The wife, mother and woman behind America's Team talks to La Mode Dallas about how she does it all.
by Samantha Baize
“I have always been motivated to do everything I could to be the best at what I do.”
Charlotte Jones Anderson is a busy woman. As Executive Vice President of Brand Management and President of Charities for the Dallas Cowboys, a wife and a mother of three, it amazes me that she somehow manages to remain one of the best dressed women in Dallas year after year. I have to admit, I was a little intimidated to meet her, with her known status and designer wardrobe, only to be eased with her laid-back manner and the gleam in her eye when she talked about her kids.
As a young business owner with no children, I find that I rarely find time to put on mascara these days. Balance is something that many of us yearn for. And balance is something that Charlotte Anderson seems to accomplish effortlessly. When I ask her for the brilliant balance secret, she admits, “It is always a struggle to feel like you are giving 100% to your family, your job, your community. There is not a day that goes by that I don't feel like I have slighted someone.” Luckily, she has an incredible support system. “The benefit is that my children love my job! I have a wonderfully supportive husband, who is a great father. There are many times though that I am left at the end of the day wondering if I have done enough in every aspect for everyone. But I also know that at the end of each day, I have done all that I can and I can look in the mirror, realizing that I am definitely not perfect, but I have given it all that I have.”
A philanthropic goddess, Anderson is well-known for her tireless work with the Salvation Army. It was, in fact, her idea to coordinate the Army's Red Kettle Drive with the Cowboys beloved annual Thanksgiving Day halftime show twelve years ago. Amazingly, Mrs. Anderson and the Cowboys have helped raise over one billion dollars for the Salvation Army nationally. In addition, the Cowboy clan is involved with “the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Happy Hill Farm, the Rise School and Children's Hospitals and other charities around the metroplex.” It's clear that childrens' charities are near and dear to Mrs. Anderson's heart. “We are passionate about helping children and helping those who cannot run with the ball themselves. We involve our players and cheerleaders and members of our family and organization to help as many as we can reach.” And now with the help of the much-anticipated new Cowboys Stadium, they can potentially reach even more.
As the Vice President of Brand Management, Anderson had a lot of say in designing the state-of-the-art facility. The Jones's have been traveling the world for years, gathering inspiration for the perfect entertainment venue. Anderson says, “We believe that we have created something that not only Cowboys fans will enjoy and be proud of but citizens in our community that have no interest in sports will be proud of as well, and that all will enjoy.” The articulate details of the stadium seem endless, with one of the most notable features being the video board that spans from the 20 yard line to the 20 yard line. “This media board will redefine how people experience a game or a concert or any event,” the understandably proud Anderson states. If the Cowboys and the incredible architecture of this oasis don't excite you, maybe the art will. She explains, “We also have a huge collection of contemporary art by artists from around the world who have exhibited in museums around the world. This collection will give the non-sports fan a reason to come to the building and enjoy the building.”
Charlotte Anderson, who favors Jitrois leather jeans, YSL lip gloss and La Roche-Posay sunscreen, is busy indeed. Nonetheless, she somehow gets it all done with style and grace and still manages to keep up with her two boys and sixteen year-old daughter, Haley, who recently began driving. Like her mother, Haley is growing up with two brothers and for some of us, it's inspiring to see a family who believes that women can be as successful as men. Charlotte credits her dad. “I am fortunate that my father never looked at me any differently than my brothers. He was constantly supportive and encouraging and had faith that we would work harder than most to be successful. I have always been motivated to do everything I could to be the best at what I do.”
