TEXAS GENERAL COUNSEL FORUM NAMES KRISTIN HAYS AS ITS NEXT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

DALLAS, TX – Nov. 3, 2025 – Texas General Counsel Forum (Forum), the premier professional organization for in-house legal leaders across the state of Texas, today announced the appointment of Kristin Hays as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Hays steps into the role with a mandate to drive strategic growth, enhance membership value, and continue to elevate the Forum’s position as the leading voice for the in-house legal community.

Hays brings over two decades of corporate executive leadership, strategic and reputation management, and communications experience to the role. She is also a licensed attorney and former practitioner, including as a former litigation attorney both in private practice and in-house at J.C. Penney Corporation. Hays is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia and Drake University Law School with honors, including Order of the Coif, Order of the Barristers, and the Rodney L. Hudson Senior Advocacy Award. She will be based in Dallas, residing here with her husband, Von Hays, and their two children.

“Kristin Hays is a dynamic and proven leader whose legal and professional background is exactly what the Forum needs for its next chapter of growth,” said Dena DeNooyer Stroh, Chair of the Forum’s Board of Directors. “Her strategic vision, coupled with her experience in stakeholder engagement, will be instrumental in expanding our reach, delivering high-quality programming like our Annual Conference and Leadership Institute, and cementing the Forum’s status as a pinnacle for thought leadership and best practice exchange.”

As CEO, Hays will oversee all strategic, operational, and financial aspects of the Forum. A key focus will be to foster a strong sense of community across all chapter cities, cultivating relationships with members and the Forum’s crucial network of underwriters (legal service providers and law firms). With the Forum leadership team, Hays will also direct the planning and execution of all quarterly chapter meetings and state-wide events, ensuring content remains relevant and engaging.

“I am honored and enthusiastic to lead Texas General Counsel Forum, an organization that has been the platinum standard for in-house professional development since 1998,” said Kristin Hays. “The opportunity to serve and connect Texas’ top legal talent is both energizing and inspiring, especially alongside the Forum’s incredible internal leadership team. My commitment is to ensure that every member sees enhanced value and that the Forum remains the unparalleled platform for professional growth, relationship building, and continuous improvement for legal leaders statewide.”

Stroh continued, “On behalf of our Forum Board and Chapter Boards, I also want to thank Catherine Paulson for her contributions as Acting CEO for the past 8 months. We are grateful for the critical momentum and stewardship she provided to the Board, and our stakeholders, and are thrilled to leverage Catherine’s legal and operational expertise and deep understanding of the organization, as she assumes the role of Chief Operating Officer for the Forum.”

Media Contact:

Kelly M. Berend
Director of Marketing & Communications
kberend@tgcf.org
(469) 601-0141