Top 30 Women 2021

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

VOLUME lll

8th EDITION

2021 Name Title of Company Positiion

Name Title of Company Positiion

Name Title of Company Positiion

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Directory

The 2021 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Saba Abashawl Houston Airports

Talia Alfred The Alfred Firm

Dr. Patricia K. Allen Houston Independent School District

Marna Graham Arvie, CPA Mobility Plus Pearland

Dr. Vanessa T. Barrow Sole Aesthetic

Dr. Ira K. Blake University of Houston Clear Lake

Cindy Clifford The Clifford Group, Inc.

Glenda Demas Pearls of Change Wellness, LLC

Dr. Shelly deZevallos West Houston Airport

Raynese Edwards OutsideIn Consulting, LLC

THE HONORABLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Dr. Janice M. Beal President , Beal Counseling Associates / Beal Behavioral Health

Melinda Faust Detring Energy Advisors

Dr. Charlene Flash Avenue 360 Health and Wellness

Dr. Reagan Flowers Houston Community College

Lauren Haller Fontaine Pattern Energy Group LP

Eureka Gilkey Project Row Houses

Cynthia Ginyard Fort Bend Democratic Party

Dr. Cherry Gooden Texas Southern University - Retired

Veronica Chapa Gorczynski East End District

DeAnna Green The Nydan Group, LLC

Teneshia Hudspeth Harris County Clerk

Jenifer Jarriel DePelchin Children’s Center

Tennille Johnson Scrubs To The Rescue

Jamie Jordan Jamie Jordan, PLLC

Vivian King Harris County District Attorney’s Office

Linda Leto Head Lone Star College

Cassie Levy Emmit Moss Trust

Melanie Miles, Esq. Attorney Melanie Miles

Amber Mostyn Mostyn Law

Denise Navarro Logical Innovations, Inc.

Andrea Nguyen Pasadena Independent School District

Rani Puranik Worldwide Oilfield Machine

Linda M. Rhodes The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency

Karen Carter Richards Forward Times Publishing Company, Inc.

Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees

Erica Davis Rouse San Jacinto College District

Tasha Royal The Royal Agency

Dr. Reem Sabouni Houston Fertility Institute

Dr. Roberta Grace Scott Houston Independent School District

Tracy T. Smith Taylor Smith Consulting, LLC

Lenora Sorola-Pohlman Navarro Insurance Group

Helen Stagg Change Happens

Tiffany D. Thomas Houston City Council, District F

Molly Waits Houston Airports

Janice Weaver City of Houston

Tamla Oates-Forney Waste Management

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Message From the President & CEO MR. D-MARS

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e are seeing more women promoted in corporate America, walking into entrepreneurship, earning advanced degrees, leading in politics and other fields. Women today have more opportunities, not because they ask for them, but because they are creating them. They are courageously breaking glass ceilings and overcoming the barriers in their respective areas, not only for themselves, but for the advancement of women who come after them. And we cannot forget that women, while they are achieving in their professional lives, also are wearing the most important hats of being a wife, mother, caregiver, church member, and volunteer in their communities. This is why the d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston has been and will continue to be a long-standing tradition. Being in business for more than two decades, it is our honor to shine the spotlight on women, as they continue to support “ our publication and be a driving force in the d-mars.com brand being a well-respected name and business in this city.

“Success isn't about how much money you make; it's about the difference you make in people's lives.”

The d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston recognizes deserving women who are successes in their professions and who possess a servant-spirit. Being selfless is something one cannot forget on the path to success, and this year’s honorees are shining examples of that.

And fighting through humble beginnings and overcoming challenges, these women have exceeded expectations, being the epitome of women’s empowerment. While we thank you for joining us in celebrating these honorees, we hope that you will be inspired and encouraged by them. So, whatever you have accomplished in your professional life, aim higher. However you are serving in your community, serve to the highest capacity. This group of phenomenal women should motivate you to step out of comfort and complacency and into the great calling God has for your life, being blessed and being a blessing to others.

— Michelle Obama

The d-mars.com family and I are proud to host this annual event, which is a small token of our great appreciation for female heroes, history makers, and servants leaving a great legacy. Congratulations to all of our 2021 d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston honorees.

Sincerely, Keith “MR. D-MARS” Davis, Sr. President and CEO Vaskey Media Group, Inc. Parent Company of d-mars.com, Subcontractors USA and Top30Women.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Message from Chief of Staff Kimberly Floyd omen are absolutely, without question unstoppable. We are driven and dynamic. The d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston honorees, though from different backgrounds, possess a similarity in being dedicated. They are dedicated to achieving in their careers, bringing other women up with them, also dedicated to their families and the communities in which they live and work. These women hold the great power of influence, not because of their titles or accolades, but because of their genuine heart of sisterhood and serving. What most inspires me about these women is that they are using their positions of power in the boardroom, courtroom, practice, and business to pay if forward to others. This is what makes a woman influential.

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This year’s honorees are risk-takers, relentless in their pursuit of level playing fields, understanding that they have a responsibility and duty to create a path for this generation and the next generation of women to be effective leaders as well. Our d-mars. com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston recipients are leaving “I think the truth of the a legacy, a permanent mark of excellence in matter is, people who end up their respective areas as ‘first’ don’t actually set out of expertise. I continue to be in awe of our to be first. They set out to do honorees, as they are something they love and it never satisfied with the level of success they just so happens that they are are on, but continue to the first to do it.” pursue the highest level of achievement. And —Condoleezza Rice, Former U.S. they understand that all Secretary of State women can excel, not looking to step on other women for success, but to be a stepping stone so all women win.

Congratulations to the d-mars.com 2021 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston. Continue to shine your light, encouraging all women and young girls to shine. Thank you for what you do and for being who you are.

Sincerely,

Ms. Kimberly Floyd Chief of Staff and Managing Editor Vaskey Media Group, Inc. Parent Company of d-mars.com, Subcontractors USA and Top30Women.com

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Honorary Co-Chairs

Dr. Heather Brown

Paula McHam

Johnté Archer

Please follow me on @Shern-MinChow

@Shernmin

Email: schow@khou.com

Staff: Tiffany Brown, Eugenie Doualla, Bria Casteel, Angel Rosa, Lindsey Ford

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

Photographers: Grady Carter Mailing Address: 7322 Southwest Fwy., Suite 800 Houston, TX 77074

Contact: Phone: (713) 373-5577 Fax: (713)750-9472 Email Us: contact@d-mars.com Web: www.d-mars.com d-mars.com @dmars_com @dmars_com dmarsmarketing

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

2021 Host Committee Rhonda C. Arnold

Sonya Stevenson

Carla Lane

Joyce Jacquet

Rachel Davis

Maribel Rodriguez

Amanda Edwards

Amber Newman

Tami Hunter

Joycelyn Williams

Vanessa Reed

Shawntell McWilliams

Miranda Horn

Mary Benton

Judge Maria T. Jackson

Vera Bumpers

Carlecia D. Wright

Ingrid M. Robinson

Lina Sabouni

Thelma Scott

Frances Castaneda Dyess

Christina Robinson

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

2021 TITLE SPONSORS

VASKEY MEDIA GROUP PRESENTING SPONSORS

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L WELDING ACAD STRIA EMY NDU

TEXAS

ACCURATE INC.

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PLATINUM SPONSORS

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Fort Bend Independent School District

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

JERROLD C O N S T R U C T I O N

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE HONORABLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Dr. Janice M. Beal.................................................................President , Beal Counseling Associates / Beal Behavioral Health...................................................................................... 42

HONOREES: Saba Abashawl.....................................................................Chief External Affairs Officer, Houston Airports............................................................................................................... 44 Talia Alfred...........................................................................Director of Operations, The Alfred Firm........................................................................................................................... 46 Dr. Patricia K. Allen...............................................................Trustee District IV, President, HISD................................................................................................................................. 50 Marna Graham Arvie, CPA....................................................Franchise Owner, Mobility Plus Pearland......................................................................................................................... 52 Dr. Vanessa T. Barrow...........................................................Founder & Owner, Sole Aesthetic.................................................................................................................................... 53 Dr. Ira K. Blake......................................................................President, University of Houston-Clear Lake.................................................................................................................... 54 Cindy Clifford.......................................................................Founder & Owner, The Clifford Group............................................................................................................................. 56 Glenda Demas, MA, LPC, ACTP............................................Lead Practitioner and Owner, Pearls of Change Wellness, LLC......................................................................................... 58 Shelly Lesikar deZevallos, Ed.D.............................................President, West Houston Airport..................................................................................................................................... 60 Raynese Edwards..................................................................CEO/Chief Strategy Consultant, OutsideIn Consulting...................................................................................................... 62 Melinda Faust.......................................................................Managing Director, Detring Energy Advisors................................................................................................................... 63 Dr. Charlene Flash................................................................President and CEO, Avenue 360 Health & Wellness......................................................................................................... 64 Dr. Reagan Flowers...............................................................Houston Community College, Board of Trustees.............................................................................................................. 66 Lauren Haller Fontaine..........................................................Senior Director & Legal Counsel – Operations, Pattern Energy......................................................................................... 78 Eureka Gilkey........................................................................Executive Director, Project Row Houses........................................................................................................................... 80 Cynthia Ginyard....................................................................Chairwoman, Fort Bend County Democratic Party........................................................................................................... 82 Dr. Cherry Ross Gooden........................................................Retired, Texas Southern University................................................................................................................................... 84 Veronica Chapa Gorczynski..................................................President, East End District.............................................................................................................................................. 85 DeAnna Green......................................................................CEO and Founder, The Nydan Group, LLC........................................................................................................................ 86 Teneshia Hudspeth...............................................................County Clerk, Office of Teneshia Hudspeth, Harris County Clerk...................................................................................... 88 Jenifer Jarriel........................................................................President and CEO, DePelchin Children's Center.............................................................................................................. 90 Tennille Johnson...................................................................Co-Founder, Co-Owner & CEO, Scrubs to the Rescue...................................................................................................... 92 Jamie Jordan.........................................................................Family Law Attorney and Owner Community Service Advocate, Jamie Jordan, PLLC........................................................ 96 Vivian R. King.......................................................................First Assistant/Chief of Staff, Harris County DA's office.................................................................................................... 98 Linda Leto Head....................................................................Senior Associate Vice Chancellor, Lone Star College...................................................................................................... 100 Cassie A. Levy......................................................................CEO, Emmit Moss Trust................................................................................................................................................. 102 Melanie Miles, Esq................................................................Board Certified Family Law Attorney and Real Estate Professional, The Law Office of Melanie Miles, P.C...................... 104 Amber Mostyn......................................................................Co-Founder, Mostyn Law.............................................................................................................................................. 106 Denise Navarro.....................................................................President and CEO, Logical Innovations, Inc.................................................................................................................. 108 Andrea Nguyen....................................................................Director of Community Relations, Executive Director of Education Foundation, Pasadena ISD........................................110 Tamla Oates-Forney..............................................................Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer, Waste Management....................................................................................114 Rani Puranik.........................................................................Co-Owner and Global CFO, Worldwide Oilfield Machine................................................................................................118 Linda M. Rhodes...................................................................Executive Director, Women's Fund Health Education & Resiliency.................................................................................. 120 Karen Carter Richards...........................................................Forward Times Publishing Company, Inc.........................................................................................................................121 Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam........................................................Secretary, Fort Bend ISD, Board of Trustees................................................................................................................... 126 Erica Davis Rouse.................................................................Trustee, San Jacinto College District Board, Co-Founder of ReachOne713...................................................................... 128 Tasha Royal..........................................................................Founder, The Royal Agency........................................................................................................................................... 132 Dr. Reem Sabouni.................................................................REI Physician, Director of Infertility and Oocyte Cryopreservation, Houston Fertility Institute........................................ 134 Dr. Roberta Grace Scott........................................................Director Social Emotional Learning &Student Discipline, HISD........................................................................................ 136 Tracy T. Smith.......................................................................CEO, Taylor Smith Consulting, LLC................................................................................................................................. 138 Lenora Sorola-Pohlman........................................................Broker Consultant, Navarro Insurance Group................................................................................................................. 140 Helen Stagg..........................................................................Chief Executive Officer, Change Happens...................................................................................................................... 142 Tiffany D. Thomas.................................................................Councilwoman, District F, Houston City Council............................................................................................................. 144 Molly Waits..........................................................................Chief Marketing, Air Service Development and Communications Officer, Houston Airports........................................... 145 Janice Weaver.......................................................................Director of Community Relations, City of Houston - Mayor's Office............................................................................... 146

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

CITY OF HOUSTON

Sylvester Turner Mayor P.O. Box 1562 Houston, Texas 77251-1562 Telephone – Dial 311 www.houstontx.gov

August October23, 1, 2019 2021

Greetings, Greetings, As I welcome all all attending the the seventh annual TopTop 30 30 As Mayor Mayor of ofthe theCity CityofofHouston, Houston, I welcome attending seventh annual Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala, hosted by d-mars.com.

Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala, hosted by d-mars.com.

The Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards recognizes women who have broken in their Women respective andAwards left an indelible mark on thewho facehave of broken The Topbarriers 30 Influential of fields Houston recognizes women Houston. honorees arefields business or seniormark executives theof public, private barriers inThe their respective and owners left an indelible on the in face Houston.

The and nonprofit who share or a commitment to business professional honorees aresectors business owners senior executives in the growth, public, private and nonprofit excellence and the community and are economic future of large and small sectors who share a commitment to shaping businessthe growth, professional excellence and corporations or independent firms.the These womenfuture represent the finest in leadership in a the community and are shaping economic of large and small corporations or independent firms. These women represent the finest in leadership in a variety of variety of enterprises enterprises.

I commend the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards and the d-mars.com on this special occasion.

I commend the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards and d-mars.com on this special occasion.

Please accept my best wishes for a successful gala.

Sincerely,

Sylvester Turner Mayor

Council Members: Brenda Stardig Jerry Davis Ellen R. Cohen Dwight A. Boykins Dave Martin Steve Le Greg Travis Karla Cisneros Robert Gallegos Mike Laster Martha Castex-Tatum Mike Knox David W. Robinson Michael Kubosh Amanda Edwards Jack Christie Controller:

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Chris Brown

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston SHEILA JACKSON LEE 18TH DISTRICT, TEXAS

Congress of the United States

COMMITTEES:

House of Representatives

JUDICIARY

Washington, DC 20515

SUBCOMMITTEES: Ranking Member Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations Immigration and Border Security

STEERING AND POLICY COMMITTEE _________ HELSINKI COMMISSION MEMBER _________ VICE CHAIR

CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS _________

_________

SENIOR WHIP

HOMELAND SECURITY

DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS _________

SUBCOMMITTEES:

Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies

FOUNDER AND CO-CHAIR

CONGRESSIONAL CHILDREN’S CAUCUS

Counterterrorism and Intelligence

_________ BUDGET COMMITTEE

October 1, 2021 Greetings: On behalf of the Eighteenth Congressional District of Texas, and the United States House of Representatives, please allow me to convey my warmest greetings to you on this momentous occasion.

I take great pride in joining d-mars.com in honoring the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston for their commitment and dedication to their community, professional excellence and business growth.

The 2021 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston have broken barriers in their respective fields and will inspire future generations to come. The honorees continually give their time and talent for the betterment of our city. Congratulations to the 2021 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston.

Sincerely,

 Sheila Jackson Lee Member of Congress

WASHINGTON OFFICE: 2187 Rayburn Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3816

DISTRICT OFFICE: 1919 Smith Street, Suite 1180 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 655-0050

HEIGHTS OFFICE: 420 West 19th Street Houston, TX 77008 (713) 861-4070

FIFTH WARD OFFICE: 4300 Lyons Ave., Suite 200 Houston, TX 77020 (713) 227-7740

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

October 1, 2021

Dear Friends: I am pleased to extend greetings to the attendees of the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala. On behalf of the constituents of the Ninth Congressional District of Texas, I salute all organizers, leaders and participants for their dedication to making this a memorable event.

With great enthusiasm, I applaud d-mars.com for their dedication to promoting leadership and strengthening communities across the Greater Houston Area. I also commend them as they recognize and celebrate the success and accomplishments of these inspirational and influential women leaders.

I look forward to working with d-mars.com on future endeavors and continuing to serve you well as a Member of Congress. Best wishes to all for an exciting gala.

Sincerely,

Al Green Member of Congress

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

BORRIS L. MILES STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 13 COMMITTEES: Criminal Justice, Health and Human Services, Higher Education and Nominations

October 1, 2021

Greetings, Welcome to D-Mars.com’s Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala. Congratulations to the all the awardees! And thank you to everyone in attendance here to support and honor the tremendous awardees.

This event highlights and celebrates our city’s diverse women. The awardees embody the Houston area’s spirit of hard work, tenacity, and determination. They have all demolished glass ceilings and know no limits. They are all true leaders in their respective fields and throughout our community. All the awardees are clearly leaving their mark on Houston. I salute the award winners and congratulate them on their professional accomplishments, and thank them for their community involvement.

Best wishes to everyone in attendance and to those who support this important event for our community. It is an honor to congratulate the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston.

Keep the Faith, Keep the Fight,

Senator Borris L. Miles District 13

Capitol Office 3.S3 P.O. Box 12068 Austin, TX 78711 512-463-0113

Central Houston Office 5302 Almeda Road Suite A Houston, TX 77004 713-665-8322

Northeast Office 3300 Lyons Avenue Suite 301 Houston, TX 77020 713-223-0387

Fort Bend Office 2440 Texas Parkway Suite 110 Missouri City, TX 77489 281-261-2360

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

October 1, 2021

Dear Friends, Dear Friends,

I am pleased to extend greetings to the attendees of the 2021 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala. It is a privilege to recognize and celebrate the success of influential women leaders. Their stories are a testament to their success and are inspirational to young women who aspire to become leaders in their communities. The honorees continually give their time and talent for the betterment of Houston.

With great enthusiasm, I applaud d-mars.com for their dedication in promoting leadership and strengthening communities across Houston and the surrounding areas. I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to all of the honorees, you are an inspiration to everyone in the community. I wish you much success in all your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Senfronia Thompson State Representative, District 141

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Texas House of Representatives

RON REYNOLDS

State Representative-District 27-House Democratic Whip

August 2014 October 26, 1, 2021

d-mars.com 84thth Annual Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021 2016 Awards Congratulations to the honorees of the 2021 2016 d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston. Your hard work, dedication and successes are deserving of recognition. I admire your integrity and commitment to excellence.

It is a privilege to participate in recognizing and celebrating the successes of influential women leaders. This evening will be one to remember with dmars.com acknowledging and commemorating your magnanimous achievements and your invaluable contributions to the community.

I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to all of the honorees as you are an inspiration to everyone in the community. I want to wish you an enjoyable and memorable evening.

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

October 1, 2021

Dear Friends, As State Representative for House District 146, it is my privilege to welcome all attending the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala. I also extend my appreciation to the d-mars.com organization for hosting this spectacular annual event.

The 8th Annual Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Award Ceremony recognizes and celebrates women who have demonstrated outstanding excellence in their respective professions and fields of expertise. The honorees reflect a diverse group of accomplished women who are regarded as leaders and role models in a variety of industries. I salute each of the phenomenal women for the contributions they have made towards the growth, betterment and success of the Houston community, and the great state of Texas.

Warm Regards,

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

P.O. Box 2910 Austin, Texas 78768-2910 (512) 463-0554 6112 Wheatley Street Houston, Texas 77091

JARVIS JOHNSON DISTRICT 139 October 1, 2021

Dear Honorees, On behalf of District 139, I want to congratulate you as a diverse and distinguished group of women being recognized in the 2021 Class of the d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston. d-mars.com is a well-respected publication that inspires, informs, and educates, and the fact that you are being honored means you are held in high regard not only in your professional life, but by your work in the community.

This occasion is one of the most anticipated in Houston, as it continues to keep the standard of the women that are honored and celebrated. You are examples for others to follow, and I applaud all of your professional achievements and for being leaders that not only Houston is proud of, but that District 139 is proud of.

I did not always have it easy growing up, but I know with hard work anything is possible. You are excellent examples of how you can be whatever you want to be. Your journey may not have been easy, but you didn’t give up. I commend you for this and for being history makers, opening doors for the next generation of Houston leaders.

I join MR. D-MARS and the d-mars.com family in congratulating you on your hard work in your professions and for having a genuine heart for the community. Congratulations again.

Sincerely,

Jarvis Johnson State Representative, District 139

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Tiffany D. Thomas Houston City Council Member, District F October 1, 2021

Dear Friends, As a member of the Houston City Council, it is my great pleasure to welcome all attendees and congratulate my fellow honorees of the 8th Annual Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala.

It is a privilege to be included amongst so many inspiring women, and it is my pleasure to recognize the success of the 2021 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston honorees. The honorees are leaders in their respective fields who share a commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and service to the community.

I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to all the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston honorees and thank d-mars.com for honoring the champions in our city.

Sincerely,

Tiffany D. Thomas Houston City Council Member City of Houston, District F

Housing & Community Affairs, Chair | Budget & Fiscal Affairs | Ethics, Elections & Council Governance Regulations & Neighborhoods Affairs | Public Safety & Homeland Security

900 Bagby, 1st Floor · Houston, Texas 77002 · (832) 393-3002 · districtf@houstontx.gov 16

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Edward Pollard Houston City Council Member, District J October 1, 2021

Dear Friends: On behalf of District J, the most diverse area of the most diverse city in America, I am proud to extend my sincere greetings to you on this most auspicious occasion.

For this celebration of high achievement, I am honored to join d-mars.com in highlighting the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston for your tremendous dedication and commitment to our city and for your professional excellence.

In the words of the late trailblazer and Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” Each of you are pioneers and continue to break glass ceilings for those who come behind you. I respect and admire each of you for your efforts, and stand beside you in support of all you do.

Thank you d-mars.com for you continuous diligence in ensuring that the best of our city gets the recognition they deserve.

Best regards.

Council Member Edward Pollard

Budget & Fiscal Affairs, Vice Chair| Economic Development | Ethics, Elections & Council Governance Childhood & Youth | Public Safety & Homeland Security

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021 900 Bagby, 1st Floor · Houston, Texas 77002 · (832) 393-3015 · districtj@houstontx.gov

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

City of Houston

Chris B. Brown

City Controller

October 1, 2021

Dear friends, I’d like to wish you a warm welcome to tonight’s event and extend my congratulations to the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021 honorees!

Tonight’s honorees represent the best of what our city offers. They are trailblazers who are powering Houston’s businesses and economy. They are passionate community leaders who are not just making our city better for today, but are crafting a road map for how to continue the work of building a better Houston for tomorrow, as well. Most importantly, tonight’s honorees are influential women who are utilizing their influence to create long-lasting, meaningful change that will better the lives of all Houstonians.

I’d also like to offer my thanks to d-mars.com and all of tonight’s supporting partners for hosting this important event. This celebration is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and selfless service, and I’m honored to be with you all on this special occasion.

Again, my congratulations to tonight’s honorees. Thank you for making our city a better place to live for all its residents!

Sincerely,

Chris B. Brown

City Controller

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

2013 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston ICON HONOREES: Dr. Patricia Brock – Founder & Chairman Emeritus, Medical Bridges Donna Cole – President & CEO, Cole Chemical & Distributing, Inc. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee – 18th Congressional District of Texas

HONOREES: Nargis Ahmed – Director, Muslim Democratic Caucus of Texas Maria Moncada Alaoui – General Manager, Momentum BMW West State Rep Carol Alvarado – Texas House District 145 Rhonda C. Arnold – Director of Community Relations, Houston Airport System Lisa Ashley – Director, Corporate Communications, Port of Houston Authority Karen Becerra – Chief Operations Officer/Principal, The Principle Partnering Group, LLC Dr. Heather Brown – Owner & Orthodontist, Dr. Heather Brown Orthodontics Madeline Burillo, Ed.D. – Associate Vice Chancellor, Houston Community College Helen Callier – President, Bradlink, LLC Emelda Douglas – SVP and Chief Development Officer, Neighborhood Centers, Inc. Wilma J. Evans – President, North Houston Frontiers Club & Managing Partner, DeMand Staffing & Consulting, LLC Christina Robinson Grochett – Chief Strategist for Innovation and Research, Lone Star College 26

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

Dr. Irishea Hilliard – COO & Pastor, New Light Christian Center Church Carla Lane – President & CEO, Lane Staffing Shara McClure – Vice President Network Management, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Catherine Mitchell – COO, Amerigroup Marlene Petry, RN, MSN – SVP, GP Industrial Contractors, Inc. Eva Pickens - Associate Vice President, University Advancement - Communications & Marketing, Texas Southern University Vanessa Reed – Assistant Vice President, South Texas CRA Manager Corporate Public Affairs & Community Reinvestment, Comerica Bank Susan Repka – Executive Director, Women Contractors Association Dr. Jonita Wallace Reynolds – Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Coast Community Services Association (GCCSA) Kandice Rose – Founder, Pretty Girls with Cancer Jamilah Shami – Project Manager, Farouk Systems, Inc. Melinda Spaulding – Anchor, Fox 26 KRIV-TV Dr. Angela Sturm – Facial Plastic Surgeon, Facial Plastic Surgery Associates Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade, BS, RN, BSN, DDS – Cosmetic and Neuromuscular Dentist, Cosmetic Dental Texas Cynthia Wenz – President & CEO, The Source for Women Nicole C. West – President, NCA Investigations Dr. Anjanette Wyatt – Pharmacy Manager, President & CEO, Clinical Care Pharmacy, LLC Judge Mimi Yam – United States Immigration Court

*Companies and titles in 2013

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2014 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston ICON HONOREES: State Senator Sylvia Garcia, Texas Senate Karen E. Jackson – Founder/CEO, Sisters Network, Inc.

HONOREES: Dr. Lacey Brooks – Audiologist/Regional Manager Houston, Hearing Aid Express Latoya Bullard-Franklin – Chief Executive Officer, The Bulsard Group Marian Cabanilla, MBA – Vice President Marketing, UnitedHealthcare Shern-Min Chow – Anchor, KHOU 11 Sonia Clayton – President & CEO, Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC Pamela Ellis – Chief Executive Officer, Smahrt Solutions Sonia Guimbellot – Director/Secretary, World Chamber of Commerce, Texas Joanie Y. Hare, M.D. – Physician, Houston Perinatal Associates Nikki Elizabeth Hart – President & Owner, inMotion Marketing Group Miranda Horn – Vice President, Industrial Welding Academy Judge Maria T. Jackson – 339th District Court Justina Mann – Chief Procurement Officer, Houston Airport Systems CleRenda McGrady – TV Host, Thryv360 28

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

Sharon Murphy – Founding Partner, McConnell Jones Lanier and Murphy Kim Ogg – Attorney, Ogg Law Firm Carrie Poole – Chief Executive Officer, Professional Career Training Institute Ronda M. Prince – Chief Operations Officer, Rap-A-Lot Records Maria Rios - President & CEO, Nation Waste, Inc. Dr. Docia Rudley – Executive Director for Academic Assessment, Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law Neeta Sane – Board Chair/Trustee District VII, Houston Community College Thelma Scott – Founder & CEO, Barbara Jordan Endeavors Dr. Alison Scott Cuillier – Owner/Dentist, Lasting Impressions Dental Group Sonya M. Sloan, M.D. – Orthopedic Surgeon Laurie Vignaud – Senior Vice President, Capital One Bank Barbara Walker-Green – Financial Advisor, Advanced Wealth & Retirement, LLC Reva Witherspoon – Vice President, Marketing, Amerigroup Mia K. Wright – Co-Pastor, The Fountain of Praise Carlecia D. Wright – Director, City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity Dr. Betty Young – Educator *Companies and titles in 2014

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2015 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston SPECIAL GUEST:

Vernita Harris - IMPACT Strategies Consultants, LLC

The Honorable Ivy R. Taylor - Mayor of San Antonio

Winell Herron - H-E-B Heather Holland - TransCanada

ICON HONOREES:

Connie Kwan-Wong - CKW LUXE Magazine

Dr. Selina M. Ahmed - Texas Southern University Dr. Judith Craven - The United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast Deavra A. Daughtry - Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation International State Representative Jessica Farrar - Texas House District 148 Melanie Johnson, Ed.D. - The Health Museum: John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science Susan A. McEldoon - KHOU-TV Wanda Thornton Mott, M.D. - Houston Women’s Obstetrical and Gynecological Associates Stephanie D. Nellons-Paige - USA Funds Page Parkes - Page Parkes Center of Modeling & Acting

Raquelle Lewis - Tx-DOT - Houston District Petria McKelvey - Precision Medical Billing, Inc. Katie Walthall Mehnert - Pink Petro Dr. Felecia M. Nave - Prairie View A&M University Krista L. Olson, M.D. - Baylor Facial Plastic Surgery Center Erma Palmer - Autos R Us Collision Center Crystal Perkins - My Legacy Foundation Letitia D. Quiñones - Quiñones & Associates, P.L.L.C. Dr. Kamala Raghavan - Texas Southern University Liliana L. Rambo - Houston Airport System Nannette Ray, MBA - Medical Information Records, LLC Mary Redmond - Redmond Management-McDonald’s

HONOREES:

Theresa Roemer - Theresa Roemer, LLC

Devon Anderson - Harris County District Attorney’s Office

Lina Sabouni - AUTOARCH Architects, LLC

Dell H. Braunsdorf, M.D. - Amerigroup

Rhonda Skillern-Jones - Houston Independent School District

Camille Cash, M.D. - Camille G. Cash, M.D.,

(HISD)

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Joyce Tyler-Williams - Frost Bank

April Day - Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance

Jennifer Yen, M.D. - UH Medical School,

Dr. Marla Fielder, R.Ph. - The Kroger Co. - Southwest Division

Baylor College of Medicine & Author

Samille Frazier-Savoie, LPCS, LCDC, NCC - The BES Group, Inc. Kim Gagne - Steve Harvey

UNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:

Marian Harper - Houston Astros

LaShonda Pierce and NaKeitha Ross - I.C.O.N. Women’s

Tammy Harris - Soul Grooves®Fitness

Organization

*Companies and titles in 2015 30

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2016 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston THE HONORABLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Roxann Thomas Chargois - Director, The Western Area of The Links, Incorporated

ICON HONOREES: Yolanda Adams - Grammy Award-Winning Gospel Artist Suzan Deison - CEO/President/Founder, Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Zina Garrison - CEO, Zina Garrison Foundation & Former 4th-Ranked Tennis Player in the World Nathelyne A. Kennedy, P.E. - President, Nathelyne A. Kennedy & Associates Dr. Laura Murillo - President & Chief Executive Officer, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Sallie Sargent - President & CEO, Houston Super Bowl Host Committee

HONOREES: Farida Abjani - Co-Founder/CEO, Shining Nightingale, Inc. Wanda Adams - Board of Education First Vice-President & District IX Trustee, Houston Independent School District (HISD) Sehba Ali - Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent, KIPP Houston Public Schools Jackye Alton - President, Almeda Travel Erin Asprec - Regional President, Memorial Hermann Health System Dr. Kimberly Beatty - Vice Chancellor of Instructional Services, Chief Academic Officer, Houston Community College Mary Benton - Director of Communications and Strategic Projects, Harris County Precinct One Marianna Brasel - General Manager, Porsche of West Houston Carlotta Outley Brown, M.Ed. - Principal, Lora B. Peck Elementary School – Houston Independent School District Victoria Ai Linh Bryant, PharmD - President, World Chamber of Commerce Texas & Founder, Ambassadors Caregivers Frances Castaneda-Dyess - President, Houston East End Chamber of Commerce

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Denise Castillo-Rhodes - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Texas Medical Center Marina Coryat - Senior Manager, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas - Southeast Texas Region Katya Dow - Legal Program Director, Juvenile and Capital Advocacy Project & Adjunct Law Professor, University of Houston Law Center Debbie Drury - President, Market Doctors Amanda K. Edwards - Attorney & Houston City Council Member At-Large Position 4 Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz - Board Secretary & District IV Trustee, Houston Community College Sameera Faridi - Director & Designer, Poshak Fashion & Style Victoria A. Guster-Hines - McDonald’s Vice President, Operations and Franchising - Houston Region Ana Hernandez - State Representative, District 143 Loren Lane - First Lady, Texas Southern University & Key Account Manager, EMD Serono Nancy J. Li - President, Easton Resource Development, Inc. Rania Mankarious, MA, JD - Executive Director, Crime Stoppers Houston Dr. Saundra Montgomery - Life Coach/Author/Leadership Consultant & First Lady, Abundant Life Cathedral Church Gigi Myung - President & CEO, GLM Energy, Inc. Toni Pierre - Business Change Manager-NAIP, Amerigroup Community Care Sonia Rivera - National President, National Hispanic Professional Organization & Owner/Consultant, Genesis Consulting, Inc. Ingrid M. Robinson - President, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council Kim Roxie - Creative Director, LAMIK Beauty Graciela Saenz - Founder & Attorney at Law, Saenz Burkhardt P.L.L.C. Sonya Stevenson - Executive Director, The Fort Bend Church Tene Thomas, CPA Partner - Tax Practice, McConnell & Jones LLP Joi-Lin Venison, Esq. - CEO/Co-Founder, Super Weave Xpress Teana V. Watson - Principal Attorney, T.V. Watson Law, PLLC. Spring Williams-Cox - Director of Operations Southeast Texas, UPS Kimberly J. Williams, JD - Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County

*Companies and titles in 2016

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

T H E F O RT B E N D C H U RC H P RO U D LY SA LU T E S T H E

First Lady Sonya Stevenson 2016 Honoree

Come join us in worship SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES AT 10:30 AM OR ONLINE WWW.THEBEND.ORG

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1900 ELDRIDGE ROAD • SUGAR LAND, TX 77478 • PHONE: 281.980.8322

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2017 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston THE HONORABLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Dorinda Walker - Vice President, Multicultural Marketing – Prudential

ICON HONOREES: Cynthia Cisneros - Vice President of Community Affairs, ABC 13/KTRK-TV Vanessa D. Gilmore - United States District Judge, Southern District of Texas Shauna Johnson Clark - Head of Employment and Labor United States, Norton Rose Fulbright Deborah Duncan - Television Host/Personality, Great Day Houston/KHOU-TV Carrin F. Patman - Board Chair, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) Ann Stern - President & CEO, Houston Endowment State Representative Senfronia Thompson - District 141, Texas House of Representatives Dawn Ullrich - President & CEO, Houston First Corporation

HONOREES: Juuhi Ahuja - President, Founder & CEO, Wise Men Consultants Margaret Allen, DDS - Owner, Amazing Smiles, PLLC Johnte’ Archer, JD - CEO/Founder, J. Archer Insurance Group and SHE IS A CEO Foundation Karina Barbieri - Vice President, Mediplus Panama, S.A. & Philanthropist Lea Bogle - CEO, Premier Wireless Carol B. Brace MS, LSSBB, CTL, CIL, SCOR, PMP Lecturer/Business Development Specialist, UH-Downtown Dr. LaQuita Carter - Assistant Superintendent of Performance Management, Spring Independent School District Twila Carter - Executive Director, Astros Foundation Dr. Jacqueline Horton-Cobbin - President and CEO, Cobbin & Associates Consulting, LLC. Tamar Davis - Grammy-Nominated Artist and Edu-Tainment Advocate, Syren Music Group, LLC. Cheryl L. Duncan, BSN, RN, CVRN - Founder, Ashley Jadine Foundation Diane Englet - Senior Director, Corporate Community Relations, CenterPoint Energy Diedra Fontaine - Executive Director, Office of Development, Prairie View A&M University Karina Gonzalez - Principal Dancer, Houston Ballet

LaTreace Harrison - RN, MS, CMCN, Director of HealthCare Management Services, Amerigroup Texas Karen Hill, MD - Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Community Health Choice Carneta Hunte-Larkin, BSW,MSHEA,MBA - Founder and CEO, I Love My Children, Inc. Antoinette M. Jackson - Partner, Jones Walker LLP Courtney Johnson Rose - Principal Broker, George E. Johnson Properties Ige Johnson - Broker, Re/Max & Owner, GLO Beauty Bar Torsha Johnson - First Lady & Author, Higher Dimension Church Carla Kuaiwa, BS, MA, MBA - Owner/Managing Director, Cross OD Consulting, LLC Monica Lewis - Founder/CEO & Certified Etiquette Consultant, Monica Lewis School of Etiquette Paula McHam - Account Executive and Community Involvement Lead, Cigna South Texas/Louisiana Regina Mellinger - President & CEO, Primary Services LP Cydonii Miles - Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel & Assistant Secretary, American Capital Ltd. Mary Moreland - Director of Strategic Planning - Latin America, Quanta Services, Inc. Anhlan Phuc Nguyen, DBA, PMP - Director of Development and Marketing, Institute for Civic Education in Vietnam Delesa O’Dell-Thomas - Principal, Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy Debra C. Stewart - Director of Supplier Diversity & Diversity Outreach, Shell Oil Company Kimberly Gee Stith - Vice President and General Counsel - Employment & Benefits, Waste Management Nicole Streeter, MPH, MA - VP/Chief Governance Officer, Harris Health System Board of Trustees Kristin Tassin - President, Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees & Co-Founder, Father’s Joy Kelley Taylor - Chief Executive Officer, Taylor Construction Management State Representative Shawn Thierry - District 146, Texas House of Representatives Barbara Vilutis - Executive Vice President, Amegy Bank of Texas Dr. Cynthia Wilson - Chief of Staff, Houston Independent School District Mary L. Young - Executive Director/Chief of Police, Department of Public Safety - Texas Southern University

*Companies and titles in 2017 34

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2018 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston THE HONORABLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Dr. Betty N. Adams Professor and Dean, College of Nursing, Prairie View A&M University

ICON HONOREES: Dr. Alma A. Allen - State Representative, Texas House of Representatives, District 131 Anna M. Babin - President and CEO, United Way of Greater Houston Cheryl D. Creuzot - President and Chief Executive Officer, Wealth Development Strategies, LLC Karen McKemie - Senior Regional Vice President of Operations, S onic Automotive Donna Sims Wilson - President, Smith Graham Investment Advisors Merele Yarborough - Philanthropist and Community Service Advocate Judge Clarease Yates - Judge and Founder, Indestructible Beginnings

HONOREES: Ann Harris Bennett Tax Assessor - Collector and Voter Registrar, Harris County, Texas Gita P. Bolt - Vice President and General Counsel, Houston Housing Authority Vera Bumpers - Chief of Police, METRO Police Department Karla Cisneros - Council Member, District H Helen Conte - Senior Vice President/Group Manager – Business Banking, Comerica Bank Barbara Harris Curtis - Founder and President, RARE Pearls, Inc. Dannette K. Davis - Principal, Kay Davis Associates LLC Tiffany Massie Davis, MSN, RN - CEO, E-PIC Training Center, Inc Gaynell Floyd Drexler - Corporate Attorney and Community Advocate Melissa Edwards - Executive Director, Central South Texas, American Diabetes Association Brenda Erickson - Director, Corporate Supply Chain, ConocoPhillips and Board Chair, Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance Tammy Faber - Vice President of Operations, Fort Bend Services, Inc. Staci Taylor Fullmighter - Officer of Student Assessment, Houston Independent School District (HISD) Mary Griffin - Grammy-Nominated Artist and Owner, Mahogany Entertainment, LLC

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

Arquella Hargrove - CEO, Epic Collaborative Advisors Debra Gatison Hatter, Esq. - Member, Clark Hill Strasburger Marvalette Hunter - Chief of Staff, City of Houston Grayle Tully James - Trustee, Fort Bend Independent School District Constance Jones - Vice President of Operations, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council Eva L. Loredo - Board Trustee, District VIII, Houston Community College Jalene Mack, Esq. - Entertainment Attorney, Actress, Producer, Author, Playwright & Founder, Mack Performing Arts Collective Maria Emee Mendoza-Nisnisan - CEO, Acacia Medical Research Institute LLC and Medical Practice Administrator: Royal Oaks Medical Home and Wellness Clinics Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell - Senior Counsel, Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski & Zuber, PC Desrye M. Morgan - Managing Director, Wells Fargo Securities and Vice Chairwoman, Houston First Corp.

Marie Myers - Global Controller, HP Inc. Amber Newman - Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Club of Brazoria County Dr. Dieu-Thoa Khoa Nguyen - Founder & CEO, DT Pharmacy/DT Collagen and President, VAPhA LaToshia Norwood - Managing Partner, L’Renee & Associates Farrah Sabouni Oranje - Principal, AUTOARCH Architects Stacey M. Parker-Blake - Director of Behavioral Health Services, Amerigroup Texas Tiko Reynolds-Hausman - President and CEO, TKO Biz Solutions Michelle Riley-Brown - Executive Vice President, Texas Children’s Hospital Maribel Rodriguez - CEO, Sunshine Personnel Solutions, LLC Sadie Rucker - President, Horizon International Group Cindi Salas - Director, Purchasing and Logistics, CenterPoint Energy Shawn Emerson Simmons, PhD - Environmental and Permitting Manager, ExxonMobil Chemical Company Hazel Smith - Owner/Operator, McDonald’s Heidi McDonald Smith - Chief of Staff, Texas Southern University Maya P. Thornton - Director, Supplier Diversity, University of Houston HUB Joycelyn Williams - Vice President of Sales, Williams6Enterprises Nancy Yuill, PhD, RN - President, Chamberlain University, College of Nursing – Pearland

*Companies and titles in 2018

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

INNOVATION. COMMUNITY. DESIGN. AUTOARCH is a comprehensive, woman-owned architecture and planning firm that has been designing and delivering excellence for 30 years.

713.952.3366 6200 Savoy Dr #100, Houston, Texas 77036 www.autoarch.net

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

2019 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston THE HONORABLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Yolanda Ford - Mayor, City of Missouri City

ICON HONOREES Brenda W. Bazan - President and CEO, Houston First Corporation Hon. Dr. Teta V. Banks - National Chair, United Nations Association of the USA The Honorable Lizzie Fletcher - Congresswoman, Texas’ Seventh Congressional District Judy Foston-Stanford - President, Foston International Communications Inc. Joyce L. Jacquet - Licensed Therapist and Counselor Myrtle L. Jones, CPA - Senior Vice President of Tax, Halliburton Company Melanie Lawson - Anchor/Reporter, KTRK-TV/ABC 13 Kim Padgett - President, The Padgett Group Lisa Trapani Shumate - Associate Vice President and General Manager, Houston Public Media Vanessa E. Wyche - Deputy Director, NASA Johnson Space Center

HONOREES Leanne Dobard Alvarez - President & CEO, The UPS Store at Shadow Creek – Pearland Tracey L. Anthony - Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer, Crane Worldwide Logistics Colleen D. Banks - Financial Professional, Wealth Development Strategies, LLC Juliet Breeze, MD - CEO and Founder, Next Level Urgent Care Michelle Bythewood - President, Salata Salad Kitchen Dr. Courtney Jacocks Chance - Co-owner/ General Dentist, Oaks Point Pediatric Dentistry Jane E. Cheeks, IPMA-SCP - Director, City of Houston Connie L. Cochran - Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations & Special Events, Texas Southern University Audrey Marie Cosby - First Lady, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Rachel Andress Davis, PharmD, RPh - Licensed Pharmacist, OptumRx, a division of United Health Group Leona E. Filis - Founder/Managing Attorney, The Filis Law Firm, P.C. Michelle Garrison - Chief Financial Officer, GetixHealth, LLC Dr. Melissa N. Gonzalez - President, Houston Community College – Southeast

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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

Mia Gradney - Emmy Award-Winning Journalist and Anchor, KHOU11 Addie Heyliger - Business Engagement Manager, CenterPoint Energy, Vice President, Fort Bend ISD Trustee Tami Hunter - Advisor, Compliance, Global Supply Chain & Supplier Diversity Advocate ConocoPhillips Kelly A. Irving - Associate Director Patient Care Services/ Chief Nurse Executive, Michael E. DeBakey, VAMC Olivera Jankovska - Global Citizenship Fellow, UNICEF USA Dr. Grenita F. Lathan - Interim Superintendent, Houston Independent School District Angela Lee - CEO, Evolution by Design LaMonica Love - Attorney & Business Consultant, The Love Law Group & Consulting Services, PLLC Christine Mack - Regional Head of Procurement, Americas, BP Shawntell L. McWilliams - CEO, SM Global Consulting, LLC & Infinity Cleaning Solutions Paula M. Mendoza - CEO, Possible Missions, Inc. & Pos Mis, Inc. Jamila S. Mensah - Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US, LLP Chau Nguyen, LMSW - Chief Public Strategies Officer, Houston Area Women’s Center Eureka Patton - Owner, Massage Envy – Aliana Eileen Perillo - Vice President Finance, Shell Energy Resources Company Marilyn A. Rose - Accounting Administrator, Harris County Sheriff’s Office & Regent, Texas Southern University Gabriella Rowe - CEO, Station Houston Sherrie Sams - Founder and Executive Director, AFC Youth Mya Smith-Edmonds - Owner/Operator, McDonald’s Bridgette Smith-Lawson - Managing Attorney - Regions 5&6, The Department of Family and Protective Service Office of General Counsel Carolyn Watson - Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, JPMorgan Chase Dr. Tamara L. Williams - President, Chamberlain University – Houston Campus Jennifer St. Julian Wooden - Director, Humble Civic Center/ Charles Bender Performing Arts Center Dr. Janet Wormack - Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, Houston Community College

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

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Dr. Janice M. Beal

President, Beal Counseling Associates / Beal Behavioral Health Department called “Let’s Beat Covid-19 Health Education and Support Services H.E.S.S”. In the capacity of Director, her team answered over 1500 calls in three months. Dr. Beal and her team were able to address numerous suicide calls, callers suffering from anxiety and depression, callers in need of support services, and callers who just needed someone to talk to.

D

r. Janice M. Beal, is a researcher, clinician, author, and behavioral expert. Her leadership and administrative experiences include President of Beal Counseling Associates, and Beal Behavioral Health. Currently, she is contracted as a mental health expert for the Steve Fund.

Where she serves as the program director for “Well Being In Color” a peer mental health educational program, and support groups for students of color. This program is unique and will reach over six hundred students in Houston and New York city.

In 2020, she developed and implemented two Covid-19 crisis mental health hotlines/ helplines. The first was for the Houston Independent School District (HISD) one of the largest school districts in the county, reaching out to the student body, parents, teachers, and administrators. Callers of all ages called in to discuss their psychological difficulties while adjusting to the pandemic.

The second helpline was developed for the City of Houston (4th largest city) Health 42

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

a consultant for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on youth mental health, and domestic violence for COVID-19 victims.

As an academician she served in the role of coordinator for the Psychology Program at Prairie View A & M University for seven years. She was also an Assistant Professor teaching classes in general psychology, research methods, adolescent psychology, and African American issues in psychology.

Dr. Beal has also served as an adjunct faculty member for the University of St. Thomas and Sam Houston State University.

In addition, she has been a television, and radio expert for many years.

At Beal Counseling Associates, Dr. Beal is the Clinical Director and Primary Therapist. Her administrative duties include overseeing the billing and reporting process for operations. She oversees the systems for each contract to ensure compliance with each client’s reporting procedure.

Dr. Beal received both a Doctorate of Throughout her twenty-eight plus years Education Degree in Guidance and of professional experience she served as Counseling/Psychology and Masters of a clinician, treating the emotional needs Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from of children and adolescents. She has Texas Southern University. She earned also been awarded numerous contracts a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and grants to provide counseling to local from the University of St. Thomas. She agencies. Dr. Beal’s professional clinical pursued her post-doctoral education work history includes Hopebridge Hospital, from the University of Texas – School of Houston Behavioral Hospital, and Riverside Public Health and California School of General Hospital, where she developed, Professional Psychology – Health Care opened, and served as clinical director Administration Certification. She is married for their child and adolescent in-patient to Dr. Dashiel Geyen and is the mother of psychiatric units. She has provided training Jasmine Louise a first year law student at workshops for numerous agencies and area Syracuse University. school districts.

Dr. Beal is an accomplished writer, having published articles on teen pregnancy, selfesteem, violence, and African American issues. She has presented research at more than seventy-five national and international professional meetings and conferences. She has provided over nine hundred speeches, and even has completed two therapeutic children’s coloring books entitled “A Boy Named Rocky” and “Rocky’s Road” for children of incarcerated parents. Her most recent accomplishment released in December 2020 was a chapter included in a book on “Domestic Violence”. Recently, she became a member of the Mayor of Houston task force for special needs and

Dr. Janice M. Beal President Beal Counseling Associates / Beal Behavioral Health 2656 South Loop West Ste. 250 Houston, Texas 77054 832 740-4642 office Email : bealcounseling@gmail.com Www.Bealcounseling.com

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Saba Abashawl

Chief External Affairs Officer, Houston Airports and professional organizations, Saba was appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to the Human Trafficking Awareness Committee, and by the Secretary of Homeland Security to the Custom and Border Protection Advisory Committee. Saba holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a master’s degree in International Finance and Business, both from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

Saba Abashawl Chief External Affairs Officer Houston Airports 16930 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

Houston, TX 77032 (281) 233-1829 fly2houston.com

A

s Deputy Director of the Houston Airport System, Saba manages the External Affairs division for Global Industry Relations, Government Affairs and Community Engagement. She leads a variety of Business Development initiatives that together, provide a vital support for new and expanded air service in Houston.

Saba actively participates in efforts to retain, expand and relocate international and domestic business to Houston, to fuel the local economy and increase traffic through Houston Airports.

destination to international leaders.

Her work with leaders at both the Departments of State and Homeland Security has been instrumental in developing various passenger facilitation best practices. This integral partnership assured the timely opening of the new international concourse at Hobby Airport in 2015, and implementing a touchless, biometrics travel process at both HOU and IAH. Saba is a diversity and inclusion champion, working to assure all passengers with varying social and cultural backgrounds are welcomed at Houston Airports.

Accessibility programs were implemented for persons with reduced mobility, to better utilize the airport.

Saba also serves as Executive Officer for the Mayor of Houston in foreign affairs and business development initiatives, fostering economic vitality for both Houston Airports and the greater Houston region. Her efforts reinforce Houston as a “global gateway” An active member of numerous civic 44

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Talia Alfred

Director of Operations, The Alfred Firm She later became a business analyst, where she performed a plethora of data analysis using ERP systems. While earning an MBA, she advanced to an Operations Manager in Supply Chain for a major oil and gas supply company. This enabled her to gain experience in analytics along with directing staff in meeting goals while ascertaining operational and financial goals and coordinating strategies to gain postimplementation success.

T

alia Alfred has always had a knack for logistics and management.

You can always count on her to plan an event from start to finish. She loves to look at the big picture and drill down into the details of a project to get it done. Throughout her career she has efficiently resolved challenges and exceeded expectations. That is why it was only a natural progression for her to work alongside her husband to develop a strong business foundation for his flourishing law practice.

Talia is the Director of Operations at The Alfred Firm, a top multi-million dollar litigation firm in Houston. She specializes in management and operations in a growthminded environment. Her major roles at the firm include overseeing financials, HR, strategic analysis, legal administration, business planning, and community 46

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She was born in Missouri and raised in Texas. There has always been a deep passion for the arts in her life, volunteering for Houston Dance and other performance arts organizations. She has performed in almost every major theater venue in Houston and throughout the nation. Talia was a principal dancer for the Colombian Folkloric Ballet and collaborated with many other dance companies from a very early age. She is a proud member of the Association of Legal Administrators, UH Alumni, and Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX), the national paralegal honor society. Her passion for community service has driven her to sponsor several local children's sports teams, volunteer and contribute outreach. Talia believes in building strong to women’s nonprofit organizations such relationships with other businesses and as the Women’s Center, Hurricane Relief, the community in order to grow as a firm. and the Houston Food Bank.

Knowing how to manage the internal day-to-day business operations is very Her and her husband have a beautiful important to her, therefore, finding the daughter, Giselle and a delightful Brittany right people and resources are a critical Spaniel, Dempsey, to keep them on their toes. If she is not with her family you can part of her position. always find her on her yoga mat or star She earned a BA in sociology from the gazing. She hopes to inspire young girls to University of Houston and later graduated live out their dreams and keep reaching for from the Center for Advanced Legal the stars, even during times of uncertainty.

Studies paralegal school. Following that time, she has worked as paralegal for a Wills, Trusts and Estate planning firm, Talia Alfred and a Maritime law firm. In 2009, her Director of Operations The Alfred Firm experience led her to work in the Land 2211 Norfolk St., Suite 803 department of an oil exploration company. Houston, Texas 77098 During the BP Oil Spill in 2010, she had (713) 470-9714 the opportunity to participate in leading a www.alfredfirm.com procurement group which supplied much needed materials across the Gulf Coast.

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CALL TODAY!

Company Address

2211 Norfolk | Suite 803 Houston, TX 77098

BYRON ALFRED

FOUNDER | BOARD CERTIFIED TRIAL LAWYER Obtained a $44 Million jury verdict in a Refinery Wrongful Death case. #1 Work Injury Verdict in Texas for 2018 Secured Largest Settlement in Texas History for a School District Sexual Assault Case in 2019 First African-American Lead Counsel Inducted to Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame Over $100M in Verdicts and Settlements since 2015 Inducted into Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum Super Lawyers Rising Star Since 2016

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Email: byron@alfredfirm.com Website: alfredfirm.com

Phone: 713 470 9714 Fax: 877 751 7453

The Alfred Firm is proud to sponsor the D-Mars 2021 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala.

We extend congratulations to Talia Alfred and all of the honorees.

TYPES OF CASES Refinery Injuries

Truck Injuries

Work Injuries

Insurance Claims

Oilfield Injuries

Dangerous Products

Car Accidents

Defective Products

Bus Accidents

Jones Act Injuries

Wrongful Death

Maritime Injuries

@thealfredfirm

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY

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Committed To Every Case. d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Standing on Credibility. Securing Settlements.

What do clients have to say about The Alfred Firm?

“Byron Alfred represented my family and I after we were involved in a rear-end collision. During a very difficult time he served us with compassion, honesty, dedication, and determination.

He is an amazing attorney and by far the best for anyone who needs a voice in court in times of need or despair. I recommend him for any person needing sound advice and effective firm representation.”

By d-mars.com News Provider

oday it seems that many law firms market to the everyday person with antics, without compassion or credibility, promising quick cash. While a law firm is indeed a business with the goal to increase profits, there should be a purpose for practicing law. The Alfred Firm, led by Board Certified Trial Lawyer Byron C. Alfred, is an award-winning personal injury firm founded with a purpose - top results and second-to-none client service. They are committed to every case, regularly securing top settlement value for their clients.

Before founding The Alfred Firm, Byron had been representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases, securing over $100 million in verdicts and settlements in his first seven years of practice. In 2018, Byron secured a $44 million verdict, which was the largest work-related injury verdict in Texas. In October 2019, Byron settled $22 million in cases in a single month.

Byron founded The Alfred Firm in January 2020 and immediately needed to add more trial attorneys to his legal team.

His brother Johnny, who also attended law school at South Texas College of Law - Houston, was naturally the perfect fit to be the first attorney added to The Alfred —Shermette, Firm’s trial team.

Client of The Alfred Firm Seeing their father and grandfather work in refineries in Port Arthur, Texas, has been a driving force in the firm’s 48 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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passion for representing industrial workers and their families.

Even in law school, the Alfred brothers proved to be a powerful force, competing and winning moot court and mock trials together. One of their first major wins together as attorneys was settling a challenging and massive case in 2019, which became the largest reported school district sexual assault settlement in Texas history. In addition to Byron and Johnny, The Alfred Firm recently added a new attorney, Kai Henderson, who was the Executive Editor of the Law Review and a moot court champion in her own right at Thurgood Marshall School of Law. The Alfred Firm’s team of attorneys are backed by a talented legal support staff, headed up by Chief of Staff Amanda Zubire, and on the business side, Director of Operations, Talia Alfred. “I, along with our Chief of Staff, Amanda Zubire, work with law practice management consultants to implement state-of-the-art

systems and processes to ensure that our clients are receiving the best possible services as our firm grows,” said Byron. “Our Director of Operations, Talia Alfred, has done a stellar job leading our relationships with banking and financial professionals that have built a strong foundation of financial resources, allowing us to do battle with large corporations and insurance companies. The business side of The Alfred Firm is run like a Fortune 500 company.”

The Alfred Firm uses a team approach to client communication. Byron said, “Our process of client communication ensures that, by the end of the representation, the clients will have had meaningful conversations with every single member of our team.”

“It was a wonderful experience working with The Alfred Firm.

Byron and his staff were helpful and responsive to all of our questions and concerns. He was able to get me a great settlement in under a year. He was kind and caring, always looking out for what was needed.”

—Steve M., Client of The Alfred Firm

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Q&A WITH d-mars.com THE ALFRED FIRM: D-MARS: Talk about the consequences of not hiring a trial lawyer after an accident.

ALFRED FIRM: The consequences of waiting to hire counsel following an accident are potentially fatal to a person’s case. Evidence collected immediately following an accident oftentimes tells the story of what happened. If the evidence is not immediately preserved, the court’s chances of finding the truth of what happened are dramatically decreased.

D-MARS: What is the criteria for your firm to accept one’s case?

ALFRED FIRM: I have been fortunate to be involved in some of this country’s most important, high profile cases throughout my career.

The Alfred Firm was founded, in part, to allow me to handle more cases and to help more people. Our case selection criteria begins with determining whether the client is a good fit for our firm.

We then determine whether the case has merit and whether our involvement will allow the potential client to achieve his/her desired outcome.

D-MARS: How does your firm approach cases and clients to combat the stereotype that sometimes comes with the personal injury/trial law profession?

ALFRED FIRM As a Black lawyer, I feel uniquely qualified in combating stereotypes. I’ve been doing this all my life. Personal injury lawyers and law firms are often criticized for outlandish and frankly, silly marketing tactics that are oftentimes directed at the stereotypical Black consumer. They think our people want to hire flamboyant, loud talking, lawyers, when in all actuality those are usually not the lawyers trying the cases in the courtroom. I have a problem with that, especially as it pertains to the serious, catastrophic cases that my firm handles. The Alfred Firm is proud to promote a brand of results-oriented, client-focused service that commands the respect of our peers and opposition through merit - not gimmicks.

D-MARS: Even with the verdict in your favor, how do you overcome some of the challenges to receive the settlement for your clients?

ALFRED FIRM: Four months after receiving the largest work injury verdict in Texas, we tried a case to jury verdict that recovered less than $50,000. Our opponents know that we are just as serious about our demands in a minor car wreck case as we are about a catastrophic multi-million dollar case. One of my mentors expressed to me, “There are no small cases, only small lawyers.”

We understand that, no matter the value of the case, every case is always of major importance to every client.

D-MARS: Are there any notable cases that your firm is presently working on that you want to mention?

ALFRED FIRM: The Alfred Firm is presently involved in two major Houston work-related fatalities that occurred in 2020. The Alfred Firm is currently representing the family of one of the two employees who lost their lives in the Watson Grinding Explosion in Houston, Texas. The Alfred Firm is also “Injury and wrongful death representing the family of one of the two employees who lost their lives while cases require attorneys to give of attempting to clean inside a tanker at themselves in a distinct way not the Qualawash facility in Houston.

called for in other practice areas.

There is nothing more gutwrenching than sitting with a family member after they’ve recently lost a loved one.

Yet, if channeled properly, a genuine connection and trust develops between client and attorney, contributing to a positive outcome for the client.”

D-MARS: What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a personal injury trial attorney in court against the opposition, and how do you overcome those challenges with a successful outcome for clients?

ALFRED FIRM: One of the challenges is that we are sometimes underestimated by the opposition because we are a young firm.

We overcome this challenge by proving ourselves in court with wins and settlements. Also, we are mindful of remaining credible, and this is why we are selective with the clients we choose to represent. Credibility is the foundation of all winning cases. A credible client paired with a credible lawyer presenting a credible case theory is a perfect combination for success, making us a respected and reputable opponent.

The Alfred Firm was launched amidst movements sparked by the injustices committed against those such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. In founding this firm, Byron feels charged with a responsibility to show the immense possibilities of Black and Brown professionals when ethics, professionalism, and skill are coupled with a laser focus on restoring the lives of our communities. The firm believes in pouring into the community it serves, opening doors for other minorities to achieve in the legal profession and seeking out opportunities to support —Byron C. Alfred, those in need in at-risk areas.

Founder of The Alfred Firm “The Alfred Firm is proud to be a Blackowned law firm, producing top results for our clients. As we are in one of the most diverse cities in this country, I am proud that our firm’s clientele and qualified legal team are an example mirroring that diversity,” Byron said. Understanding the importance of surrounding oneself with mentorship and like-minded leaders as an element for elevation, he is inspired by the work of Keith Davis aka “MR. D-MARS” and mentions Davis’ book, Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest, as an encouraging read for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to maximize their potential.

For more information about Byron and the legal team at The Alfred Firm and how they can serve you, please visit www. alfredfirm.com or call (713) 470-9714.

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Dr. Patricia K. Allen

Trustee District IV, President, Houston Independent School District in the quality of educational programs in her hometown. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Houston, as well as a Master’s Degree in Education and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston as well.

Dr. Allen is the daughter of Lawrence (deceased) and Alma A. Allen (State Representative 131), and the proud mother of one son, Norman Bell IV, also an educator. Her brother, Lawrence A. Allen Jr. is also a retired educator who currently serves on the State Board of Education.

Dr. Patricia K. Allen Trustee District IV, President Houston Independent School District 4400 West 18th St. Houston, Texas 77092-8501 (713) 556-6000 Patricia.Allen2@HoustonISD.org www.HoustonISD.org

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r. Patricia K. Allen was elected to the Houston ISD Board of Education in December of 2019. She served her initial year as an officer – Board Secretary, then was elected by her peers to serve as the Board President during her second year in office. She is a third-generation career educator who retired in 2015.

Her interest in securing the best for all children led her back into education as a trustee. Dr. Allen left her educational career after working for HISD for 35 years, most recently as principal of MacGregor Elementary School. Under her guidance, the school earned a “Met Standard”' rating from the state and five of six state distinctions. Previously, she worked in the district as a magnet coordinator at MacGregor, teacher trainer and 50

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

curriculum writer for Character Education, and classroom teacher at MacGregor, Thompson, and Lockhart Elementary schools.

As the business liaison at MacGregor Elementary School, Allen fostered relationships with the Houston Rockets, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Judson Robinson Community Center, First Presbyterian Church, St. Paul’s Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and Recipe for Success.

Dr. Allen is also a proud graduate of HISD’s Madison High School. In fact, she is a full HISD graduate, attending Douglas, Grimes and Carnegie Elementary, and Woodson Middle School. She was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and is a true believer

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

2216 WHEELER AVE., HOUSTON, TX 77004 PHONE 713.541.5468 | FAX 713.520.1729

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@KAYDAVISASSOC

@KAYDAVISASSOC

WWW.KAYDAVISASSOC.COM HOUSTON | DALLAS | SAN ANTONIO

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Marna Graham Arvie, CPA Franchise Owner, Mobility Plus Pearland

internships with Exxon, which primed her for postgraduate success.

Marna began her career at Price Waterhouse (a Big 4 Public Accounting Firm). She later joined Continental Airlines as an internal auditor. After 20 years in senior-level management as a Corporate Controller, she ended her corporate career to open her own CPA practice and pursue her entrepreneur dreams.

As a dedicated public servant, she serves on the Executive Board of Directors as Treasurer for the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, as a Board of Director for Delta Education and Charitable Foundation, and as Treasurer for the Support Service Network. She is a charter member of the Katy-Richmond Area Chapter of The Links, Inc. and is a diamond life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is a member of Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves as a church school teacher, and served on the Church Anniversary (60th Anniversary Chair) and Pastor’s Anniversary committees. In 2019, she was honored by the Texas Association of Black School Educators at the Dining With Divas event as a Diva in Leadership.

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woman of faith and favor, fueled by the words of Proverbs 31:25, “Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come,” truly embodies Marna Graham Arvie.

Marna is the President and Owner of Mobility Plus Pearland, a medical equipment company dedicated to providing quality solutions to empower individuals facing mobility challenges. Mobility Plus Pearland offers a variety of products that enable our senior and disabled communities to maintain independence and age in place.

Mobility Plus also provides fall prevention products and supplies ergonomic support 52

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

Morgan and Micah are her cherished gifts from God and her inspiration. Her parents are Maryland Graham, and the late Amos Graham, the entrepreneur devices for comfort and posture support. legend of the family. She has one sister, The company is a Veterans’ Administration Ahmesha Graham. approved vendor, Medicare and Medicaid Provider, and has certified Senior Home Marna Graham Arvie, CPA Safety specialists. Marna also has a CPA Franchise Owner practice that is a full-service CPA firm Mobility Plus Pearland (Marna Graham Arvie CPA, LLC).

11625 Broadway St. A native Louisianian, she is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Dillard University with a major in accounting. Marna received numerous academic awards including Outstanding Senior- Dillard University, Outstanding Junior – Institute of Management Accountants, and membership in business honor societies.

Her academic accomplishments abetted

Suite 125 Pearland, TX 77584 (832) 617-8196 www.mobilityplus.com/Pearland

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Dr. Vanessa T. Barrow, DPM Founder & Owner, Sole Aesthetic

at Ann Arbor with a B.S. in Athletic Training and Movement Science. She earned her Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and continued with surgical residency training at West Houston Medical Center. Following residency, Dr. Barrow joined a private practice in North Haven, CT, where she also served as Associate Clinical Professor at Quinnipiac University Netter School of Medicine teaching Clinical Manifestations of Systemic Diseases in the Lower Extremity, Lower Extremity Clinical Examination, and Lower Extremity Gross Dissection.

After relocating her family to Houston, she was finally able to set her sights on building a private practice that would offer the newest advances in regenerative medicine and biologic technology for patients looking for innovative non-operative treatment that fosters the return to, or the new beginning of, a fit, functional, and fashionable lifestyle.

Dr. Vanessa T. Barrow, DPM Founder & Owner Sole Aesthetic 5959 West Loop South, Suite 130 Bellaire, Texas 77401 (713) 666-9934 www.soleaesthetictx.com

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s a native Houstonian, Dr. Vanessa T. Barrow is proud to finally bring the integrated worlds of podiatric, regenerative, and aesthetic medicine to her hometown. Sole Aesthetic strives to bring patients the most innovative in non-operative treatments utilizing biologic technology and stem cell therapy; this is the future of medicine. Dr. Barrow endeavors to enable patients to create a new standard of living and lifestyle, one that paves the

way for whole body fitness and aesthetic by first focusing on the foundation of the body. It is her firm belief that the keys to total body health, wellness and beauty is achieved by unlocking SOLE health, wellness, and beauty.

Dr. Barrow attended The High School for Health Professions, now the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions, in Houston, TX, then went on to graduate from The University of Michigan Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Dr. Ira K. Blake

President, University of Houston Clear Lake educational, and environmental well-being in the world. In addition, she chairs the committee on sustainable development through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

President Blake serves on the boards of BAHEP and HCA Clear Lake/Midland regional healthcare centers. She is also active in the Houston Guided Pathways to Success (Houston GPS) Leadership Oversight Committee, a regional initiative charged with creating strategies to support student completion and seamlessly align two-year to four-year college transfer while improving educational quality. Since Blake’s arrival to UH-Clear Lake, several new partnerships have been established with the NASA Johnson Space Center, aerospace subcontractors, and Houston Spaceport to provide experiential learning opportunities for internships, upskilling and reskilling for the regional workforce.

Before joining UHCL, President Blake served as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Prior to serving at Bloomsburg, she was associate vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and assistant to the president for public engagement at Kutztown University.

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r. Ira K. Blake is the 5th president of the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), one of the region's top public universities. A native of Arkansas, President Blake grew up in Fontana, California, and is the first woman and first African American to serve in the role.

Since she arrived at UHCL, President Blake has emphasized diversity and inclusion, engagement with students, cultivating leaders, and collaboration with corporate and community partners that align the university's impact with industry needs.

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Under President Blake's leadership, UHCL has experienced success through campus facilities expansion and record student enrollment. She leads the university's strategic plan implementation and serves on the steering committees for the Pearland Economic Development Strategic Plan and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP). Sustainability is a priority for Blake, who established the Institute for Human and Planetary Sustainability (IHAPS) in fall 2020 to help the institution embed the importance of sustainability and its impact on our social, economic,

She holds a master's degree in educational psychology from San Francisco State University and a second master's degree and a doctorate in developmental psychology from Columbia University. She has spoken and published on the topics of language, literacy, ethnicity, culture, socialization, and childhood development.

Ira K. Blake. Ph.D. President University of Houston-Clear Lake 2700 Bay Area Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77058 President@uhcl.edu (281) 283-2004

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Cindy Clifford

Founder & Owner, The Clifford Group, Inc. loves being involved in Houston’s civic and charitable community.

Her love of politics has made her a stalwart volunteer and supporter of countless local, state, and federal officials. She has been an active supporter of several mayors, beginning with Mayor Kathryn Whitmire and every Mayor of Houston since, including Mayor Sylvester Turner.

She is proud to have taken an active role as a top-level volunteer on the campaigns of Mayor Lee Brown, Mayor Annise Parker, and Mayor Sylvester Turner. Early on as a volunteer, Cindy stuffed envelopes, and for the past 25 or so years, Cindy has served on finance committees using her contacts and rallying skills to help raise funds for candidates. She has a particular affection for local politics.

Cindy was honored to be asked to serve as the Chair of Mayor Turner’s first Inaugural Committee. Within less than three weeks, she led 8 other top-level volunteers to raise the funds and produce three big events for the new Mayor. For Mayor Turner’s second term, she co-chaired this event with her best friend, Elizabeth Brock, and they had about two weeks to do the same.

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or more than 30 years, Cindy Clifford has been an active force in Houston’s business, civic, and political communities. Combined with her resourcefulness, experience, and can-do spirit, Cindy has built a solid reputation as someone who can get things done. She has a keen ear for listening to clients' public relations, marketing, and governmental affairs challenges, quickly determining their needs. She is quick to assemble the right members of her internal team and sometimes external team members to tackle a project.

the most well-regarded and respected PR & governmental affairs firms in the city.

The firm’s wide range of corporate and quasi–governmental clients rely on their advice and talents to lead their PR and governmental affairs efforts.

Cindy has served on dozens of nonprofit boards including the Harris CountyHouston Sports Authority, the Houston Public Library, The Ensemble Theatre, The Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, and The Ryan White Planning Council, just to name a few. She has chaired countless charitable organizations, fundraisers, and Beginning the company in the early 1990’s, given pro-bono advice to countless. She Cindy quickly grew the firm to be one of has an abundance of energy, and she 56

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

Cindy has won several awards and was named one of Houston’s 50 most influential Women by Houston Women Magazine.

She is partial to the color orange, loves throwing parties, reading, attending theater, is an avid traveler, and loves a good hand of blackjack. She is married to photographer, David Bray, and is owner of two dogs, Kealy and Sticky.

Cindy Clifford Founder & Owner The Clifford Group, Inc. 1939 W. Gray, Suite 201 Houston, Texas 77019 (713) 529-5711 cindy@thecliffordgroup.com thecliffordgroup.com

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Glenda Demas, MA, LPC, ACTP Lead Practitioner and Owner, Pearls of Change Wellness, LLC

into the role of an at-risk counselor within the esteemed Katy I.S.D. Although Glenda had a sense of gratification working within the school communities to provide support, she knew her calling required her to be among other private practice practitioners, servicing those day-to-day who struggle with mental health challenges.

As the lead practitioner and owner of Pearls of Change Wellness, LLC, Glenda has worked avidly to provide mental health support to those throughout the Lone Star State and the state of Georgia, by offering individual and group counseling, training, education, and resources to the public and private sectors.

Glenda was nominated as one of Top 5 Preferred Mental Health Practitioners in Texas for 2020 by Cigna Health. In addition, she was chosen as the mental health clinician to represent Texas by the Boris L. Henson Foundation, founded by actress Taraji P. Henson, for their “Let’s Talk” free virtual therapy campaign.

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lenda Demas is a licensed profe s sional c ouns elor, advanced clinical trauma practitioner, and mental health advocate with 15 years of experience in crisis intervention and behavioral health management. A born Native Houstonian and graduate of Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Glenda earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from the University of Houston-Downtown, a Master’s of Business Administration in Management from Letourneau University, a Master’s of Science in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University, and is currently in pursuit of her Doctorate in Health Psychology from North Central University.

Glenda’s passion and inspiration for raising awareness over the importance of mental health support came from her own personal experiences as a child and her desire to make sure that others 58

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

Glenda is currently in pursuit of becoming the only nationally certified Public Safety knew that mental health issues should Responder Clinician within the City of be destigmatized. To further her efforts Houston. in advocacy, she wrote herself in as the youngest Board of Director in history for Glenda’s overall goal is to continue to the National Alliance on Mental Illness provide education and resources through (NAMI)-Greater Houston and is currently MyND Your Mental Foundation, a nonprofit organization she established during serving year 3 of her appointment. the height of COVID-19 to support the Glenda is a member of the American community. Glenda’s motto is “Together Counseling Association, American We Can.” Mental Health Counseling Association, American School Counseling Association, She is the daughter of Glenn and Beulah Houston Licensed Professional Counselors Demas and the proud mother of two sons, Association, Licensed Professional Christian and Aiden.

Counselors Association of Georgia, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Glenda Demas, MA, LPC, ACTP by way of Alpha Kappa Omega (Omicron Lead Practitioner and Owner Gamma-Initiating Chapter), with over 17 Pearls of Change Wellness, LLC 2717 Commercial Center Blvd., Suite #E200 years of servitude to the sorority.

Glenda worked within the public education setting for a span of 13 years, starting as a speech teacher at a local middle school in Fort Bend I.S.D., and later to transition

Katy, Texas 77494 (832) 291-8363 glenda@pearlsofchange.com www.pearlsofchange.com

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Shelly Lesikar deZevallos, Ed.D. President, West Houston Airport

privately owned-public use general aviation FAA Reliever airports across the country that her father developed decades ago.

They also currently operate the oldest and continuous running flight school in the Houston Area which has trained thousands and thousands of pilots flying at airlines and companies all around the globe.

Dr. deZevallos herself is an active pilot with a commercial certificate, Single, Multi Engine Land and glider ratings with over 5,000 hours of flight in various makes and models.

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r. Shelly Lesikar deZevallos, President of West Houston Airport, is a pilot, business owner, mom, wife and passionate spokesperson about sharing the importance of the aviation and aerospace industry and workforce development.

As the first person in her family to graduate from college, she understands what a difference in her life that challenge meant.

Her dad, Woody Lesikar, taught her the value of hard work, a passion for learning, and never giving up. By the time she was 20, she had earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas, her private pilot’s license, was a lay minister in her church and was working at the Texas Legislature. Fast forward 30 years and Dr. deZevallos strives to show others how any education and opportunity in life whether it’s in a trade, degree program or a passion, can make a tremendous difference.

leader and volunteer. She is currently involved with a national team of women who are working to design the first Girl Scout Aviation Badge! She is a member and contributor to the Downtown Rotary Club of Houston, the women organization of pilots - the 99’s, and is a spokesperson at schools across the state about aviation workforce development. Her passion is presenting to youth and policy makers about the aviation industry and aerospace workforce that is needed around the world - less than 8% of all licensed pilots are women and minorities and she is trying to do her best to increase that number - one student at a time.

She eventually earned her EMBA from Texas A&M University and her Doctorate in Aviation and Space Science from Oklahoma State University where she worked as an adjunct professor. Shelly previously worked for Cessna Aircraft Company as a top salesman which included sales and demonstrating aircraft across Texas and the Southwest. At the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association she advocated and testified at legislatures alongside policy decision makers and supporting general aviation.

Dr. deZevallos currently serves Texas Southern University on their Aviation Advisory Board working alongside their Professional Pilot and Aviation Management degree programs. Locally, she is involved in numerous charitable efforts such as the San Jacinto Girl Scouts of America where Shelly is part of the family that operates she is a lifetime member, former troop West Houston Airport, one of the top 20 60

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

Nationally, Shelly is on the Board of Directors for the National Business Aviation Association, the world’s leading business aviation trade association. She also volunteers and conducts research with the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board. Statewide, Dr. deZevallos currently serves Texas on the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Advisory Committee.

In the fall of 2019, Dr. deZevallos was appointed by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to the United States Department of Transportation Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee (SOCAC) where she is part of a national committee addressing safety and certification issues in the aviation industry.

Shelly is a native Houstonian and resides in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Chris, and their twin girls, Katharine and Sarah.

She is truly honored and humbled to be a part of the Top 30 Women program standing alongside these amazing women of Houston.

Shelly Lesikar deZevallos, Ed.D. President West Houston Airport 18000 Groeshcke Road Houston, Texas 77094 (281) 492-2130 shelly@westhoustonairport.com www.westhoustonairport.com

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Raynese Edwards

CEO and Chief Strategy Consultant, OutsideIn Consulting attending community meetings on behalf of HCFCD, she’s honed around-the-clock readiness and preparation. She’s also developed strategies for public meetings, navigated and advised on engaging elected officials and corresponding commissioners, all while developing schedules for public engagements and equipping leadership with the appropriate communications tools to succeed. The ongoing positive rapport with community influencers and the public, led Blueridge Transportation Group to contract Raynese’s company – Outside In Consulting, to be the Public Information Officer for Texas Department of Transportation’s $817+ million SH 288 Express Toll Lanes project.

aynese Edwards is the CEO and Chief Strategy Consultant for OutsideIn Consulting, LLC, an awardwinning Public Engagement and Community outreach company. A Houstonian, by way of Joliet, Illinois, she has lived in the Houston area for more than 25 years.

Raynese leverages her 30-year career to make communications seamless for the businesses she serves.

She firmly believes small businesses strengthen the power of any community.

That’s why Raynese devotes considerable time manag ing small busine s s opportunities, compliance, and outreach initiatives. Her work on the $900 million Houston METRO Light Rail Expansion consisted of DBE compliance and outreach for several phases of the project – including an awareness campaign to promote business opportunities for the METRO Solutions 2 LRT Project’s SBE/ DBE program. She managed a database of more than 400 SMWDBE firms, used her strategic network to engage highly qualified vendors for products and services across industries including construction, infrastructure, transpor tation, and professional services.

From designing, developing, and implementing community relations and outreach plans to mapping out emergency communications strategies, Raynese has direct experience in planned, proactive, and even quick-turn messaging. She’s advanced her knowledge through several impactful roles, including her time as a Communications Consultant for several Harris County Flood Control District’s (HCFCD) $500+ million 2018 Bond projects. In addition to coordinating and

Celebrated for her diversity and inclusion efforts, Raynese ensures that equity is at the heart of every strategy she champions.

With more than 30 years of experience developing multi-dimensional teams, she is well-prepared to navigate the biggest barriers facing today’s workplaces. In fact, she has earned statewide recognition as one of Houston’s most respected and sought-after advisors based on her results-driven experience. Organizations of all industries and sizes look to Raynese

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for leadership when it comes to resilient workforces framed by targeted upskilling and engagement-driving tactics, She’s won local and national awards for her work in the areas of communications, SMWDBE, and community outreach. Her recognitions include: • Who’s Who in Black Houston • Houston’s Top 50 Professionals and Entrepreneurs • R.A. Wiltz Minority Business Advocate of the Year • 40 Over 40 Influential To Watch Award • Hermes Creative Awards – Gold Winner (3) • Hermes Creative Awards – Platinum (2) • Bronze Quill Awards • Communicator Award Raynese’s community commitments include working for the community, having sat on numerous boards. She continues to work with The World Youth Foundation where she is the Global Strategic Officer.

She is very proud of recently completing the Yale School of Management – Executive Women’s Program.

Raynese is the proud mother of one son, Johnathan, and one granddaughter, Jasmine.

Raynese Edwards CEO/Chief Strategy Consultant OutsideIn Consulting Raynese@OutsideInConsult.com

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Melinda Faust

Managing Director, Detring Energy Advisors involved in sourcing and executing over $4.5 Billion in oil & gas transactions across the small and mid-cap acquisition and divestiture space.

In 2009, Melinda became the Founder and President of ADAM-Houston (Acquisitions, Divestitures And Mergers), an oil & gas networking group comprised of key industry dealmakers. Melinda subsequently founded ADAM-Permian and ADAM-Rockies. The ADAM networking organizations host a combined membership of over 700 seniorlevel A&D energy professionals.

Melinda is the proud mother of daughter Ella. She accredits her drive to her daughter and her mother, who worked tirelessly as an elementary school principal for 25 years while earning her masters and raising 5 children, also winning many accolades including the National ATHENA Leadership Award.

Melinda was recently named “25 Influential Women in Energy” by Hart Energy and Oil & Gas Investor. Ms. Faust holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of New Orleans and is actively involved in multiple industry organizations including the ADAM groups, Houston Energy Finance Group (board member), Small Steps Energy Classic (committee member), Independent Petroleum Association of America, and the Houston Producers Forum. Melinda holds a real estate license in the State of Texas.

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to getting the, now $4.25 Billion company off the ground, Melinda joined friend Tracy Krohn traveling the country with his race team, Krohn Racing. Her love for the oil & gas industry never wavered and she returned with roles at Dallas-based Noble Royalties and Lantana Energy Advisors Melinda began her career in the oil and gas and finally her Managing Director role at industry with a small offshore independent Detring. contractor. She then joined an oil & gas Melinda joined Detring Energy Advisors tech company start-up, DrillingInfo as a first as a Managing Director in May 2016. hire in 2000. After a valiant contribution Formerly, Melinda has been actively aised in Slidell, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, Melinda Faust was the 4th of 5 children born to George and Marilyn Faust. Melinda moved to Houston, Texas, in 1998 to begin her career in oil & gas.

Melinda Faust Managing Director Detring Energy Advisors 1885 Saint James Place, Houston, TX 77056 (713) 595-1001 www.detring.com

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Dr. Charlene Flash

President and CEO, Avenue 360 Health and Wellness University of Houston College of Medicine.

She is a graduate of Yale University and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she received her master’s in public health. She completed an adult infectious disease fellowship at Harvard – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

She has served in senior clinical or administrative positions at Harris Health System (Ben Taub Hospital), Thomas Street Health Center, and Legacy Community Health in Houston. She has been part of the Kaiser Family Foundation’s #AsktheHIVdoc series. A highly sought-after national expert on the implementation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, Dr. Flash developed one of the first comprehensive HIV prevention programs in the United States to prescribe HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to highrisk communities in a real-world setting outside the context of a demonstration project or clinical trial.

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r. Charlene Flash is president and CEO of Avenue 360 Health and Wellness, a Federally Qualified Health Center providing primary, behavioral, and dental care to 14,000 patients in the Houston region. The health center provides a 360-degree approach to healthcare that integrates a patient’s in-clinic medical needs with their socio-economic realities outside of the exam room. In 2020, Avenue 360 helped provide stable housing to 530 people.

Dr. Flash served as a reviewer for the CDC’s clinical guidelines: Preexposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Infection in the United States. She has been a consultant to Emory University to expand PrEP use, to the Houston Department of Health and Human Services, and the Black AIDS Institute Houston Learning Collaborative.

She has mentored infectious disease fellows, medical residents, public health and social work students.

HIV prevention programs pre-exposure prophylaxis in the United States. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Houston Chronicle and Houston Public Media. The Houston Business Journal awarded Dr. Flash as one of its outstanding leaders in health care last year. She also has received the trailblazer award from the Houston chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Dr. Flash maintains a voluntary clinical faculty appointment at Baylor College of Medicine as an Assistant Professor An infectious disease physician, Dr. Flash of Medicine in the Division of Infectious developed one of the first comprehensive Disease and is an Associate Professor at the 64

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Dr. Charlene Flash President and CEO Avenue 360 Health and Wellness 2150 West 18th St. Houston, Texas 77008 (713) 426-0027 cflash@avenue360.org www.avenue360.org

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Dr. Reagan Flowers Chief Knowledge Officer, Education Consulting Services/District IV Trustee, Houston Community College Working for organizations, tasked with tackling tough issues related to equitable education, social mobility, economic disparity, diversity, and inclusion, and advocating for access to the right opportunities from the grassroots to grass tops is her personal mission.

Dr. Flowers is a first-generation college graduate, reared in Mississippi by way of Michigan, who grew up in a bottom income quintile family. The selfless investments of her elementary and secondary school teachers placed her on a pathway to college and career success—eventually earning a baccalaureate degree in Biology from Texas Southern University, a master’s in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University of Texas, and a Ph.D. in Education Leadership/Systems from the Union Institute and University.

Dr. Flowers has received notable recognitions that include: • Global Finalist for the World Innovation Summit on Education (2011) • Top Educational Innovator of the Year (2020)

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n Dr. Reagan Flowers' current role as Chief Knowledge Officer for Education Consulting Services, she provides education innovation, diversity and inclusion, and workforce development advisory services to clients, including national foundations, educational institutions, and Fortune 500 companies. In addition to her professional work, she is also active on the frontlines of education and workforce development issues. Dr. Flowers' work in this area led to a successful appointment as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System, a position where her track record of education advocacy, community stakeholder engagement, and demonstrated business 66

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

• International Association of Top Professionals Empowered acumen has enabled her to strike the right Woman Award (2021) balance as an elected representative. In addition to serving as Vice Chair for the Dr. Flowers resides in Houston with her Board of Trustees, she also serves on husband and enjoys the culinary arts and the Audit Committee with oversight of a traveling throughout the world. nearly $400 million budget.

In 2002, Dr. Flowers became the founding CEO of C-STEM Teacher and Student Support Services, Inc. She led operations and fund development, growing the annual program budget from $10,000 to over $500,000 during the first five years of operation. Her accomplishments in that role led to Dr. Flowers’ recognition as a 2014 White House STEM Access Champion of Change during the Obama administration.

Reagan Flowers, PhD Chief Knowledge Officer Education Consulting Services District IV Trustee Houston Community College 3226 Alabama Street Houston, TX 77004 Office: (713) 443-4521 Mobile: (281) 451-6509 www.ecsllcbiz.com www.drreaganflowers.com

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Lauren Haller Fontaine

Senior Director & Legal Counsel – Operations, Pattern Energy Group LP ConocoPhillips Company (“ConocoPhillips”) as a Technology and Intellectual Property Attorney. While at ConocoPhillips, Lauren managed an international patent portfolio where she prepared, filed, prosecuted, and maintained strategic patents worldwide involving liquified natural gas, unconventional resources, artic, deepwater, and oil sands technologies.

Lauren earned both of her degrees from the University of Oklahoma – receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with honors (cum laude) and a Juris Doctorate.

Lauren is licensed to practice law in Texas, New York, and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Lauren is involved in a number of professional and civic organizations including serving on the Board of Directors for the Association of Corporate Counsel – Houston Chapter; serving on the University of Oklahoma’s Dean’s Advisory Board on Diversity; a United Way of Greater Houston Project Blueprint Alumni; a Houston Young Lawyers Association Leadership Academy Alumni; and a member of the Houston (TX) Chapter of the Links, Inc.

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auren Haller Fontaine is Senior Director & Legal Counsel – Operations at Pattern Energy Group LP, a renewable energy company focusing on the clean energies of wind, solar, transmission, storage, and advanced energy technologies with operations in the U.S., Canada, and Japan, as well as additional development projects in Mexico. At Pattern, Lauren supports the leadership of the public company by delivering strategic guidance on legal issues and risk mitigation strategies in the ownership, operation, acquisition, and divestiture of wind and solar facilities.

Lauren also handles pre-litigation and 78

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litigation matters, including matters before federal regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state regulatory agencies. While at Pattern, Lauren created, formed, and led Blacks in Renewable Energy, which was Pattern Energy’s first racial/ethnic affinity group.

Prior to joining Pattern, Lauren worked at Hess Corporation as Legal Counsel, where she provided legal and commercial advice to Global Supply Chain (Onshore, Offshore, Midstream & Information Technology) and Global Services (Real Estate & Human Resources) business units.

Prior to Hess, Lauren worked at

Lauren is married to Michael Fontaine, II – VP of Project Management at Falcon Project Consultants. Lauren and Michael have two beautiful children. In her spare time, Lauren is the Editor-in-Chief of Feasts + Faraway Places – a multi-generational food, travel and lifestyle blog and the Founder of Blackscriptions – a quarterly curated subscription box that helps consumers discover and support Blackowned businesses one box at a time.

Lauren Haller Fontaine Senior Director & Legal Counsel – Operations Pattern Energy Group LP 1201 Louisiana, St. #3200 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 308-4200 www.patternenergy.com

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Eureka Gilkey

Executive Director, Project Row Houses In addition to PRH Preser vation, Eureka lends her support to additional neighborhood development initiatives, including Emancipation Community Development Partnership, a strategic alliance between Project Row Houses, the Emancipation Economic Development Council, Houston Endowment, and Kinder Foundation. Formed in 2016, its purpose is to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy for Historic Third Ward. The emerging strategy is focused on preventing the displacement of low-income residents of Historic Third Ward and enhancing their economic and social well-being.

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ureka Gilkey serves as Executive Director of Project Row Houses (PRH), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people and enriching communities through engagement, art, and direct action. A proud graduate of Howard University with Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Eureka is a natural organizer whose entire career has been dedicated to social justice and public service.

Eureka stayed in Washington after graduation, working at the intersection of politics and advocacy for national organizations including the AFL-CIO, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and EMILY’s List.

She was an early member of the Obama for America organization, joining in 2006 as the then-senator’s National Deputy Political Director.

She stayed with Obama throughout much of his presidency, working on both the political and government side, as the White House Liaison to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Director of 80

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Intergovernmental Affairs and Outreach for the Democratic National Convention Committee, and Senior Advisor and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Eureka returned to Houston eager to work more directly and collaboratively with communities historically excluded from power and opportunity. This focus attracted her to PRH, a locally treasured and internationally respected ar ts organization that uses collective creative action to activate the intersections of art, historic preservation, affordable housing, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization.

Eureka also led the creation of PRH Preservation, Inc. Established in January 2018, PRH Preservation supports the charitable purposes of Project Row Houses. The organization’s mission is to maintain and enhance existing buildings in Houston’s Northern Third Ward to ensure long-term, safe, and affordable housing for its residents.

Eureka serves on the Board of Directors for the Houston Zoo and Row House Community Development Corporation.

She is an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow and a New Leaders Council Houston Institute graduate. At the end of August, she was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner to serve as an inaugural member of the City of Houston’s Women’s Commission, bringing her career full circle in her lifelong passion for advancing women’s equity and inclusion.

Eureka currently resides in Houston’s Historic Third Ward. In her spare time she enjoys exploring Houston’s diverse culinary scene and supporting its cultural institutions. Eureka has a strong sense of wanderlust and is eager to connect with friends throughout the country and around the world once it is safe to travel again.

Eureka Gilkey Executive Director Project Row Houses 2521 Holman Street Houston, Texas 77004 (713) 526-7662 EGilkey@projectrowhouses.org www.projectrowhouses.org

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Cynthia M. Ginyard

Chairwoman, Fort Bend County Democratic Party relations skills with proven, effective leadership. In March 2016, Ginyard was elected Chairwoman and re-elected in March 2018 and 2020, with 70% support.

Ginyard is a change agent by nature and utilizes her strong leadership skills to move the Fort Bend County Democratic Party forward in community engagement, voter education, voter registration, relationship building, and empowerment. Fort Bend County turned light blue November 2018 and gutted the GOP’s stronghold on the county’s power structure. In 2020, Fort Bend progressed to royal blue. Ginyard believes that “Only what you do for others counts.”

Ginyard’s other political and community involvement includes: • Grievance Panel Member, Office of The Chief Disciplinary Counsel, State Bar of Texas • Deputy Voter Registrar (since 2008) • VP of Board of Commissioners, Fort Bend County Emergency Service District #5 • Christmas Home Tours Volunteer • Fort Bend Child Advocates (since 2011) • Ginyard is a proud member of The Fort Bend Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

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ynthia Ginyard is a retired Alief ISD educator, who ser ved as HR-Director of Employee Relations, Principal, Assistant Principal and Speech Language Pathologist. Upon retirement, she became engaged with the Fort Bend County Democratic Party. She was motivated to get involved in politics during

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President Obama’s first campaign. She is the owner of CSPAC, LLC – Corporate Speech and Communication, specializing in Accent Modification and Professional Development.

Ginyard is a passionate leader, with an effusive personality. Having empowered children and adults throughout her career, she brings an abundance of human

Cynthia M. Ginyard Chairwoman Fort Bend County Democratic Party Owner CSPAC, LLC – Corporate Speech and Communication ginyard@sbcglobal.net

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Dr. Cherry Ross Gooden

Retired Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction in the College of Education, Texas Southern University as a 2019 Civic Award Honoree by the Cornerstone Community of Faith Church in Houston, Texas, and as a Living Legend by the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators at its 2021 state conference. Dr. Gooden was also selected as the Commencement Speaker for the Texas Southern University 2019 Winter Commencement and as the Commencement Speaker for the Texas Southern University College of Education 2020 Winter Commencement.

Dr. Gooden is a member of many professional organizations, including the National Association for Multicultural Education (where she is a founding member, a past National President and a current member of the NAME Board of Directors), the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education where she is a past State President, and the National Alliance of Black School Educators where she also served on the National Board of Directors.

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the Houston Independent School District for twelve years. In addition to her role as a faculty member at TSU, Dr. Gooden has also been a consultant for various school districts in the state of Texas as well as in the nation. Her passion for teaching and learning has been shared with many elementary, middle, and highschool students as she is a sought-after motivational speaker who inspires young people to fulfill their God-given purpose.

This dedication to teaching and learning has resulted in Dr. Gooden being the recipient of several prestigious awards. She was recognized as a “Hero in Education” by the Xi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Dr. Gooden, a dedicated, committed Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Ivy League teacher and professor with more than 48 Educational and Charities Foundation. years of teaching experience at both the She was also the recipient of the National elementary and university levels, retired Alliance of Black School Educators’ W.E.B. from Texas Southern University in 2013 Dubois Higher Education Award, and she after 36 years of service. Before joining has been inducted into the Texas Southern the TSU College of Education faculty in University College of Education Hall of 1976, she was an elementary teacher in Fame. Most recently, she was recognized r. Cherry Ross Gooden formerly ser ved as an Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Depar tment of Curriculum & Instruction in the College of Education at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. This 1964 graduate of Texas Southern University earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading at Texas Southern University and a Doctorate of Education Degree in Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies with a program emphasis in Multicultural Education at the University of Houston.

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She is active in several organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Dr. Gooden is the owner of Gooden & Associates Educational Consultant. She is a member of The Fort Bend Church and the mother of two children. Dr. Gooden’s philosophy of education is that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially so that they can meet their full potential.

Dr. Cherry Ross Gooden Retired Associate Professor Chairperson of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction in the College of Education Texas Southern University 3100 Cleburne Street Houston, Texas 77004 (713) 313-7011 www.tsu.edu

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Veronica Chapa Gorczynski President, East End District

A respected community development professional in Houston for almost a decade, Veronica is a senior fellow with the American Leadership Forum, a former Board Member of the Latin Women’s Initiative, a member of Leadership Houston Class 30, and a former Commissioner of the Houston Housing Authority. She is currently a board member of Transportation Advisory Group – Houston Region, a board member of the UH Friends of Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and a Board Member of Memorial Park Conservancy. In 2019, Veronica was honored by Houston Woman Magazine as one of Houston’s Top 50 influential women. In January of 2020, she was invited to join as a Board Member of the prestigious Texas Lyceum. In 2021, she was elected Chair of the Houston Galveston Area Council, Transportation Improvement Plan Subcommittee to oversee the development of a process to distribute approximately a billion dollars in transportation funds throughout the region.

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eronica Chapa Gorczynski is the President of the East End District, a geographic area serving approximately 16 square miles east of downtown Houston. The District’s services include public safety programs, an award-winning graffiti abatement program, maintenance of major thoroughfares, and disposal of illegally dumped trash. The District’s grant-funded capital program focuses on connecting neighborhoods and business to transit and resulted in $31 million in improvements through 2017, with an additional $45 million in new investments pending during her tenure.

A native of the Rio Grande Valley, educational and job opportunities have taken Veronica to live in San Antonio, New Orleans, Washington, DC, Austin, and now

Houston. She is formerly the Executive Director of Early Matters, a historic coalition of business, civic, education, philanthropic, and nonprofit organizations, working together through a collective impact approach to raise awareness about the importance of high-quality early childhood education as an investment in the Greater Houston community. She has worked in government, nonprofit organizations, and education efforts—always focusing on ways to help the community gain resources and investment.

In 2010, she was recruited by Mayor Annise Parker to join the administration as a Deputy Director of the Housing & Community Development Department to assist in an organizational turnaround and deploy almost half a billion dollars of federal investment throughout Houston.

She pursued her undergraduate education at Saint Mary’s University and University of Texas at San Antonio and obtained both a Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning and a Master of Liberal Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.

A breast cancer survivor, Veronica is passionate about politics, good wine, and Texas barbeque. When not working, she enjoys volunteering on projects aimed at improving community engagement and spending time with her husband John and young son, Diego.

Veronica Chapa Gorczynski President East End District 3211 Harrisburg Blvd.

Houston, TX 77003 (713) 928-9916 veronica@eastenddistrict.com www.eastenddistrict.com

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DeAnna Green

CEO and Founder, The Nydan Group, LLC. companies, DeAnna has leveraged her years of real estate experience to create a full brokerage firm where everything real estate/investment/lending-related is all under one roof.

DeAnna’s personal passion is also deeply rooted in women’s empowerment, which is why her Let’s Be R.A.W. (stands for Real.

Authentic. Women) and #BossCHICS of Houston platforms were developed in 2018 and 2020 (respectively).

Future projects for DeAnna will include breaking into the residential new construction industry via her HighSteppers, LLC business with two of her BossCHICS of Houston partners!

DeAnna also utilizes her years of coaching and mentoring skills to guide women into getting out of their own way by becoming the most authentic version of themselves.

Her coaching ser vices consist of entrepreneurship from the birth to fiveyear mark and new real estate investors/ realtors.

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eAnna Green is the CEO and Founder of Nydan, LLC dba Nydan Real Estate Group (NRG). She is also a licensed Texas realtor. DeAnna hails from North Carolina, but has called Texas home since 2008. DeAnna spent the first 20 years of her career in the property management industry with the last 10 years being focused on corporate housing and real estate. DeAnna has served in roles ranging from property manager, regional property supervisor to president for several national companies.

As a wife and proud mother of three beautiful and gifted children, DeAnna’s professional passion and drive for excellence is the catalyst behind the success of NRG. Founded in 2016, NRG is a boutique style 86

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She also recently caught the acting bug and is starring in a new film titled, “Jacob: Broken by God.” She and her husband serve as executive producers for this film firm that offers BIG business services. via their company, WGW Entertainment, NRG currently has a team of four real LLC, a business that was founded in 2021 estate agents that provide residential real with two other power couples. estate and apartment locator services to their clients. In addition, NRG provides DeAnna is a national speaker and temporary housing to major corporations, continues to give back to her community medical professionals, entertainment by volunteering at the local Houston Area professionals, and individuals who are Women’s Center and donating to women in need through her “Purses With a Purpose” relocating to Texas. campaign.

With the success of NRG, DeAnna and her husband expanded their business portfolio by creating two new companies, Nydan DeAnna Green CEO and Founder Investment Properties, LLC and Nydan The Nydan Group, LLC. Lending Group, LLC. This division covers P.O. Box 2083 investment deals, such as: wholesale/ Cypress Texas 77410 assignments, fix/flips, buy/hold, multi- (281) 619-4301/1-866-845-3456 Ext. 700 family and commercial projects. NLG offers dgreen@nydanreg.com residential, commercial and consumer http://www.thenydangroup.com/ lending options. By combining all three

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Teneshia Hudspeth

County Clerk, Office of Teneshia Hudspeth, Harris County Clerk the public with quality customer service.

She is committed to improving government services through new technology to make them readily available and accessible.

Clerk Hudspeth earned her degree in Communications at Texas Southern University. She began her political career over 18 years ago, with work on Capitol Hill as a Mickey Leland Congressional intern for the Office of Congressman Chet Edwards. She is also a graduate of the Leadership Houston (Class XXXIV) and the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University. Clerk Hudspeth is currently Membership Chair of the Houston Chapter of Women Professionals in Government and serves as Secretary for the Executive Board of the International Association of Government Officials. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter and member of The Fountain of Praise; however, these are only a few of the many community organizations she supports.

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eneshia Hudspeth is County Clerk of the third-largest county in the nation and the largest county in the State of Texas.

Harris County has a population of more than 4.7 million. She is also the youngest and first African-American woman to serve in this elected role. Clerk Hudspeth is a native of Austin, Texas, but has called Houston home for more than 20 years.

Clerk Hudspeth has been with the County 88

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In December 2012, Teneshia and a group of colleagues founded the Houston Black Leadership Institute (HBLI), a leadership development program for AfricanAmerican young professionals, focused on succession planning and bridging the gap between past, present, and future leadership in Houston's African-American community. Clerk Hudspeth’s innate desire to serve the community through volunteer work and leadership positions has taught her that service to the community is not a chore, but a way of life. She and her Clerk’s office for more than 15 years and husband Samson Babalola are the happy has served under four County Clerks. She parents of 5-year-old Josiah. began her career as the Public Affairs Administrative Assistant, was promoted to Voter Outreach Coordinator and Public Teneshia Hudspeth County Clerk Information Officer, eventually becoming Office of Teneshia Hudspeth, the Administrator of Communications and Harris County Clerk Voter Outreach. In January 2020, she 201 Caroline, 4th Fl. was appointed Chief Deputy, responsible Houston, TX 77002 for office operations and in less than a (713) 274-8600 year was elected Harris County Clerk. As cclerk.hctx.net County Clerk, her primary goal is to provide

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Jenifer Jarriel

President and CEO, DePelchin Children’s Center Children’s Center, she served in senior Information Technolog y leadership positions in Academic Medical Centers within the Texas Medical Center. She has held numerous Board leadership positions in professional organizations, and she holds an undergraduate degree from University of Houston Central Campus and an MBA from Houston Baptist University.

Jenifer devotes her time and talent to other organizations in Houston as a Board member of The Periwinkle Foundation and LifeGift. In addition, she serves on the Board of the Texas Alliance for Child and Family Services (TACFS) and is Chair of its Center Board. Through her work with TACFS she represents DePelchin and serves as a voice for Texas’s most vulnerable children and families.

Jenifer Jarriel President and CEO DePelchin Children’s Center 4950 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77007 713-802-7638 jenifer@depelchin.org www.depelchin.org

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children integrates prevention, foster care, adoption services, and residential care programs. With a mission of strengthening the lives of children and families in Texas, Jenifer leads a dedicated team of professionals who focus on keeping children safe and healthy both physically and emotionally. She oversees four Texas offices located in Houston, Austin, San A nonprofit organization, DePelchin Antonio, and Lubbock.

Children’s Center’s approach to caring for Prior to Jenifer’s position at DePelchin enifer Jarriel was raised as one of seven sisters who learned early the values of working hard to achieve goals, helping others, and giving back. She truly believes in making the world a better place, and her role as President and CEO of DePelchin Children’s Center presents that opportunity to her every day.

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President and CEO, DePelchin Children’s Center For being named a Top 30 Influential Woman of Houston

At DePelchin Children’s Center we strengthen the lives of children by enhancing their mental health and physical well-being. Founded in 1892, DePelchin is a nonprofit organization with locations in Greater Houston, Austin, Lubbock, and San Antonio. An accredited foster care and adoption agency, DePelchin serves the most vulnerable children and families in Texas and works to break the cycles of abuse and neglect.

Our approach to caring for children integrates, foster care and adoption programs as well as parenting and counseling services aimed at preventing child maltreatment.

4950 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77007

(713) 730-2335

www.depelchin.org

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Tennille Johnson

Co-Founder, Co-Owner & CEO of Scrubs To The Rescue others how to prevent common disease states like Heart Disease and Diabetes. She volunteers with Nursing Home Agencies to provide Brown Bag education, helping to close the healthcare disparity gap seen in our nation.

Tennille has been a part of numerous community and professional organizations, including Houston Area Urban League, Golden National Honor Society, Pharmacy Hospital Association and Texas Pharmacy Association. As a member of the Texas Pharmacy Association, Tennille advocates for patient rights as it relates to medication affordability and accessibility. She also played a pivotal role in preparing and administering COVID-19 Vaccines to the indigent population of Harris County.

Scrubs To The Rescue is a widely recognized medical uniform retailer specializing in innovation, technology and fashionable medical scrubs to meet the high demands of healthcare professionals. As a result, STTR was the proud recipient of the Houston Area Urban League Small Business University 2019 Pitch Competition and the DMars.com Top 50 Black Professionals and Entrepreneur of Texas Award. STTR is a pillar of the community with a duty to serve, having donated over 200 scrubs to the homeless.

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ennille Johnson is a Pharmacist, Community Advocate and Entrepreneur. She is the CEO and founder of Scrubs To The Rescue, LLC and TrxJ Optimum Solutions.

Growing up in the streets of Chicago, Tennille knew early on that she wanted to help others and be an asset to her community. As a result, she attended and graduated from Texas Southern University School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with a Pharm.D. Degree in 2003. With over 16 years experience in the healthcare industry, she prides herself on being a 92

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With a mindset of success and service, Tennille is looking forward to being a partner in more community initiatives and lifelong learner and community activist. expanding her companies.

While attending TSU, with a focus on community service, she became an Tennille Johnson esteem member of Delta Sigma Theta Co-Founder, Co-Owner & CEO Sorority, Inc and remains active with the Scrubs To The Rescue Suburban Fort Bend Alumni Chapter 8000 S. Gessner Rd., Suite 500 Professionally, she has always displayed a level of commitment as a resource for her community. With a focus on preventive medicine, she believes that “When you know better, you do better”. As the CEO and founder of TRXJ Optimum Solutions, Tennille is dedicated to developing community health screenings in an effort to educate

Houston, Texas 77036 (713) 640-5717 contact@scrubstotherescue.com www.scrubstotherescue.com

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

SCRUBS TO THE RESCUE

Women of Color Collaborating = Sustainability and Success By d-mars.com News Provider

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here some believe the stigma that the Black woman cannot collaborate with other sisters, there is an exemplary enterprise right in the heart of our city combatting that stereotype. A group of like-minded and like-spirited female colleagues of color in the medical profession birthed a business in 2019 over a conversation in the hospital cafeteria. That simple chat, sharing dreams and goals over lunch, organically turned into a rewarding Scrubs To The Rescue as CEO, she business partnership - Scrubs To is guided by her faith and stands on The Rescue. Co-owners Tennille one of her favorite quotes by the late Johnson, Keosha Austin, and Mother Teresa, reminding us, “'I Natishia Holly, coming together can do things you cannot, you can with a passion and purpose to fun- do things I cannot; together we can damentally change the trajectory of do great things.” the medical apparel retail market, Scrubs To The Rescue is run by have leveraged a non-traditional influential female leaders with over shopping model that has proven to 20 years of combined experience be ahead of the curve for a valuable in the healthcare industry. They and convenient experience for med- use their own individual dexterity ical professionals. Through their gained as healthcare, corporate, and varied backgrounds and skill sets retail professionals to bring expert that compliment each other, the knowledge, innovation, technology, co-owners of Scrubs To The Rescue and the most desired products and have set a trend and stellar example services to meet the needs of busy of how women working together healthcare professionals, like doccan create success, being a shining tors, nurses, and other medical supexample for other females and all port staff. The business ultimately entrepreneurs to follow. helps medical professionals and “Just remember that being all professionals requiring scrubs strong does not mean you have to to look and feel their best while at do everything on your own. We as work in their demanding careers. women can work together, using Scrubs To The Rescue wants to be our different God-given gifts and a part of empowering these profestalents for something greater than sionals with chic and quality attire, ourselves. I am proud that this is adding value to a field that takes what Scrubs To The Rescue repre- pride in serving others. sents,” Tennille said. Co-leading Scrubs To The Rescue is already 94 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

widely recognized, being the proud recipient of the Houston Area Urban League Small Business University 2019 Pitch Competition and honored as a 2021 d-mars.com Top 50 Black Professional & Entrepreneur.

Get to know the Scrubs To The Rescue leadership and team Born in the windy city of Chicago, Tennille Johnson came to Houston to attend Texas Southern University. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree and has worked as a pharmacist for over 16 years. She prides herself on being a lifelong learner and community activist.

She is a proud and active member of the esteemed Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Fort Bend Alumni Chapter. Tennille also has been a part of numerous community and professional organizations that include the Houston Area Urban League and the Texas Pharmacy Association. As CEO, she wants Scrubs To The Rescue to be known worldwide

for providing durable, but trendy and fashion-forward medical apparel.

Keosha Austin hails from Arkansas, earning her degree from Arkansas State University and relocated to Houston in 2015. Keosha has held many leadership roles in product procurement and supply chain management. As Scrubs To The Rescue’s uniform fashion expert, she provides guidance on all of their product line selections.

Natishia Holly grew up on the Northside of Houston, Texas. She attended Booker T. Washington High School. Her career in healthcare began in 2001, and she has held many leadership roles in medical information management. A natural gift and ability to connect with individuals, she continues to foster this talent for advancement in her personal and professional life. She is a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, where she is active in ministry work. Natishia’s combination of experience and spirit of service enable her to strategically and successfully manage Scrubs To The Rescue’s resources and customer service department.

As Scrubs To The Rescue grows with increased customer and business requirements, they must have a team that grows with it. De’Ja Jackson is new to her role in the company as a sales agent, but with her previous experience, she’s not a stranger to handling the responsibilities in the area of sales. Owning this position at the Gessner location, she has already proven herself as a superior team member.

In addition to her sales savvy, she is a natural in the area of customer service, making her a perfect fit and great asset to the team.

Q&A with Scrubs To The d-mars.com Top Rescue 30 Influential Women of Houston D-MARS: Where there’s this stigma about how Black women cannot work well together, talk about how you all as female co-owners of Scrubs To The Rescue combat that stereotype?

SCRUBS: We came together originally with one common goal, to start a small business incorporating our love for fashion, our healthcare backgrounds, and our drive for success. I will never forget that conversation we had during our lunch break about starting our own business.

After further discussion, we committed, made a plan, and have not turned back since. What sustains us is that we started off as friends with a mutual respect for each other. And though we have different personalities and ways of accomplishing things, we remove all personal feelings for a common goal to serve our customers with excellence, resulting in exponential growth for Scrubs To The Rescue. We communicate often, and we each understand our roles in this partnership. What helps the most is that we are all mature enough to work together in business. Communication is very important, and we meet on a weekly basis to discuss our business plans and to make sure we stay on track. Determination, hard work, mutual respect, and staying in line with that one common goal is what has contributed to our success as a female and Black-owned business. This mindset drives us now and will continue to drive us into the future.

D-MARS: As co-owners of Scrubs To The Rescue, how do you all successfully work together and stay within your key roles, not overlapping into each other’s responsibilities?

SCRUBS: We have mentors, and the best advice we received was to create a partnership agreement with very specific roles and responsibilities. Yes, we could have just filed that document, but instead we use it as a guide and reminder to stay on track whenever there are differences. I cannot stress enough the mutual respect and level of maturity we all have. Not to mention, we leave our egos at the door. We are one team, working within our strategic plan to accomplish our goals. Having good documentation of our processes and a well-constructed business plan guides all of our decision-making. Organization and focus are the keys to winning.

D-MARS: What would you say has been your strategy from the beginning that has resulted in your company’s impressive growth in a short amount of time?

SCRUBS: Creating our business plan at the very beginning and updating it as needed has been our guiding light, even when it appeared dark and grim. We are an innovative group of women, always brainstorming about ways to solve customer problems. And because we are our own customers, as healthcare professionals, there is a first-hand understanding of customer needs. We also tapped into resources like the Small Business Administration, SCORE, the Houston Community College program supporting entrepreneurs, and the Houston Area Urban League. Consulting with successful business owners who have a proven track record has helped with our growth and sustainability. We work hard, have patience,

and take advantage of our resources. We are constant learners and never feel like we know it all, depending on each other. If you are truly a team, you know that you don’t have to do things alone.

D-MARS: Being a female-owned business, have you found it difficult/challenging as women, or do you find that you are on a level playing field, receiving respect when dealing with vendors, etc.?

SCRUBS: Yes, as a minority-owned business, it has been a challenge. But we look at it as an opportunity to grow and learn. Most of our challenges have been trying to find capital to help finance our business ventures. We are often

“It is important for women to work together in business. Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back. When women support each other, incredible things happen. One woman can make a difference, but together, we can rock the world.”

—Tennille Johnson, CEO and Co-Owner of Scrubs To The Rescue overlooked by vendors because of our lack of resources, which initially was frustrating. But, I soon came to understand how businesses are to stay operational, and it comes down to having capital. This challenge has just forced us to work harder so we receive the financial support for our continuous growth.

D-MARS: What challenges has your business faced during the pandemic, and how have you overcome those challenges, sustaining a successful business?

SCRUBS: We are definitely living in a time where traditional shopping can be considered risky. But, we have made significant changes last year, pivoting and taking advantage of this new era. We were in the process of relocating before the pandemic, but mandatory closures put that on hold longer than expected. From January through August 2020, we were only able to gain revenues from online sales.

This dramatically reduced our marketing budget.

But not giving up, we used cost-effective and nocost marketing to boost our online sales, making our own masks for purchase, increasing our social media marketing efforts, and utilizing Google Ads. As a result, we were able to open the doors of our new location in August 2020. With the improved visibility and securing a space in a popular area, we were able to get back on track. Our continued growth strategy involves making more resources available through our Click It & Forget It Scrub Subscription Plan, helping to reduce the customer’s need to have to shop at our physical location.

It Scrub Subscription Plan will definitely be a disruptor, satisfying the need for a more innovative shopping experience, as well as helping nurses and healthcare professionals select products that meet their individual needs. This model is fairly new to the medical uniform industry and is a great model to incorporate, considering nurses replace uniforms using a replenishment model. Medical scrubs take a beating day in and day out, requiring our customers to go back and replenish stock often.

With this subscription plan still being an untapped market in the uniform industry, we plan to change the game on how healthcare professionals shop for medical uniforms.

D-MARS: Your company believes in serving the community. How has giving back helped contribute to your success?

SCRUBS: We have already donated over 200 scrub sets to the homeless and look forward to incorporating more community ventures into our business plan. Giving back gives us pride as business owners. We strive to be prosperous so we can help our community, making a difference one scrub at a time. Giving back has also allowed us to build partnerships with other entities. Annually, we plan to donate scrubs to the homeless, but also partner with other businesses to do a clothing drive for disadvantaged families.

With continuous growth each year, Scrubs To The Rescue continues to develop new business models, staying competitive. New developments, like the launch of the Click It & Forget It Scrub Subscription Plan, enhances their ability to serve customers conveniently, especially as we are still in the midst of the pandemic. Adapting has kept Scrubs To The Rescue a valuable resource for professionals in the healthcare industry, accommodating their ever-growing customer base.

The co-owners of Scrubs To The Rescue use their own experience as healthcare professionals and leaders to bring expert knowledge, innovation, technology, and the most desired products and services to meet the needs of busy healthcare professionals. What started off as a humble mobile retailer in 2019, is now a booming storefront.

Expect more offerings from Scrubs To The Rescue, providing healthcare professionals trusted brands and superlative customer service.

For more information on Scrubs To The Rescue’s products and services, please call 713-640-5717 or visit www.scrubstotherescue.com.

D-MARS: What do some of the Scrubs To The Rescue customers have to say?

De’Ja was so kind and helpful. She offered suggestions, and I never felt pressured. The inventory is great, with a wonderful selection of colors and styles. De’Ja helped me find the right fit and style for me. I will definitely be back. Thank you!

—Tamarah S. This place is awesome! First, let me say that Natishia is very friendly, professional, and very attentive to the customer’s needs. Also, the store is neat, clean, and in order. Most of all, the scrubs here are wonderful, fitting you just right. The material makes for a perfect and absolutely stylish scrub. I definitely recommend all healthcare workers come here.

—Shetera B.

D-MARS: What are the upcoming plans for Scrubs To The Rescue as you continue to evolve?

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021 SCRUBS: Our vision for our Click It & Forget

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Jamie Jordan

Family Law Attorney, Owner & Community Service Advocate, Jamie Jordan, PLLC of the Dean’s Scholars Program majoring in physics and a focus in mathematics.

Her oldest daughter, Jaya, awarded as the reserve champion at the Fort Bend County Fair for her show steer, attends Texas A&M majoring in Animal Science.

Her daughter, Maya, a dedicated student and senior in high school has established a nonprofit organization to supply books to children in impoverished areas. Her youngest daughter, Gracie is an active member of FFA and has raised a pig and currently raising two steers to show at Fort Bend County Fair and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Her youngest son, Jack, attends elementary school.

Jamie’s serves with Second Mile Ministries, Attack Poverty, the Lone Star Exchange Club, the local constables’ office in distribution of food and supplies to the community, as well as other organizations in reaching out and assisting in the community.

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amie Jordan is a practicing family law attorney and community service advocate in the Greater Houston area. A native North Dakotan, she was born and raised in a small farming community and earned her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Nursing from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Jamie worked as a nurse on a medical/surgical unit in Fargo, North Dakota and collaborated with Family Promise to develop, promote, and implement programs for refugees in the Fargo-Moorhead area. She assisted in providing and improving medical services offered to those in need. Jamie pursued her Juris Doctorate at South Texas College 96

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Jamie collaborates with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office to assist with the domestic violence initiative. She has created a team that will focus on working with law officials, authorities, politicians, and the community to prevent and provide awareness of domestic violence in the community. of Law after her transition to the Houston area in 2004. Jamie interned at the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office in the juvenile division and volunteered with Fort Bend Family Promise to serve and advocate for families in the Greater Houston area.

Jamie has qualified and is a finisher of the Boston Marathon. She enjoys riding her Harley Davidson, finding a challenging mountain to climb, running that next mile, and spending time with her children and animals.

Jamie is a judicial candidate for the 328th Jamie, a solo family law practitioner, Judicial District Court of Fort Bend County, advocates for families to promote Texas. settlements and resolutions for all involved. She provides legal advice, Jamie Jordan diligent representation, and reassurance Family Law Attorney and Owner Community Service Advocate to her clients.

Jamie is the proud mother of 5 children.

Her oldest son, Ravi, is a sophomore at the University of Texas in Austin and a member

Jamie Jordan, PLLC service@fortbenddivorce.com www.fortbenddivorce.com

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Vivian R. King

First Assistant/Chief of Staff, Office of Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg She spent three years as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County early in her legal career. King started her own practice in 1995 and represented people charged with crimes until 2016, named a Super Lawyer from 2011 to 2016 during her private career. During that time, she was certified as a Specialist in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and has more than 150 jury trials and over 100 appeals under her belt.

Further, she has received numerous honors for her legal work. King has won the Percy Foreman Lawyer of the Year award from the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Lawyer of the Year and Unsung Hero awards from the Harris County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Additionally, she was an adjunct law professor at her alma mater, Thurgood Marshall School of Law. King works to educate the community about the intricacies of the criminal justice system with her speaking appearances and community service. With notoriety from her legal success and television platform, she gained the attention of WEtv, appearing in season one of Sisters In Law in 2016.

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ivian R. King, accomplished in business and law, serves as the Chief of Staff for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

In her 38 year career, she has built her own law firm, received numerous legal honors, and has hosted and produced her own television program, Truth & Justice with Vivian King, since 2011.

King now uses her business acumen and legal background to help DA Ogg create an office that works to make our community safe though evidence-based prosecution and equal justice for all. King loves the law and embraces her role as a prosecutor, “not to convict, but to see that justice is done.” and rising through the ranks for a decade after. Building on her business experience, she decided to pursue her legal education and attended Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law. She graduated with her Juris Doctorate cum laude in 1992.

King is licensed to practice law before all of the state courts of Texas, as well as the She received her accounting degree in U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Western, 1980 from the University of Houston, going Southern, and Northern Districts of Texas, and to work at Texas Commerce Bancshares, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.

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Vivian R. King First Assistant/Chief of Staff Harris County District Attorney’s Office District Attorney Kim Ogg 500 Jefferson St., Suite 600 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 274-5814 Work Email: King_Vivian@dao.hctx.net Work Website: https://app.dao.hctx.net/ Personal Email: Vivian@VivianRKing.com Personal Website: http://www.vivianrking.com/

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Linda Leto Head

Senior Associate Vice Chancellor, Lone Star College Bachelor of Science degree in business administration majoring in human resources from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

She has chaired or been a member of numerous community college, government, and chamber of commerce boards and councils both in Houston, state-wide, and nationally, current list below: Professional Affiliations & Leadership Roles • American Association of Community Colleges • Commission for Workforce & Economic Development • Greater Houston Partnership, Upskill Houston, council • Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce, board • Manufacturing Skills Standards Council, advisory • Texas Association for Business, board • Texas Association for Business Foundation, chair elect • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, workforce advisory council • The Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, Executive Council, prior board chairman

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inda Leto Head serves as Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Lone Star College's Office of External & Employer Relations.

Serving more than 90,000 students, Lone Star College has seven campuses and multiple community and workforce centers of excellence. She has spent her 29-year community college career committed to excellence in workforce and economic 100

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Awards • Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce, "Trailblazer" • Houston Business Journal, "Women Who Mean Business" • Interfaith of The Woodlands, "Those Who Share, Education" • National Council for Continuing development, and adult basic education.

Education & Training, "Leadership" As a leader for the Office of External & Employer Relations, Linda's responsibilities Linda Leto Head include: external affairs, continuing Senior Associate Vice Chancellor education, student job development, Lone Star College corporate training, veteran affairs, and 5000 Research Forest Drive economic development. She earned her The Woodlands, TX 77381 Master of Science degree in occupational (832) 813-6816 technology majoring in corporate training www.Lonestar.edu from the University of Houston, and

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Cassie A. Levy CEO, Emmit Moss Trust

Academic Artistic and Philanthropic Foundation, Suburban Sugar Land Women, Women Professionals in Government and Delta Educational and Charitable Foundation to name a few. She is an active member of the Suburban HoustonFort Bend Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and was selected Delta Dear of the Year for the Southwest Region in 2020.

She is a member of the Naomi House Hall of Fame, recipient of Top Ladies of Distinction Community Service award and the Fortitude Award from the Delta Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta at Texas Southern University.

She continues to actively conduct workshops on developing your own business and trains other organizations on establishing nonprofit foundations, while donating her professional skills. She is a member of the Fort Bend County Appraisal Board Commission. Prior to EMT, she worked for the City of Houston in administrative positions for 17 years serving four City Controllers and three City Attorneys. Additionally, she was a Bank Manager for several financial institutions for 18 years. Cassie holds a master’s degree from Springfield College Houston and a bachelor’s degree from Southern University.

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assie A. Levy is the 2nd generation owner of Emmit Moss Trust (EMT), formerly known as Moss Properties, named after her late uncle Emmit Moss.

Ms. Levy’s leadership successfully presents her in a class by itself, as a premier female minority landlord, owning approximately 100 properties in Harris, Liberty, and Fort Bend counties. She has weathered ice storms, Hurricane Harvey, and many floods to continue the 70-year-old business.

Since inheriting EMT in 2013, she has aggressively remodeled over 85 homes.

Ms. Levy instills the gift of volunteerism and philanthropy in her employees. EMT 102

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entered into a community partnership with Kingdom View Inc. to establish Naomi’s House. The Naomi’s House was a transitional home for female ex-offenders reentering society as entrepreneurs with community support. Additionally, she has remodeled three homes in Louisiana inclusive of furnishings.

She has volunteered with numerous organizations including the World Youth Foundation, Fort Bend County Habitat for Humanity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, the Levy Cancer Foundation, St. Jude for Childhood Cancer, Christian Faith Women of Virtue, March of Dimes, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Delta

She has spoken at numerous graduations and luncheons inspiring others to benefit from their successes and challenges in life. Her mission is, “Let’s make it happen, because the service we render to others makes us great public servants.” She continues to mentor young female entrepreneurs and partners with organizations in our community that make a profound difference.

Cassie A. Levy CEO Emmit Moss Trust PO Box 23787 Houston, Texas 77228 281-543-0387 http://www.emmitmosstrust.com mossproperties83@yahoo.com

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Melanie Miles, Esq.

Board Certified Attorney and Real Estate Developer Service Commission where she oversees the disciplinary appeals of Sheriff’s officers and employees. Ms. Miles is the first African American woman to serve on the Commission and as its Chair. Under her leadership the Commission has appointed its first African American Director, and for the first time, truly represents the diversity of Houston with Asian, Hispanic, Anglo, and African American Commissioners.

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elanie Miles is a boardcertified family law attorney who has served the citizens of Harris County for over 25 years. She is a native of Houston, Texas, and grew up in the Third Ward and Braeswood areas. After graduating from Bellaire High School, she went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a Juris Doctorate degree from South Texas College of Law Houston.

Ms. Miles is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, the Houston Bar Association, the Texas Family Law Section, and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is among the 1% of Texas lawyers who are board-certified. For most of her career, Ms. Miles has been a fierce advocate and respected trial attorney with a practice focused on complex family law litigation, including custody and divorces. She has owned and operated a boutique family law firm since 1998. She 104

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served for many years on the faculty of the esteemed American Bar Association Family Law Trial Institute, during which she and some of the most talented family lawyers and judges from around the country taught other lawyers how to try family law cases.

She has been a sought-after speaker at State Bar of Texas Family Law Conferences and for the American Bar Association Real Estate Section.

Additionally, Ms. Miles serves as: • President of the Black Women of Greater Houston Political Action Committee • Board of Directors of the Houston Texans YWCA • Member of the MacGregor Area Blue Triangle Garden Club • Member of the Southwest Democrats • City of Houston Higher Education Board • City of Houston Industrial Development Board • Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum • Member of the Port City Links, Inc. • Member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. • Member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Ms. Miles also enjoys her role as an entrepreneur and real estate developer, with over 30 years of experience in developing and renovating residential She has served a myriad of causes that property. impact and empower the lives of everyday Ms. Miles is the proud mother of two Houstonians particularly in the area of children; Justus, a pre-law student at equal justice under the law and social University of Houston and Faith, a prejustice. She is a vocal advocate for med student at University of Texas. domestic violence victims and assisting underserved communities navigate the Melanie Miles, Esq. legal system.

Board Certified Family Law Attorney and Ms. Miles has served her community as a passionate advocate, in multiple leadership roles and on municipal and nonprofit boards. She currently serves as the chair of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Civil

Real Estate Professional 3139 W. Holcombe Blvd., Ste. 8064 Houston, Texas 77025 email: mwmiles2020@gmail.com Ph: 713-229-9090

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d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Amber Mostyn Co-Founder, Mostyn Law

Counsel. In the last five years, Amber and Mostyn Law have held a leadership role in twenty-one multi-district litigation and consolidated courts. She has helped thousands of people across the United States and in Puerto Rico recover from natural disasters and sought justice for thousands more who have been injured by defective products. In the past, Amber has also served on the adjunct faculty of several Texas law schools.

Amber’s burning desire to help those unable to defend themselves is reflected in her work and philanthropy. She and her late husband founded the Glenda Jean Mostyn and Joe E. Moreno Educational Foundation whose primary mission is to move mountains for special needs children and their families. In addition, Amber supports numerous charitable causes, including the Hughen Center, Galveston Historical Foundation, No More Voices, National Multiple Sclerosis Society MS 150, Special Olympics Texas, The River, and the Houston Children's Charity.

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of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, with degrees in Anthropology and Spanish. After taking a year off to work in Washington, D.C., and travel to El Salvador, Amber attended the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. There she excelled in trial advocacy, received multiple awards and honors, was inducted into the nationally recognized Order of the Barristers, and graduated Before becoming the people’s rights in 1997. advocate she is today, Amber was born Her talents have taken her around the and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, where world, and her legal victories in hurricane, she attended and graduated from Trinity injury, and medical device cases have Valley School. She earned her Bachelor placed Amber in high demand as Liaison mber Mostyn leads a team of smart, tenacious, battlehardened lawyers who fight for people’s rights. At Amber’s direction, her firm is sharply focused on obtaining justice for victims of corporate greed and wrongdoing, and her firm’s attorneys remain committed to working harder and being smarter than their opponents.

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In addition to her philanthropic work, Amber dedicates time and vast resources to political candidates and progressive causes to make sure that every Texan has a voice in Austin and Washington, D.C. She has held leadership positions in numerous organizations, including the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Texas Democratic Party, Battleground Texas, and most recently as the Chair of Annie's List, an organization dedicated to changing the face of power in Texas politics by recruiting, training, and supporting women candidates.

Amber Anderson Mostyn Co-Founder Mostyn Law 3810 W. Alabama St. Houston, Texas 77027 (713) 714-0000 www.MostynLaw.com

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Denise S. Navarro President and CEO, Logical Innovations, Inc.

Brightest Companies to Work For 2012 through 2021, with national recognition in 2019 through 2021.

Denise was honored as a leadHER in STEM, designated as a SUPERLady by the SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation in 2021, Distinguished Alumna in 2017 by UHCL, Entrepreneurial Lifetime Achievement Award by the Houston Technology Center in 2017, named Small Business Person of the Year in 2016 by the U.S. Small Business Administration - Houston District, and Distinguished Alumna in 2016 by the COM. Denise’s vision led to the establishment of The Logical Innovations Scholarship with the COM Foundation in 2012 and in 2016, The Logical Innovations Hawk Advantage Scholarship with UHCL; in 2018, an endowed scholarship with the COM Foundation and an annual endowed STEM scholarship for student teacher internships with UHCL; in 2020, established The Dr. Hubert Darnell Glover Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Prairie View A&M University.

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ith an academic and professional career in technology and management that spans over three decades, Denise Navarro has established herself as a respected business leader within the national federal government sector and within area communities.

While earning an associate in applied science (AAS) in computer data processing from College of the Mainland (COM) in Texas City, Texas, followed by a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in computer information systems and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), both from the University of Houston – Clear Lake (UHCL) in Houston, Texas, Denise dedicated herself to a career that began in 1984, supporting the federal government and commercial industry before launching Logical Innovations, Inc. in November 2006.

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Logical Innovations’ clients include NASA at twelve locations across the country and numerous other federal agencies. Logical Innovations is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with operations in Alabama, California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., specializing in financial and acquisition services, event/exhibits management, strategic communications/outreach, training/education, information technology, administrative services, and logistics.

Logical Innovations has received numerous customer, employee, and community recognitions, including being honored as the FY19 NASA Agency Level Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year, UHCL community and philanthropic awards, and One of Houston’s Best and

Denise mentors other growing small companies, participates in speaking engagements for students and federal agencies, serves on the COM Foundation Board, COM School of Business Advisory Board, UHCL Industry Advisory Board for the College of Science and Engineering, small business councils throughout NASA, and on the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Board of Directors. She is also an active member of her church.

Denise S. Navarro President and CEO Logical Innovations, Inc. 16902 El Camino Real, Suite 3C Houston, Texas 77058 (281) 990-8560 (office) dnavarro@logical-i2.com www.logical-i2.com

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

CELEBRATING OUR FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT/CEO, DENISE S. NAVARRO FOR BEING NAMED A 2021 TOP 30 INFLUENTIAL WOMAN OF HOUSTON

Denise S. Navarro Founder and President/CEO "Logical Innovations partners with other like-minded companies and the communities we serve, fostering relationships and future generations, with a ‘pay it forward’ mindset.”

“Building a company takes hard work and determination – it may not happen overnight but with the right planning, persistence, pa partnerships, values, ethics and passion, it can.”

#Top30Women Phone: 281.990.8560 | E-mail: info@logical-i2.com

w w w.logical-i2.com

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Andrea Nguyen

Director of Community Relations & Executive Director of Education Foundation, Pasadena Independent School District on Dateline NBC, and covered thousands of compelling stories and breaking news.

Having children made her rethink her career. She segued to PR and marketing and worked her way up to become general manager of one of the nation's largest RV resorts. Although Andrea was very successful as a business professional as was a journalist, she couldn’t ignore her growing desire to impact young minds.

To her, education is a cornerstone of democracy and teaching is one of the noblest professions.

In 2012, she made the leap into the classroom working for the very school district that made her who she is today.

Pasadena ISD allowed her to combine her passions: education, journalism, leadership, and technology. Andrea taught 12 different high school subjects over the span of nearly eight years before district leaders tapped her for the role of Director of Schools and Community Relations and Executive Director of the Education Foundation.

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rom a boat refugee fleeing a war-torn country to an awardwinning journalist and now a celebrated educator and nonprofit executive, Andrea Nguyen came from a humble beginning before becoming a formative and effective leader in the world of education foundations.

When COVID forced the foundation to cancel all of its regular in-person fundraising events for 2020, Andrea created an online fundraising site for the foundation’s first-ever virtual telethon. The eight-hour live-streamed event, which took place in December 2020, surpassed its fundraising goal by $100K, netting over $327,000 in donations to help support the district's 54,000 or so students food or water. Andrea survived, she said by and teachers. Andrea’s goal is to make the grace of God and her will to live. After a positive impact in her community by being rescued by an oil tanker, Andrea and serving others, building relationships, and her family settled in Pasadena, TX. championing public education.

After college, Andrea dreamt big and became a news reporter, working for Andrea Nguyen various TV stations in four different Director of Community Relations states. She thought what better way to Executive Director of Education Foundation exert the democracy her family fought so Pasadena Independent School District hard to attain than through accurate and 1515 Cherrybrook Ln. Pasadena, Texas 77502 unbiased journalism.

Andrea was a child on a small boat of 15 Vietnamese refugees that escaped Communist Vietnam in 1984. The perilous trip resulted in the death of two children after the group’s damaged vessel drifted During her decade-long career in news, she nine days in the South China Sea without broke an international story, was featured 110

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(713) 740-0288 anguyen@pasadenaisd.org www.pasadenaisd.org

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Tamla Oates-Forney

Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer, Waste Management Houston Master’s in Human Resources Development Program; a member of i4CP’s CHRO board, and a founding advisory board member of Black Women on Boards.

Prior to Waste Management, Mrs. OatesForney was a 20-year veteran of General Electric (NYSE: GE) where she progressed through a series of human resources leadership roles of increasing levels of responsibility and impact in organization & talent development, diversity and inclusion, organizational transformation, and emerging markets. She received the Chairman Award for her efforts as the HR leader for GE Africa.

Mrs. Oates Forney is a highly influential and accomplished businesswoman and has been awarded numerous honors including: The Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women in Business, Savoy’s 2020 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America, the Larry V. Green Advocate of the Year Award by the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Corporate Achievement Award from the Houston Chapter of NBMBAA.

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ince December 2018, Tamla Oates-Forney has served as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer of Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WM). She drives an innovative, people-first strategy focused on making the company of nearly 50,000 employees an employer of choice and a great place to work.

Reporting directly to the CEO, Mrs. Oates-Forney uses her significant human resources expertise to oversee people operations, employee relations, labor relations, HR technology and information systems, total rewards, culture, leadership development and total talent management.

She also actively works with WM’s board of 114

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She is a recognized thought leader and has been featured by the New York Times, CNBC, Fox News, Bloomberg, Harvard Business Review, Time Magazine and directors, specifically on the Management HR Magazine just to name a few.

Development & Compensation Committee. Mrs. Oates-Forney holds a Bachelor of Additionally, she is the innovator and Science in Business Administration from operational architect behind some of WM’s the University of North Carolina, Chapel award-winning signature programs like Hill and is a member of the Delta Sigma Share the GreenSM – a Diversity Supplier Theta Sorority, Inc. She is also a notable Program; Innovative Employment Pathways philanthropist and investor in women and - a purpose-driven employment program girls of color. for the overlooked and underserved populations; and Your Tomorrow - a debtTamla Oates-Forney free education benefit for employees and Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer their dependents.

Waste Management Mrs. Oates-Forney is an Independent Director for Summit Materials and a member of their Human Capital and Compensation Committee. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the University of

800 Capitol St. Suite 3000 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 328-7940 wm.com www.tofifoundation.org

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Tamla, We Salute You

WM Team Members thank Tamla Oates-Forney for working hard towards a sustainable tomorrow and being named one of 2021’s Top 30 Influential Women of Houston.

Read about our commitment to people at wm.com/diversity.

© 2021 WM Intellectual Property Holdings, L.L.C.

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Rani Puranik

Co-Owner and Global CFO, Worldwide Oilfield Machine As a seasoned motivational speaker and certified Master Coach in Leadership Development, Puranik is passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders.

She has hosted a mentorship day at the Energy Leadership Institute of Houston High School where she paired seniors with WOM company executives to help them refine energy product innovations. Additionally, she serves as a ROSES mentor, supporting HISD’s new program to empower female students. She has spent the last four years working with graduate students as a Cares Mentor with the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business.

Puranik was named a recipient of the “Maura Women of Helping Woman Award” by the Texas Women’s Foundation, a CW39’s “Remarkable Woman” Finalist, an “Enterprising Woman of the Year” and received the “Daily Point of Light Award.”

She was also named one of the “Top Leading Women” in Energy by the Houston Business Journal and “Business Woman of the Year” by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston.

Puranik has found the strength to reinvent herself in order to overcome challenges in her personal life and in her family’s business. Puranik’s debut book titled “Seven Letters to My Daughters” is slated to launch in 2022.

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o-Owner and Global CFO of Houston-based Worldwide Oilfield Machine (WOM), Rani Puranik, thrives at leading innovation, empowering others and inspiring collaboration.

She directs financial controllership, strategy, investments and enterprise growth for WOM, a privately held, family-owned oil and gas equipment manufacturing firm with more than 3,000 employees operating in 11 locations around the world.

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for communication, standardization, operations and business development at WOM. Puranik, along with her father, have led the corporation to grow to more than $350 million in annual revenues.

Puranik invests a significant amount of time in India as the Chairman of the Puranik Foundation. The Puranik Foundation, founded by Puranik’s mother, serves as the corporate social responsibility arm of WOM. The nonprofit organization operates a private residential school called the Vision International Learning Center in Pune, India, for under-resourced children.

Puranik received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Pune in India and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Rice University. This businesswoman on a mission wears many hats on any given day but is most proud to be a mother of two grown daughters and two rescued dogs.

Rani Puranik Co-Owner and Global CFO Worldwide Oilfield Machine 11809 Canemont St. Houston, TX 77035 (713) 729-9200 http://www.womusa.com/

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Linda M. Rhodes

Executive Director, The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency the Houston Chronicle Book and Author Dinner assisting with volunteer recruitment and author selection and assisted with the planning and execution of the Mid-South Bookseller’s Trade Show.

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inda M. Rhodes brings more than 26 years in nonprofit leadership and development to her role as the Executive Director of The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency.

Under her leadership, the organization has exponentially grown its community outreach footprint, annual revenues, and the number of staff employed. Rhodes has collaborated with community partners to provide The Women’s Fund programming and resources free of charge to the communities with limited access to health information. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rhodes led her team to quickly transition its programming online to reach more women and girls through staff-led presentations and launched a monthly health awareness series with guest presenters. With Rhodes’ passion and dedication to educating girls and women in the Houston area, The Women’s Fund serves close to 12,000 women and adolescent girls and distributes close to 10,000 publications each year at no cost.

leadership positions with nonprofits including March of Dimes from 1995 to 2008 and the American Heart Association from 2008 to 2011. As Vice President of Corporate Development for the American Heart Association, Rhodes managed and grew the Houston Heart Ball revenue by 51 percent, landing the no. 3 position nationally for both overall revenue and special appeal revenue in 2011. As the State Director of March for Babies for March of Dimes, their largest fundraising event, Rhodes led state-level and multimarket sponsorships and fundraising strategies with 20 statewide teams.

Under her leadership, the Texas Chapter revenue grew from $8.8 million in 2003 to $12.3 million in 2007, representing a 39.7 percent increase.

Before joining the nonprofit sector, Rhodes held various positions as a buyer, manager, and in marketing as an independent bookseller for both local retailers and wholesalers. She served on the board of the Houston Area Booksellers for more than 10 years. During her tenure as President Prior to joining The Women’s Fund, Rhodes of that board, she served as a member held several local, state, and national of the executive planning committee for 120

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The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce recognized Rhodes as a “Role Model” at the Women in the Fast Lane of STEM Style Show & Luncheon in 2021. In 2020, Rhodes was honored with the “Women Who Mean Business” Award by the Houston Business Journal.

Also under her leadership, The Women’s Fund was the recipient of the 37th annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards in partnership with OneStar Foundation and was honored with the “Partners in Education” Award.

She serves on the Advisory Panel for the University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business Management & Leadership.

Rhodes has served as a member and on the Board for the American Heart Association Guild of Houston. In 2015 she served on the Auction Committee and as the Heart Card Special Events Chair in 2014. Rhodes has served as Décor Chair for the Houston Symphony’s Magical, Musical Morning in 2013. Additionally, Rhodes served as a member of the Board of Directors for Waymaker Life Strategies/HYPE Freedom Schools and in 2013 and 2014, she cochaired HYPE’s Golf Tournament.

A native Houstonian, Rhodes has been married for 20 years and enjoys playing golf, reading, painting, and traveling. At home, her time is spent with her husband, grandchildren, and their Cocker Spaniel named Cooper.

Linda M. Rhodes Executive Director The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency 5433 Westheimer Rd. Suite 924 Houston, TX 77056 (713) 623-6543 www.thewomensfund.org

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Karen Carter Richards

CEO, Publisher & Editor, Forward Times Publishing Company, Inc. The Forward Times has never missed a week of print.

Following the untimely death of her mother in 2010, Karen launched “The Julius and Lenora Carter Scholarship & Youth Foundation,” which supports students by granting scholarships and internships to those who aspire to have a career in journalism and communications.

Karen served as First Vice-Chair for the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) from 2015-2019. She was also selected as NNPA Publisher of the Year in 2018. In June 2019 Karen was overwhelmingly voted as the new Chairman of the Board for the NNPA (The Black Press of America). NNPA is a trade association of the more than 200 African Americanowned community newspapers from around the United States. In June 2021, Karen was re-elected to a second term.

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aren Carter Richards serves as CEO and Publisher for the Forward Times Publishing Company, Inc., a multimedia company that publishes weekly; the largest Black-owned and independently published newspaper in the southern region.

Karen is the daughter of the late Julius P. Carter and Lenora “Doll” Carter, original founders and publishers of the historic publication, which has served the community since 1960. Karen has continued the iconic legacy of her

parents and after more than thirty years of working in the family business in various administrative and managerial positions, she has taken over the helm and transitioned the business into one of the leading multimedia companies in the country. As a second generation publisher, Karen has creatively expanded the mission of the Forward Times and has continued her family’s publishing legacy to ensure that it remains the strongest information vehicle and most trusted voice for African Americans in the city of Houston and throughout the southern region.

Because of her commitment and dedicated service, Karen has received numerous awards for her outstanding contributions.

She serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Southeast Management District and the Houston Texans YMCA. In 2021, Karen was elected to serve on the Astrodome Conservancy, a private, nonprofit organization, whose mission is to promote the Astrodome’s legacy through preservation and development, advocate for public access, and create programming that inspires and engages.

Karen is a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum (ALF) Class 48. Karen is the proud mother of three children: Jesse, Chelsea, and Nykayla.

Karen Carter Richards CEO, Publisher & Editor Forward Times Publishing Company, Inc. 4411 Almeda Road Houston, TX 77004 (713) 526-4727 www.forwardtimes.com

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Focused on

Excellence

ConocoPhillips is excited to be involved with every aspect of the communities where we operate. Providing minority-owned and womenowned businesses access to business opportunities is just one way we demonstrate our commitment to the community. We celebrate the differences in our cultures and backgrounds and by seeing opportunities from a diverse perspective, we share in success.

If your eligible minority-owned, women-owned, veteranowned, LGBT-owned or small business is focused on excellence, visit www.supplierdiversity.conocophillips.com and fill out your supplier profile today. © ConocoPhillips Company. 2019. All rights reserved.

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www.mcacom.com

For Bid Request estimators@mcacom.com

Communications Technology Solutions

Services:

Technology Design and Engineering Technology Installation and Support Services IT Managed Services Certified:

SOLUTIONS: Network Cabling and IT Equipment Audio Visual Systems Distributed Antenna Systems Security Systems Company Contact : Ricky Cortez, CEO Ricky.C.Cortez@mcacom.com | 281-591-2434

483 West 38th Street, Houston Tx 77018 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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Continuing the Legacy Since 1983

TRUSTED TECHNOLOGY INTEGR

By Subcontractors USA News Provider ommunications technology solutions are ever-changing and progressing. And if you are not evolving with it or ahead of it, you may find your company and projects at-risk, drifting in the background behind the competition. With consistent forward-looking principles and results, since 1983, headquartered in Houston, TX, MCA Communications, Inc. (MCA) continues to serve its clients with first-rate safety, quality, and customer service. Rick Cortez founded the company 38 years ago, and with his three children now leading the company, this next generation is driving MCA forward, continuing to build on their father’s legacy as a trusted technology integration firm.

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It is a great responsibility and privilege, serving as CEO of MCA. My dad, Rick Cortez, is the most influential mentor in my life. Working with him and seeing his success growing up constantly fueled my motivation to build upon the foundation laid by him. He built MCA on the belief that if we take care of our employees and our customers, then the business will grow itself.

My goal, along with my siblings, is to continue that tradition.”

—Ricky Cortez, CEO of MCA Communications, Inc.

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Ricky Cortez, the oldest, took over as CEO earlier this year, with his siblings, Jennifer and David Cortez managing the human resources and operations departments. “All three of my children gained experience in this field, working in numerous positions at MCA before earning a leadership position with the company.

Also attending the University of Houston, that just enhanced their knowledge at MCA, learning the technical and business side of the company. It was important to me that they learn the business from the ground up, so they could fully understand what it takes to run a successful business. I am very proud that my children have proven themselves as leaders at MCA, building upon the foundation I have laid to continue to successfully serve our clients,” Rick said.

This widely recognized and awardwinning minority-owned telecommunications integration and services com-

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

pany has an impressive client roster that includes MD Anderson, Memorial Hermann Hospital, the University of Houston, Houston ISD, Chevron, and ExxonMobil. MCA offers a wide selection of quality solutions, with the installation of network cabling and audio visual systems for schools and hospitals a core service contributing to the company’s rapid growth. “This firm’s innovative technology solutions, competitive pricing, and exceptional installation standards exceed expectations. There is a high demand for MCA’s service in this area for education and health facilities, as we have a proven, solid, and long-standing reputation for work in this area,” said Ricky.

The firm’s growth in the AV market continues to birth its expansion, with MCA recently moving into a new facility in 2018. This 50,000 sq ft office and warehouse includes a state-of-the-art training facility, AV lab, and technology showroom. With the ability to train and develop their own skilled workforce, MCA maintains one of the largest skilled workforces in Texas. “This AV solution as the core service is the main reason we were able to move into this new facility, allowing us to better serve our clients and to offer a more collaborative work space for our employees,” Ricky said. During the pandemic, MCA’s training room has also served as a web-streaming studio, hosting organizations like the City of Houston, Harris County, and the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) for virtual events.

Over the last 38 years, with a proven track record, reputation, and notable supremacy in safety, MCA has earned recognition and formed long-standing partnerships with other esteemed organizations like the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum (GHBP) and the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC). And MCA can boast receiving honors that include being ranked as a Top 50 Systems Integrator in the U.S. by Systems Contractor News and 2020 Technology Firm of the Year by the GHBP.

as Your

ATION FIRM

MCA is transitioning to the next generation, and I am very proud to see all three of my children now leading the company. They have the experience, energy, and passion to take MCA to the next level.”

—Rick Cortez, Founder / Chairman

Top 30 Communications: Influential Women of Houston Q&Ad-mars.com with MCA SUBC: Tell us about your company’s approach to maintains over 250 full-time field employees client projects, throughout Texas and has recently built a with a focus on training center that provides entry level safety, quality, training and continuing education opportunities to and customer ensure we always have the resources available to service. handle any challenge.

MCA: Many SUBC: There are companies that take advantage technology of businesses, providing subpar communications integrators are services. Have you ever had to overhaul a focused on just competitor’s work for clients? And what was the selling products and outcome? chasing new projects. But our talented team at MCA is MCA: Yes, in many instances, our competitors will focused on building long-term customer relationships cut corners in an effort to reduce the cost to win bids and becoming a trusted resource and technology and then hope to make it up on change orders. This partner. A majority of our clients today have been will usually result in a poor-quality system that will our partners for over 25 years, and through those have to be replaced within a few years. Due to our relationships we have grown our business by adding commitment to providing quality work, MCA provides services for those clients, as opposed to just adding all customers with a 25-year warranty for network more clients to the roster. Though growth is important, cabling projects and has a reputation for excellent our mindset is about quality over quantity. At MCA, we customer service. put our employees and customers first, resulting in a SUBC: In the midst of COVID-19, how has MCA culture focused on providing excellent customer service adapted, continuing to provide quality services, and an amiable work environment. while keeping employees and clients safe?

SUBC: Regarding the new facility/addition in 2018, MCA: The key to survival for any business is being how have you already seen the facility support able to adapt, and when the pandemic started we MCA's long-term goals? quickly implemented new safety precautions to ensure MCA: The biggest benefit of our new facility is that our team of essential workers would remain available we now have space to show and educate customers to support our clients. We also converted our training on the new AV and IT solutions we provide. We like to center into a live broadcast studio and assisted with think of our office as a working demo space, and many live streaming events for our clients and partners. clients have found a lot of value using our space for In addition, we have installed numerous Zoom video making decisions on which technologies to use for conferencing rooms and back to work solutions, such their new building. as temperature sensors to assist SUBC: With continuous our clients in safely returning advances for the installation back to the office. MCA’s service of network cabling and team has also installed wireless audio-visual systems for antennas for COVID-19 testing schools and hospitals, how and vaccination sites throughout has MCA stayed current/ Houston. ahead of the curve to SUBC: In your quest to successfully serve this maintain zero accidents, tell us clientele in this specific area about your safety program. of services?

MCA: Our safety program MCA: Technology is consists of a dedicated team constantly evolving, so we that includes a full-time safety built an AV lab in our new office, and our team of manager, a full-time Occupational Safety and Health technology engineers use that space to test out new Administration (OSHA) trainer, and 10 full-time field products before recommending them to our clients. safety PSRs who help train and enforce all safety In addition, our training room is used to educate our procedures directly in the field. In addition, all 250employees and our customers on the latest technology plus employees at MCA are OSHA trained. trends.

SUBC: Are there any new solutions you now offer SUBC: What does it mean to you to be a minoritythat you can tell us owned firm in this competitive field, with great about? success and longevity for 38 years?

MCA: Because MCA: I believe it means that we have a unique technology is always culture, because we are a very diversified company. We evolving, we are always have employees at MCA who come from all different adding new solutions. backgrounds, yet the company feels like one big family.

Some of our newest We believe our culture is why our employees chose to solutions include work at MCA and why our customers have worked with video collaboration us for so long. systems, digital signage, SUBC: We are in a place where speed is important, distributed antenna especially when it comes to communications, but systems, LED video walls, and sound masking talk about MCA prioritizing quality and safety over systems. speed.

MCA: A focus on safety and quality has always been Under MCA’s new generation of leadership, Ricky, a major part of our culture. Throughout our 38 year Jennifer, and David will expand upon the strong history, we have maintained one of the best safety foundation built by their father and founder of the records in our industry and have won numerous safety company, Rick Cortez, investing in and developing awards. the future generation of leaders in this field.

SUBC: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your field, and how do you overcome For more information about MCA Communications, those challenges with a successful outcome for Inc. and to schedule an appointment for a demo or clients? tour of their new office and training center, please MCA: One of the biggest challenges in our field email is managing our manpower, as our schedules are info@mcacom.com or call (281) 591-2434. typically dependent on other trades, and our window You can visit MCA on the web at mcacom.com. to complete our scope of work is very small compared to other trades. This is just the nature of our business, and through the many years of experience working Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021 125 on fast-track projects, we have developed strong teams that excel in these situations. In addition, MCA

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam Secretary, Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees

to her mission to develop campus staff for the challenges they face in today’s classrooms. Be consistent, be intentional, and complete all tasks with fidelity each and every day in order to lead students towards success.”

Dr. Rose-Gilliam brings a wealth of experience serving scholars, teachers, and leaders in public education, both in the traditional and charter school settings.

Also affectionately known as “Dr. G,” she has made her greatest impact as a mentor, coach, and thought partner to other educators at all levels. In these roles, she also develops and facilitates professional learning experiences that challenge others to think deeply about their daily practice. In earlier days, Dr. G was a finalist for FBISD Secondary Teacher of the Year and was the FBISD Secondary Principal of the Year while at Bush HS. She is a member of the Fort Bend Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston, a Master of Education from the University of HoustonVictoria, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University. Her motto is, “Believe in the Possibilities!” Her purpose in life is to serve and be a blessing to others.

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r. Shirley Rose-Gilliam understands the meaning of growing up in tough, challenged, and disadvantaged settings with very few opportunities. Her experiences as a child have been both a catalyst for changing her situation and today motivates her to answer the special “calling” to make a difference in the lives of youth. She currently serves as an advocate for education in her community as the Secretary of the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees.

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“I remember how one school and one teacher made a difference in my life by instilling a vision and dream in me,” she said. Dr. Rose-Gilliam is a longtime Houston area resident and a 32year veteran educator, speaker, author, and consultant. She knows the uphill battles that some schools face when not in more affluent areas. “Just because children come from tough backgrounds, has nothing to do with their ability to learn and achieve,” she states. Her philosophy, “Everything we do matters” is a premise

Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam Secretary Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees 16431 Lexington Blvd.

Sugar Land, Texas 77479 (281) 634-1000 shirley.gilliam@fortbendisd.com www.fortbendisd.com

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Erica Davis Rouse

Trustee, San Jacinto College District Board & Co-Founder of ReachOne713 • Yellowstone Academy Volunteer • Making It Better Texas Volunteer • 9th Wonder Foundation Volunteer 2021 Inductee into the • Dobie High School Hall of Honor, Public Service • Inaugural Member of the Houston Texans Cheerleaders • Member of the Houston Texans NFL Cheerleader Alumni Association • Former Miss Black Houston and Miss Black Texas

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rica Davis Rouse is a 3rd generation Houstonian with deep roots in the community.

Her grandfather was President of the Galena Manor Civic Club which was her first memory of civic engagement.

She remembers being a card-carrying junior member of the NAACP before she even understood what the NAACP was.

She grew up with a strong understanding of what it meant to create a place for herself and also that it’s not always a comfortable seat to sit in. Erica’s mom, dad, and stepmom were all trailblazers in their industries, her mom an educator in Pasadena ISD and her stepmother and dad as USPS Postmasters.

In 2019, being keenly aware of the decreasing number of African American students choosing Texas A&M as their University of choice, Erica partnered with other Black Aggies and programmed the first ever Aggie Impact Gala, raising more than $135,000 to support students of color desiring to attend Texas A&M or needing financial support to continue at TAMU. “Heroes of Harvey” honor. With the support of generous donors, ReachOne713 has successfully provided meals, backpacks, school supplies, and Christmas gifts for children and families in need in the area.

Erica is a graduate of J. Frank Dobie High School and attended Texas A&M University, earning her BA in Journalism. Erica has more than 10 years in Radio and 10 years in Education in publishing and educational Education has always been at the forefront technology. of opportunity and access, so in 2017, Erica Erica is currently employed with felt the nudge to run for a seat on the San SkinCeuticals in the Active Cosmetic Jacinto College District Board of Trustees. Division of Loreal Beauty. She and her After several months of campaigning husband own and operate ReachOne and support from family and friends, she Transport, a Logistics and Transportation successfully became the 1st person of color company. They are the proud parents of 3 and only the 3rd woman in the history of adult children, Evan, Keri, and Alexus. Erica the college (founded in 1957) to serve as enjoys being a Plexus brand ambassador, a Trustee. enjoying the empty nester lifestyle with

Erica’s community involvement and her husband and the family pups and daily being intentional about trusting God to honors include: She and her husband Bobby founded continue to guide her next steps!

• Texas A&M President’s Task Force ReachOne713, a nonprofit focused on on Diversity, Equity and serving families in the Southbelt-Pasadena InclusionFormer Erica Davis Rouse area of Houston. What started as a simple • Board Member of Urban Souls Trustee, San Jacinto College District Board way to help people recover more quickly Co-Founder of ReachOne713 Dance Company Aggie Impact Gala, Founder and Chair after Hurricane Harvey turned into a full- • Board Member of Smahrt Girl @ericainalignment fledged 501c3, now having served more Foundation than 1,000 families and children. For their • Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. @ericarouse.skinceuticals @reachone713 efforts, ReachOne713 was awarded as one • Member of Jack and Jill, Greater of the recipients of the Ford Freedom Unsung Channel Chapter 128

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San Jacinto College Congratulates Trustee

Erica Davis Rouse on being selected as one of the

Top 30 Influential Women in Houston.

TOP 5 COMMUNITY

COLLEGE IN THE

An Equal Opportunity Institution

NATION

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Tasha Royal

Founder, The Royal Agency, LLC & President, The Ambassador Building Group, LLC

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asha Royal is a fiercely independent, confident and ambitious woman who has always been determined to succeed. Armed with courage, passion and a sense of purpose, Tasha developed The Royal Agency LLC, a luxury real estate brokerage and is currently the President of The Ambassador Building Group, LLC, a female owned and operated residential and commercial development firm. In a mega city with a host of competitive realtors, Tasha Royal is both one of the top producing luxury real estate experts and most soughtafter brokers in Houston, Texas. Tasha’s unwavering dedication to her client’s and her tireless efforts to resolve have afforded her the opportunity to work with a wealth of individuals including high-profile celebrities, major-league athletes and ultra-high net worth clients domestically and globally. She has been creating winning deals for eager families since 2005. Tasha’s strong sense of purpose led to her fulfilling her desire 132

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have faithfully donated and installed AC units for seniors in the Fifth Ward area for many years now. She is a huge contributor to “Feed Your City Challenge”, a non-profit organization that serves underprivileged communities by providing fresh groceries.

Tasha enjoys sharing the importance of hard work and bravery as she mentors other females looking to join the construction industry. She was awarded the Community Leadership Award 2018 - 2020, for her outstanding community service. Tasha Royal exudes a fearless assertiveness that has no doubt aided in her rise to the top in her field. Tasha says, “Being an African American, female builder in a male dominated industry was challenging at first. I had to work ten times harder to be recognized and respected. However, I accepted my calling to build homes and I’ve mastered it. Those called by His name will go forward. I will continue to move forward and there’s no turning back.” Tasha vows to remain committed to providing nothing less than the best, whether it be a single-family to change the landscape in underserved home or a multi-million dollar residence. communities. Her development plan for Quality is key and all of her clients receive the Sunnyside and Fifth Ward areas of the “Royal” treatment.

Houston began with constructing 1 – 2 homes per year and now includes the development of numerous single-family Tasha Royal homes and several multi-family properties Founder, The Royal Agency, LLC per year. Tasha’s hard work and dedication President, The Ambassador Building Group, LLC have not gone unnoticed over the years. 4771 Sweetwater Blvd., Suite 110 She was awarded a Certificate of Special Sugar Land, Texas 77479 Congressional Recognition for Economic (833) 605-6400 Development across the Greater Houston info@Ambassadorhtx.com www.ambassadorhtx.com Area by Congressman Al Green and a Certificate from the late District K Council Member, Larry V Green, Esq. Recognizing the needs of many low-income families across the Houston area, Tasha remains determined to work with young men and women by educating them on real estate investing and entrepreneurship. As a stellar role model in the community, Tasha dedicates her time volunteering at local churches and for programs organized to assist senior citizens. Tasha and her team

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Reem Sabouni, M.D.

REI Physician and Director of Infertility and Oocyte Cryopreservation, Houston Fertility Institute Hospital, located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. She completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the legendary Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Norfolk, Virginia, the birthplace of In-Vitro Fertilization in America.

After 11 years of post-undergrad training, she joined Houston Fertility Institute (HFI), the largest fertility practice in the state of Texas with 13 clinical locations around the Houston area and 15 physicians on staff. With state-of-the-art facilities offering advanced fertility treatments and high success rates, HFI has helped thousands of couples start or complete their families.

Dr. Sabouni is dedicated to empowering women and couples, particularly through education and understanding treatment options to find the right treatment option for them. She is published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and textbooks, as well as having presented at international meetings on topics including: minimally invasive surgery, decreasing opioid use in infertility clinics, medical education and decreasing unscheduled bleeding associated with contraception use.

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eem Sabouni, M.D. is a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) physician and Director of Infertility and Oocyte Cryopreservation at Houston Fertility Institute. As a surgical subspecialist of obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Sabouni is focused on the treatment of infertility, fertility preservation and hormonal dysfunctions leading to reproductive complications. She also serves as clinical faculty for both OB/GYN resident physicians and medical students.

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Outside of work, Dr. Sabouni enjoys an active life of group fitness and enjoying quality time with family and friends. She is a firm believer in giving back to her community and is an active member of the Junior League of Houston, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting A native Houstonian, Dr. Sabouni volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities. completed her undergraduate studies at Rice University. She attended medical school at the University of Texas McGovern Reem Sabouni, M.D. REI Physician Medical School at Houston, the sixth Director of Infertility and largest medical school in the country, Oocyte Cryopreservation where she served as class president of her Houston Fertility Institute medical school class during all four years. 6400 Fannin St., Suite 2000 Following her passion for women’s health, Dr. Sabouni pursued residency in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine at the Memorial Hermann

Houston, Texas 77030 (713) 796-1434 www.hfi-ivf.com

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Dr. Roberta Grace Scott

Director Social Emotional Learning & Student Discipline, Houston Independent School District as well as authored and co-authored four books. She has received numerous honors, been awarded approximately $20 million in grants, and shares her expertise with others by teaching seminars, public speaking events, and serving on a widerange of educational committees.

Dr. Scott serves on multiple boards, including The Way Home (TWH) Continuum of Care (CoC) Steering Committee.

The Coalition for the Homeless is the Lead Agency to the CoC and works collaboratively to ensure homelessness in Harris, Montgomery, and Fort Bend counties is rare, brief, and nonrecurring.

Dr. Scot t is recognized for her accomplishments and serves as a voice for Sandy Hook Promise Foundation to build a nationwide movement of parents, schools, and community organizations engaged and empowered to deliver violence prevention programs and mobilize for the passage of sensible state and national policies.

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r. Roberta Grace Scott is a distinguished passionate educator with 18 years of expertise in administration and teaching. She has successfully educated and empowered students to succeed despite their obstacles. Dr. Scott currently serves as the Director of Social Emotional Learning & Student Discipline for the Houston Independent School District, the 7th largest school district in the nation. The opportunity for her to lead this work in efforts to dismantle the schoolto-prison pipeline and build better lives for students affected by mental illness is gratifying. She has experience working with districts across the country, where she supports the emotional, psychological, and social needs via a Multi-Tiered System to decrease disproportionality amongst Black and Brown students and increase academic performance at K-16.

Adjunct Professor with Texas Southern University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Texas Southern University; a master’s in counseling and doctoral degree in educational leadership, both from Prairie View A&M University. Through her ability to coach and develop others, she’s been able to move school systems forward, push educators past their limits, and provide experiences to treasure for a lifetime. In addition, she is a new member of Women in Aviation and in the final preparation phase of obtaining her Private Pilot License (PPL).

She is the founder of No Limit Educators, LLC and Citizen Grace Foundation which focuses on providing mental health services, team building, leadership coaching, strategic planning, workshops, and mentoring support. She advocates for social justice and is a fervent promoter for mental health awareness. Most recently, Dr. Scott also currently serves as an she has launched a brand #nomorelimits, 136

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She is a member of the Houston Greater Women’s Chamber of Commerce, American Psychological Association, the National and Texas Alliance of Black School Educators, and Houston Livestock Rodeo Lamb and Goat Committee. She also contributes and adds value to a host of other committees that support the community and all children.

She enjoys life with her daughter, Tiarra, a young entrepreneur and leader, and her granddaughter, Tinsley. She finds pleasure in spending time with her family, friends, golfing, and traveling, which help her stay balanced while living life to the fullest.

Dr. Roberta Grace Scott Director Social Emotional Learning & Student Discipline Houston Independent School District 4400 W. 18th St. Houston, Texas 77092 (713) 967-5235 roberta.scott@houstonisd.org www.houstonisd.org

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Tracy T. Smith CEO, Taylor Smith Consulting, LLC

Tracy obtained her Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix. She is also a Houston Community College Alum, where she earned an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science Technology. Aside from this, Tracy holds certifications in Project Management and Leadership from the University of Houston.

Tracy is a native Houstonian, where she lives with her husband and children. She is an active member of Fallbrook Church, where she is a member of the Leadership Team as well as a Board Member for the Career and Coaching Ministry. In July of 2020 she released her first book, Shift on Purpose, an inspirational biographical account of her journey from teen mother to business magnate.

Tracy Taylor Smith CEO Taylor Smith Consulting, LLC 350 Glenborough Drive, Suite 125 Houston, Texas 77067 tracy.smith@taylorsmithconsulting.com 713-937-3111 http://www.taylorsmithconsulting.com/

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riven by a passion for empowering people towards c ar e er and e c on omic advancement, in 2006 Tracy Taylor Smith founded Taylor Smith Consulting (TSC), a staffing and professional development firm. In just over a decade, Tracy has grown her award-winning firm into a multi-million-dollar business with offices across several U.S. cities. Her Fortune 500 clients gush about the consistency and quality of TSC’s services. In 2017, TSC earned the distinction of being the only minority-owned firm to ever have provided staffing services for the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the Phoenix Open in the same year.

Toll Road Authority (HCTRA). During her 20-year tenure at HCTRA, Tracy’s ingenuity and reliability catapulted her up the ranks to several leadership and managerial positions. These positions included being a Legislative Liaison, Division Director of EZ Tag Services, and Director Violation Enforcement. Houstonians can thank Tracy for not having to wait in line to pay tolls, as she was a member of the team that blazed a trail in implementing the electronic toll violation EZ Tag system in Harris County.

In addition, Tracy co-authored the tolling industry publication, Implementing a Violation Enforcement System.

Tracy’s accomplishments have been recognized in publications such as USA Before opening her own firm, Tracy was Today, CNN Online News, and the Houston a key team member at the Harris County Business Journal.

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Lenora Sorola-Pohlman Licensed Insurance Broker, Navarro Insurance Group

a Trustee and Vice President for the Houston Foundation, City of Houston; the President-Elect of the Women Contractors Association; a Board Member for the City of Houston’s OBO Contract Compliance Commission; a Board Member for the METRO Hispanic Advisory Board; a Board Member for the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC)Governmental Affairs Committee; a Board Member for the Hispanic Officer of the Year Committee-Houston Police Department.

She continues as an active member of the East End Chamber, Greater Northside Chamber and Houston West Chamber.

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enora Sorola-Pohlman is a second-generation native Houstonian, born and raised in Houston’s East End barrio.

Lenora has been a licensed insurance broker since 1996, a small business owner of Sorola Insurance Services LLC, and currently works with Navarro Insurance Group. She began her career at Travelers Insurance in the late 80’s during the HMO boom. Lenora brings with her over thirty years of experience in the insurance industry. She has worked both with carriers and brokers and has performed many roles from implementation to management to sales.

Lenora began working at the City of Houston in 1980 and it was here that she realized how few women held positions of leadership. Lenora developed an interest in what has now become a life-long passion for community activism, mentorship, 140

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and the empowerment of others. Over the years, Lenora has worked diligently in the community by giving voices to the voiceless on issues affecting the Hispanic community, women, children, and families. The importance of unity and mentorship became core values for Lenora. As she became more involved in her community, she realized that it was no longer acceptable for a woman to just have a “seat” at the table, but that she must also be “heard” at the table.

Lenora serves her community, giving countless hours back to her church, local civic organizations, nonprofits, and the business community. She is currently serving as Co-Chair of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Hispanic Advisory Board (MHAB) and has served as a MHAB board member to the past five Mayors of Houston; the Chair for the City Park TIRZ #12; as

One of Lenora’s greatest passions is the mentorship of Latinas. She has served as a mentor to several Hispanic elected officials and continues to provide members of various organizations with the knowledge and expertise she has gained over the years.

Lenora’s hope is that they too can learn to serve and to empower others. Lenora’s activism, reputation, and accomplishments along with the impact she has made in the community have been recognized with the Yolanda Black Navarro Community Legacy Award, the Comcast Hispanic Hero Award, the Houston Estrellas de Tejas Award, the Navidad En El Barrio Vida Award, Woman of the Year in Our Community by Solo Mujeres Magazine, and being named one of 50 Most Influential Women of 2016 by Houston Woman Magazine.

Lenora married John Pohlman in 1990.

John was a Sergeant in the Houston Police Department and retired from the force after 49 years of service. John passed away in 2020.

Lenora Sorola-Pohlman Broker Consultant Navarro Insurance Group 9235 Katy Freeway, #100 Houston, Texas 77024 713-628-7500 lenora@navarroig.com www.navarroig.com

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Helen Stagg

Chief Executive Officer, Change Happens Stagg’s role in leading one of Houston’s premier nonprofit organizations has resulted in exceptional growth that expanded the organization’s program to include: after school and summer enrichment programs, HIV prevention, housing and supportive services, workforce development and employment, reentry support programs, case management, enrollment in health insurance coverage for the uninsured, substance misuse prevention and treatment, mentoring, neighborhood and economic revitalization, affordable housing, community engagement and expanding services for children and families.

The agency was most recently awarded a community impact grant from the Obama Foundation, one of ten organizations in the nation to receive this honor. Under Stagg’s leadership, Change Happens revenue has increased by more than 40% during the last three years.

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elen Stagg is Chief Executive Officer of Change Happens, a community based social service organization in Houston, Texas. Change Happens is one of the largest Black-founded, Blackled organizations in the Greater Gulf Coast Region of Texas. As CEO, Stagg is responsible for operational planning and management, program operations and oversight, addressing strategic organizational issues, human resources planning and management, financial planning and management, fundraising and grant writing and community relations/ advocacy. Change Happens’ mission is to “Empower people to help themselves,” and to this end, the organization is making a difference to the 65,000 clients it serves annually.

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the Center for Application of Prevention Technologies from SAMHSA and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention for her work on strengthening the evaluation capacity of evidence-based interventions.

She is also a frequent speaker at various community events.

Stagg serves on the board of the Texas Association of Substance Abuse Programs, the Greater Houston Healthy Marriage Coalition and the Advisory Board of the University of Houston’s Health Research Institute. She has been featured in a documentary commissioned by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Promise Story: “Empowering Community Health.”

She was an honoree of the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work’s 50 for 50 honorees (2019). This recognition honors 50 GCSW alumni who “represent the vision of achieving social, racial, economic and political justice.”

Stagg was recently named one of three recipients awarded the Third Ward Go Champion award for her dedication in spearheading comprehensive, resident-led and collaborative community development in Houston’s Third Ward. Stagg was also named as one of Houston Business Journal’s 2021 Most Admired CEOs. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and Houston Community College.

Stagg received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&M University, Commerce, where she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated as part of the Alpha Alpha Eta Omega Chapter. She also completed her graduate studies and received a Social Work master’s degree from the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Stagg had a long career with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. She joined Change She has two daughters, Nicole StaggHappens and began her work in nonprofit Shehadeh, JD, attorney-at-law and Danielle Stagg, PhD, Houston Community College, leadership. and one granddaughter, Arianna Brielle Stagg is a Certified Prevention Specialist Shehadeh. and an Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist. She has presented at various national conferences hosted by the Helen Stagg Chief Executive Officer Administration for Children and Families Change Happens and the Substance Abuse and Mental 3353 Elgin Street Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Houston, Texas 77004 Stagg is a scholar from the Centers for hstagg@changehappenstx.org Disease Control and Prevention and www.changehappenstx.org the Arnold School for Public Health, CDC/ASPH Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership. She was also recognized by

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Councilwoman Tiffany D. Thomas Houston City Council, District F and Chair of Housing and Community Affairs

Texas Winter Storm Uri recovery efforts by organizing 15 water distribution sites in her District while managing recovery efforts for herself and family.

In addition to her professional and political leadership, Councilwoman Thomas is a lifelong learner. She is a graduate of Leadership Houston XXXI, Women’s Campaign School at Yale, American Leadership Forum XLIV (44), and the renowned Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is a current member of the Scott-Hawkins Leadership Institute Cohort IX (9) sponsored by The Links, Incorporated and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

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n 2013, Tiffany D. Thomas ran for Trustee position 7, with Alief ISD, serving one term as the youngest elected official at her election. In 2019, with the encouragement of her community, she ran for Houston City Council, District F, representing Alief, Westchase, Tanglewilde, Briar Meadow, Westmont, and the historic Piney Point. She is the first Black woman and under 40 to serve in this role. As Chair of Housing and Community Affairs for the city, she oversees priorities related to Housing, Veteran Affairs, Homelessness, and Solid Waste.

In response to the eviction crisis in early 2020, Councilwoman Thomas, alongside Mayor Sylvester Turner, released a rent relief program in response to COVID-19.

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Before entering the world of politics, Councilwoman Thomas led the nonprofit management industry for over 15 years, working for various agencies focused on education, healthcare, and basic needs.

Professionally, she currently serves as Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Community Development at Prairie View A&M, the only HBCU, and institution with a graduate community development academic program in Texas.

She teaches introduction to community than $200M in rental subsidy and $28M development, community research, in direct assistance to keep families community politics, and cultural heritage housed. Of note, the rent relief program and preservation. implemented locally has gained the Most importantly, she is a proud and longattention of the US Treasury Department time resident of District F and the public as a national model. school system.

Councilwoman Thomas remains vocal about the importance of preserving affordable housing options for all Houstonians – working families, those experiencing homelessness, and multifamily developments.

Since her election, Councilwoman Thomas has been met with crisis after crisis and responded to each one with fidelity, rigor, and unparalleled commitment. In partnership with community organizations, she has provided close to 750,000 meals to families in 2020, PPE mask drives, and home deliveries. She responded to the

Tiffany D. Thomas Houston City Council, District F 900 Bagby St. Fl 1 Districtf@houstontx.gov 832 393 3002 Houstontx.gov/council/f

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Molly Waits

Chief Marketing, Air Service Development and Communications Officer, Houston Airports and social media platforms to further the messaging targeting customers and stakeholders.

During her tenure leading the Air Service Development team, Waits introduced 35 new domestic and international passenger and cargo airlines to the Houston market and helped establish the demand for international service at William P. Hobby Airport, HOU. Waits was nominated and served as the Chair, Airport Council International of North America, ACI-NA, International Air Service Program in 2017 and Vice-Chair in 2016.

In 2014, Aviation Pros recognized Waits as a “Top 40 Under 40” in their Airport Business publication, and she was also recognized as an honorable mention in the Houston Business Journal’s “Houston’s Top 40 Under 40”.

Waits holds a Master of Business Administration in Global Management from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in International Trade and Finance from Louisiana State University. Prior to joining HAS, Waits worked for Northwest Airlines in Corporate Sales where she received the “Salesperson of the Year” Award and was a member of the team named “Sales District of the Year”.

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olly Waits leads Houston Airports' Marketing, Air Service Development and Communications, MAC, division. She's a passionate aviation professional with 22 years in the industry, including 16 years with Houston Airports.

With a track record of proven success, Waits brings a collaborative and cohesive management approach to her role in leading the division.

Airports' brand and guidelines, executing digital and traditional marketing strategies while striving to understand and anticipate the needs of passengers at Houston Airports with the ultimate goal of increasing revenue opportunities.

Molly Waits Chief Marketing, Air Service Development and Communications Officer Houston Airports (281) 233-1860 molly.waits@houstontx.gov

Air Service Development: Focusing efforts to expand air services offered in Houston.

Communications/PR: Planning and executing strategic ex ternal Waits is responsible for the following: communications, media relations, crisis Marketing: Managing the Houston communications and utilizing HAS website Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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Janice Weaver

Director of Community Relations, Mayor’s Office & Advisor, AARP Age Friendly/Livable Community Partners - City of fundraising organizer for several political campaigns including: former President Barack Obama 2008 Presidential campaign, former Mayor Lee P. Brown, former Houston Councilmembers Ernest McGowen, Sr., former Rep. Sylvester Turner, now Mayor of the City of Houston, current Dist. 139 Rep. Jarvis Johnson, and others.

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hristian, humanitarian, and commitment to helping others are all metaphors used when describing Janice Weaver.

She is known for her tireless good works in the community. With a vast amount of corporate and community outreach experience, she currently serves as the Director of Community Relations for the City of Houston and Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Previously, she served as Executive Assistant & Of fice Manager for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (18th Congressional District of Texas) and earlier retired from AT&T after twenty four years of faithful service.

While putting her words into action, she loves dedicating her time volunteering in the community throughout the Houston area with several organizations including: the United Way, Aldine Youth Center, St. Monica Youth Sports Ministry, Acres Home Youth Association, Grove Community Outreach, For His Glory Ministries, Father Alphonsus Kidney Foundation, NAACP, LCLAA, A. Phillip Randolph Organization, LULAC Board Member for Houston Area Community Services (HACS), Gospel Music Heritage Committee, Precinct Judge #0698, Telephone Pioneers, and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston to name a few.

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the Mayor’s 2012 Volunteer Houston Award, APRI Living Legend Award in 2018, 2021 TLBC Outstanding Texan, 2021 City of Houston Bravo Award, Black Excellence Award, Random Acts of Kindness Award, and recognition from Mayor Nic HunterCity of Lake Charles’ office for her efforts assisting with the Hurricane Laura storm Her commitment to community outreach recovery. also extends to the League of Women Voters As a faithful member of Starlight Missionary (LMV) Voter Education Project, Toys for the Baptist Church for 35 years, she has Kids, and the KTSU Radio membership served in numerous capacities including: campaign. Recently, Janice was a leader Administrative Assistant to the late Pastor in the mass distribution of water and food Clifford B. Meachum Jr., Trustee Board to residents during Winter Storm Uri. Member, Scholarship Committee Member, Janice also serves as a chaplain for Crisis Choir President, Ministers and Deacons Chaplaincy of Texas, the Houston Police Wives Council and Sunday School Member.

Citizens Academy, and the Houston Police She has raised thousands of dollars in support of the church by chairing various Dept. PACA organization. souvenir journal committees and banquet Being multi-talented, she also provides fundraisers. public relations services for many of these organizations, as well as her recent While serving in many other capacities, accomplishment, hosting a successful Janice is also President of One Body reception and book signing event for 88- Networking and Vice-President of year old poet and writer, Carmen Howard. JA’SENGA Executive Travel Services.

Through her nonprofit, Janice has hosted As a native Houstonian, she attended eight blood drives in partnership with Gulf Kashmere Senior High School and Houston Coast Regional Blood Center, TWEF, and Community College; she is also a former the Methodist Hospital, saving thousands student of Franklin Time Management, of lives. One Body Networking provides Zig Ziegler, Dr. Tony Evans Oak Cliff Bible scholarships to underserved students in Fellowship, and the late Dr. Myles Munroe. and around the Houston area.

Because of her commitment and community With all of her accomplishments, Janice engagement, she has received numerous considers her greatest accomplishments awards and recognitions from various being the wife of Alvin Weaver, mother entities that include: the Aldine ISD VISA of four, grandmother of seven, and great Award, Girl Scouts, Starlight Missionary grandmother of two.

Baptist Church Youth & Young Adults Award, Starlight MBC “Mother of the Year” Janice Weaver Award, A.H.C.D.C. Corp. “Volunteer Spirit” Director of Community Relations Award, Acres Home Youth Association Advisor, AARP Age Friendly/Livable S.I.S.T.A Circle Award, Galilee Missionary Community Partners Baptist Church Community Star Award, Mayor’s Office - City of Houston St. Monica Youth Sports Ministry, St. Houston, TX 77002 Monica Cowboys, The Knight of St. Peter (832) 393-0849 Claver #151, “Prestigious Pioneer in the Janice.Weaver@houstontx.gov Community Award", T.W.E.F. International www.houstontx.gov Women's Empowerment Forum Honoree,

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Trey Harris founded CDM7 and leads as president and CEO. Harris has gained a keen proficiency in this industry, having worked in various positions in construction before CDM7. “I worked for a large commercial construction firm prior to founding CDM7. They made it mandatory for all employees to get 30 hours of training every year. Because of this, it provided me with a great foundation for understanding the construction business. Taking classes in business development, pre-construction, financial management, safety, and many others have, no doubt, provided me the skill set needed to strategically and effectively run a profitable construction company,” Harris said.

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acquired license to complete work in Louisiana. This achievement allows the company to extend its reach beyond Texas, gaining more opportunities for new bids and contracts. The certifications, memberships, and associations combined with hard work contribute to CDM7 making its impressive mark in the construction industry. But Harris knows that without a core team of talented and ardent individuals, this company’s growth and achievements would not be possible.

“Our company has an immense understanding of how to build, welcoming the challenge of taking on intricately detailed projects.

CDM7 is a fully fledged commercial construction company that fulfills each client’s construction needs, exceeding their expectations.”

—Trey Harris, President and CEO of CDM7

produce a supernatural result that our will love. d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women ofclients Houston SUBC USA: Please tell us about your company and the

SUBC USA: What are some of the challenges you face in this industry, and how do you overcome those challenges to stay competitive?

CDM7: The greatest challenge in this business is finding the right opportunities that fit our business model and allow us to make fair fees. With a pandemic that has stopped traditional business practices, it has been challenging to qualify for new work, even with company credentials in order. To overcome these challenges, we focus on three ways to partner with firms that have strong ties within the industry: design-build, JV partnerships, and minority participation.

SUBC USA: Your company has over 60 years of combined experience that makes you qualified, so talk about some of the combined experience/leadership behind the company that is a component of CDM7’s strong foundation.

CDM7: Prior to founding CDM7, I held various operational roles throughout the construction industry. Rising from the ranks of office engineer to general manager and completing over 2.6 million sq. ft. of space at over $625 million dollars, it really gave me great understanding of how to successfully run a construction business.

Knowing that I wanted to grow the company at a rapid pace, I focused on finding individuals who had similar experiences at their previous companies as well. This has allowed me to trust in their knowledge of the foundational practices and procedures that are required to run a sound construction project. Skilled and committed people are the key to growth and producing exceptional work. Without great people, we would be stagnant in growth.

$15 million dollar bonding.

CDM7: If you can bond in this business, that speaks volumes to how your company operates. In addition, if you can bond up to $15 million dollars, this means you have capital and a stellar company on your hands.

Bonding for some companies is challenging because of how they keep their books and a lack of training in financial construction management. Bonding is like a credit card, and everyone has a limit. Your success rate on each project helps to increase your limit, which in turn, provides the company with more opportunities.

SUBC USA: Talk about how your company stands on its core values to deliver on every project.

CDM7: These values are profoundly important to any business, but especially to a construction business. Every day on the jobsite, you face obstacles and challenges that can be tough to overcome; having a strong value system is important. Honor is big to me because the construction industry is filled with vultures who have demolished the construction culture with dishonesty. Innovation and technology are key because we are just on the cusp of what is to come. Staying ahead of the technology curve will be paramount in helping us control our overhead and maximize the construction schedule and processes. A clairvoyant person is one who can see the future. And in construction, you must be three steps ahead in every move you make. Partnerships and relationships hold the key to our future. As the adage says, “Show me your friends and I will show you your future!”

Q&A with Trey Harris, president and CEO of CDM7:

SUBC USA: This is a veteran-owned company. What efforts do you/ your company practice to hire veterans for your company or to help veterans receive work in this industry?

CDM7: Being that this is a veteranowned construction company, we always look to invest in the growth of individuals, especially veterans, who demonstrate an interest and passion for this field. Being afforded the opportunity to coach and mentor those who have served this country is always a plus. They especially deserve an opportunity to not only work in this business, but gain the expertise to be qualified for promotion as industry leaders.

SUBC USA: What are your efforts to mentor the next generation of minority-owners in this industry?

CDM7: Mentoring the next generation is something that I am truly honored to do, and I enjoy it as well. I’m constantly sharing my insights with minority subcontractor owners to help them understand the thoughts of top-tier general contractors (GCs). The minority contractor ecosystem was truly created for subcontractors and not for the general contractor, so there are very few minority GCs. As we go from being minority GCs to just a GC, it will be important to help the future generation of construction industry leaders who intend to follow our path.

SUBC USA: Tell us about the significance of the reference to the number 7 in the company name.

CDM7: The number seven represents completion and the supernatural power of God. We want to be a company that finishes what we start. CDM7 believes that if we do the natural, God will do the super; together, we will

SUBC USA: What are some goals for the company moving forward?

CDM7: Moving forward, it will be important for us to not simply be known as a minority company, but as a commercial general contracting company that just so happens to be owned by a minority. We want to be able to hire, train, and give opportunities to people that look like us. When contributing my time to speak with construction majors at Prairie View A&M University, I can see how important it is for individuals like myself to spend time with them and share real world stories. In life, everything has to do with exposure. If you never get exposed to things, you’ll never know how to operate in specific situations. I want to make sure that those who want to know, receive the knowledge and opportunity to make a difference in the construction industry.

SUBC USA: With OSHA citing so many construction companies for not complying with COVID-19 safety standards, what is CDM7 doing to keep its construction teams safe and productive during this time?

CDM7: We take the safety and health of our employees extremely seriously, thus resulting in the creation of an extension to our already existing safety plan, specifically outlining key pre-screening questions before our employees, and subcontractors are able to begin daily work. If anyone exhibits signs of sickness, they are immediately sent home. A limited number of employees are allowed to be in a confined space at the same time to adhere to social distancing. When applicable, meetings are held virtually to lessen face-to-face contact. Everyone must wear a face covering and wash/ disinfect their hands regularly.

CDM7 stays ahead of the curve, remaining competitive in this arena, and aspires to find ways to work with their clients, owners, and partners, adding value to any organizational structure. With vast experience and expertise, CDM7 consistently delivers a cost-effective project in a safe manner through managing their schedule and quality control. The end result is always one their clients take pride in and patrons will love.

For more information on CDM7, Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021 please call 281-831-0802 or visit www.cdmseven.com.

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The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program at the University of Houston (UH) is committed to promoting the inclusion of HUB vendors in university procurements. The HUB Program ensures compliance with state HUB laws, assists UH departments in locating HUB vendors; as well as offering HUBs assistance to facilitate access and contracting opportunities.

For more information about how to do business with the University of Houston, bid opportunities, or to learn about events, workshops and seminars, visit: www.uh.edu/hub

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By Subcontractors USA News Provider

W

here colleges and universities open doors for the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) community through their separate programs, the University of Houston (UH) HUB Operations Department (HOD) uses the “continuous improvement” approach, proving successful in connecting HUBs with this Tier One university for lucrative opportunities.

Under the leadership of the Director of HUB Operations Dr. Linelle Clark, she and her team work strategically, diligently, and intentionally to identify and implement ever-changing strategies that have proven effective in increasing procurement opportunities for HUBs. As HOD enters a new year and adjusts to the impact of COVID-19; working remotely, social distancing, staying masked up; the HOD team remains ready, willing, and able to promote the inclusion of HUB vendors in university procurements. “This unforeseen pandemic has definitely forced a change in the structure in how our department operates. But I am proud of how my team and I have stepped up, above and beyond to meet the challenge, so we continue to provide HUBs access to procurement opportunities.

An example is our Building and Special Trade categories providing large opportunities for HUBs. HOD is also laser focused on the smaller spend areas such as commodities,” said Dr. Clark.

Being focused on the smaller spend areas has proven beneficial in exceeding UH’s HUB commodity purchasing goal. HOD revamping its annual HUB vendor fair, taking a more targeted approach has been vital to surge contracting opportunities for HUB exhibitors. For the April 2020 HUB Vendor Fair, fiscal year expenditure data was used by the HOD staff to determine the types of HUB vendors to invite as exhibitors and targeted UH staff with purchasing authority to attend the event. This event included 34 exhibitors and 250 UH staff resulting in $28,859.00 being spent with HUBs. “This was a great effort with predicted outstanding results if we were to move forward, but unfortunately, shortly after hosting this fair, COVID-19 impacted budgets and procurements. HOD however, saw this as an opportunity not to be stagnant, but adapt, still being instrumental as a department to extend procurement opportunities for HUBs,” Dr. Clark expressed.

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HOD implemented the following new and improved activities to help increase HUB contracting opportunities that began FY2020: • Elevating the assistance to UH departments in the identification of HUB vendors by: o Providing each college and division with a monthly HUB use report o Holding bi-annual HUB meetings with each college and division to jointly review expenditures to show missed HUB contracting opportunities and provide examples of HUBs that offer those services or commodities o Assisting college and division business offices in finding HUB vendors in needed categories o Providing all colleges with an annual HUB goal designed to stretch their prior spend rates • HOD and Information Technology developed a HUB Vendor database used by colleges and divisions for spot bid and informal bid procurements.

• HOD held a Purchasing Cooperative Workshop to help HUBs become aware of the benefits of being a part of a cooperative and how to become a cooperative member.

• HOD created the Did You Know? quarterly newsletter containing information about contracting opportunities, answer frequently asked questions, and share tips to help facilitate access and contracting opportunities.

• HOD implemented targeted HUB Vendor Fairs consisting of exhibitors that provide commodities and/or services that colleges/departments can identify a possible need for during the applicable fiscal year.

• HOD in partnership with the UH Construction Management Department and National Association of Minority Contractors created a Construction Management Talent Pipeline program to increase the construction industry talent pool and provide HUBs with knowledge to help them to be more competitive as prime contractors

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for construction work, including UH construction projects.

• HOD will host B2G trainings for contractors (primes and subcontractors) to highlight best practices and illustrate how to successfully utilize the B2GNow system.

• HOD hosts kick-off events held for major construction projects organized to not only share information, but to facilitate 2-way communication between panelists and attendees.

• HOD continues its HUB outreach via participation in community events.

Dr. Clark highlights some of the HOD’s recently implemented activities: Construction Talent Pipeline Program - HUB Operations uses data to identify gaps in services and innovative responses to help increase HUB participation. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are nearly 256,000 construction job vacancies (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t01. htm) as of April 2020---ranking as one of the business categories most in need of labor within the private sector. The labor shortage within the construction field impacts both HUBs and non-HUBs of all sizes. HUB Operations also recognizes there is a big difference between a $1M contract and a $30M contract, and there are HUB firms interested in transitioning from being a subcontractor to a prime contractor on UH construction projects. In response, the HUB Operations staff in partnership with the UH Construction Management (CM) Department and National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) created the Construction Management Talent Pipeline program. The program offers internships for UH students majoring in Construction Management and classes to provide HUB subcontractors with knowledge to help them to be more competitive as prime

contractors for construction work, including UH construction projects. Program graduates receive 32-hours CEU's and opportunities for mentor-protégé arrangements.

HUB Vendor Database - UH has internally developed this user-friendly database that allows HUBs to self-register into the system so the UH business office staff who initiate purchases can find the HUB vendors conveniently. The database also allows the HUB Operations Department to extract applicable HUB vendor information as needed.

Cooperative Purchasing Workshop - HOD hosted this workshop to increase the small business community’s knowledge about purchasing cooperatives to potentially increase their customer base and show how UH campuses utilizing cooperatives allow staff to select vendors without additional competitive bidding.

HOD deserves to boast of its expansion that is effective, even in the midst of COVID-19, connecting HUBs to UH procurement opportunities. “Though COVID-19 has definitely brought its share of challenges, our team’s thinking outside of the box and adopting new actions have kept us ahead of the curve so the small business community is able to remain competitive in their respective areas,” Dr. Clark said.

HOD’s ability to pivot is largely credited to it being more dependent on the department’s virtual platform, as they host vendor forums, workshops, meetings, and all other services virtually. The revamping of the HUB website was a part of HOD’s improvements on the virtual end, where visitors can find detailed information about the HUB Program and additional information that will benefit both the HUB vendor and prime contractor. The website is updated on a

regular basis with news of events, updates on HUB regulations as provided by the state, and instructions on how to complete required HUB documentation.

One of the many successes to their resultsdriven continuous improvement application is the department presenting strategies to increase HUB spending in each specific college and division based on their needs.

Dr. Clark emphasizes, “This is an internal effort to increase HUB purchases within the organization by providing necessary guidelines and tools. The benefits of this strategy are illustrated from the annual HUB Contest---For FY20, The Honors College was the first-place winner with 35.7% of expenditures made with HUB vendors, exceeding the assigned FY20 HUB goal of 8.80% by 26.93%.”

In addition to HOD’s traditional support and services, other resources and initiatives are available to provide a wealth of knowledge on how to do business with UH. HOD as always, will seek to identify and respond to gaps in services to increase contracting opportunities for HUBs. For more information on how you can do business with UH, please contact Dr. Linelle Clark, the Director of HUB Operations at 713-743-8603 or flclark@central.uh.edu.

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Community Oriented, Small Business Driven Proactively providing a better banking experience, every day.

David Vasquez VP, CRA Community Development Officer 2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston 713-249-6246 | cadencebank.com

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MANUFACTURING

OIL & GAS

PETROCHEMICAL

Industrial Welding Academy

We help welders become their best. The Industrial Welding Academy (IWA) is dedicated to teaching students the trade of welding through a uniquely designed curriculum that will allow graduates to achieve entry level positions within the many fields of skilled trades that utilize the learned techniques of welding. We are dedicated to the philosophy that your ability to earn a meaningful income is based on your dedication to learn marketable skills based on “Integrity With Attitude.”

•New, Quality Training Equipment

•Background-Friendly Companies

•Certified Instructors

•Over 250,000 Jobs Available1

•Student to Instructor Ratio of 15:1

•Flexible Tuition Payment Plans

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•Make Up to $100,000 Annually

713-672-WELD (9353) www.IWAtraining.com NEW BEAUMONT LOCATION

2730 W. Cardinal Dr | Beaumont, TX 77705 | Office (409) 840-9999 | Fax (409) 313-8077 11001 Wallisville Rd | Houston, TX 77013 | Office (713) 672-9353 | Fax (713) 672-9354

mybestwelding@iwatraining.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

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Industrial Welding Academy

A Family-Owned Enterprise Preparing the NEXT GENERATION OF WELDERS

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he nation's aging infrastructure requires the expertise of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers to help rebuild bridges, highways, and structures. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Recent statistics from Data USA show the number of people employed as welding, soldering, and brazing workers has been growing at a rate of 4.98%, from 580,520 people in 2018 to 609,457 people in 2019. Andre worked for several major industrial companies, and as a Certified Welding Educator (CWE), he has more than 30 years of training experience in the welding industry.

Miranda possesses more than 2 decades of workforce development and management experience, being a valuable element to IWA’s foundation.

Continuing to meet the industry’s demand for welders, providing higher education in welding is the Industrial Welding Academy (IWA). Since 2007, Andre Horn, founder and CEO and Miranda Horn, vice president, have been dedicated to teaching students the in-demand trade of welding built on their motto of “Integrity With Attitude.”

IWA, for more than a decade with an acclaimed certification program, has proven itself as more than just a welding school, but a proven place for young men and women to get a second chance, being successful in their personal and professional development. Under the direction of the Horns, the curriculum, staff, and instructors are strategic, so the student body feels more like part of a family, beyond the traditional teacher-student setting. This learning

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Left to Right: Andre Horn, Desiree Horn, Miranda Horn, Dalton Horn

environment is distinct and effectual, perpetually producing graduates who are the future generation of leaders in the welding profession and in their communities. “IWA changes the lives of our students by teaching them the valuable skill of welding. And we don’t take it for granted that we are in a city with one of the highest levels of employment in the welding field in the country. Yes, our students have the advantage in that instance, but we understand that the highest level of training needs to be available in order for them to secure gainful employment. IWA is about opening doors for young welders to be the best through our quality welding training environment. When

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021

our students gain the confidence careerwise, that also extends into their personal life, building self-esteem.

And that is one of the best things to witness.” Andre said.

The Horns leading this familyowned enterprise prepares not only students, but also the next generation of IWA leadership with their children, Desiree and Dalton Horn showing passion and gaining first-hand experience to be successful in continuing the IWA legacy. “I am more than honored to continue the legacy my parents have created from the ground up. For them to even consider passing the torch to me really means a lot. I get the privilege to keep this legacy alive and im-

pact the community the same way my parents did,” said Desiree. “IWA is the perfect place to come for those needing a second chance. Regardless of your background, welder qualifications are based on hands-on training and work ethic. Here at IWA, we focus on book knowledge and hands-on training that you will need in the field,” expressed Dalton.

But the academy’s achievements would not be possible without the IWA educators and support staff.

“You can give students requirements, but do they have the tools to meet those demands? I am thankful that IWA’s instructors are providing those necessary tools for our students to succeed in their education and in the real world after they

De the Le tak als leg the on ‘In ch co

d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston graduate from IWA,” Miranda said.

IWA CWEs are credentialed by the American Welding Society (AWS), the multifaceted nonprofit organization advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and related disciplines all across the country. Working with welders of all levels and companies of all sizes, IWA’s certified welding instructors have more than 50 years of experience in the welding industry.

Ever growing, with a location in Houston and expanding in 2018, with a school now in Beaumont, both state-of-the-art welding schools accommodate an industry-leading student-teacher ratio of 15:1. Training spaces are designed to resemble the job

Miranda and I are proud of the achievements of IWA, but we are training our children, esiree and Dalton, to build upon e foundation that we have laid. earning the business and what it kes to run a successful school, so earning the opportunity to lead IWA is what will sustain the IWA gacy. Our family and the IWA staff and instructors are dedicated to e philosophy that one’s ability to earn a meaningful income is based n their dedication to learn marketable skills. This is based on our ntegrity With Attitude’ motto. IWA stands on that now, and with our hildren one day taking over the reins, I have no doubt this academy will ontinue to stand on that for years to come.”

—Andre Horn, founder and CEO of the Industrial Welding Academy

test for certifications at their Houston location. “This annual event was especially important, being that we all have had to overcome challenges brought about by COVID-19. Our students, instructors, and staff had to adapt as well, and we understand that. But we are still here and applaud everyone for pushing through to not only continue to keep IWA a success, but to shine the light on our students who worked so hard and deserved this day. This annual day would not have been possible without AWS, our sponsors, proctors, community partners, instructors, staff, and the high school instructors who brought their students to participate,” expressed Miranda.

Though you may not realize it, welding shapes our communities and everyday lives. And IWA is proud to be instrumental in shaping the lives of the next generation working in this career.

From construction to manufacturing, the demand for welders remains strong.

Salaries are also good, given that many jobs in this arena don’t require an extensive education, with some making a six-figure income. IWA is not just about preparing students for a job, but a career and fulfilling life, conveying the great value of integrity and discipline upon its students.

Because many of the IWA students come from at-risk areas, IWA gives them a deserving second chance to change their lives. “IWA is providing our young people an invaluable opportunity to gain higher education in the welding industry. Miranda and I, with our children, dedicated instructors, and staff are equipping students to perform their best, because they have the credentials, discipline, experience, welding training, and confidence to excel and exceed expectations as welders,” Andre said.

Andre and Miranda have made IWA more than an academy, but a familyrun operation preparing students to be productive assets in the industry and in their communities. It’s a great legacy that will remain standing for years to come, one day being run by their children, Desiree and Dalton, remaining the bridge connecting those needing a second chance to a successful career in this industry.

settings in realistic welding conditions and environments. Students are each assigned a welding machine and welding booth during the course. IWA providing individual booths for students allows them to strengthen their skills received individually as well as collectively. IWA remains committed to providing the superior training and education that is in line with current welding industry needs.

Like many, IWA has had to pivot and adapt amid the pandemic, but the academy shows no signs of yielding, continuing to produce confident and competent welding professionals. “The government required closures during the pandemic did force us to close our doors temporarily for a couple of months, but we took that time to put new procedures into place when able to reopen for our students.

We were able to adapt with CDC and state regulations in place for the health and safety of our staff and students to remain productive in IWA’s learning environment,” said Andre. He added, “And with us being in the hub of the oil and gas and petrochemical core, there remains continuous career opportunities for our students after they graduDesiring to meet the steady ate. We had no choice but to adapt to demand for welders, IWA has future the current times. If you don’t adapt, plans to open additional facilities you get left behind, and there was no throughout the city and state. For choice but for us to reopen and push more information about IWA, please through. We owed that to the stu- visit www.iwatraining.com or email dents, staff, and to the community.” mybestwelding@iwatraining.com.

IWA proves to be a worthy driving Sources: force in educating our next generaU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tion of welders, recently holding their Data USA Annual Student Welder Certification Zippia Day, hosting aspiring welders from Houston and the surrounding areas to Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2021 167

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