Laura Cobb Hayes (M.S.), Allen, became president of the board of Head Start of Greater Dallas — which she attended as a child. She also received the designation of certified fundraising executive from CFRE International, which requires a written examination, tenure in the profession, education and fundraising achievement. Hayes is national executive director for Urban Specialists and has spent her 35-year career as a teacher and administrator. She previously worked at EdisonLearning, Uplift Education, New Leaders for New Schools, Foundation for Community Empowerment, and Dallas, Grand Prairie and Lancaster ISDs.