MEET GRETCHEN DARBY

Gretchen (Stofer) Darby is the Founder and President of Gretchen Darby Consulting (GDC), where she oversees communications, public & media relations, and promotions for companies and organizations. She also spent 4 years spearheading PR for the Dallas St. Jude Evening Under the Stars Gala & Golf Classic, where she worked closely with the Leadership Team to surpass 1,200 attendees and $2.3M in funds raised during her final year. A true “connector”, Gretchen has a reputation and talent for putting people together and making things happen. 

The first 15 years of Gretchen’s career was spent as a Sales & Marketing Executive in the Hospitality industry, working for both large and boutique hotels. Through her tenure in Hotel Management, Gretchen built the extensive connections and experience in the market needed to become a well-respected and highly sought-after Consultant. Before becoming an Entrepreneur and launching GDC in 2009, Gretchen was the Director of Sales & Marketing for the Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa in Uptown – guiding the property through a $36M renovation and re-branding. Prior to the Stoneleigh project, Gretchen served as the Regional Director of Brand Marketing for the first Hotel ZaZa located in Uptown Dallas, a boutique luxury brand that hit the Dallas scene in late 2002. Gretchen was instrumental in securing ZaZa’s noteworthy reputation as THE “urban lifestyle hotel” among international celebrities and high-profile clientele in the music, TV, film, sports, and fashion industries, as well as social and business elite.

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Gretchen was a member of the world-famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from 2000-2002, where she earned the prestigious “Rookie of the Year” award and served as a Second Group Leader. She is an extremely active member of her community, giving back through various business, volunteer, and social organizations. She has held numerous Advisory Board and Committee positions and been a contributing writer and advisor. She is currently on the Social Committee for the private and exclusive social club, Cowboys Club, in Frisco, and is delighted to be on the Advisory Board for the Lewis Family Foundation. 

Gretchen holds a BA degree in Psychology and minor in Sociology-Criminal Justice from the prestigious University of Texas at Austin. She graduated from UT Austin in December 1994 on an accelerated 3 ½ year path and was an active member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She remains a lifetime member of the Texas Exes and is an active member of several national and local Alpha Delta Pi alumni organizations. 

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A native Texan, Gretchen currently resides in Prosper, TX with her husband James (Senior VP of Commercial Property for RT Specialty), their three children – Presley (13) and twin boys Jagger and Jax (9) -- and their beloved German Shepherds Max and Maverick.

Gretchen enjoys music, social events, traveling, photography, art/design, and spending time with family and friends. 

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