New Friends New Life (NFNL) has appointed Cole Edmonson, DNP, RN, FAAN, as the nonprofit’s new board chair for a two-year term. Dr. Edmonson succeeds Jane A. Rose who has served in this role since 2023. A healthcare executive, registered nurse, and former chief nursing and clinical officer with over three decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Edmonson has been an active supporter, advocate, and board member of NFNL. The mission of NFNL is to restore and empower trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drive awareness of the issue and its prevalence.
“I am honored and humbled to serve as the chair of the NFNL Board and to support the nonprofit’s incredible CEO, Bianca Davis, as well as the phenomenal team in the impactful work they do every day,” said Edmonson. “Their trauma-informed care model with critical wraparound services provide our members with the innovative, supportive, caring, and transformative services needed to change the paradigm from surviving to thriving.”
NFNL also announces the induction of five new board members: Deondriea Cantrice, Lynn Dowdle, Lonnie Falgout, Tracey Nash-Huntley, (returning), and Beth Thoele. Tiffany Odum, Junior League of Dallas project chair, has also joined the board for a one-year term.
Additionally, Amanda Muhammad has been named president of the NFNL Auxiliary Circle of Friends (COF) Board, where she will serve for two years. C. Davis Prescott will return for a second year as president of the NFNL Auxiliary Men’s Advocacy Group (MAG) Board. First on the agenda for COF President Muhammad is the spring fundraising event hosted by Circle of Friends – a Wine Tasting on May 6, while MAG President Prescott is preparing for the annual ManKINDness Breakfast on May 12.
Returning to the board are Adam Cannon, chief brand officer, Extended Stay America; Erin Nealy Cox, partner at Kirkland & Ellis and a former U.S. Department of Justice official; Laura Harris, journalist and co-anchor, NBC5; Fallyn Jones, senior vice president, Citigroup, Inc.; Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM, FNAP, senior vice president, Customer Development Group, EssilorLuxottica; Camelia Lopez Shoemaker, prosecutor; Sarah K. Miller, philanthropist; Cheryl Monroe, vice president, controller and treasurer, Mary Kay Inc.; Laura Nieto, managing director of corporate responsibility, Southwest Airlines; Jane A. Rose, (immediate past chair), general counsel Irwin R. Rose & Co.; Elena Sacca Smith, group manager for the Office of Social Innovation, Toyota North America; and Jessica Turner Waugh, actor and community leader.
“While these dynamic leaders bring a broad range of expertise from across the Dallas community, their passion for our mission is singular” said Bianca Davis, CEO, NFNL. “Because we know that the issue of human trafficking intersects across industries, the addition of board members from diverse professional and personal backgrounds will help prepare NFNL to continue delivering on its mission now, and into the future. I am excited and inspired to work alongside each of these committed and caring individuals.”
For more information, visit newfriendsnewlife.org or call (214) 965-0935.
NEW CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026
NEW BOARD MEMBERS 2025-2026
Dr. Cole Edmonson is a distinguished leader in healthcare with a career spanning over three decades, from clinical nursing to executive roles in hospitals and industry. He currently serves as the CEO of the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC), championing nursing leadership in governance and policy. A recognized expert in nursing leadership, Dr. Edmonson is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, American College of Healthcare Executives. He is also an Executive Nurse Fellow Alum of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Edmonson earned his BSN and MSN from the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing and his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Texas Christian University. His career has been dedicated to advocating for vulnerable populations, advancing the profession of nursing, and fostering collaboration between prevention, acute care, and community health. Beyond his leadership roles, he has served on numerous local, state, and national boards, including the American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and as past chair of the National League for Nursing Education Foundation. He also served as past president of the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership and as a board member of the Texas Hospital Association. Dr. Edmonson is also dedicated to global health, serving as a supporter and service team leader with the International Esperanza Project (IEP) dedicated to strengthening communities in Latin America.
Deondriea Cantrice is a celebrated author, certified confidence coach, and an accomplished IT program and change management leader with over a decade of experience guiding global teams through transformation. A dedicated community servant, Cantrice has mentored youth and served on multiple boards at both state and local levels. She was named the 2024 Volunteer of the Year by Junior Achievement-Dallas. Her advocacy work took a powerful turn when human trafficking directly impacted her family, fueling her mission as a lived experience anti-trafficking activist. Today, she champions prevention, awareness, and survivor empowerment.
Lynn Dowdle, principal, Dowdle Real Estate, is a top producing real estate broker in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with extensive experience in hospitality site selection and land sales, restaurant, ground lease, build-to-suit and development opportunities. She is a past long-term member and past president of the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and the 2023 Stemmons Service Award recipient. She has held board and leadership positions in the real estate field as well as in the community and received several honors from DCEO magazine, including being named to the Dallas 500. She is also the founder of If You Knew, raising money for clean water in Africa.
Lonnie Falgout, director, family security, at Palette Investment Company, is responsible for all security aspects surrounding an ultra-high net worth family. Prior to this role, he spent 17 years of decorated service as a special agent with the United States Secret Service, where he provided protection to seven former and current U.S. Presidents. He led high-profile investigations of our nation’s payment systems and provided technical forensic expertise in support of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Falgout earned a B.S. from the University of Holy Cross, New Orleans, and completed graduate level studies through the U.S. Department of Defense.
Tracey Nash-Huntley, community leader, is a former NFNL board chair and luncheon co-chair. She serves on the board of Goodwill Industries, Dallas and the advisory board of SMU’s Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility. She is a member of the Dallas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and is passionate about creating a pipeline to STEM education and careers for underrepresented girls. Nash-Huntley is a founding member of The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation, a Junior League of Dallas Sustainer, a Life Member of the Jesuit Women’s Auxiliary, and a member of The Girl Friends, Incorporated, Dallas Chapter. She received a B.S. in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology after spending her first two collegiate years at Southern Methodist University.
Tiffany Odum, Junior League of Dallas project chair, has also joined the board for a one-year term. She serves as a PM&R (physical medicine and rehabilitation) program manager for the Veterans Affairs Health Care System.
Beth Thoele is the immediate past president of the Callier Center for Communication Disorders Foundation. She also serves on the boards of Methodist Health System Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, the Senior Source and Lovers Lane United Methodist Church Foundation. She was previously chair for the Wilkinson Center Can Do Luncheon and a member of the Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School Advisory Council.
NEW CHAIR, CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AUXILIARY BOARD 2025-2026
Amanda Muhammad is an international mindfulness-based stress management & psychological safety consultant based in Dallas. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in business psychology and has a master’s in organizational leadership and a bachelor's in management and leadership. As a certified mindfulness trainer, compassion fatigue trainer, and yoga instructor, Muhammad combines academic expertise with accessible strategies to create healthier, more resilient workplaces. She is the founder of Mako Mindfulness, a boutique professional development company that helps schools and organizations enhance well-being, reduce burnout, and build cultures of psychological safety. She also serves on the mental health and wellness committee for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and the Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee for Prairie View A&M University. She recently completed a cohort with DCEO Emerging Women Leadership Network.
RETURNING CHAIR, MEN’S ADVOCACY GROUP BOARD 2025-2026
C. Davis Prescott, senior vice President, First Horizon Bank, recently celebrated 16 years with First Horizon, formerly IBERIABANK. A native of Baton Rouge, he began his career in credit and private client services and then pivoted to middle market commercial banking. He joined the Dallas market in 2021. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a BBS in finance. He is a proud supporter of the Men’s Advocacy Group and other community organizations.
