Fireside Chat Recap: Council Member Omar Narvaez and Former Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Medrano on Leadership, Challenges, and the Future of Dallas

The Dallas Founder Lions Club recently hosted a fireside chat with Council Member Omar Narvaez and former Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Medrano. Both have served Dallas through their work on the City Council, education initiatives, and community programs. With Narvaez in his final months on the Dallas City Council and Medrano continuing his work in the community, this conversation provided insights into their experiences in leadership, key challenges facing the city, and their hopes for the future of Dallas. The fireside chat was moderated by Dallas Founder Lions Club member Jeff Strater.

A Look Back: Leadership Journeys and Community Impact
Narvaez and Medrano reflected on their time in public service, sharing perspectives on leading through change and addressing the needs of Dallas residents. Their leadership has focused on equity,
advocacy, and improving city services for residents. One of the key takeaways from their experiences was the importance of long-term, strategic planning. They emphasized that short-term fixes aren’t enough; Dallas needs forward-thinking solutions to address housing, transportation, and infrastructure challenges. Both also highlighted their commitment to equity and inclusion, stressing efforts to increase representation and accessibility in city services. They underscored the value of community engagement, explaining that success in government comes from listening to residents and advocating for their needs.

They also spoke about the growth in professional women’s sports in Dallas. Narvaez and Medrano expressed excitement about the Dallas Wing's move to a downtown arena and the launch of Dallas
Trinity, the city's new professional women's soccer team. They recognized these as major wins for local sports and economic development.

The Future of Dallas: Key Issues and Opportunities
When discussing issues that need immediate attention, Narvaez and Medrano both stressed the urgency of addressing affordable housing and smart growth. As Dallas continues to expand, ensuring
that housing remains accessible and affordable is critical. They pointed to successful strategies from other cities that could be implemented locally to help tackle this challenge.

Narvaez also discussed the challenges and opportunities facing public transit in Dallas. He shared insights on how transportation can be improved to better serve the community and support the
city’s growth.

Looking ahead to future elections, both emphasized the need for city leaders to focus on public safety and economic opportunity. With new leadership set to take office in the coming years, these issues will play a key role in shaping the direction of Dallas.

Join Us for More Engaging Conversations
At the Dallas Founder Lions Club, we take pride in bringing in a wide range of speakers to engage in meaningful discussions about our city’s future. In addition to Council Member Omar Narvaez and former Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Medrano, recent speakers have included Dr. Bradford Williams, Vice Chancellor and President of Dallas College El Centro; Stephanie Elizalde, DISD Superintendent; Callahan, Executive Director of the Japan-America Society of DFW; Joe Carreon, Dallas ISD School Board Trustee; and Sol Villasana, a Dallas attorney and author of Dallas’s Little Mexico: Settlement to Barrio. We also welcomed Juan Galvan, Director of Park Programming & Events at Downtown Dallas Inc.,; Rena Pederson, former Vice President and Editorial Page Editor at The Dallas Morning News and Dr. Marc Diamond, founding director of the Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Southwestern.

Interested in joining us? We meet at El Centro College on the first and third Friday of every month at 11:45 AM. Learn more about upcoming meetings and events by visiting our website at www.dallasfounderlionsclub.com.

Lions Jeff Strater, former Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano, President Nia MacKay and Dallas Councilman Omar Narvaez