Diocese of Dallas Catholic Schools Office Names Two Associate Superintendents
Thursday, April 9, 2026
The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Dallas is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer A. Watts and Donna Woodard as associate superintendents, strengthening diocesan leadership and deepening support for Catholic schools across the Diocese.
Both leaders draw on decades of experience in Catholic education, leadership formation, and mission-centered service, reflecting the diocese’s continued commitment to academic excellence, strong Catholic identity, and long-term school vitality.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Watts and Donna Woodard into these new leadership roles serving our Catholic schools,” said Jeannette Lambert, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Dallas. “Their leadership is grounded in faith, service, and a deep love for Catholic education. Through their work, they will walk alongside our principals, teachers, and families, helping to nurture schools where Christ is at the center, students are formed in mind and heart, and our shared mission continues to flourish.”
Both newly appointed associate superintendents will begin their roles on July 1, 2026.
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Jennifer A. Watts brings more than 20 years of experience as a Catholic school educator and administrator. She currently serves as upper school principal of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Dallas, the largest Catholic elementary school in Texas, where she has led the school community since 2010. Her leadership has focused on academic achievement, operational sustainability, and fostering a faith-filled culture rooted in Gospel values. Watts has worked closely with pastors, parish leadership, and diocesan offices to support strategic planning, enrollment stability, fiscal stewardship, and comprehensive school safety initiatives. A strong advocate for instructional excellence, she has supported data-informed teaching practices and professional development that advance equitable access to high-quality Catholic education. She has also led comprehensive safety and security initiatives, integrating best practices in emergency preparedness and risk management, and currently serves on the Diocese of Dallas Safety and Security Committee.
Donna Woodard has more than two decades of experience in leadership formation, executive coaching, and organizational development within Catholic education and other mission-driven organizations. She currently serves as Director of Leadership Formation for the Archdiocese of Chicago and as an adjunct instructor at the University of Dallas, where she teaches in the Catholic Teacher Formation Academy. Throughout her career, Woodard has designed and led leadership development programs for hundreds of school and organizational leaders nationwide. She has also served in a wide range of Catholic education roles, including president, principal, director, teacher, admissions and development leader, and board chair, helping organizations strengthen leadership pipelines, align talent with mission, and navigate periods of growth and transition.
Together, Watts and Woodard bring complementary strengths in school leadership, formation, and strategic development. In their new roles, they will support principals, teachers, and school communities while advancing the mission of Catholic education throughout the Diocese of Dallas.
For more information about Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Dallas, visit csodallas.org