Donor Spotlight: Dale Meyer
Weaving a Legacy
Dale Meyer’s passion and innovative thinking led her to support CSUMB’s Colleges of Science and Business in finding solutions to the Central Coast’s water issues.
Inspired by a scene observed through the windows of a dance studio at the age of two, ballet became the first of Dale Meyer’s passionate pursuits. She trained in Miami and New York, and even performed with the June Taylor Dancers on the Jackie Gleason Show. But at 17, Dale gave up her dream of ballet when she realized her diminutive height would prevent her from advancing. Dale’s mother, a speech and drama teacher, as well as a gifted poet and sculptor, advised her: “Please give yourself a brief time to mourn, and then move on to create your new dreams.”
Dale did just that, immediately enrolling in Miami-Dade Community College and later graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Miami with a degree in Political Science. After gaining media experience working at two South Florida television stations, she joined her father’s public relations firm, eventually becoming president of Hank Meyer Associates. Dale’s late father was instrumental in bringing more than 60 television shows to South Florida from the late 1950’s-70’s. Stars included Jackie Gleason, Dinah Shore, Red Skelton, and Ed Sullivan.
“Life is a tapestry,” says Dale. “Every thread weaves together our stories and experiences. Ballet wove passion and discipline into my life, and public relations introduced problem-solving, innovative ideas, and strategy.”
Encouraged by her mother, Dale became involved in jewelry design, creating couture gemstone necklaces for fine jewelry stores and galleries. Her creations were also featured in charity benefit jewelry shows and auctions. When
Dale and her mother moved to Carmel in 2007 they acted on their motto to “Give where you live”, working with the Community Foundation for Monterey County to create the Lenore and Dale Meyer Fund, benefiting the CSUMB Women’s Leadership Council and the Carmel Public Library Foundation.
Living in this beautiful area, I came to realize the seriousness of California’s drought. Water is truly one of our most precious resources.
“Living in this beautiful area, I came to realize the seriousness of California’s drought”, she says. “Water is truly one of our most precious resources. I know how dedicated CSUMB is to innovation, and to their donors’ visions for the betterment of its students and this community.” Dale remarked, “It is inspiring to see the many programs on water sustainability already underway at CSUMB!”
This motivated her to award grants to the Colleges of Business and Science supporting research and the application of technology to help find solutions to the Central Coast’s water issues. In 2015, Dale presented a proposal to the Deans of those two colleges and V.P. of University Development Barbara Zappas, for the “New Frontiers Water Forum: Visions, Visionaries, and Innovations.” The proposed event became a reality last fall when over 200 policy makers, community leaders, engaged citizens, and students attended the program which featured two keynote speakers and over 15 expert panelists.
As Dale’s focus on philanthropic projects is creating new threads in the tapestry of her life, she is enriching her community by supporting meaningful progress toward innovative water resource management solutions.
Source: Crawford Watson, L. (2016). Where Community Meets Community. Foundation of CSUMB 2016 Annual Report