About Maureen Milligan
Maureen is a mom and a proud Dallasite who started her professional career as a public school teacher and later became a public sector attorney.
For over a decade, Maureen worked with community leaders throughout Dallas to make neighborhoods safer for kids and adults alike. During her extensive career in the Dallas City Attorney’s Office, she got drug houses demolished, partnered with federal prosecutors to prosecute violent offenders, and stopped dangerous businesses from operating close to schools. Always a problem solver, she was part of a team that founded a second-chance court for young adults charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses and she drafted state legislation that made it easier for cities to deal with vacant and abandoned homes.
Maureen’s commitment to public safety and community resilience extends beyond her professional career to her volunteer service. Maureen served as an adult literacy instructor for many years. Currently, Maureen helps provide scholarship funding to DISD teachers. Maureen also serves on the board of a nonprofit that was selected by the Texas Governor’s office to represent child survivors of human trafficking who are charged with crimes.
During her career, Maureen has led large teams and administered multi-million dollar budgets. She has managed controversial public projects that required transparency and regular consultation with diverse groups of stakeholders.
Why I’m Running
Maureen is running to serve on the DISD school board because she believes that our public education system is the foundation that supports a thriving economy and safe community. She believes that all children deserve the opportunity to obtain an excellent education that prepares them to be positive contributors to society.
Maureen recognizes that DISD is under increasing pressure to accelerate its gains in student achievement, but it is expected to do so with decreasing financial resources. School trustees governing in this new reality must be committed to transparency, willing to engage early and often with stakeholders, and ready to closely examine whether innovative programs are producing the desired student outcomes. Maureen is ready to bring her problem-solving skill set to the school board where she can work closely with the superintendent, fellow trustees, and community members to adopt the policies and allocate the resources necessary to provide an excellent education to all students.
Community Involvement
Dallas Rotary Club – Maureen has been a member of the Dallas Rotary Club since 2014. She was inspired to join Rotary by federal Magistrate Judge William F. Sanderson Jr. (Retired) and was sponsored by Assistant United States Attorney Rachael Jones. Maureen regularly volunteers for the Rotary Service Above Self Teacher Awards that recognize DISD teachers who go the extra mile.
Junior League of Dallas – Maureen has been a member of the JLD since 2006. Her volunteer experience included serving as an adult literacy instructor at Aspire (formerly LIFT) and a conference representative for the Crimes Against Children Conference. She also was a member of the inaugural class of the T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute.
Lone Star Justice Alliance – Maureen has been a board member of LSJA since 2020. LSJA is a nonprofit legal organization that improves the lives of youth and emerging adults in the justice system in order to promote resilience, conserve costs, and increase public safety. As co-chair of the strategic planning committee, she helped guide the organization in developing its 5-year strategic plan.
City of Dallas 2024 Community Bond Taskforce – Maureen was appointed by Councilwoman Gay Donnell Willis to serve on the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee. During her service, Maureen advocated for the creation of a Bond Oversight Taskforce that would be responsible for monitoring implementation of the 2024 Bond Program to ensure that bond funds are spent in a timely manner on projects that have a positive impact on the property tax base.
Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee – Maureen began serving on the CLUP in mid-2023. As a committee member, she provides oversight and input regarding the city’s comprehensive plan.
Public Sector Leadership Experience
Neighborhood-Based Attorney – Maureen spent over a decade working in the Dallas City Attorney’s Office where she started as the Jubilee Park Community Prosecutor and was later promoted to manage a team of 28 professionals who worked to improve public safety and reduce blight. She was responsible for a budget of approximately $2.5 million of federal, state and local funding.
Community Development Leader – Maureen served as an Assistant Director in the Dallas Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Department. She helped seniors obtain home repairs and drafted innovative policy that repurposed public land for affordable homeownership opportunities. Maureen currently works for a national non-profit organization that helps create jobs through small business lending and strengthens communities through affordable housing-related training and technical assistance.
Public School Educator – After graduating from college, Maureen served as a classroom teacher. She taught first grade and served as a library media specialist in two elementary schools where nearly 100% of the students were economically disadvantaged.
