Meet Adrienne Mageors | Executive Director and Disability Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adrienne Mageors and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adrienne, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
The Sandlot Children’s Charity exists to create opportunities for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities to experience the life-changing power of sports. We believe play is not a luxury. It is a critical part of physical health, confidence, independence, and social connection. Unfortunately, for many individuals with disabilities, access to sports and recreation remains limited or unavailable.

Our work focuses on removing those barriers. Through grantmaking, partnerships, and community programs, The Sandlot supports organizations that provide adaptive and inclusive sports, recreation, and wellness opportunities across North Texas. These programs help individuals build strength, develop social skills, gain confidence, and feel a true sense of belonging.

We are currently leading the development of The Sandbox, a planned all-abilities sports and recreation complex designed to serve individuals of all ages and abilities. The facility will provide accessible fields, courts, fitness space, and programming, allowing people with disabilities to participate alongside their peers in a safe and welcoming environment. Our goal is to create a place where everyone has the chance to play, compete, learn, and connect.

Beyond facilities and funding, our impact comes from changing the way communities think about ability. By bringing people together through sports, we help create more inclusive schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. When individuals of all abilities have the opportunity to participate, the entire community becomes stronger.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career path definitely didn’t follow a straight line; however, every step has shaped the way I lead today. I started in corporate marketing, where I learned the fundamentals of branding, strategy, and communication. That experience gave me a strong foundation, but over time, I felt drawn toward work that created a more direct impact on people’s lives. Moving into the nonprofit sector required a major shift. The pace differs, the resources look different, and the challenges often carry more weight because the work connects so closely to real people and real needs. I had a lot to learn, and that transition required humility, persistence, and a willingness to grow quickly.

What sets me apart comes down to a people-first leadership style. Whether I work with staff, volunteers, or families, my focus starts with making people feel seen, heard, and valued. I believe people respond to feedback when respect comes first, and real change happens when individuals know their voice matters. I lead with diplomacy, honesty, and authenticity. I do not approach relationships as transactions. I take a genuine interest in people, what motivates them, and what they care about, because trust grows from that place.

I feel most proud of the work I have done in the nonprofit space, especially within the disability community. As a parent of a child with a disability, this mission feels deeply personal. That lived experience gives me a different level of urgency and commitment. I understand the barriers families face, and I know how much it matters to create opportunities where individuals of all abilities can participate fully in their communities. That perspective drives me to keep pushing forward, even when progress moves slowly or obstacles stand in the way.

The path has not always felt easy. I have faced setbacks, frustrations, and moments that forced me to think carefully about the kind of leader I want to become. Some of my strongest lessons came from watching others, both the leaders I admire and those who showed me what I did not want to repeat. I learned the importance of clear communication, transparency, and consistency. People want honesty. They want to know their work matters. When leaders show authenticity, trust grows, and teams gain the confidence to step forward and take ownership.

If I want the world to understand anything about my story, it comes down to passion and purpose. I believe deeply in inclusion, and I believe communities grow stronger when everyone has the chance to participate. My story centers on authenticity, advocacy, and relationships. I care about the work, I care about the people, and I will continue to stand up for a community that has gone too long without the opportunities it deserves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to town for a week, I would want them to experience the parts of Dallas that feel authentic to me. I grew up here, so my favorite places usually involve being outdoors, good food, live music, and anything connected to sports or the arts.

We would start with White Rock Lake. It is one of my favorite places in the city, and it never gets old. A long walk by the water, people watching, maybe renting bikes, and then stopping somewhere nearby for coffee always feels like the perfect Dallas morning. If the weather cooperates, I’m looking for a patio!

Dallas has an incredible arts scene, so the itinerary would definitely include the Dallas Museum of Art and a show at the Winspear Opera House. The Arts District gives you so much in one place, and there is always something interesting happening. I also love live music, so at some point during the week, we would find a show, whether that means a small venue, an outdoor concert, or one of the bigger touring acts that comes through North Texas.

Food matters, so Tex Mex would have to make the list. My favorite in Dallas is Casita Tex Mex Bar and Grill, and in Plano, I love Mexican Bar Company at Willow Bend. When the weather feels right, nothing beats sitting on a patio with a good meal and a cocktail and just taking your time.

For more time outside, I would take them to Arbor Hills in Plano. It is one of my favorite places to walk, hike, and take in the view. It feels like a break from the city without actually leaving town, and it is a great reminder of how much green space we have here.

I would also make sure they saw some of the adaptive and inclusive sports programs in our area, because that is one of the things that makes this community special to me. You can catch sled hockey with the Dallas Stars program, wheelchair basketball with the Dallas Junior Mavericks, or unified soccer out at Toyota Stadium in Frisco with FC Dallas. Those experiences show the heart of this community in a way that is hard to explain until you see it in person.

If you love good food, live music, the arts, and being outside, you can put together a pretty great week here in DFW.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My journey to The Sandlot Children’s Charity is really the result of a series of relationships that opened my eyes to what is possible when people choose to invest in others. There are several people who deserve credit for the path that led me here.

Michael Thomas was the first person who introduced me to this world in a meaningful way. He invited me to join My Possibilities, where I had the opportunity to work alongside adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities every day. That experience changed my perspective on ability, independence, and inclusion. It showed me how much potential exists when people are given the right opportunities and support, and it shaped the direction of my career.

My husband, Cory Mageors, also played an important role in this journey. Through his work in sports media, he developed relationships across the sports community, including a friendship with Jared Sandler. Cory has always believed in the power of sports to bring people together, and through those connections, I had the chance to meet Jared and learn about his vision for The Sandlot. His idea of using sports to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities immediately resonated with me.

Jared trusted me to help take that vision and turn it into something bigger, and that trust means a great deal to me. The mission feels personal, not only because of my professional experience, but because I am also the mother of a child with a disability. That lived experience has shaped how I see the world and why this work matters so much to me. I know firsthand how important it is for families to have places where their children are included, supported, and given the chance to participate just like everyone else.

When I look back, I can see that every step in my career was influenced by people who believed in me and invited me into spaces where I could grow. The Sandlot is the result of those connections, and I am grateful to each of them for helping lead me to work that feels both meaningful and deeply personal.

Website: https://thesandlot.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandlotcharity/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennemageors/

Twitter: https://www.x.com/SandlotCharity

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandlotChildrensCharity