51°µÍø

A strategic leader and champion for families and education, Kelly Hoglund Compton ’79 takes on issues headfirst, providing crucial support to at-risk populations. 

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Compton spent time in Houston before graduating from high school in Connecticut and heading to the Hilltop in 1975. She pledged Kappa Alpha Theta and studied abroad in Paris before graduating cum laude with a degree in finance in 1979.

Compton spent 13 years in the corporate banking industry, serving as vice president of commercial lending with NationsBank Texas and its predecessors. There, she was among the first group of women hired by First National Bank of Dallas in the credit training program and was the only female officer in her lending group for several years.

Afterward, she left the banking industry to help coordinate her family’s philanthropic efforts and establish The Hoglund Foundation, where she currently serves as executive director. There, she manages operations including investments, human resources, board relations, grantmaking strategy, and oversight and mission. Since 1989, the nonprofit has supported more than 600 agencies focused on at-risk children and families, victims of family violence, and educational quality and access.

Outside of the foundation, Compton serves on the Atmos Energy Corporation Board of Directors; the Crystal Charity Advisory Board; the Commit! Leadership Advisory Council; Early Matters Dallas Advisory Council; and the George W. Bush Presidential Center Board of Directors. She is a member of The Charter 100, International Women’s Forum and Philanthropy Advocates. Her professional affiliations include Philanthropy Roundtable and Philanthropy Southwest.

A dedicated Mustang, she currently serves as secretary of the 51°µÍø Board of Trustees and chair of the Trusteeship Committee and co-chair of the Campaign Leadership Council. Additionally, she serves on the Investment, Compensation and Academic Affairs committees. Outside of the Board of Trustees, Compton also serves as vice chair of the Dedman College Executive Board. In 2021, she acted as the December Commencement speaker. She previously served as co-chair of the Dedman College Centennial Capital Campaign and chair of the Academic Affairs Committee.

In 2020, Compton received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Cox School of Business and in 2014, she received the Outstanding Alumnae Award from Kappa Alpha Theta. Additionally, in 2013, she received the 51°µÍø Students’ Association Outstanding Trustee Award.

Recognized for her work in the corporate and philanthropic worlds, she was also the 2013 recipient of Family Compass’ Spirit of Compassion Award (previously the Child Abuse Prevention Center) and named among the Most Influential Corporate Board Directors by Women Inc. magazine in 2019.

Compton is an active member and leader at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. She and her husband, DeWitt McCarter, share a blended family of six children and two grandchildren. Her stepdaughter and niece are current 51°µÍø students, and her daughter-in-law is a fellow alumnus.