Alumni Spotlight: Kyle Waldrep '12
A Conversation with Kyle Waldrep '12
September 23, 2025
We are honored to feature entrepreneur and leader Kyle Waldrep '12 as our September Alumni Spotlight! We're also excited to announce that he will be returning to campus on Wednesday, October 8, as a featured speaker for our Dedman Lecture Series. Kyle and former Mayor of Dallas, Tom Leppert P’08, ’08, are co-hosts of the podcast, Intersections. They will share insights with our senior class on life and leadership — from the perspective of an entrepreneurial ESD alum and a former City of Dallas mayor —followed by a Q&A. Visit our registration page below for more information and to RSVP to attend the October 8 Dedman Lecture Series with Kyle and Tom.
RSVP TO THE OCTOBER 8 DEDMAN LECTURE HERE
A Journey of Faith and Purpose
Kyle's professional journey is deeply rooted in his personal definition of purpose:
Glorify God and make him known wherever He places me.
He credits ESD with playing an important role in growing his faith and shaping his purpose. From daily chapel and opportunities to give chapel talks as a senior, to impactful theological conversations with security officer Nippy Jones, his time at ESD provided a foundation that continues to guide his career. This foundation, along with family, friends, and strategic partnerships, has influenced how he integrates his values into every professional endeavor.
The Spark of Entrepreneurship
While at ESD, Kyle took a significant step on his entrepreneurial path. He points to Amy Livingston's economics class, where the final project was to start a business. This challenge led to the creation of "Parkie's Cupcakes" and ignited his passion for business. This project, combined with his father's guidance, propelled his thinking and desire to learn.
This experience prepared him for his next major step: founding his company, Dottid, right out of college. With little formal business experience, he embraced the challenge and persevered, a lesson he learned from his time at ESD. He carried the values instilled in him by his teachers, writing Dottid's mission and purpose on the office walls.
A Career of Influence
After successfully founding and selling Dottid to JLL in 2024, Kyle now serves as JLL’s Director of Strategic Partnerships & Corporate Development. He continues to live out his purpose through his latest project, co-founding a podcast called Intersections with former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. Together, they offer a multi-generational perspective on critical issues facing America.
Career and Achievements
- Undergraduate: Southern Methodist University, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Bachelor of Arts in Communications
- Current Role: Director, Strategic Partnerships & Corporate Development at JLL
- Podcast: Co-founder of Intersections
- Recognitions: Named 20 Under 40 by Park Cities People in the spring of 2025
- Community Involvement: Serves on the ESD EagleSpark Venture Board, mentors for the SMU Spears Institute for Entrepreneurship, and is on the Regional Board for North Texas YoungLife
Lessons Learned and Passed On
Kyle remembers his high school years for the incredible people who shaped him. He highlights teachers like Amy Henderson, Amy Livingston, Mike Beidel, and Nippy Jones as constant encouragers and challengers. He says they helped him learn that perseverance isn't just an attitude but a key ingredient for success—a lesson that has become a foundational element of his career.
For a current student hoping to follow a similar career path, Kyle offers this powerful advice:
Have a humility greater than your influence.
Every day, our alumni are fulfilling ESD’s mission by making an incredible impact on the world. From innovative entrepreneurs to community leaders to creative trailblazers, their stories are a testament to the power of our community and the values we share. This series is dedicated to showcasing the diverse paths our alumni have taken and the meaningful work they are doing. We believe their journeys will inspire you and highlight the many ways our alumni are living lives of purpose.
Are you an alum with a story to share? We want to hear from you!
Each month, we feature a new Alumni Spotlight, and we're looking for alumni stories to highlight your success, purpose, and impact. Whether you've launched a new business, led a community initiative, achieved a personal goal, or made a difference in your field, we want to celebrate your accomplishments. Ready to be featured? Submit your updates and achievements through the form below for a chance to be our next alumni spotlight.
