Lyda Hill - 2025

Philanthropist • Conservationist

Lyda Hill is a trailblazer in both business and philanthropy, dedicating her life to enriching the cultural fabric of North Texas. As the founder of the Lyda Hill Foundation, she champions bold, transformative ideas in scientific research, education, environmental conservation, and the preservation of natural heritage.

Her friendship with Holt Hickman was rooted in a shared vision: to honor Fort Worth's Western heritage while embracing progress. In 1990, Lyda and Holt partnered to purchase key properties in the Fort Worth Stockyards, including the historic Livestock Exchange Building, the hog and sheep pens, and the horse and mule barns. This marked the beginning of the revitalization of the Stockyards into an award-winning historic district and visitor destination, showcasing the city's rich Western legacy.

Together, they transformed the crumbling hog and sheep pens into Stockyards Station, a vibrant shopping and dining hub, built the Stockyards Visitors Center, and restored the Livestock Exchange Building. The Horse and Mule Barns—one of their major acquisitions—became home to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame for over a decade.

Lyda's generosity has touched countless local institutions, including the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Cook Children's Medical Center, the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, the Fort Worth Zoo, and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.

Her philanthropic reach extends beyond Fort Worth. A driving force behind the development of Pegasus Park, Lyda Hill Philanthropies and LH Capital are fueling the growth of biotech innovation across North Texas.

Despite her remarkable achievements, Lyda is renowned for her humility, warmth, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. She is one of the few women to be named among Forbes' top 15 entrepreneurs who give back.

Lyda's impact also extends to Colorado, where she served as President of Seven Falls near Colorado Springs—her family's summer destination—and led the development of the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center.

Deeply rooted in Texas and devoted to preserving and promoting Fort Worth's cultural and philanthropic landscape, Lyda Hill is a true pillar of the community. Her vision and generosity have helped preserve the heritage of the Stockyards while ensuring its future, making her a most deserving recipient of the Holt and Jo Hickman Legacy Award.