Foundation Team
Jim Johnston, President
(214) 947-4555
James M. "Jim" Johnston, became President of Methodist Health System Foundation in November 2016.
Prior to his role at Methodist Foundation, Jim’s 40-year career in the Dallas banking industry started with Republic Bank of Texas where he served in various corporate executive positions. He was subsequently named regional chairman of Frost Bank, and board vice chairman for Bank of Texas.
Jim, originally from Coleman, Texas, attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) on a football scholarship where he received a BA in Marketing and an MBA in Finance. His involvement with his alma mater has continued, including such roles as chairman of the SMU Mustang Club, of the Letterman’s Association, of the Planned Giving Council, of the Athletics Hall of Fame, and serving on the Executive Board of the Cox School of Business. He has also served in leadership positions with the Arthritis Foundation of North Texas, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Salesmanship Club of Dallas, Special Olympics of Texas, Goodwill Industries of Dallas, and the Goodwill Foundation. He also serves as an elder at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, and on the board of the HPPC Foundation.
Outside of work and community service, Jim loves spending time with his family: wife Suzanne; daughters Michelle, Chandler, and Cindy; and grandchildren. Jim also enjoys golfing, traveling, reading, and supporting the SMU Mustangs.
John Mitchener, Chief Development Officer
John Mitchener rejoined Methodist Health System Foundation in March 2023 to lead the Development Team, manage Board relationships, and build an infrastructure for Methodist Health System’s Centennial. John brings over 20 years of development experience, with the majority of that experience coming from healthcare philanthropy. He has deep experience with building relationships as well as managing capital campaigns all throughout the country.
John attended the University of Mississippi, where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. He began fundraising at Saint Benedict at Auburndale following his graduation as the Annual Fund Director. He was hired by Community Counselling Services (CCS Fundraising) as an Executive Director, where he managed capital campaigns. He then gained experience in pediatric healthcare philanthropy by working for Texas Children’s Hospital and Children’s Medical Center before joining the Methodist Health System Foundation. After a two-year stint as the Chief Development Officer at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, John returned to Methodist as our Chief Development Officer.
Doug Anderson, Vice President
Doug Anderson joined the Methodist Health System Foundation in 2021 and
brings over 20 years of experience with major institutions of healthcare
and higher education – including the University of Texas at Dallas,
Texas Health Resources Foundation, the March of Dimes and Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Texas. His primary areas of focus are hospital philanthropy,
capital campaigns and community health programs.
Aubrey Dezego, Director of Development
(214) 947-4550
Aubrey DeZego joined the Methodist Health System Foundation in March 2022 and brings more than 14 years of fundraising, corporate philanthropy, and integrated communications experience to the role. The majority of Aubrey’s professional career has been spent fundraising for prominent national art museums, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Dallas Museum of Art. Most recently, Aubrey led corporate communications and philanthropy for JCPenney. As President of the JCPenney Communities Foundation, she directed the retailer’s charitable giving nationwide, in addition to overseeing all media, public relations, and internal communications for the company.
Aubrey grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and earned her degree from Butler University. She currently serves on Board committees for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Broadway Dallas. Outside of work, Aubrey enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and entertaining friends.
Cathreena Kang, MSW, MHP, Director of Grants and Stewardship
(214) 947-4591
As the Director of Grants and Stewardship for the Methodist Health System Foundation, Cathreena Kang brings over 20 years of professional experience in the health and human services industry with an emphasis in community health promotion; cancer and breast cancer education, prevention, and outreach; legislative advocacy; and addressing health disparity and equity issues.
She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and received graduate degrees in Social Work, Administration and Public Health, Health Promotion at San Diego State University (SDSU), with a focus in non-profit management, health equity, and community organizing. Her professional experience includes tenures at the Union of Pan Asian Communities, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, and UT Southwestern.
A San Diego native, Cathreena and husband, Sam, have called North Texas home for over 16 years and are raising two children and two French Bulldogs
Lindsey Landman, Director of Foundation Operations
(214) 947-4598
Lindsey Landman joined the Methodist Health System team in May 2019. Prior to working with the Foundation, Lindsey spent 15 years in nonprofit operations. Most recently, she served as an operations leader at the American Heart Association National Center, where she had a 10-year tenure. Her areas of proficiency are campaign reporting, analytics, database management, prospect strategy, Tableau, and gift processing. Lindsey is a lifelong Texan — born in Fort Worth, graduating from Trinity University in San Antonio, and residing in East Dallas. In her free time, she enjoys travel, baking, ceramics, and boating with her loved ones and two dogs.
Jennifer Massey, Director of Development
(214) 947-4552
As Director of Development at Methodist Health System Foundation, Jennifer Massey, brings more than 20 years of fundraising, strategic planning, and non-profit program management experience. The majority of Jennifer’s professional career has been spent in healthcare fundraising. After graduating from Texas State University, she started her career with an environmental non-profit organization, Keep Austin Beautiful. With a relocation to Houston, Texas, Jennifer began working with the consulting firm Dini Spheris as a Consulting Projects Coordinator. By 2004 she had relocated to the Dallas area, where she began work with the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation. A lifelong learner, Jennifer graduated with her MBA from Texas Woman’s University in 2015. Jennifer is originally from Longview, Texas, and has called Dallas home since 2004. Along with her husband, Dane, Jennifer lives in very far north Dallas with her two sons.
Shad Rasco, Database and Prospect Manager
(214) 947-4580
Shad Rasco joined the Methodist Health System Foundation in 2024 and brings over 33 years of experience in higher education fundraising. Shad earned his degrees from Western Texas College and Tarleton State University and is a native of Roby, Texas. Most recently he was at The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth but now calls Dallas home.
Nicole Zrake, Project and Events Coordinator
(214) 947-4551
Nicole Zrake graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science in international merchandising. Upon graduation she moved to Ireland, where she was a merchandising specialist for The Body Shop Co. A few years later, she returned to Texas and worked as a brand manager in the retail industry. Nicole transitioned to the nonprofit sector in 2017 when Methodist Health System Foundation hired her as project coordinator. She actively serves the community by volunteering at multiple local nonprofits, her church, and with Junior League of Dallas. Additionally, Nicole enjoys reading, the arts, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Randy Lara, Creative Projects Coordinator
(214) 947-4549
Randy Lara graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in Mass Communications. With more than 20 years of experience in marketing and graphic design, Randy has held positions such as Creative Services Manager at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Today, he is a valuable member of the Methodist Health System Foundation team. In his free time, Randy is an avid fan of both college and professional football. He enjoys attending games in person or watching them from the comfort of his home. Randy also has a passion for classic and exotic sports cars.
Freda Wells, Assistant to Foundation CEO
Freda Wells joined MHS Foundation in 2022, bringing with her many years of experience in administrative support to top executives in both corporate and non-profit organizations. Most recently, she was at Promise House in south Dallas as assistant to their CEO.
A native Texan, Freda traveled extensively during childhood, but North Texas has been home for many years. She raised two sons in the Plano area who are both married, and she has three grandsons she enjoys spending time with.
Freda has an MBA from Le Tourneau Christian University. She is very active in her church and loves to volunteer with other charity organizations in her spare time. Freda enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dog ~ a Maltipoo she got during the COVID pandemic.