Meeting the gala models and their families has been the absolute best part of being involved with the 35th-anniversary gala this year. 

MEREDITH LAND: Pediatric cancer is incredibly underfunded. Not many people realize that, and it is heartbreaking for children and their families in the cancer fight.

How I made my first dollar… 

MEREDITH LAND: I worked at The Gap. I am a master folder!

Courtesy of Ebay

First music I bought was…

LORI JONES: Donny and Marie Osmond.

MEREDITH LAND: Milli Vanilli.

Book that left a lasting impression on me… 

LORI JONES: “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak

MEREDITH LAND: Most recently, “The Tell.”

On that note, my favorite fictional character is…

Dolly Parton. Courtesy of PICRYL

MEREDITH LAND: Sherlock Holmes was a tenacious detective.

My real-life hero has got to be…

LORI JONES: Dolly Parton.

MEREDITH LAND: My 96-year-old grandmother.

If I lived in a foreign city it would be…  

LORI JONES: London.

What everyone should try in their lifetime is…

LORI JONES: Volunteering.

MEREDITH LAND: Skydiving.

If I could compete in an Olympic sport, or create one, it would be…

MEREDITH LAND: Ice skating.

If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be a… 

 LORI JONES: A dog trainer.

MEREDITH LAND: I wanted to be a travel writer from the very beginning. Next chapter, perhaps.

My hidden talent that most people might not guess is…

LORI JONES: Playing the guitar.

Courtesy of Paramount+

MEREDITH LAND: My off-color humor, I guess.

Last thing I binge/marathon watched…

 LORI JONES: Anything by Taylor Sheridan.

MEREDITH LAND: “Landman.”

If I had a superpower, I’d want it to be…

 LORI JONES: Mind-bending.

MEREDITH LAND: The ability to fly.

A simple way to get people to laugh is easy. Just…

 LORI JONES: Be self-deprecating.

A phrase I might overuse would be…

LORI JONES: It is what it is.

MEREDITH LAND: “Enjoy the journey.” I tell young people that all the time.

My motto? Easy. It is…

 LORI JONES: Success is earned, not given.

Camellias. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Favorite scent these days is (because)…

 LORI JONES: No perfume for me.

Audrey Hepburn. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

MEREDITH LAND: Camellias

My style icon is… 

 LORI JONES: Audrey Hepburn.

MEREDITH LAND: The late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

My personal style signifier is…

 LORI JONES: Leather pants.

MEREDITH LAND: Beige. I love beige too much.

The classic designer I wish was still designing today would be…

MEREDITH LAND: Christian Dior

The last meal that truly impressed me was…

LORI JONES: Butter chicken at Jamavar in London 

MEREDITH LAND: My husband’s Beef Wellington.

Jamavar London. Courtesy of Jamavar

In my fridge, you will always find…

LORI JONES: Champagne.

MEREDITH LAND: Spinach, eggs, avocados, and cottage cheese.

My perfect day would end…

LORI JONES: On a beach with my family

MEREDITH LAND: On the Carolina coast.

On my tombstone, it might say…

LORI JONES: “She loved fiercely.” 

MEREDITH LAND: “Watch your step.” (LOL)

Lance Avery Morgan

Curated Texan Co-founder Lance Avery Morgan, a media executive and co-founder of Brilliant, The Society Diaries, and Society Texas magazines (and as an editor for many more), takes pride in being a sixth-generation Texan. Starting his career in media in Los Angeles set the stage for creating hundreds of hours of television programming, representing some of the world’s brightest stars, and honing his craft of connecting the social dots at a high level. Morgan is also the founder of Texas Luxury Consultants, a consulting firm created to liaise five-star brands with the five-star Texan. (Portrait photography by Romy Suskin)

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