DASF Chairman Bette Sherman Recognized as a TIAA Difference Maker

Making a Difference

DASF is thrilled to announce that our Chairman and Co-Founder, Bette Sherman, has been named a TIAA Difference Maker 100 Honoree!

DASF Chairman Bette Sherman

TIAA is a Fortune 100 financial services organization, and they are celebrating 100 years of service in investing and banking by donating $1 million to “honor people making a difference and help them continue the impactful work they are doing.” Out of over 4,000 nominees, Bette was one of 100 individuals selected. As a result, TIAA will be donating $10,000 to DASF!

Bette co-founded DASF in 2006 to raise funds for the old Denton animal shelter and other local animal initiatives. She formed a public-private partnership with the City of Denton to build a new animal shelter and then led the DASF board’s capital campaign, which raised over $2 million for shelter construction and equipment. The Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center, named for the lead donor, opened in January 2015 and has since made a difference for thousands of shelter animals.  

Dr. Jerry and Shirley Watson, DASF donors and supporters, nominated Bette for this prestigious honor. “In founding and leading DASF, Bette Sherman has transformed the treatment and outcome of shelter pets,” they said. “The new shelter is a real community resource and has the support of all Denton animal lovers. This is a truly dramatic turnaround from before the founding of DASF.”

Bette’s submission included written responses and a short video in which she states: “DASF has proven that the national trend of euthanizing millions of animals per year can be reversed at the local level with creative solutions. The new Denton shelter reflects the care and generosity of our community and is a model for how public-private partnerships can solve community needs.”

Bette has changed the lives of shelter pets in the Denton area, and we are proud to see her incredible work being recognized!