Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2022

The 2022 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Rhonda Roychelle Newhouse Board of Trustees, Spring Independent School District

Candace Ford Founder, Project Beautiful Me

Bhakti Salunkhe Puranik Executive Director, Puranik Foundation

Karen Scott Owner, Founder & CEO, KNS Industrial Supply

Paula Harris Senior Vice President of Community Affairs, Houston Astros

Carolanda Bremond Woodgett Associate Vice President and General Counsel ad interim, UTMB

Sallie Alcorn Houston City Council Member, At-Large Position 5

Dr. Simone A. Ellis Owner and Entrepreneur, Smile Design Studios

Adrian Stephens President, Galena Park ISD School Board

Cindy Siegel Chairman, Harris County Republican Party

Laquita J. Cyprian Chief Banking Officer, Agility Bank

Ashlee Martin Attorney and Partner, Gerger Hennessy & Martin, LLP

Patricia Cantu Assistant Chief of Police, Houston Police Department Sherrita Monique Dorsey US Advocacy & Patient Engagement Lead, GlaxoSmithKline

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney Superintendent of Schools, Aldine Independent School District

Wendy Granato President and General Manager, ABC13 KTRK-TV

Antrece L. Baggett, Ed.D. Interim College Operations Officer, Houston Community College - Southeast College

Juliet K. Stipeche Director of Human Services, HoustonGalveston Area Council

Merinda Watkins-Martin Entrepreneur and Owner, Lemond Kitchen

LaShaunda P. René Vice President, TruFund Financial Services - Texas Market

MaryJane Mudd Executive Director, East Harris County Manufacturers Association

Susanne Brady-Lusk Vice President and General Manager, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages

Lynn Clouser Missouri City, City Council At-Large, Position #2

DeMonica D. Gladney Senior Counsel, Exxon Mobil Corporation

Carla Tharp Vice President of Corporate Development, Apache Corporation

Maxine N. Buckles Chief Equity Officer, Port Houston

Dr. Cynthia Lenton-Gary Chair, Houston Community College Board of Trustees

Dr. Jennifer Murdock Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Martina Lemond Dixon Chief Executive Officer, C3 Building Solutions

Michelle Carbone Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff, BMC Software

Ana Paula Do Nascimento Consulate General, Republic of Angola

Regina G. Deadrick Assistant Vice President, Aon

Martha Castex-Tatum Houston Vice Mayor Pro Tem, Council Member District K

Pamela McKay Vice President and General Manager, Radio One Houston

Dr. Christie Whitbeck Superintendent, Fort Bend Independent School District

Dorita Hatchett Founder, Owner & Lead Consultant, D.L. Hatchett & Associates, LLC

Dr. Tragil Wade-Johnson Speaker, Author, Life Coach and Philanthropist

Anita Bates Chief Operating Officer, She’s Happy Hair Marilyn Burgess Harris County District Clerk

Dr. Cashuna Huddleston Licensed Psychologist and Owner, New Way Psychological Services, PLLC

Sofia Adrogué, P. C. Attorney and Partner, Diamond McCarthy LLP

Latris Hamilton Chief Nursing Officer, Universal Health Services

Adriana Tamez, Ed.D. Board of Trustees, Houston Community College - District III and CEO, Tejano Center

Candace Blue Brokerage Owner and Team Leader, NextHome Elite Advisors

Kisha M. Porch Head of Retail Banking, Small Business and Online Products, J.P. Morgan Chase

THE HONORABLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Lucrecia Smith Senior Executive Assistant to CEO, American Red Cross

Message From the President & CEO MR. D-MARS

The d-mars.com fam ily and I are proud to host the 2022 d-mars. com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston event, which is a small token of our great appreciation to esteemed women locally and nationally who are heroes, history makers, and servant-leaders. It is with sincerity that I thank all of this year’s honorees for lighting the torch, and also for carrying and passing it in their respective fields. This phe nomenal group represents womanhood at the highest level. These women raise the bar and are leaving a mark that is crafting a path for those behind them and the next generation of female leaders to follow.

This awe-inspiring group emulates excellence in their personal and professional lives. They are the epitome of integrity with their words and actions, staying true to their values and purpose. Our honorees are reaping substantial successes and rewards because of their faith, work ethic, tenacity, and passion. Leading by example, they are using their businesses and gifts to elevate others around them.

Our honorees are women who have received opportunities because they create them, not afraid to go against the status quo. They under stand that their position is more than a job or

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a career, but a calling for the advancement of other women and those their position serves. So, whatever you are dreaming about, these women should encour age you to start to take action and make it a reality. Now the road won’t be easy, but our award recipients are proof that anything is possible with perse verance. They were not distracted by a no or the naysayers who said they were not good enough but set their own table and exceptional standard.

Congratulations to all of our 2022 d-mars.com

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston hono rees. While we are inspired by you, prayerfully this award helps confirm that the work you have done is not in vain. You make a difference, and we continue to expect great things from you.

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

“

The moment anyone tries to demean or degrade you in any way, you have to know how great you are. Nobody would bother to beat you down if you were not a threat

—Cicely Tyson, Tony and Emmy Award Winner

Message from Chief of Staff Kimberly Floyd

The d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston is an annual tradi tion honoring and celebrating women who represent success and emulate a servant’s spirit. Their attitude of servitude is what should inspire us most. In a self-serving world, these women shine a light of self lessness that has been a driv ing force behind their great achievements. Not only are they successful, but they con tinue to provide a hand for those around them, so they too are successful. They under stand and apply the concept of, “There’s room at the table for everyone.” This is what truly makes this year’s honorees top women.

These distinguished honorees, like other queens, wear many crowns. Many of our honorees are moms, aunts, friends, educa tors, and caregivers, and others wear the crown of wife, sister, entrepreneur, executive, and community leader. As you read through these bios, you will of course see accolades and ac complishments, but prayerfully what will shine brighter than all of that are their hearts, using their positions of leadership to create change for a better world.

Each honoree has an awareness that challenges are not a reason to give up but to instead give more of yourself with persistence,

Sincerely,

Ms. Kimberly Floyd

faith, and hard work to get to the other side for victory. Our d-mars.com Top 30 Influential Women of Houston re cipients will not be forgotten after their time on earth. They are legacybuilders, leaving a permanent mark of excellence in their respective fields that generations to come will follow for a long time.

Congratulations to our d-mars.com 9 th Annual Top 30 Influential Women of Houston. Thank you for being she roes and beacons of light. We honor you for not only what you do, but for who you are.

Chief of Staff and Managing Editor

Vaskey Media Group, Inc. Vaskey Media Group, Inc.

Parent Company of d-mars.com, Subcontractors USA-TEXAS and Top30Women.com Subcontractors USA and Top30Women.com

“The way forward isn’t a road we take; the way forward is a road women make.”

—Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history

Honorary Co-Chairs

Amber Mostyn Co-Founder

Mostyn Law

hern-Min Chow anchors KHOU 11 News at Noon weekdays, fills in on other newscasts and reports. She joined the station in 1996.

She began her career in journalism as a stringer for Newsweek and has worked at KTRK-TV and anchored at KPRC-TV in Houston, as well as KENS-TV in San Antonio. Chow’s awards include the Houston Press Club Award for Best Series, the Texas Associated Press Award for Best Spot Newscast-Producer and an Emmy for the documentary “Hong Kong Under the Dragon.”

Shern-Min speaks often to civic groups, schools, churches and other organizations. Over the years, she has made close to 1,000 community

appearances. She is currently on the advisory boards of the Asia Society and the Chinese Community center. She has previously served on the boards of SpringSpirit Baseball, the Bo & Stacey Porter Self Foundation, the YWCA, The Houston Ballet, the Chinese Community Center and The Bayou City Medical Center.

A history graduate from Yale University, Shern-Min speaks conversational Mandarin and Shang Hai dialects of Chinese. She has also studied Spanish, French and German. Shern-Min and her husband have two sons. They are students at Rice University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Phone: (713) 373-5577 Fax: (713)750-9472

contact@d-mars.com

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2022 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston d-mars.com 3d-mars.com Mistress of Ceremonies

Dr. Mya Smith-Edmonds Owner/Operator McDonald’s Co-Founder, The Smith Foundation, Inc.McDonald’s

Camille G. Cash, M.D. Plastic Surgeon Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

2022 Host Committee

Amber Mostyn Camille G. Cash, M.D. Dr. Mya Smith-Edmonds

Rhonda C. Arnold

Lina Sabouni

Joyce Jacquet Maribel Rodriguez Amber Newman

Ingrid M. Robinson Dr. Nicole West Melinda Faust Linda Leto Head Lenora Pohlman Shauna Clark Shelly deZavallos Vanessa Reed

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE HONORABLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Lucrecia Smith

HONOREES:

Senior Executive Assistant to CEO, American Red Cross 40

Sallie Alcorn

Anita Bates

Antrece L. Baggett, Ed.D.

Candace Blue

Attorney and Partner, Diamond McCarthy LLP 44

Houston City Council Member, At-Large Position 5 42 Sofia Adrogué, P. C.

Chief Operating Officer, She’s Happy Hair 46

Interim College Operations Officer, Houston Community College - Southeast College 48

Brokerage Owner and Team Leader, NextHome Elite Advisors 50

Susanne Brady-Lusk

Chief Equity Officer, Port Houston 54

Vice President and General Manager, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages 52 Maxine N. Buckles

Marilyn Burgess Harris County District Clerk 56

Patricia Cantu

Michelle Carbone

Martha Castex-Tatum

Lynn Clouser

Laquita J. Cyprian

Regina G. Deadrick

Assistant Chief of Police, Houston Police Department 58

Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff, BMC Software 60

Houston Vice Mayor Pro Tem, Council Member District K 64

Missouri City, City Council At-Large, Position #2 66

Chief Banking Officer, Agility Bank 67

Assistant Vice President, Aon 68

Chief Executive Officer, C3 Building Solutions 69 Candace Ford Founder, Project Beautiful Me 70 Ana Paula Do Nascimento

Martina Lemond Dixon

Consulate General, Republic of Angola 71 Sherrita Monique Dorsey

US Advocacy & Patient Engagement Lead, GlaxoSmithKline 72 Dr. Simone A. Ellis

Senior Counsel, Exxon Mobil Corporation 76

Owner and Entrepreneur, Smile Design Studios 74 DeMonica D. Gladney

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney

President and General Manager, ABC13 KTRK-TV 80

Superintendent of Schools, Aldine Independent School District 78 Wendy Granato

Latris Hamilton Chief Nursing Officer, Universal Health Services 82

Paula Harris

Dr. Cashuna Huddleston

Founder, Owner & Lead Consultant, D.L. Hatchett & Associates, LLC 86

Senior Vice President of Community Affairs, Houston Astros 84 Dorita Hatchett

Licensed Psychologist and Owner, New Way Psychological Services, PLLC 88

Dr. Cynthia Lenton-Gary

Attorney and Partner, Gerger Hennessy & Martin, LLP 92

Chair, Houston Community College Board of Trustees 90 Ashlee Martin

Pamela McKay

Vice President and General Manager, Radio One Houston 94 MaryJane Mudd

Executive Director, East Harris County Manufacturers Association 96 Dr. Jennifer Murdock

Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon 98 Rhonda Roychelle Newhouse

Board of Trustees, Spring Independent School District 100 Kisha M. Porch

Bhakti Salunkhe Puranik

LaShaunda P. René

Karen Scott

Cindy Siegel

Adrian Stephens

Head of Retail Banking, Small Business and Online Products, J.P. Morgan Chase 102

Executive Director, Puranik Foundation 103

Vice President, TruFund Financial Services - Texas Market 104

Owner, Founder & CEO, KNS Industrial Supply 106

Chairman, Harris County Republican Party 108

President, Galena Park ISD School Board 110

Juliet K. Stipeche

Carla Tharp

Dr. Tragil Wade-Johnson

Merinda Watkins-Martin

Dr. Christie Whitbeck

Carolanda Bremond Woodgett

Board of Trustees, Houston Community College - District III and CEO, Tejano Center 114

Director of Human Services, Houston-Galveston Area Council 112 Adriana Tamez, Ed.D.

Vice President of Corporate Development, Apache Corporation 115

Speaker, Author, Life Coach Life Coach, and Philanthropist 116

Entrepreneur and Owner, Lemond Kitchen 118

Superintendent, Fort Bend Independent School District 120

Associate Vice President and General Counsel ad interim, UTMB 122

C ITY OF H OUSTON

Sylvester Turner Mayor

P.O. Box 1562 Houston, Texas 77251 1562

Telephone Dial 311 www.houstontx.gov

September 16, 2022

August 23, 2019

Greetings,

Greetings,

As Mayor of the City of Houston, I welcome all attending the seventh annual Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala, hosted by d mars.com.

As Mayor of the City of Houston, I welcome all attending the seventh annual Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala, hosted by d-mars.com.

The Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards recognizes women who have broken barriers in their respective fields and lef t an indelible mark on the face of Houston. The honorees are business owners or senior executives in the public, private and nonprofit sectors who share a commitment to business growth, professional excellence and the community and are shaping the economic future of large and small corporations or independent firms. These women r epresent the finest in leadership in a variety of enterprises

The Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards recognizes women who have broken barriers in their respective fields and left an indelible mark on the face of Houston. The honorees are business owners or senior executives in the public, private and nonprofit sectors who share a commitment to business growth, professional excellence and the community and are shaping the economic future of large and small corporations or independent firms. These women represent the finest in leadership in a variety of 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: Chris Brown

SHEILA JACKSON LEE 18TH DISTRICT, TEXAS COMMITTEES:

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

HOMELAND SECURITY SUBCOMMITTEES: Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies Counterterrorism and Intelligence

BUDGET COMMITTEE

Greetings:

Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

Women of

STEERING AND POLICY COMMITTEE

HELSINKI COMMISSION MEMBER

VICE CHAIR CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS

SENIOR WHIP DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS

FOUNDER AND CO CHAIR CONGRESSIONAL CHILDREN’S CAUCUS

September 16, 2022

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 2022 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 2022 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston.

Sincerely,

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

Sheila Jackson Lee Member of Congress

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 2022

BORRIS L. MILES STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 13

COMMITTEES: Criminal Justice, Health and Human Services, Higher Education and Nominations

September 16, 2022

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

Central Houston Office

Northeast Office

Fort Bend Office

3.S3 5302 Almeda Road 3300 Lyons Avenue 2440 Texas Parkway P.O. Box 12068Suite A Suite 301 Suite 110 Austin, TX 78711Houston, TX 77004 Houston, TX 77020 Missouri City, TX 77489 512 463 0113 713 665 8322 713 223 0387 281 261 2360

30 Influential Women of Houston 2022

September 16, 2022

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Texas House of Representatives, District 146, it is a privilege to welcome all those in attendance at tonight's Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala

Tonight's honorees represent the very best of what Houston has to offer. These women come from all walks of life, each with varied stories and experiences, triumphs and tribulations. However, one thing remains constant: their dedication to the citizens of Houston.

I wish to thank D-Mars.Com for hosting and organizing tonight's gala. I extend my most sincere congratulations to the 30 women who will be honored tonight for their vast and varied contributions towards bettering all facets of our greater Houston community.

Warm regards,

State Representative Shawn Thierry

Texas House District 146

State Representative Shawn Thierry

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2017 Recipient

P.O. Box 2910

Austin, Texas 78768-2910 (512) 463-0554

6112 Wheatley Street Houston, Texas 77091

JARVIS JOHNSON

DISTRICT 139

September 16, 2022

Dear Honorees,

On behalf of District 139, I want to congratulate you as a diverse and distinguished group of women being recognized in the 2022 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

City of Houston

Chris B. Brown City Controller

September 16, 2022

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 2022 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

Women of Houston

Judge Joe Stephens

Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Place 1 Harris County, Texas

713-274-0760 Office 14350 Wallisville Rd., Suite 102 713 451 8074 Fax Houston, Texas 77049

September 16, 2022

Greetings, The Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards recognizes women who have left an indelible mark and have broken barriers in their respective fields. These women represent the finest leadership in a variety of enterprises. You are an example for others to follow, I applaud all of your professional achievements and for being leaders. I admire your dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence.

Congratulations on your hard work in your professions and for having a genuine heart for the community. Your hard work, dedication and successes are deserving of recognition.

Please accept my best wishes.

Sincerely

Judge Joe Stephens, Harris County

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 1

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA PLUMMER DDS

Houston City Council At-Large Position 4

September 16, 2022

Greetings,

As the City of Houston At-Large 4 Council Member, I am pleased to congratulate and welcome the 2022 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Honorees at the 9th Annual Women of Houston Awards & Gala, hosted by d-mars.com.

I applaud the accomplishments of the honorees and know they have gone above and beyond in their respective fields to break the glass ceiling. As women from different backgrounds, their commitment to excellence and overcoming barriers will help the advancement of women who come after them. These honorees, as well as being leaders, also behold the spirit of community service Houston is a better city with their leadership.

Please accept my congr atulations for the 2022 Honorees and Gala and I thank Mr. D. Mars for highlighting these influential women

Sincerely,

Annex

Texas 77002

September 16th , 2022

1522 Texas Pkwy.

Phone: 281.403.8500 Missouri City, Texas 77489 www.missouricitytx.gov

Congratulations Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Honorees:

On behalf of myself, Citizens, and Councilmembers of Missouri City, Texas I am grateful to be honored alongside women that support community, excellence, and change.

The contributions we all are making in our respective roles are intricate in shaping women for the future. The Top 30 Women organization is an outstanding extension to all our efforts to stick together and empower women to come.

It is a privilege to celebrate with and amongst the Class of 2022 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston.

Kind regards, Lynn Clouser

Lynn Clouser

Missouri City Councilwoman At-Large, Position #2

Yolanda Ford

Mayor, Missouri City

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

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

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2022

Women of

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

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

.

Here’s to raising expectations

At Comerica Bank, we salute you. Keep raising expectations, and the world will follow.

RAISE YOUR E XPECTATIONS.

2015 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

SPECIAL GUEST:

The Honorable Ivy R. Taylor - Mayor of San Antonio

ICON HONOREES:

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

HONOREES:

Devon Anderson - Harris County District Attorney’s Office

Dell H. Braunsdorf, M.D. - Amerigroup

Camille Cash, M.D. - Camille G. Cash, M.D., Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

April Day - Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance

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

Samille Frazier-Savoie, LPCS, LCDC, NCC - The BES Group, Inc.

Kim Gagne - Steve Harvey

Marian Harper - Houston Astros

Tammy Harris - Soul Grooves®Fitness

Vernita Harris - IMPACT Strategies Consultants, LLC

Winell Herron - H-E-B

Heather Holland - TransCanada Connie Kwan-Wong - CKW LUXE Magazine

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 Theresa Roemer - Theresa Roemer, LLC

Lina Sabouni - AUTOARCH Architects, LLC

Rhonda Skillern-Jones - Houston Independent School District (HISD)

Joyce Tyler-Williams - Frost Bank

Jennifer Yen, M.D. - UH Medical School, Baylor College of Medicine & Author

UNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: LaShonda Pierce and NaKeitha Ross - I.C.O.N. Women’s Organization

*Companies and titles in 2015

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

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

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

At H-E-B,we value our partnerships with women and minority suppliers. Through their contributions, we better understand the needs of our customers and add to the growth of our company and the communities we serve.

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 LaborUnited 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, PMPLecturer/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

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

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

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

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 ServiceOffice 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

*Companies and titles in 2019

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2022

2021 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

THE HONORABLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dr. Janice M. Beal - President , Beal Counseling Associates / Beal Behavioral Health

HONOREES:

Saba Abashawl - Chief External Affairs Officer, Houston Airports

Talia Alfred - Director of Operations, The Alfred Firm

Dr. Patricia K. Allen - Trustee District IV, President, HISD

Marna Graham Arvie, CPA - Franchise Owner, Mobility Plus Pearland

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

Dr. Ira K. Blake - President, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Cindy Clifford - Founder & Owner, The Clifford Group

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

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

Raynese Edwards - CEO/Chief Strategy Consultant, OutsideIn Consulting

Melinda Faust - Managing Director, Detring Energy Advisors

Dr. Charlene Flash - President and CEO, Avenue 360 Health & Wellness

Dr. Reagan Flowers - Houston Community College, Board of Trustees

Lauren Haller Fontaine - Senior Director & Legal Counsel – Operations, Pattern Energy

Eureka Gilkey - Executive Director, Project Row Houses

Cynthia Ginyard - Chairwoman, Fort Bend County Democratic Party

Dr. Cherry Ross Gooden - Retired, Texas Southern University

Veronica Chapa Gorczynski - President, East End District

DeAnna Green - CEO and Founder, The Nydan Group, LLC.

Teneshia Hudspeth - County Clerk, Office of Teneshia Hudspeth, Harris County Clerk

Jenifer Jarriel - President and CEO, DePelchin Children’s Center

Tennille Johnson - Co-Founder, Co-Owner & CEO, Scrubs to the Rescue

Jamie Jordan - Family Law Attorney and Owner Community Service Advocate, Jamie Jordan, PLLC

Vivian R. King - First Assistant/Chief of Staff, Harris County DA’s office

Linda Leto Head - Senior Associate Vice Chancellor, Lone Star College

Cassie A. Levy - CEO, Emmit Moss Trust

Melanie Miles, Esq. - Board Certified Family Law Attorney and Real Estate Professional, The Law Office of Melanie Miles, P.C.

Amber Mostyn - Co-Founder, Mostyn Law

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

Andrea Nguyen - Director of Community Relations, Executive Director of Education Foundation, Pasadena ISD

Tamla Oates-Forney Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer, Waste Management

Rani Puranik - Co-Owner and Global CFO, Worldwide Oilfield Machine

Linda M. Rhodes - Executive Director, Women’s Fund Health Education & Resiliency

Karen Carter Richards - Forward Times Publishing Company, Inc.

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

Erica Davis Rouse - Trustee, San Jacinto College District Board, Co-Founder of ReachOne713

Tasha Royal - Founder, The Royal Agency

Dr. Reem Sabouni - REI Physician, Director of Infertility and Oocyte Cryopreservation, Houston Fertility Institute

Dr. Roberta Grace Scott - Director Social Emotional Learning & Student Discipline, HISD

Tracy T. Smith - CEO, Taylor Smith Consulting, LLC

Lenora Sorola-Pohlman - Broker Consultant, Navarro Insurance Group

Helen Stagg - Chief Executive Officer, Change Happens

Tiffany D. Thomas - Councilwoman, District F, Houston City Council

Molly Waits - Chief Marketing, Air Service Development and Communications Officer, Houston Airports

Janice Weaver - Director of Community Relations, City of HoustonMayor’s Office

*Companies and titles in 2021

2 2

S T O P 3 0 I N F L U E N T I A L W O M E N I N H O U S T O N

A M B E R M O S T Y N

Co-Founder, Mostyn Law 2021 Honoree & 2022 Co-Chair

Taking care of Houston in and outside the courtroom with OUR team of influential women.

Lucrecia Smith

Senior Executive Assistant to CEO, American Red Cross

Lucrecia Smith has been employed by the American Red Cross, Texas Gulf Coast Region for over 36 years.

She began her career as an Administrative Assistant in 1985 and advanced in her career to Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO within a short time. She continued her career onboarding, supporting and imparting her knowledge to 6 CEOs over the last 36 years. Throughout her Red Cross career, she has witnessed Red Cross’s Disaster responses deliver vital services – from providing relief and support

to those in crisis, to helping people be prepared to respond in emergencies.

During these years, Lucrecia has been the contact for Elected Officials, when duty calls in many major storms/tragedies/fires/ to mention just a few: Tropical Storm Alicia, Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Harvey; the Atlas Air cargo plane crash in Anahuac Texas Bay at Chambers County, the Channelview High School band members bus crash in Alabama who were returning from Disney World in Florida; and several Mass School shooting tragedies. She has supported this organization, working closely with the

CEOs, the Houston Red Cross Board of Directors and Elected Officials for over 36 years by being the contact in time of need!

Lucrecia considers it a blessing for God to allow her to work for the American Red Cross where their mission falls in line with God’s mission to serve people.

Lucrecia studied at Texas Southern University, Texas School of Business and College of Biblical Studies. She is also a certified Court Reporter.

She is also the First Lady of South Union Missionary Baptist Church where her husband Michael V. Smith has been pastoring for 24 years. She is a firm believer that her ministry is ministering to her husband, God, her family, her church, and communities abroad!

Lucrecia Smith is the proud wife of Pastor Michael V. Smith, and the proud mother of 5 adult children, and 5 grandchildren. She is also very proud to say that they have been blessed to have a very large extended family…through the adoption of one of their daughters, they became parents and grandparents to her adult siblings (2 brothers and 1 sister) and through them, they have a total of 16 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren!!!! Her favorite pass time is cooking & family time!

Lucrecia Smith

Senior Executive Assistant to CEO

American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region

2700 Southwest Freeway

Houston, TX 77098 713-313-1679

Lucrecia.smith2@redcross.org

Sallie Alcorn

Sallie Alcorn was elected to Houston City Council in December 2019. As an at-large council member, she works on broad policy issues – city finances, public safety, flood mitigation, transportation, mobility, infrastructure, environment, and parks and greenspace. Sallie launched the city’s first budget survey, YOUR TWO CENTS in 2020, aimed at increasing resident engagement and input in the city’s budgeting process. Through her role as the chair of the Regulatory and Neighborhood Affairs Committee, Sallie has also been heavily engaged in neighborhood issues, leading the charge to revise the City of Houston’s animal welfare and noise ordinances. Further, she has continued to work towards improving and streamlining processes at city permitting. Sallie represents the city on regional issues as a board member of

the Houston-Galveston Area Council and an alternate on the region’s Transportation Policy Council.

Prior to running for office, Sallie was a longtime City Hall staffer. She served two council members as chief of staff and worked in the city’s flood recovery office. As chief of staff to the chair of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, Sallie learned to navigate the city’s $5 billion budget. She helped develop the city’s comprehensive financial policies and orchestrated five years of budget hearings. She was heavily involved in initial Harvey recovery efforts and obtained grant funding to advance green stormwater infrastructure initiatives. She assembled and managed a task force to tackle redevelopment and flooding policies, worked with council members to identify neighborhood drainage projects, and led the charge to bring Houston’s Adopt-A-Drain Program to life.

Sallie has a long history of serving her community. She has worked with offenders as a volunteer facilitator for Bridges to Life, a restorative justice prison program aimed at reducing recidivism rates. She is on the advisory board of the San Jose Clinic and the Houston Maritime Center and Museum and has previously served on the boards of Holocaust Museum Houston and the Houston READ Commission. Sallie has chaired events and raised funds for the Holocaust Museum, the Women’s Fund, the Children’s Museum, the READ Commission, and the Contemporary Arts Museum. She also served for many years as a parent volunteer at her children’s schools. Sallie is a longtime member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Sallie moved to Houston in the seventh grade and attended Westchester High School. She graduated with a finance degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a master of arts in public administration from the University of Houston.

She and her husband George have been married 34 years and have four grown children.

Sallie Alcorn

Houston City Council Member

At-Large Position 5 Houston City Hall Annex 900 Bagby Street Houston, Texas 77002 832-393-3017 atlarge5@houstontx.gov www.houstontx.gov

Houston City Council Member, At-Large Position 5

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 www.uh.edu/hub

Sofia Adrogué, P. C.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sofia Adrogué immigrated to the United States at the age of eight arriving in Boston at Logan Airport with her family and 14 suitcases, speaking little to no English. Funded by a $5,100 grant from the World Health Organization, in pursuit of the American Dream, her parents raised all five children to follow the family’s tradition of post-graduate careers in either medicine or law—all five are doctors or lawyers. Her recipe and road to success professionally are the education she attained in the United States and the commensurate opportunities provided.

Today, Sofia is a seasoned trial partner with Diamond McCarthy LLP, a 10-year Texas Super Lawyer & Latino Leaders “25 Most Influential Hispanic Lawyers” & “Most Powerful Women in Law.” An innovative and tenacious advocate and leader in and out of the courtroom, Sofia represents clients in diverse industries, ranging from entrepreneurs to multinational conglomerates with worldwide business holdings, including energy, healthcare, real estate, hotels, and cosmetic manufacturing. She has obtained

favorable judgments and settlements on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants in U.S. state and federal courts and in alternative dispute resolution (ADR— mediation & arbitration) proceedings.

She serves as a litigator and trusted advisor navigating and resolving a litany of issues, with deep industry knowledge, from the simplest to the most complex. Her leadership, pragmatism, and persistence are recognized and valued in turbulent times.

Sofia serves as outside general counsel for select clients advising on best strategies and actionable resolutions for business success. Having served on over 15 boards, she is currently a Member of the Houston First Board of Directors as well as the City of Houston Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board and Chair of the Boards & Commissions Appointments Subcommittee. She serves as the Editor of the Texas Business Litigation treatise (5th Edition) and has published and/or spoken on over 250 occasions.

She is a graduate of Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Program, an alumna of HBS (U.S. Keynote

Graduation Speaker for HBS OPM 37, ostensibly the first woman, & U.S. Class Representative), and a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, magna cum laude, & Rice University, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, both on full academic scholarships.

She has received over 40 awards, including the 2021 World Affairs Council of Greater Houston Global Leader of Influence; 2020 Comcast Hispanic Heroes Award; a Greater Houston Women's Chamber “Hall of Fame” Inductee; a Houston Chronicle Channel 11 “Texas Legend” & 10 “Extraordinary Latinos” (Inaugural List); National Diversity Council “Most Powerful and Influential Woman of Texas” & one of the “Top 50 Women Lawyers”; a UH Law Center Immigration Clinic Arrival Award as well as a Houston Jaycees “Outstanding Houstonian”; a Texas Jaycees “Outstanding Texan”; and a U.S. Jaycees “Outstanding Young American”; among other recognitions.

She serves as the Co-Host & Co-Producer of Latina Voices—Smart Talk. Sofia has been recognized for her public service by the City of Houston with a proclamation of July 10, 2004 & December 18, 2018, as “Sofia Adrogué Day.”

Although 5,000 miles away from her place of birth, she is undoubtedly a Houstonian. Sofia is inordinately proud of the endless possibilities of our City. It was, and is, the land of opportunity where meritocracy— with a little luck and lots of grit and grind— prevails. “Never forget who you are, and where you came from, and find your passion, then pursue it with preparation, perspiration, persistence, and panache.”

Sofia Adrogué Partner

DiamondMcCarthy LLP/President, SAPC 909 Fannin, Suite 3700 Houston, TX 77010 sadrogue@diamondmccarthy.com www.diamondmccarthy.com

Attorney and Partner, Diamond McCarthy LLP & President, SAPC

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2022

Women of

Chief Operating Officer, She’s Happy Hair

Anita Bates is a member of the Executive Team serving as Chief Operating Officer for She’s Happy Hair and responsible for the global operations of the company. She brings more than 25 years of experience to She’s Happy Hair. Her experience and leadership have been focused on developing and delivering business solutions, providing outstanding customer satisfaction and driving profitable revenue growth.

She has an impressive history of surpassing ambitious goals and delivering results. In October 2019 Anita was successful in re-implementing the “Buy Now Pay Later” program for customers which has increased total company revenue to-date by $5.2M. She has also created a Road Map to Success for incoming Managers; which has helped to build a winning culture for employees.

To stay ahead of the competition she deemed it necessary to create an

effective communications plan through organizational policies and procedures.

Anita is dedicated to supporting the CEO by assisting him to position the company for success, developing sales growth, creating new revenue streams, and building highly accomplished and effective teams that demonstrate a profound dedication to operational excellence. As a senior leader, she is also responsible for overseeing the strategic direction for the company.

Anita began her career in the Oil & Gas industry. It was during that time that she rapidly gained experience in sales, marketing, project management, and leadership. Over the following years, she built her expertise in accounting and general management. She took a series of leadership roles that eventually led to her becoming an accomplished senior executive.

Anita holds a Bachelor's Degree from Houston Baptist University and a Master of Business Administration with a focus

on Accounting, Human Resources and Marketing from University of Phoenix. She has completed one year towards the Organizational Management PhD program at Capella University. Anita believes the only way to success is to continue to develop yourself professionally. Therefore she attends trainings across the United States to continuously build a stronger foundation.

She is always willing to hit the ground running and extremely passionate and result oriented; which is why she also enjoys being the Associate Director for the She’s Happy Foundation. The foundation was developed by CEO Warren Broadnax and has raised funds to help inner city youth and families in need. This takes place in every city that operates a She’s Happy Hair location.

Demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit, Anita has the ability to identify strategies that will lead to growth; she used this mindset to start The PowerPlay PR. Her desire was to use her skillset to assist other companies with becoming successful.

Anita is currently a member of The COO Forum; because the role of the COO is not an easy one.

It’s constantly changing and the demands are always significant. This group provides peer support, guidance and collaboration to help each other succeed in their roles. When not at work, Anita enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and exercising.

Anita Bates

Chief Operating Officer 832-814-5346

She’s Happy Hair

www.sheshappyhair.com

Anita Bates

Antrece L. Baggett, Ed.D.

Interim College Operations Officer, Houston Community College - Southeast College

of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Science and Ferris State University, Doctorate in Community College Leadership.

Dr. Baggett, a native Mississippian, received her Bachelor of Arts (History) from Texas Southern University, Master of Arts (History) from the University of Mississippi, and Doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Her doctoral dissertation explores the “Gulf Coast Region Title IX Committee: A Coordinated Community Higher Education Response Model for Student Safety and Success”. This eleven-member college and university committee navigates Texas Senate Bill 212 and House Bill 1735 by establishing best practices for college students and employees who are victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, harassment, and stalking.

After decades of collaboration with leaders in Houston’s Domestic Violence Movement and volunteering with organizations that support victims, she took a leap of faith and opened A. L. Mingo Services LLC. An intimate partner violence firm that focuses on open, honest, healing conversations with domestic violence survivors hiding in plain sight.

Dr. Antrece L. Baggett, a fourth-generation educator and domestic violence advocate, is the Houston Community College, Southeast College interim college operations officer. She oversees the Southeast College’s budgets, facilities, and business office. She has served HCC since 1995 in a variety of positions including faculty, Director of Africana African American and Women and Gender Studies programs, HCC Foundation Vice Chair of Fundraising, and Faculty Senate President, 2021-2022 where she represented 2,900 instructors on the Chancellor’s Executive Council.

Dr. Baggett is a member of the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Texas Council on Family Violence, and a charter member of the Houston Community College chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges.

Dr. Baggett is a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a charter member of the Greater Pearland Area (TX) Chapter of the Links Incorporated where she serves as the chapter’s third president. She serves on alumni advisory boards for Texas Southern University, College

Dr. Baggett is the wife of Terrence Medearis and has a blended family of five adult children, one son-in-law, four grandchildren, and a rambunctious fur baby. She is the daughter of a United States Air Force veteran and Houston Independent School District retired educator and character education facilitator. She is a member of Shepherd of the Heart United Methodist Church.

Antrece L. Baggétt, Ed.D. Interim College Operations Officer, Southeast College

Houston Community College

Contact (business) email: antrece.baggett@hccs.edu

Personal email: albaggett2014@gmail.com

Phone number: 832-741-6300

www.hccs.edu

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2022

Influential Women of Houston

Candace Blue

Brokerage Owner and Team Leader

Candace Blue is a Houston native with a keen eye for detail and knowledge of the city. Her complete resourcefulness translates into big advantages for her clients across Houston and surrounding areas. As co-owner of NextHome Elite Advisors and the Team Leader of Houston Luxury Living, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her team. Candace also believes in educating her clients in buying, selling, and leasing both residential as well as commercial real estate in the nation’s 4th largest city.

Candace is known for being energetic, creative, and a good communicator with strong negotiation skills. Candace is very reliable and will cater to your real estate needs to ensure your complete satisfaction. Her clients have appreciated her dedication and strong determination to exceed their expectations. She truly enjoys

achieving her client’s real estate goals!

Candace knows that real estate transactions can be very stressful, which is why she is someone you can trust who can handle all of the details for you. She is known for being a great listener and will gain a solid understanding of your goals and objectives.

Since joining NextHome, Candace has earned The President’s Circle award as an independent agent as well as while leading The Luxury Living Team for closing sales volume to exceed $30 million. She has also been invited to be a guest speaker on talk shows, podcasts, schools, and conferences, while also being spotlighted in various publications.

Her additional accomplishments include:

• The NextHome Pinnacle Office Award

• NextHome Premier Team Award

• President's Circle Team Award Winner

• HBREA Top 20

• The Young Millionaire Series Speaker

Service Award

• The Houston Lawyer Association

Mission Ally Award

• NextHome Presidents Circle

• Accredited Luxury Home Specialist

• Seller Representative Specialist

• Accredited Buyer Representative

Candace has represented numerous buyers and sellers in Texas including firsttime home buyers, veterans, foreclosures, and short sales, just to name a few. She has strong relationships with many service providers who are proud partners of The Houston Luxury Living’s Team concierge department. These relationships are key elements of Candace’s referral formula which assists in achieving her goals and allow her to convert transactions into relationships.

Candace’s 18-year background in Human Resources blends well with mentoring agents to provide value to their careers. Candace also remains active in Fort Bend County and is involved in several community service projects.

Candace is married to Attorney R.J. Blue, her husband of 19 years. She is the mother of two daughters, Paige and Gabrielle, with a Maltese-Terrier rescue dog named Ace. In her spare time, Candace enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, traveling, hiking, and volunteering. She is a member of the National Charity League, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and Spouses of Houston Barristers.

Candace Blue

Brokerage Owner & Team Leader

NextHome Elite Advisors

The Houston Luxury Living Team

77 Sugar Creek Center Blvd., Suite 600 Sugar Land, Texas 77478 832-545-8444

Candace@houstonluxuryliving.com www.houstonluxuryliving.com

Susanne Brady-Lusk

Vice President and General Manager, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages

company has produced record-breaking sales. With her team banning together, they pushed through with success in the midst of the pandemic, the preparation of six hurricanes, and the lowest temperatures the region experienced in decades.

Susanne holds an MBA and has taught several Harvard Business School classes to their associates on transformational leadership. She believes it is the role of every leader to develop talent and to build future leaders for their company. One of the highlights of her position is to help employees grow and move up within the organization, seeing employees start at mid-level positions and move up the ranks to oversee millions in sales.

Two areas are important to Susanne. The first is ensuring that employees have the tools and understanding of the path they need to follow to be effective leaders within the organization. Her desire is to help build the next generation of leaders for CocaCola Southwest Beverages who will also protect the great brand. The second is Inclusion & Diversity. She is a driving force within the company to help create a culture where they seek out a diverse workforce.

Susanne Brady-Lusk is the Vice President and General Manager of Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. Susanne has 13 years of experience in the CocaCola system as Key Accounts Manager, Area Sales Manager, Houston Market Unit Director of Small Stores, and Vice President of West Texas Market Unit.

Susanne began her career 32 years ago at Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) in New Orleans as a key account/small store manager. While it was a step back for her in terms of pay and managerial responsibility, it ultimately turned out to be

a giant leap forward. She began her career at CCE, servicing 18 different accounts ranging from national accounts to large local accounts, then being promoted to an Area Sales and Merchandising Manager, in New Orleans, Thibodeaux, and New Iberia.

In her current role, she oversees more than half of the business for Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages which includes 13 facilities and 3,500 associates.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic and severe weather issues that resulted in a high number of employee illnesses and labor shortages, for two years in a row, under Susanne’s leadership, the

Sustainability is also an important initiative for the company, and its efforts to support the community have been recognized by Keep Texas Beautiful, the Houston Texans, and the Houston Astros. Susanne’s community involvement includes the Network of Executive Women, the Executive Women’s Partnership of Houston, the Boys & Girls Club, and serving as Board Chairperson for the Special Olympics Texas.

Susanne Brady-Lusk

Vice President and General Manager

ARCA Continental/Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages

10475 Deer Trail Dr. Houston Texas 77038

Susanne.brady-lusk@cocacolaswb.com 281-380-7156 www.cocacolaswb.com

Maxine N. Buckles

Chief Equity Officer, Port Houston

Maxine Buckles is Port Houston’s first Chief Equity Officer. She was appointed after Port Houston established the Business Equity Division and launched its Minority and WomanOwned Business Enterprise Development Program (MWBE) which complements the existing Small Business Enterprise Development Program (SBE). Maxine is responsible for the implementation and administration of supplier diversity, equity, and training programs. She serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team to ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion are infused in the Port Houston culture, and plays a pivotal role in creating a comprehensive strategy to launch, facilitate, and implement DEI initiatives across the organization.

Maxine’s prior Port Houston experiences include eight years as its first Chief Audit Officer with responsibility for monitoring and coordination of Port Authority audit activity; and three years as Corporate Controller with responsibility for financial accounting and reporting functions, and

oversight of annual independent financial audits. Other professional experiences include five years as Senior Financial Consultant; four years as the first Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of an electricity monitoring firm in Austin, Texas; and five years as CFO and Treasurer of an oilproducts pipeline company in Atlanta, Georgia, the first woman and person of color to hold this position.

Maxine, who is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), has held a number of other senior-level financial positions primarily within energy-related entities, and began her career in public accounting with a major firm. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with honors from Xavier University of Louisiana and an MBA with an emphasis in Accounting from Tulane University. She is a member of several professional organizations including the National Diversity Council, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), National Black MBA Association, Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA), and Financial Executives International (FEI).

Maxine believes in giving back to others and the community. She currently serves as a board member of the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC). Maxine is a member of the 25th graduating class of Leadership Austin. Her volunteer and civic duties include past membership on the Austin Community College Accounting Department Advisory Committee, YWCA of Houston Board of Directors, Council Member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta Youth of the Year Annual Banquet, and Team Sponsor/ Volunteer with the Connecticut Special Olympics.

Maxine is a native of Chicago, Illinois, is a long-term resident of Houston, Texas, and in her spare time enjoys arts & crafts, movies, and various relaxing activities.

Maxine N. Buckles

Chief Equity Officer

Port Houston 111 East Loop North Houston, Texas 77029 www.porthouston.com

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2022

Women of

Marilyn Burgess Harris County District Clerk

Marilyn Burgess is your Harris County District Clerk. She is a seasoned businesswoman with vast leadership skills and administrative experience. In 1975, she graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) with an Accounting Degree and practiced as a CPA for more than 25 years.

Ms. Burgess is passionate about women’s rights, education, and protecting our children and communities from gun violence. She is a sustaining member of the Harris County Democratic Party and is also active in many local Democratic Clubs.

District Clerk Burgess developed her belief in hard work and public service from her parents Oda and Glover Rockett. Both of them held elected office in her hometown

of Spearsville, LA. Marilyn was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha social sorority at LSU and served in leadership roles as an alumni.

From 1999 to 2001, Marilyn led the Texas Parent Teachers Association (TPTA) as Executive Director. It was during her tenure at the TPTA that she found her calling to advocate for causes that improve the lives of working and middle-class families, single mothers, and teachers.

For the past two decades, District Clerk Burgess has contributed to her community by serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Travis County; member of the Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast Finance Committee; and board member of Jane’s Due Process, in Houston.

In 2002, Ms. Burgess moved to Houston and served as President of the North

Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce until 2006.

In 2018, Marilyn ran for Harris County District Clerk on a platform focused on modernizing the jury system by launching online registration for prospective jurors, increasing the diversity of juries, and ensuring a living wage for the hardworking professionals that staff the District Clerk’s Office (DCO). As District Clerk, Marilyn oversees a budget of $40 million and a staff of more than 500 people.

At the beginning of her administration, District Clerk Burgess conducted an internal audit that identified over $85 million in unbilled civil court fees going back over 20 years. As of August 2022, the DCO has collected over $5.5 million of these stale fees and instituted monthly billings. Additionally, for the first time ever, the DCO now accepts credit cards for criminal fines and payment plans. Recently, District Clerk Burgess obtained funding from the Harris County Commissioners Court to give muchneeded raises to productive employees.

In December 2021, District Clerk Burgess received the prestigious G. Thomas Munsterman Award for Jury Innovation bestowed by the National Center for State Courts. Factors contributing to this award include implementation of e-Juror, an electronic summoning system fully developed by the DCO’s IT team, as well as providing free parking and coffee to Harris County jurors.

Under District Clerk Burgess’ leadership, the DCO is becoming a much more efficient department that prioritizes exemplary customer service, internal productivity, and transparency.

Marilyn Burgess

Harris County District Clerk

201 Caroline, Suite 420 Houston, Texas 77002 (832) 927-5800

m.burgess@hcdistrictclerk.com

www.hcdistrictclerk.com

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Patricia Cantu

Assistant Chief of Police, Houston Police Department

Patricia Cantu is an Assistant Chief with the Houston Police Department, the fifth-largest municipal police department in the United States. She is a native Houstonian growing up in Houston’s East End and graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School. Her law enforcement career began with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department in 1991 serving through 1999. At the HCSO, she worked as a Deputy/jailer at the various jails, at the Inmate Processing Center, the Information Booth, and was the first Latina selected to work in the Harris County Narcotic Task Force working in an undercover capacity. While at the Sherriff’s Department, Patricia successfully completed an internship in the Homicide Division and the Juvenile Violent Offenders Unit for college credit.

In August 1999, Patricia joined the

Houston Police Department. As an officer, she was assigned to Patrol, Differential Response Unit/Community Service, and the Divisional Internal Affairs Unit. As a Sergeant, she worked in an investigative and administrative capacity in the Burglary and Theft Division, Financial Crimes Unit and returned to Patrol as a Field Training Sergeant. As a Lieutenant, she was recognized as being the first female Lieutenant and first Latina to hold the prestigious title in the Solo Motorcycle Detail, Traffic Enforcement Division. The Solo unit is responsible for commanding Presidential and other high risk dignitary escorts. As a Captain/Commander, she proudly served the community she was raised in at the Eastside Patrol Division. Her last assignment as a Commander was at the Air Support Division.

On April 17, 2021, Police Chief Troy Finner

appointed Patricia to Assistant Chief of Patrol Region 2 Command where she oversees 5 Patrol Divisions and Traffic Enforcement leading more than 800 personnel. She also has been instrumental with organizing public safety initiatives such as the City of Houston’s gun buyback program, implementing recommendations from the Mayor’s task force on police reform, and mentoring future leaders of the Houston Police Department.

In July of 2017, Assistant Chief Cantu attended FBI National Academy Session #269. On November 1, 2017 thru December 2, 2017, as a Commander, she volunteered to represent and lead HPD to assist the relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. She was responsible for the first 50 officers and supervisors of the first two groups. Traveling to Puerto Rico made HPD history, as this was the first time the Department traveled out of the country to assist another Law Enforcement agency. In June 2022, she completed the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) class #82 in Boston.

Today, she is the highest-ranking Hispanic female at the Houston Police Department. She chairs various committees including the Crash Review Board and the FBINA Selection Committee and is Vice Chair of the Department’s Hispanic Officer of the Year Committee. Chief Cantu has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, Downtown and a master’s degree in criminal justice from University of Houston at Clear Lake.

Patricia Cantu

Assistant Chief of Police

Houston Police Department

1200 Travis Street

Houston, Texas 77002

713-308-1590

www.houstontx.gov/police

Patricia.Cantu@ houstonpolice.org

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2022

Michelle Carbone

Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff, BMC Software

honoring her own heritage.

Throughout her career, Michelle has received several distinctions for her leadership and accomplishments including ranking on The Top 100 Women Leaders in Technology for 2021 as published in Women We Admire.

Outside of the office, Michelle enjoys traveling with friends and family, new experiences, and learning more about different cultures and music. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Houston Baptist University.

Michelle Carbone

SVP of Operations & Chief of Staff to CEO

BMC Software 2103 CityWest Blvd. Houston, Texas 77042 michelle_carbone@bmc.com 713.824.6676 www.bmc.com

As Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff at BMC Software, Michelle Carbone is a trailblazer in driving operational excellence through the power of people, processes, and technology. As a key member of Houston-based BMC’s executive leadership team, she oversees value creation across the entire customer lifecycle including revenue operations, shared services, and analytics, as well as the transformation office. Under her leadership, Michelle has helped accelerate BMC’s overall digital transformation while delivering an enhanced customer, partner, and employee experience. Prior to her current role, Michelle was instrumental in fast-tracking BMC’s subscription journey, unifying salesforce teams, and modernizing the company’s

quote-to-cash process. She played a critical role in architecting the customer value proposition, a subscription/ SaaS-oriented product roadmap, customer journey enhancements, and a compensation framework to incent sales performance. These efforts resulted in significant savings and delivered an optimized sales engagement model and experience for customers.

In addition to her passion for work and driving transformation, Michelle prioritizes giving back to her community and teams through Women in Technology & Business organizations and is an executive sponsor and personal supporter for BMC’s participation in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. A champion for diversity, Michelle is also an advocate for the Latin Employee Resource Group at BMC

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Martha Castex-Tatum

On May 5, 2018, Martha CastexTatum won the special election to fulfill the unexpired term of the late Houston City Council Member Larry Green representing District K, which stretches across southwest Houston into Fort Bend County. A staunch community advocate, Council Member Castex-Tatum began her career in public service as the first African-American female to serve on the San Marcos, TX city council. During her term, she was elected by her colleagues to serve as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem. January 2020 began her first full four-year term as a Council Member of the district in which she was raised. Council Member Castex-Tatum was unanimously elected by Mayor Sylvester Turner and her City Council colleagues to serve as the City of Houston’s Vice Mayor Pro-Tem.

Castex-Tatum currently serves as the chairperson of the Economic Development committee and is a member of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs, Ethics Elections and Council Governance, Housing and Community Affairs, Regulations and Neighborhood Affairs, and Transportation Technology and Infrastructure city council committees.

Council Member Castex-Tatum is the current president of the Texas Municipal League, which provides a variety of services to over 1,150 member cities.

Council Member Castex-Tatum’s passion is public service and she strives every day to restore people’s faith in government.

Castex-Tatum is a graduate of Leadership Houston Class XXXVI. She is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she has been active for over 31

years. She earned her Master’s of Public Administration and Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Southwest Texas State University (now, Texas State University). She is the mother of one son, Jacob Paul Tatum.

Martha Castex-Tatum

Vice Mayor Pro Tem

District K

Houston City Hall 900 Bagby Street Houston, Texas 77002 832-393-3016 districtk@houstontx.gov www.houstontx.gov/council/k

Houston Vice Mayor Pro Tem, Council Member District K

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2022

Influential Women of Houston

Lynn Clouser

Missouri City, City Council At-Large, Position #2

Lynn Clouser maintains a laserfocused approach to serving the needs of Missouri City’s residents and stakeholders. On December 21, 2020, she stepped into her role as Council Member At-Large Position #2 and immediately implemented plans and programs that reflect her commitment to the “Show Me” city. Almost two years later, she refuses to waiver from her platform of visibility, trustworthiness, an empathetic ear and attending to the needs of the people who live, work, and play in the city where she calls home.

During her first run for the city council, she promised to be accessible, visible, and

responsive to her constituents, making public safety a priority and identifying and implementing strategies to support local businesses. A few months after taking office, she kept her promise by creating the inaugural Small Business Advisory Committee, an appointed committee of Missouri City business owners and residents who suggest and develop programs to help local business owners thrive and grow. Moreover, Lynn is a trustworthy steward of city finances, from prioritizing public safety to rendering favorable votes for the revitalization of the Texas Parkway and Cartwright corridors. She attends many diverse events that reflect her commitment to justice, equity,

diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) across Missouri City. Lynn has kept every promise she made.

Lynn grew up in Chasewood and attended E.A. Jones Elementary, Missouri City Jr. High School, and The High School for Health Professions. Two exceptional children call her “Mom,” including her seventeen-year-old son Marshall, who is living and thriving on the autism spectrum, and her eleven-year-old daughter, Lauryn, a creative and athletic young lady with an entrepreneurial spirit.

A graduate of Hampton University, Councilwoman Lynn Clouser has over twenty-five years of professional experience in sales and marketing, primarily within the healthcare industry. She is the Director of Marketing for a local medical company and lends her time to various boards and organizations in and around Fort Bend County, such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Hope For Three Autism Advocates, Smart Girls Foundation, Co-Founder of Autism Caregivers Around the Bend Support Group, The Fort Bend Women’s Center, FBISD Strategic Business Committee, and Farmers Market Partners-Sienna. She and her family attend The Fort Bend Church in Missouri City.

Civil service flows through her veins. Lynn is proud to be a part of a legacy of leadership that has been passed on by her father, Judge Joel Clouser, Sr., retired Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, and her mother, retired educator Gloria Clouser. Lynn stands on her commitment to building unity in our Missouri City CommUNITY.

Lynn Clouser

Missouri City City Council At-Large, Position #2

1522 Texas Pkwy.

Missouri City, Texas 77489 281-403-8500

www.missouricitytx.gov/372/At-Large-Position-2

Laquita J. Cyprian

Chief Banking Officer, Agility Bank

For more than 30 years, Laquita Cyprian, a proud Houston native and accomplished banker, has been working her way through the ranks in business leadership. Her mother and father instilled excellence, integrity, and hard work in her early.

Laquita attributes her accomplishments to being a risk-taker, a curious learner, optimism, and building meaningful relationships along the way. These relationships have allowed her to touch many sectors focused on helping individuals financially and bringing awareness to living a balanced and abundant life. This mindset has allowed her to serve in the Houston community in many ways. Her primary work includes business leader, banker, commercial lender, fundraiser, published author, real estate investor, and developer.

As Chief Banking Officer of Agility Bank, a new predominantly women-owned and led financial institution created for everyone, is where Laquita and team provide funding for local businesses. Prior to the bank launching in early 2022, she helped raise millions in capital to open the bank.

Laquita’s career in financial services spans more than 20 years, absorbing most of her knowledge in large banking firms. She served in many roles over the years, first as a bank manager at Bank of America in the early 2000s, where she led a team to open one of the first profitable de Novo (new bank) locations in the Houston market. She later used these skills to help build market share at Capital One when it launched in the Houston market in 2006.

Realizing her true passion was helping businesses thrive, she earned the opportunity to attend business lending school at Chase Bank in 2010, where she began her career as a commercial lender. Managing and expanding the profitability of one of the largest and most complex portfolios in the territory gave her financial insights to later help many other entrepreneurs scale their companies.

Laquita was personally scaling at this time as well. She developed her own strategies to acquire real estate in highly desirable areas of Houston. In 2019, her love for real estate led her to Melifera Partners, a group focused on, “Building Beautiful Communities and Having Fun Along the Way.” She self-published a book in 2021 about creating abundance through life’s challenges, with another in the works, providing insights for business owners to gain access to capital.

She attended the University of Houston where she studied Business Administration. She is passionate about the promises of God, an avid traveler, enjoys spending time with family and friends, a health and fitness advocate, community volunteer, and philanthropist.

Some of Laquita’s community involvement and honors include:

•Board of Directors of The Women’s Resource, Development Committee

•Former Board Chair of CSTEM

•Texas Woman’s University Dean’s Advisory Council

•Curate Capital Advisory Board

•Texas Southern University, JHJ Business Advisory Council

•Art Colony Association, Former Board Treasurer

Laquita believes we can have everything we desire in life, our dreams and desires were placed in our hearts and minds for a reason.

Laquita J. Cyprian Chief Banking Officer Agility Bank

2401 North Shepherd Drive, #140 Houston, Texas 77008 713-504-8409

laquita@agility.bank

Regina G. Deadrick

Assistant Vice President, Aon

and she emerged into adult life ready for whatever opportunities would come her way. After a short stint at the University of Houston (Victoria Campus), Regina sought new career opportunities in Houston, arriving in 1981.

As luck would have it, the group insurance industry emerged as the “yellow brick road” to a

Regina’s community involvement includes:

• Member, National African American Insurance Association – Houston Chapter Charter Member

• Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

• Member, Officer (Parliamentarian), The Society, Inc. Supporting the Arts

• Member, Officer (Chaplain), The Texas Spring Cypress Chapter of The Links, Inc.

ATexas native, Regina G. Deadrick hales from Palacios, Texas, and a family that taught, “No one is better than you, but you are no better than anyone else.” This conundrum would be difficult for many children but through the loving guidance of her parents, grandparents, and others, Regina learned self-worth, compassion for others, striving for excellence, and the optimism needed to survive in an often unfriendly world. Her parents, both educators, demanded excellence in all things and encouraged independent thought.

While in school, Regina excelled in competitive speech, debate, band, student government, and other school-related activities and student organizations. And a little-known fact about Regina, she was the 1976 Betty Crocker Family Leader of Tomorrow for Matagorda County.

Regina’s undergraduate studies were pursued at University of North Texas, where she majored in Political Science with a minor in Cultural History. She actively participated in campus life, joining the Black Coalition (a new and eye-opening experience for her, coming from a multicultural family background and hometown with less than 10% Black/African American population). She was the editor of The North Star, a literary magazine published by the Dean of Student’s Office, and several other student-led organizations. The lessons learned in college far exceeded those earned through academic pursuits,

fulfilling 40+ year career for her. She began with CIGNA as a Group Administrative Rep, then as a Group Service Representative. In 1985, she transitioned into the brokerage side of the industry, joining Frank B. Hall Benefits. In the 1990s, agencies and brokerage firms changed through mergers and acquisitions, and Frank B. Hall became part of Aon, a growing global firm. After a few years with Aon, she had an opportunity to be part of the start-up of a local agency, Health Insurance Specialists, managing groups from 2 – 2,000 lives for 13 years before returning to Aon in 2007.

Today, she is an Assistant Vice President for Aon, focused on the middle market segment of the health solutions practice. She holds active group insurance licenses in 19 states and is proficient in fully insured and self-funded contracts, Business Travel Accident Coverage, benefit plan design, document/contract review, detailed claim analysis, renewal and new case marketing, and plan implementation. Additionally, her client service background facilitates consistent successes in the areas of claims resolution (PHI sensitive) and client administrative (eligibility and billing) issues.

A ready volunteer for a variety of causes, she is often called upon to offer hands and support to various nonprofit groups. Regina puts forth every effort to demonstrate “To whom much is given, much is required,” found in Luke 12:48.

She is both involved and visible in the Greater Houston community. She lives the values taught in childhood to give, share, and serve.

• Member, Officer (Immediate Past Board Chair and current Vice Chair), Jazz Houston, Inc.

• Member, Officer (1st Vice PresidentPrograms), Houston Metropolitan Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc.

• Midwest-Western Regional Director, Continental Societies, Inc.

• Member, National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)

• Member, Black Storytellers Association (new chapter chartering in Houston, Summer 2023)

• Sunday School Teacher/Trustee, West Palacios Church of God

• Member, Houston Ebony Opera Guild (Auxiliary Group)

Regina has been recognized by Biltmore Who’s Who in Business and the National Association of Professional Women.

Regina stands on her words, “I must always carry myself with dignity and give the respect I expect to receive from others. Leadership comes naturally but has great responsibility. I hope to exhibit ‘lifting while climbing,’ for I must do good things for others as I strive for good things for myself.”

Regina G. Deadrick Assistant Vice President

Aon

5555 San Felipe, Suite 1500 Houston, Texas 77056 regina.deadrick@aon.com

Martina Lemond Dixon

Chief Executive Officer, C3 Building Solutions

Martina Lemond Dixon of Kingwood is the Chief Executive Officer of C3 Building Solutions, where they expedite permitting for construction projects by “turning red tape into rainbows.” She serves as the Humble ISD School Board President and on the building and planning, finance, and board and superintendent evaluation committees, and she holds master trustee designation from the Texas Association of School Boards. She serves on the Harris County Appraisal District Board of Directors, where she represents 24 school districts and the four community college systems in Harris County, she serves on the Lone Star Investment Pool Board, and, most recently, she was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve as a Commissioner on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, also known as T-COLE.

Martina’s foray into politics began in 2008, when she and her family lived in Abu Dhabi for four years. There she was elected to serve as school board trustee at the American Community School of Abu Dhabi, which is affiliated with the U.S. State Department. While there, she attended NESA Leadership Training with the U.S. Office of Overseas Schools in Amman, Jordan, and Athens, Greece.

She is a member of the Texas Association of School Boards, the National School Board Association, Texas Association of Appraisal Districts, Texas Association of Assessing Officers, International Association of Assessing Officers, Houston Region Business Coalition, the Greater Houston Builders Association, and Women

Professionals in Government.

She volunteers as an active member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Houston, Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Barbara Bush Ladies for Literacy Guild, HomeAid Heroes, and the Humble-Kingwood Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Just last week, Martina was part of the successful Delegation led by Houston City Council Member Ed Pollard to South Africa to build relationships with the leadership in Cape Town and Johannesburg for future business development opportunities in Houston and abroad.

Over the years, Martina has served in many roles, including, but not limited to, the 2014 Partnership Lake Houston Leadership Class President, Lake Houston Family YMCA Board, Cherish Our Children International Board of Directors, and as a former educator in Galena Park ISD, Houston ISD, and Spring ISD. One of her proudest moments was when she was selected for the Diamond Award in Galena Park ISD by two students, this award allows students in the top five percent to select one teacher who made the greatest impact on their life, from Kindergarten to 12th grade.

Martina received a B.A. in Communications from Auburn University, and a post baccalaureate in Construction Management and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University, and she is a PROUD graduate of North Shore High School. She and her husband, Scott, have four

children, Cassidy, a graduate of Howard University and a Digital Marketing Manager for JLL, Alec, a former D1 swimmer and graduate of the University of Alabama and current graduate student and swimmer at Savannah College of Art and Design, Sydney, a sophomore at Spelman College, and Ian, a senior at Kingwood High School.

As an interfaith family, she and her family are members of St. Martha Catholic Church and Lakewood Church.

In her spare time, Martina is an avid traveler, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, research, skiing, attending concerts, and Formula One.

Martina is an experienced, service-minded leader, and is passionate about innovation and positive change, with a determined focus in providing solutions and foresight to best ensure strong future growth and sustainability for all entities she serves.

Martina Lemond Dixon

Chief Executive Officer

C3 Building Solutions 5535 Memorial Dr, F669 | Houston, Texas 77007 (713) 369-0925 www.c3buildingsolutions.com martina@c3buildingsolutions.com

Candace Ford

Founder, Project Beautiful Me

Candace Dixon-Ford is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, wife of retired NBA player TJ Ford and proud mother of their children TJ Jr., Peyton, and Austin Ford. Candace was born in Beaumont, Texas but now resides in Houston, Texas. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a Master’s in Economic Development.

Prior to becoming a mother and wife, Candace worked for PPG Industries as lead Chemist, the youngest African American woman in that position. There she performed chemical testing and created operating procedures to maintain quality control and assurance. She created, developed and tested compounds and formulas used in products, while creating technical reports on the specifications and outcomes of all tests, products, and processes.

Candace served as President of My

Innocence Never Compromised, a non profit organization that helped build community support and efforts to improve academic and social outcomes for local female students in HISD and Fort Bend ISD. There she developed programs to improve the students' outcome in school, which enabled them an opportunity to be successful.

Candace herself has faced many of the issues that challenge young women today. Some of those issues are self esteem and stressing the importance of loving your body just the way it is. Shewanted to provide a platform where girls can see positive role models to develop their own self-confidence, self-esteem, and positive body image that leads to physical, emotional, and mental well being for the rest of their lives. Candace has been very open about growing up without having that in her own life and always wanting to provide a platform for young girls to

help bring awareness to that. Candace decided her mission was to help young girls improve their quality of life. Her focus was to create “an environment” that is inclusive of young women in all communities to ensure they lead purposeful, active, healthy and responsible lives. Candaceeventually founded Project Beautiful Me, a non-profit 501 c 3 organization, to create a platform for young girls to focus on their inner beauty. As the founding member, Candace oversees all aspects of the organization’s operations, strategy, and programs. In addition to that, Candace and her husband created the TJ Ford Basketball Foundation to make an impact on young boys and girls by giving back to their community with the goal of helping participants achieve their academic, personal, and civil goals.

Candace’s most recent venture is host of Champagne and Cigars, a podcast talking real life with raw feelings and no judgment. This avenue allows her to create more platforms for women to be confident in their own skin. Champagne and Cigars is more than just a podcast but a movement for women. Women are moving and shaking things up in a world that has been male dominated for centuries. Candace DixonFord all about female empowerment.

Candace Ford Founder Project Beautiful Me Co-Founder

TJ Ford Basketball Foundation

Ana Paula Do Nascimento was appointed as the Consulate General for the Republic of Angola in 2019. The Angolan Consulate Office covers nine US States, stretching from the Southeastern through the Southwestern United States, including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

She holds a degree in Educational Sciences and Linguistics in English from ISCED at Agostinho Neto University. She also holds a postgraduate degree in Human Resources Management from Luanda Consulting Team Portugal.

Her professional accomplishments include:

• Integrated as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central Organ as a General and Administrative Technician with a SecondClass Superior Technician Category

• Joined the National Public Competition for admission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Career in 2007, being admitted as Third Secretary

• Served in 2007 as Head of the Department of Human Resources Management for Staff Training and Performance Evaluation

• Served in 2017 as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Interim Director of Human Resources

• Promoted (during her career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) into the categories of Third, Second, and First Secretary, currently holding the diplomatic category of Counselor

Her previous experience includes working as a secondary school teacher and at the Translation Office for the SADCC Technical and Administrative Unit.

Her mother tongue is Portuguese, and she possesses a fluent knowledge of French and English with competency in SerboCroat, Spanish, and Russian.

Ana Paula Do Nascimento

Consulate General, Republic of Angola

She is married to Lourenco Saturnino Do Nascimento.

Ana Paula Do Nascimento

Consulate General

Republic of Angola

1177 Enclave Parkway Suite #250

Houston Texas 77077

713-212-3840

www.angolaconsulate-tx.org

Sherrita Monique Dorsey

US Advocacy & Patient Engagement Lead, GlaxoSmithKline

Her vast leadership & strategic capabilities support the improvement of health disparities of hundreds of thousands of patients and communities across the US. Her previous experience includes leadership roles in regional and national sales, research, nursing, and marketing at other globally recognized brands including AMGEN, Human Genome Science, Carmel Pharma, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Sherrita is a native of Galveston, Texas. She exemplifies the presence and pride of Historically Black Colleges and Universities as she earned both her Bachelors and Masters of Science in Nursing Degrees from Prairie View A&M University. She attributes her success to her diversified education, career experiences, and global research experience which afforded her the privilege of being a published author before the age of 30. She is a recipient of the South African Minority International Research Traineeship (MIRT) funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Sherrita also enjoys her role as an entrepreneur and real estate developer with over 30 years of experience in renovating residential properties in Houston and the surrounding areas.

She has also contributed to her community through her membership with The Links, Inc. and Jack and Jill Of America among others. Sherrita is also the proud mother of two amazing children, Alexandria and Calvin Peete III.

Sherrita Monique Dorsey, RN, MSN, FNP

US Advocacy & Patient Engagement Lead

GlaxoSmithKline

13814 Lakewater Drive

Pearland, Texas 77584

Sherrita Monique Dorsey is a board-certified corporate healthcare executive with a 22year exemplary record of driving quality patient outcomes, revenue growth, and operational efficiencies in diverse roles, industries, and specialties including

Oncology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, and Infectious Disease. She is among the scant 7 percent of women of color in healthcare to hold a Vice President position in the US. Sherrita is currently serving as the US Advocacy & Patient Engagement Lead for GlaxoSmithKline.

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Dr. Simone A. Ellis

Owner and Entrepreneur, Smile Design Studios

Dr. Simone A. Ellis is the owner of Smile Design Studios, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Missouri City, Texas, and has established herself in her community as an authority in practice management.

Simone earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Xavier University of Louisiana and her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Rutgers University School of Dentistry formerly, the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey.

This vivacious leader is the founder and president of the Houston Minority Dental Society and is an active member of the American Dental Association (ADA), National Dental Association (NDA), American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), and the Greater Houston Dental Society (GHDS). She also sits on the

Board of Educators for the Dental Assisting School at the University of Everest, Houston Campus.

Additionally, Simone is a certified clinical evaluator for The Clinician’s Report and a candidate for Diplomat with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Simone actively volunteers with the Houston Make a Wish Foundation and the American Dental Associations’ Give Kids a Smile Day.

Annually, through her practice, she gives back to her community through various outreach initiatives, most notably, the free dentistry and health fair. This program targets families within the Missouri City radius and offers free dental services, eye exams, and health screenings to over 50 families. Further, Smile Design Studios offers a mentorship program called Smile

Design Studio Academy, which affords high school and college students an opportunity to learn more about the field of dentistry while actively shadowing dental professionals. Smile Design Studios also adopts a family for the holiday season and delivers food and supplies to families in need.

Recently, Simone was awarded The 2018 Black Girl Excellence Medical Professional Of The Year Award through Lifted Lifestyle.

Dr. Simone Ellis

Dentist

Smile Design Studios 9303 Highway 6, Suite 300 Missouri City, Texas 77459 Drsimoneellis@gmail.com 281-969-7388 www.sdshouston.com

DeMonica D. Gladney

Senior Counsel, Exxon Mobil Corporation

DeMonica D. Gladney, is a first-generation attorney who began her legal career as the first Black woman to serve as a Briefing Attorney for the Texas 14th Court of Appeals in Houston.

She is currently Senior Counsel at Exxon Mobil Corporation and serves on the Law Inclusion and Diversity Committee, Chemical Women’s Leadership Team and Black Leadership Team.

She received her B.S. degree, cum laude, from Lamar University and Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Houston (UH) Law Center.

Ms. Gladney is the personification of commitment and excellence and has received the National Bar Association’s (NBA) Distinguished Scroll of Women Lawyers Award, the NBA President’s Award, the Top 50 Black Attorneys in Houston Super Attorney Award, the UH Black Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award and the NAACP Award for Legal Excellence. She was honored in Who’s Who Among Executives & Professionals and Who’s Who in Black Houston.

Ms. Gladney’s giving spirit is reflected in her professional and community involvements, including past President of the Houston Lawyers Association, Chair

of the African-American Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Texas and Chair of the NBA Women Lawyers Division.

She also served as Liaison for the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession and the Consortium for Advancing Women Lawyers of the University of Texas Center for Women in Law. She is a member of the Houston Bar Association, the Corporate Counsel Women of Color and The Downtown Group.

She served as ExxonMobil Law’s first Pro Bono Coordinator and United Way Campaign Leader, a Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program Board Member and a Harris County Presiding Election Judge. She is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and past Board Chair of the Houston Lawyers Foundation. She is a Silver Star member of the Mu Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is also a member of Covenant Glen Church and serves in the prayer and legal ministries.

In addition to a successful legal career, Ms. Gladney is an accomplished writer, poet and inspirational speaker. She is the bestselling author of the new release, My Journey: Poetic Expressions Inspired by Faith, as well as Identity Theft: Discovering the Real You, Willing to Wait: From Revelation to Manifestation, and Reflections from God. The awards for her literary work include the i10-Media Influential Award for Authors and the Houston’s Favorite Author Award.

DeMonica D. Gladney

Senior Counsel

Exxon Mobil Corporation 22777 Springwoods Village Pkwy, N1.5A.551 Spring, TX 77389

demonica.d.gladney@exxonmobil.com (281) 224-9549 www.exxonmobil.com

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney

Superintendent of Schools, Aldine Independent School District

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Aldine Independent School District.

Since taking the helm in July 2018, Dr. Goffney has dedicated herself to over 60,000 students and nearly 9,000 employees of the district as well as the entire Aldine community.

Under her leadership, Aldine ISD has developed new initiatives to offer students more academic options. Her commitment to equity and increasing student access to high-quality schools saw results within her first year as superintendent. The district increased the number of ‘A’ and ‘B’ schools and made gains in closing gaps. In 2020, Aldine ISD made the College Board’s AP® Honor Roll for the first time. She began her career as a teacher in

Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD in 1999 before eventually leading COCISD as superintendent from 2008-2013. In 2013, she was named Superintendent of Lufkin ISD. In all three districts, Dr. Goffney was the first African American to serve as superintendent.

Dr. Goffney was named Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards in 2017. In 2018, the Texas Association of School Administrators selected her as the Texas Superintendent of the Year and the nominee for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year award.

In 2019, AASA named Dr. Goffney a finalist for the 2020 Women in Education Award. In fall 2019, Sam Houston State University presented her with the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Dr. Goffney is active in professional

organizations including the Texas Urban Council of Superintendents, the Texas Association of Black School Educators, the Texas Council of Women School Executives, and she will be the first African American female to serve as president of the Texas Association of School Administrators. Dr. Goffney is also a member of the selective bipartisan organization Chiefs for Change, which is a network of school leaders from across the nation. She serves her community as a proud member of The Texas Spring Cypress Chapter of The Links, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc., Omicron Tau Omega Chapter, and the Greater Houston Partnership Board of Directors. She is also an associate member of The Woodlands Chapter of Jack and Jill of America.

During the summer of 2020, Dr. Goffney worked to reimagine how the district would prepare for students’ return to school. As the COVID-19 numbers increased in the Houston area, media such as MSNBC, CNN, and CBS News invited Dr. Goffney as a guest to discuss the impact of the pandemic on school districts.

A native of Coldspring, Texas, Dr. Goffney is a graduate of Sam Houston State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s in educational administration, and a doctorate in educational leadership. Her husband, Joseph, is an educator and serves as a church pastor.

The Goffneys are the parents of two children, Joslyn and the late Joseph Jr., who passed away in 2019.

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney

Superintendent of Schools

Aldine Independent School District 2520 W.W. Thorne Blvd. Houston, Texas 77073 281-449-1011 www.aldineisd.org

Influential Women of Houston

Wendy Granato

President and General Manager, ABC13 KTRK-TV

Wendy Granato is president and general manager of ABC13 KTRK-TV, where she has overall management responsibility for ABC13 and all of its ancillary businesses. She reports to Chad Matthews, president, ABC Owned Television Stations.

As the general manager at ABC13 for the past three years, Granato

spearheaded the launch of KTRK’s 24/7 news stream, featuring the most live, local coverage in the Houston market. Granato also led the station’s introduction of two new premium content franchises, “Unsolved” and “Texas True Crime,” so popular they have been picked up by Hulu. Under Granato’s leadership, ABC13 produces 75+ hours of community specials and events each year. She has led

the station through numerous emergencies and big breaking news events such as the Texas Freeze, the Astroworld concert tragedy, and the Santa Fe and Uvalde school shootings. As a leader who is passionate about innovation and investing in skills of the future, Granato is a founding director of OTV-University, an educational program for all 8 ABC Owned Television Stations.

Prior to becoming general manager at ABC13, Granato served as the vice president of News for ABC13 for eight years, as an executive producer of special projects and executive producer of the daily talk show “Debra Duncan.” Before joining ABC13, Granato was the news director for KNWS Houston. Earlier in her career, she was a news reporter and morning news anchor for KATC in Lafayette, Louisiana. She studied at the Manship School of Mass Communication where she received a degree in broadcast journalism from Louisiana State University.

Wendy Granato President and General Manager

ABC13 KTRK-TV 3310 Bissonnet St. Houston, Texas 77025 www.abc13.com

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Latris Hamilton Chief Nursing Officer, Universal Health Services

Latris Hamilton is the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Universal Health Services at the Kingwood Pines Hospital located in Kingwood, Texas. Kingwood Pines Hospital is a free-standing psychiatric hospital that specializes in behavioral health. Latris leads nursing services and aides in direct leadership with other members of the team to ensure

operational and quality outcomes for patients, families, and staff.

Latris served as the chief nursing officer (CNO) of Select Specialty in both Wisconsin and Texas. Latris began her nursing career in Wisconsin and has held a series of progressive leadership positions in nursing administration in both Wisconsin and Texas. Latris leads with a focus on advancing the practice of nursing

and ensuring servant leadership is the focus and she engages with her staff and patients. Her focus on advocacy for the nursing agenda has fostered cultures that support nurse retention and engagement, as well as superior patient outcomes. Her nursing and clinical team was recognized as a Pulmonary Center of Excellence in 2019, under her direct leadership and management. Latris truly believes nursing and leadership are a calling and must be taken very seriously.

Latris’s personal philosophy is that Florence Nightingale had it right, you must continually think of how you as a clinician can serve others. Florence Nightingale’s famous quote “I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully.”

Latris has a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Arizona.

She is an American Heart Basic Life Support Instructor. She enjoys reading books and hosts podcasts to uplift women and discuss strategies for success. Latris is passionate about Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), as her son Elijiah Anderson was killed by a drunk driver. In honor of her son, she is the founder of Elijiah’s House and Grief Support. Elijiah’s House is an organization that mentors young men in the community and offers grief support with qualified psychiatrists and therapists who donate their time to the organization. Latris has four children, a supportive husband, and a miniature dachshund named Rex.

Latris Hamilton Chief Nursing Officer Universal Health Services

Top

Influential Women of Houston

Paula Harris

Senior Vice President of Community Affairs, Houston Astros

She was an integral part of developing theories of action, promoting strategy STEM planning, and developing and managing the district's $1.6-billion-dollar budget. Her emphasis was on increasing the academic achievement of the 215,000 children in the district. During her 8 years (2 terms) on the HISD Board of Trustees, Paula served as board president and vice president, and HISD was recognized twice by the White House under her leadership. She is currently the Board President of the Energized for STEM Charter School.

Paula Harris is the Senior Vice President of Community Affairs for the Houston Astros and also serves as the Executive Director of the Astros Foundation. Paula enjoyed a 33-year career with Schlumberger. Paula started as a field engineer logging wells in the Gulf of Mexico. The position she held when she retired was designing and implementing strategic ESG programming to ensure Schlumberger was a respected partner in the communities in which we work across the globe.

Paula serves on the board of Chart Industries (GTLS) and Hunting PLC (HTG). She also served as Board Chair of the Petroleum Club of Houston and the Texas A&M Black Former Students board. Paula currently serves as Board Secretary for the Children’s Museum of Houston. She has been profiled in Black Engineer, Graduating Engineer, and Money Magazine.

Paula has received numerous recognitions, including:

• Black Engineer’s 50 Who make a Difference

• Key Women in Energy

• Greater Houston Women’s Chamber -Woman of Distinction

• Texas Executive Women Award

• United Nations Global Citizenship Award

• Texas A&M Aggie Impact Award

• Houston Business Journal Lifetime Legacy Award

• Women of Color in Technology Award

• Paula is a highly requested global speaker on topics such as Women in Energy, Energy Education, STEM, Coding in Schools, and Navigating the Energy Transition.

Paula’s memberships include:

• Executive Leadership Council

• National Society of Black Engineers

• The Links, Incorporated, Society of Petroleum Engineers

• American Leadership Forum

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Paula has previously served as an elected official on the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board of Trustees.

She is an author, and her first book is titled, For Sister: The Guide for Professional Black Women. Her publishing company, MadisonHouse Publishing also published her children’s book, When I Grow UP, I Want to Be an Engineer. This book has been translated into 4 languages and over 100,000 copies of this popular book have been distributed globally to school systems and STEM organizations. Paula’s passion is introducing children and especially girls around the globe to STEM education with a focus on coding and robotics. The book and her workshops are global initiatives to ensure that children from all walks of life can get exposed to and excited about STEM.

Paula is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. She has also obtained a master’s in Educational Technology Design from Abilene Christian and certification in Sustainable Leadership from Cambridge University. Paula and her husband Dwayne own DPM Investments. They are also the proud parents of Madison

Paula McCann Harris Senior Vice President of Community Houston Astros

www.astros.com

Women

Houston

Dorita Hatchett

Founder, Owner & Lead Consultant, D.L. Hatchett & Associates, LLC

NCAA, other highlights in her career include programming, planning, training, and implementing community initiatives for Superbowl LVI, Harris County Flood Control District, Radio One Houston, and the $947M METRO Rail Expansion along Capitol and Rusk in Downtown Houston.

Dorita is the 2022-2023 President of the International Live Event Association(ILEA) Houston Chapter, an Executive Committee member of the Epsilon Phi Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., a Business and Professional Sorority, and is a graduate of Leadership Houston Class XL.

Dorita Hatchett

Founder, Owner & Lead Consultant

D.L. Hatchett & Associates, LLC dorita@dlhatchett.com www.dlhatchett.com

Dorita Hatchett is the founder, owner, and lead consultant of D.L. Hatchett & Associates, LLC. The company is more than an event planning service, but the solution, as an accomplished provider of strategic planning, implementation, and the execution of small to large-scale events with superior business support offerings that include integrated project and staff manager coordinating and scheduling to mitigate unforeseen circumstances and resolve complex problems.

D.L. Hatchett & Associates provides a keen and hands-on approach to business support, event management, and consultation services for clients in various industries including corporations and nonprofits. With vast expertise, insight, and skills in managing national events,

the company’s methods and practices are proven effective in fundraising and profit increase and strengthening an organization’s prestige and community presence.

With over 30 years of experience in Community Engagement, Dorita’s acumen and skillset have gained the attention of the NCAA. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Community Relations for the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four Houston Local Organizing Committee (HLOC). In this leadership role, she works alongside the NCAA to leave a lasting and positive impact on the Greater Houston community through their projects that include the NCAA Read to the Final Four and the Men’s Final Four Legacy Project.

In addition to founding D.L. Hatchett & Associates and her leadership in the

Dr. Cashuna (Shun) Huddleston

Licensed Psychologist and Owner, New Way Psychological Services, PLLC

level. Dr. Huddleston has a laudable publication and presentation record. She was instrumental in co-authoring a grant that was funded by the American Psychological Association (APA). This grant focused on leadership and career development among women of color. Dr. Huddleston has received several awards for leadership roles within APA and community-wide.

Dr. Huddleston is the Past President of the Psychology of Black Women where she hosted an event (entitled: 100 Black Women in Psychology) at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association to support and empower Black women in the field of psychology.

Dr. Cashuna (Shun) Huddleston, is a licensed psychologist with clinical expertise in evidence-based treatments for co-morbid physical and psychological disorders, anxiety, and depression. She also has a specific interest in black women’s mental health issues. Dr. Huddleston owns two private practices in Houston, Texas. These practices provide specialized mental health care to clients, of all ages and backgrounds throughout Texas. Her experience and training are multifaceted, ranging from inpatient hospitals, nursing and rehabilitation facilities, forensic work, outpatient therapy, and immigration, civil and family law assessments. She has also corroborated with media outlets and churches in sharing

her training and knowledge of mental health. Dr. Huddleston’s style of care combines warmth with expertise. She incorporates an active, down-to-earth, practical approach to her work.

Dr. Huddleston received her Bachelor's degree in psychology from Grambling State University, a Master's degree in psychology from Texas Southern University, and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Houston. She completed her internship residency training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and her postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. She is also a trained and credentialed mediator.

Dr. Huddleston is a member of several organizations on the local and national

Dr. Huddleston is a mentor for Black female high school students in Houston who are interested in careers in psychology. Dr. Huddleston has been influential in helping expand the interest and support of young Black females in their process of becoming a psychologist. Given that only 4% of psychologists are Black, Dr. Huddleston has a personal mission to change that statistic. Dr. Huddleston also serves as a mental health expert in the Suits for Success program, created by a local councilman in which she mentors young male athletes about fundamental professional and collegiate expectations on a mental and physical level.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, doing circuit training workouts, running, fashion, and traveling.

Dr. Cashuna (Shun) Huddleston

Licensed Psychologist

New Way Psychological Services, PLLC

1770 St. James Place Blvd., Suite 206 Houston, Texas 77056 832-776-5825 info@newwaypsych.com www.newwaypsych.com

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Dr. Cynthia Lenton-Gary

Dr. Lenton-Gary is a recipient of the YMCA Minority Achievers Award; NAACP President’s Award for Community and Civil Engagement, National Forum for Black Public Administrators’ award for Outstanding Success and Invaluable Contributions; and Holman Street Baptist Church honored as a “Woman of Legacy Impacting Others”. She is a 2022 recipient of the Forward Times “Lifting While we Climb-Legends Award”.

Dr. Lenton-Gary served on the Board of Directors of the Houston-Galveston Area Council and is a former member of the Greater Houston Partnership. She is a stroke survivor and served as an ambassador for the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. As ambassador, Dr. LentonGary was a special guest on “Great Day Houston” to discuss heart health. If you know Dr. Lenton-Gary, you will agree that she is passionate about public service, dedicated to educating members of the community, and committed to her position as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Houston Community College.

Dr. Cynthia Lenton-Gary is the Chair of the Houston Community College Board of Trustees. In her capacity as Board Chair, she serves on the board of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. She is the first African American female to serve in city government for the city of Missouri City and the first African American female appointed to the Fort Bend Independent School District Board of Trustees.

Upon completion of her bachelor's degree in Chemistry with a minor in Biology/ Mathematics, Dr. Lenton-Gary began working as an Environmental Chemist. After which, she worked as a Research Chemist and a Forensic Scientist (Criminalist) for the Houston Police Department. She later received her master’s degree in Sociology

and a doctorate in Christian Counseling. After leaving corporate America to pursue a career in education, she began working as a Professor of Sociology at Prairie View A & M University and became very active in her community.

As a member of the city council, Dr. Lenton-Gary created a Youth Council in her district, which provided high school students with summer jobs. Her passion and willingness to serve others afforded Dr. Lenton-Gary to be recognized by “Who’s Who Among Professional Women”. She has been active in many organizations and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She was honored by her sorority as “A Woman of Change-Making a Difference in the Community”. She worships at the Fountain of Praise Church where she is an ordained Deaconess.

Dr. Cynthia Lenton-Gary Chair

Houston Community College Board of Trustees 3100 Main Street Houston Texas 77002 board.services@hccs.edu www.hccs.edu

Chair, Houston Community College Board of Trustees

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Ashlee Martin

Attorney and Partner, Gerger Hennessy & Martin, LLP

Ashlee Martin is currently a named Partner at Gerger, Hennessy & Martin LLP, a Chambers Band 1 ranked white-collar criminal defense firm in Houston, Texas. Ashlee is an experienced trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor who currently defends individuals and companies in criminal and civil proceedings in federal and state court. Her recent trial victory included receiving an acquittal of all charges against DOJ for client Mark Forkner, who was the only person criminally charged in the Boeing 737 Max crashes. Before private practice, Ashlee served as Trial Attorney and Assistant Chief in the U.S. Department of Justice, Fraud Section. She led the Health Care Fraud Strike Force—supervising seven prosecutors and overseeing complex

fraud cases in Texas. She supervised dozens of investigations and prosecutions of white-collar crime and tried numerous federal jury trials involving hundreds of millions of dollars of fraud claims.

Ashlee’s work at DOJ garnered several accolades including the HHS Inspector General’s Award for Integrity; HHS Inspector General’s Award for Excellence; IRS Criminal Investigation’s Recognition for Outstanding Support; and the Assistant Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service.

Ashlee has served on the boards of several legal and social organizations, including the Texas Civil Rights Project, the Federal Bar Association for the Southern District of Texas and the Houston Association of Women Attorneys. She is committed to pro bono service. Her pro bono work includes

representing Maurice Hall, the passenger in George Floyd’s car, and helping students at T.M. Landry—a high school accused of submitting fraudulent college applications.

Her work has been featured in Bloomberg Law, CNN Chris Cuomo, The New York Times, and was the focus of the premiere episode of NYT’s docuseries “The Weekly.”

She has been named Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2020-2022. Ashlee was also recently named the Nation’s Best Advocate of the Year (2022) by the National Bar Association 40 Under 40 List.

Ashlee attended Spelman College and Vanderbilt University Law School.

Ashlee Martin Attorney & Partner Gerger Hennessy & Martin LLP amartin@ghmfirm.com www.ghmfirm.com

Pamela McKay

Vice President and General Manager, Radio One Houston

Pamela McKay has been married to the radio industry for 31 years and has navigated through multiple ownership and company changes to work her way up the ladder. She started as an account executive at KPRC-AM in 1991 and was promoted to Local Sales Manager in 1994. In 1995 the company sold to Clear Channel and McKay was part of the transition team to bring the companies together. In 1997 she was promoted to National Sales Manager and on to General Sales Manager in 1999. After a merger in 2000 with AMFM, McKay became GSM for Mix 96.5.

In June 2006 McKay was promoted to VP/

Market Manager for Austin. This was the first time the company promoted someone from the sales manager of a single station to have complete oversight of an entire cluster of 6 stations. She worked with iconic country stations KASE and KVET-FM and was part of the Executive Leadership Team that helped identify “best practices” to be used across the company.

In 2017 McKay joined Radio One as VP/ General Manager of the powerhouse Houston group and became the first African American female to hold this coveted position. She is honored to work with legendary stations Majic 102.1, 97.9 The Box, and Praise 92.1 and a host of award-winning talent and leaders!

McKay, a proud board member for the Urban League, March of Dimes, and Black Chamber of Commerce, has received many professional and community accolades including:

• AWRT - 25 Women Who Rule in Sales and Marketing 2008

• African American Chamber of Commerce

- 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year

• Alliance for Women in Media - 2011 Media Trailblazer Award

• 2012, 2014, and 2016 Country Aircheck Awards Manager of the Year (Large Market)

• Radio Ink – 2014 50 Best Managers in Radio

• Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation – 2017 Moguls in Media Award

• Radio Ink - 2018 Future African American Leaders in Radio

• National Diversity Council - 2020 Top 50 Leaders in Entertainment

• Certificate of Recognition 18th Congressional District – February 22nd Pamela McKay Day

• 2022 Inductee to Texas Radio Hall of Fame

• 2022 Marconi Awards Nominee

Pam attended Texas Southern University to study Business Administration. She was a member of the Lady Tigers Basketball team and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. McKay has been married to her husband Bob for 29 wonderful years and has four beautifully amazing children, Kellyn (currently a marketing executive at RCA) and soonto-be 21-year-old triplets Kharson, Kendall, and Kamille.

Pamela McKay

Vice President and General Manager

Radio One Houston

24 Greenway Plz., Ste 900 Houston, Texas 77046 www.urban1.com/radio-one/

MaryJane Mudd

Executive Director, East Harris County Manufacturers Association

the nonpartisan Voters Guide, which was made available to all Houstonians in four languages. In April 2022 she was elected to serve on the League of Women Voters of Texas Board of Directors.

MaryJane has held leadership positions for the American Marketing Association, Leadership Houston, Purdue University Parent and Family Advisory Council, and the National Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Alliance, and was selected as a "Table Talk Conversationalist" for the exclusive University of Houston Women's Studies Annual Luncheon in 2019 and 2020. For more than two decades, MaryJane has lobbied Congress for research funding for TSC, a genetic disease from which her oldest daughter suffers, causing mental impairment, autism, epilepsy, and premature mortality. The fierce advocacy of MaryJane and other parents has resulted in $97 million in appropriated funds since 2001, positively impacting research on TSC as well as related diseases like cancer.

MaryJane Mudd is the Executive Director of the East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA), a coalition of 115 plant sites at the largest petrochemical complex in the world, managed by corporations dedicated to providing jobs, upholding environmental standards, and providing a better quality of life for their neighbors in and around the Greater Houston area. MaryJane was the first executive director to create a strategic plan for EHCMA and ensured Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was a core value. She leads the organization’s efforts to implement DEI with representation on the Board of Directors and EHCMA committees.

MaryJane is an award-winning professional

communicator whose work in stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media relations, and issues management has positively impacted global corporations and nonprofits alike. She led regional American Red Cross Public Affairs activities during Hurricane Harvey, helping shape the narrative by participating in approximately 60 media interviews, including CBS, ABC, NPR, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

She was recently the President of the League of Women Voters of Houston (LWVHouston) and has long been an advocate for voter empowerment, women’s rights, and the rights of the disabled. During the 2020 election season, MaryJane led LWV-Houston in its voter registration and “get out the vote” efforts. This included

MaryJane is frequently tapped as a motivational and keynote speaker on topics ranging from crisis communications and disaster response to special needs parenting, and in January 2022 created a 300-member women’s group for recreational networking and personal growth. She is a longtime resident of Houston and married with three daughters.

MaryJane Mudd

Executive Director

East Harris County Manufacturers Association 203 Ivy Ave., Suite 601 Deer Park, Texas 77536 281-334-9091

maryjanemudd@ehcma.org www.ehcma.org

Top

Influential Women of Houston

Dr. Jennifer Murdock

Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Dr. Jennifer Murdock is an Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Plastic Eye Surgery Associates. As a surgeon, she is able to blend her passion for both the arts and science. This unique combination began at the University of Miami, where she achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Marine Science with a minor in art history, which included a semester studying art first-hand in Paris. She then applied her science background to clinic research, studying novel laser, injectable, and surgical

techniques within UM’s Department of Cosmetic Medicine.

While completing her medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Murdock also participated in the Department of Community Service (DOCS), which provided free medical screening to many underprivileged communities in South Florida. She spearheaded an educational project with a professional director and film crew to create a documentary series about the culture, medical needs, and health care gaps within these diverse communities.

Dr. Murdock returned to Houston to complete a residency in ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine, where she delved further into education by teaching medical trainees in both didactic and hands-on settings. She was then selectively chosen from a highly competitive group of applicants to join the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with a fellowship at Oregon Health and Science University, where she performed thousands of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face, eyelids, and orbit in both adults and children alike.

Dr. Jennifer Murdock is currently a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellow of the Oculofacial Plastic Society (ASOPRS). She has a particular interest in aesthetic procedures, eyelid and orbital reconstruction, pediatric ophthalmic plastic surgery, and complicated orbital inflammatory disorders, including thyroid eye disease. She recently participated in an FDA multi-center study investigating a new treatment for thyroid eye disease and is currently a sought-out speaker for her expertise in the field. She has published in medical journals and textbooks and has repeatedly been invited to present at the renowned ASOPRS and other international meetings.

Dr. Murdock continues her passion for the arts and is an avid supporter of Houston’s art culture, particularly the symphony, theater, and ballet performances. She also serves as a board member for the 40 Under 40 committee of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Jennifer Murdock

Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Plastic Eye Surgery Associates, PLLC 3730 Kirby Drive, Suite 900 Houston, Texas 77098 713-795-0705 Drmurdock@pesahouston.com www.plasticeyesurgery.com

Rhonda Roychelle Newhouse

Board of Trustees, Spring Independent School District

Rhonda Roychelle Newhouse graduated from Pemberton High School in Marshall Texas. Following in her parent’s footsteps, she attended Prairie View A&M University where she graduated with honors distinctions and a bachelor’s degree in business education. While at Prairie View, she was a member of the Business Fraternity, the Honor Society, and on the second line of the Zeta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Upon graduation, Rhonda married the love of her life, Frederick Newhouse, and together they took off for the University of Washington in Seattle where she received her master’s degree

in Educational Curriculum and Instruction. Then headed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she launched a very successful and rewarding career in education and earned a second master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Southern University. Being a lifelong educator, Rhonda kept growing and earned additional educator certifications and licensures in California and Texas.

After 34 joyous years, which included Teaching, Counseling, and Principalships, Rhonda retired from Aldine ISD and secondary education and moved to higher education as an Adjunct Professor at Prairie View and the University of Houston Downtown.

Shortly after leaving higher education, Rhonda moved from the classroom to the boardroom. She’s presently serving in her 3rd term on the Board of Trustees for Spring ISD and is the immediate past President. She also serves on Spring’s Educational Foundation Board and has served on the Houston American Diabetes Association Board. As you can see Rhonda is passionate about education and continues to live out her passion through service.

Most of Rhonda’s civic service is through her second love Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She is a Golden Star and Life Member and a Charter member of Omicron Tau Omega Chapter in Spring, Tx. She has served as Chapter President, Southeast Texas Cluster Coordinator, and recently a Co-Chair for the 68th Boule of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Rhonda is also an enthusiastic Associate Member of the North Houston Suburban Chapter of Jack and Jill. And the founder of the Northwest Flyers Youth Track Team.

Rhonda and her husband operate a cattle ranch affectionately known as Rhonda Ranch where they host a multitude of events for the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, high school and college agricultural programs, and much more. If you can’t find Rhonda at sorority events, in the boardroom, or on the porch of Rhonda Ranch, check out Fallbrook Church where she serves as a greeter with a warm welcoming smile.

Rhonda and Frederick have shared 50 years of marriage. They have two daughters, Vonda Nunley and Benecia Carswell, two sons-in-laws Pele’ and Corey, and two grandsons Andre’ and Bryce.

Rhonda Roychelle Newhouse Board of Trustees

Spring Independent School District 16717 Ella Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77090 www.springisd.org

Kisha M. Porch

Kisha is the Head of Chase Consumer Retail Banking and Small Business Customer Service and All Online Support leading an organization of over 5,000 employees around the world who are focused on delivering an excellent experience to our 50 million plus Chase

customers. Prior to this role, Kisha served as Regional Director Banking managing 14 Market Directors and 2250 branch employees in the greater Houston, San Antonio and Southwest Texas geographies with a deposit and investment base of over $76 billion.

With over 27 years in the banking industry, Kisha’s management experience spans across several lines of business that include Operations, Retail Banking, Credit Card, Risk, Learning and Human Resources.

Kisha serves as the Location Leader for the bank’s 5,500 plus employees working in the Houston area. In addition she is the Houston Executive Lead for Advancing Racial Equity focused on the bank’s $30 billion commitment to close the racial wealth gap. She is passionate about making a difference specifically with the underrepresented or underserved Black and Latin communities in Houston and the surrounding areas. Kisha enjoys making impactful connections that will help drive change and improve the lives of all members in our communities.

Kisha is a member of the Houston Market Leadership Team and actively supports Chase Business Resource Groups – Black Organization for Leadership Development (BOLD), Voices for Employees That Served (VETS) and Women on the Move. Kisha serves on the board for the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce and is also a member of Jamie Dimon’s Racial Equity Executive Leadership Committee.

Kisha studied Political Science with a minor in Criminal Justice at Cleveland State University. Kisha has been happily married for over 20 years to her husband Ivory, and is the proud mother of 4 including her youngest daughter, KyIra, who is a senior at Texas Southern University.

Kisha M. Porch

Head of Retail Banking, Small Business, and Online Products

J.P. Morgan Chase  Kisha.Porch@jpmorgan.com

Head of Retail Banking, Small Business and Online Products, J.P. Morgan Chase

Bhakti Salunkhe Puranik thrives at developing innovative ideas, programs, and services that engage students within the local and global community. As Executive Director of the Puranik Foundation, she oversees operations, program development, and partnerships with a creative vision to inspire the next generation to lead, serve, and connect.

Founded over 22 years ago by Bhakti’s grandmother, and headquartered in Houston, Texas, the foundation owns and operates a school in Pune, India, called Vision International Learning Center (VILC). At no cost to the families it serves, K-12 students receive academic instruction, living quarters, meals, uniforms, and enrichment training in mindfulness, critical thinking, and leadership.

The school, encompassing 27 acres, is sustained by solar, biogas, and water recycling systems to protect and preserve nature. In addition to educating the under-resourced in India, the Puranik Foundation's mission is to provide unforgettable experiences that open minds, stimulate holistic perspectives, and inspire transformation.

A creative at heart, Salunkhe graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Advertising with a minor in Service Design. Bhakti continues her education and is a certified 200hour yoga teacher and a certified life coach. She is amid completing a NonProfit and Leadership Certification from Harvard Kennedy School. Her unique background informs a design-centered approach along with the ability to lead and empower students as she develops innovative experiential learning programs for the youth in line with the Puranik Foundation's mission.

As such, high school students participate in global service leadership programs

Bhakti Salunkhe Puranik

Executive Director, Puranik Foundation

that include Impact India – a 10-day study abroad program that focuses on cultural immersion, mentorship, and mindfulness at the VILC campus in Pune, India. The Energy project was launched in 2022 that enables youth activism through innovating sustainable products to impact the local community in Houston partnering with a Stanford professor, Rice University MBA mentors, TXRX labs and Junior Achievement. The newest program Classroom Clarity introduces mindfulness in the classroom and partnering with the local yoga community to bring a SEL + yoga and meditation to the classroom creating a safe space and bringing back strength in our communities since COVID-19.

Salunkhe is on a mission to share this lifechanging experience. She recently worked with Houston Independent School District (HISD) to create its first Global Issues Summit. This initiative engages youth to discuss the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and enables underserved youth to study abroad every year. Salunkhe also partnered with HISD to co-found HISD Abroad and was integral in securing over $50,000 in funding to allowing for under-resourced high school students in Houston to study abroad. Recruiting supporters like Sister Cities of Houston and the Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs made this initiative a huge success.

Bhakti Salunkhe was a featured guest speaker at the Asia Society Texas Center's 2020 Houston Global Education Dialogue and is an ongoing member of the organization's Global Education Steering Committee. Voyage Houston Magazine recently featured Salunkhe, driven by a long-standing passion for serving and establishing a legacy, values that were instilled as a child.

As a little girl, she watched both sets of grandparents start family businesses and social service organizations, committing their lives to establishing financial

stability, and giving to those in need. In addition, her parents are entrepreneurs who volunteer an equal amount of time to lead community endeavors. Her family has received national acclaim for global impact. Salunkhe leverages this deepseated business acumen to help others start their businesses and supports social causes.

A love for adventure consumes the majority of her free time. Salunkhe enjoys hiking, biking, sailing, racing, yoga-ing, and above all else, mothering her rescue dog Beans.

Bhakti Salunkhe Puranik Executive Director

Puranik Foundation U.S. Headquarters 3773 Richmond Ave., Suite 225 Houston, Texas 77046 832-806-1317 info@puranikfoundation.org www.puranikfoundation.org

LaShaunda P. René

Vice President, TruFund Financial Services - Texas Market

LaShaunda P. René (LPR), Vice President, Texas Market for TruFund Financial Services a National, Nonprofit, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), certified by the US Treasury. LaShaunda leads market operations and strategy, including brand ambassadorship, partnership and funder cultivation, resource, business, and program development, in addition to market expansion in the Texas Region.

LaShaunda enjoys being a strategic thought partner within the small business ecosystem and advocating for the needs of the small businesses, in partnership with elected officials, government, and community leaders.

She is a graduate of International Business and French Studies from Dillard University and holds a Master of Public Administration from Walden University.

LaShaunda is a Charter School Board Member of New Harmony High School,

a Women’s Leadership Academy Board Member, an Executive Mentor at Loyola University, a member of the Houston Business Ecosystem Alliance for minority and womenowned businesses, and the Dallas B.U.I.L.D. Network.

LaShaunda has over 18 years of professional experience working in the nonprofit and government sectors. This includes work in community and economic development, as well as program development and management, business and resource development, training and facilitation, special events, strategic thought, and community engagement. During her tenure with TruFund, LaShaunda has raised over $23 Million to support MWBE and LMI businesses and has been focused on ecosystem development and supporting small, rural, minority, and women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs to recover from disaster to become more resilient and increase their capacity for growth and scalability. LaShaunda has also received

formal training in community development finance, leadership, fund development, facilitation, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

LaShaunda values equity, entrepreneurship, and education; and works with entrepreneurs throughout the South, with a special focus on those in the Houston Metro, Dallas-Fort Worth MetroPlex, Texoma, and North Texas areas to grow and scale by gaining access to small business lending and business education. A focal point of her work is developing and sustaining quality business development and advisory programs and services for small, minority, and women-owned businesses through strategic fundraising and collaborative partnerships.

As an optimist, wellness practitioner, and community developer, LaShaunda thinks that prosperity and economic development in rural, urban and other underserved communities is not only possible, but also imperative to the health and wellness of all communities. She believes that stronger communities are anchored by developing and sustaining adequately resourced, properly educated, well rested, and soundly advised entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses into enterprises that create and retain jobs, provided essential products and services and own and maintain real assets in their communities.

A little lagniappe…

LPR loves a good cause and her family, which includes a husband, 3 daughters and a son. She is a curious creative, certified Yoga Instructor; and lover of all things natural, travel, art, food, astrology and the unexplored. In her free time, LaShaunda teaches yoga, writes and speaks about her passions, and helps other women cultivate a life of meaning and impact.

LaShaunda P. René

Vice President TruFund Financial Services - Texas Market Lrene@truFund.org www.trufund.org

Karen Scott

Owner, Founder & CEO, KNS Industrial Supply

Karen Scott, an accomplished female entrepreneur, and proud veteran continues to break glass ceilings in this male-dominated construction industry as the owner, founder, and CEO of KNS Industrial Supply (KNS). Founded in California in 2016, KNS is a ServiceDisabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Woman/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) with a new location in Houston, Texas.

Karen is an accomplished expert and industry leader with documented success in program management and procuring materials and equipment over the span of her career. She is a retired LTC after a 27-year stellar career in the US Army and is a lifelong logistician. A certified, awardwinning, and leading supply company that

successfully serves California, Karen has brought the KNS standard of exceptional customer service and their premier quality products to Texas, with an office here in the heart of our city, serving Houston, the surrounding areas, and the entire state.

“I want Houston and Texas to know that KNS is new to the area, but we are not new to the industry. Since founding KNS in 2016, our earned and sustained track record in several industries speaks for itself. We want Houston, Texas, to know that they can depend on our company.

Just like we meet supply expectations and demands in California, we will do the same for Texas,” Karen says.

The office in Houston has been open for one year, with a warehouse coming soon. And with this being a new office in Houston, KNS is looking to hire locally,

also bringing jobs to this city and the surrounding areas. She knows that KNS can bring the resources from California to Texas, having the same capabilities to serve this area and state.

KNS gives back to the areas where they do business. Recently KNS was a sponsor for a Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) event and contributed to a local chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for their scholarship initiative. Those are just some of their efforts pouring into our community.

Being a veteran, she carries around that discipline from her 20+ years in the military, never leaving a fallen soldier behind. She hires veterans and also uses veteran-owned companies. She is proud that KNS has a diverse and qualified team made up of veterans, women, and minorities.

Karen is a proud and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In Karen’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and giving back to worthy causes that positively impact our community.

Karen Scott

Owner, Founder & CEO KNS Industrial Supply 10039 Bissonnet St. Suite 224 Houston, TX 77036 www.knsindustrial.com www.knsindustrialsupply.com

Influential Women of Houston

Cindy Siegel is a Certified Public Accountant with almost 39 years of experience. She has owned a public accounting firm for 31 years that provides accounting and tax services for small businesses and individuals.

Cindy currently is the Chairman of the Harris County Republican Party and has

been an active grassroots activist for many years. She served as the Mayor of the City of Bellaire from 2004 to 2012 and was a Bellaire City Councilman for the 6 previous years. Prior to that, she served on Bellaire’s Planning and Zoning Commission and Bellaire’s Parks Board. Cindy also served on the Houston Metro Board as the 2nd Vice-Chair from 2012 to 2020 representing fourteen small enclave cities

in the Houston area.

Cindy has been an active volunteer and board member for various charitable organizations through the years serving children, families, and the elderly in the community. She has served on the boards of the Houston Alzheimer’s Association, Nature Discovery Center, Patrons for Bellaire Parks, and the Evelyn’s Park Conservancy. Cindy was appointed by Governor Bush to the Texas Aged and Disability Advisory Board. Additionally, she served as a trustee on the Board of Duchesne Academy.

Cindy is a Senior Fellow of the Houston American Leadership Forum and was one of the Houston Woman Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Women in 2009.

Cindy has been married to Bob Siegel for 30 years and they have two daughters Jennifer and Lauren.

Cindy Siegel Chairman Harris County Republican Party 8588 Katy Freeway, Ste 448 Houston, Tx 77024 713-838-7900 www.harriscountygop.com

Cindy Siegel

Chairman, Harris County Republican Party

Adrian Stephens

President, Galena Park ISD School Board

Adrian Stephens is a native Houstonian who is community-focused, nextgeneration-minded and a lifelong lover of the arts. Adrian’s values are rooted in her passion for people, rebuilding cities, and empowering marginalized groups. She has served as the secretary, vice president, and now current president of the Galena Park ISD School board, which is 85% economically disadvantaged. Through this position, she strengthens partnerships and alliances by providing necessities to the underserved. As a public

team lead, she also provides safe havens and resources for Galena ISD students, teachers, staff, and administrators as she believes that neighborhood care through education and infrastructure is the key to building and sustaining healthy communities.

As a young woman, her people's first mindset was born from a love of connecting with all. Adrian benefitted from her exposure to diverse audiences via dance and music as she was able to engage with people at a time when technology had

not advanced into a global phenomenon. As such, Adrian performed a natural pivot from arts into people engagement with her role as a realtor and a celebrated 12-year career in pharmaceutical sales.

As a woman of the people, Adrian brings this mindset for service and unwavering focus on excellence to Google! Adrian is enthusiastic about championing campaigns and developing programs that introduce and infuse excitement about careers in tech. She is committed to equitably sourcing diverse applicants and desires to create STEAM pipelines that highlight exceptional talent from next-generation and nontraditional groups. Her message is to “explore the limitless possibilities to innovate and exercise creativity!” From this, Adrian wants to empower others to participate in the ‘equity exchanges’ needed to guarantee continued growth in society.

Adrian is a proud alum of Prairie View A&M University (PV) currently completing her Master’s in Human Resource Development from Villanova University and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Married to her perfect match for 9 years, the Honorable Judge Joe Stephens Justice of the Peace, together they raise 3 beautiful daughters: Celine - a National Scholar at PV, Allyn - a member of the Golf Team at Texas A&M, and Aspen (1st Grade) who has an interest in art, musical theater, gymnastics, and piano. Adrian’s family dynamic is an extension of the unlimited opportunities she desires to provide for others and with her support system, experience, and outlook for the future, she will reach her goals!

Adrian Stephens President - School Board Trustee Galena Park ISD

Influential Women of Houston

Juliet K. Stipeche

Director of Human Services, Houston-Galveston Area Council

Juliet K. Stipeche was born and raised in the East End of Houston, Texas, and is the daughter of immigrant parents from Argentina and Mexico. In 1992, Juliet graduated valedictorian of the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice and earned a scholarship to Rice University, graduating with a B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science, Policy Studies, and Religious Studies in 1996 and was awarded the Joseph Cooper Prize as the most outstanding Policy Studies student in her class. She then attended The University of Texas School of Law and received her law degree in 1999.

Juliet practiced law as a trial attorney and handled appeals in numerous counties throughout the State of Texas. She also successfully defended board actions

against physicians, nurses, and healthcare providers. In 2007, she became president and shareholder of Nagorny & Stipeche, P.C., a civil litigation firm.

In 2010, Juliet was elected to the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board of Education as the Trustee of District VIII in a special election in 2010. She served as Chairperson of HISD’s Audit Committee for 3 years, pushed for administrative and educational reform, and was elected by her peers to serve as the Board President in 2014. In 2013, Juliet returned to Rice as the Associate Director for the Richard Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education.

In 2016, Mayor Sylvester Turner selected Juliet to serve as the City of Houston's first Director of Education for the Mayor's Office of Education (MOE), a new position and

office within the mayor’s administration. She focused on educational equity and opportunity for all ages in Houston by promoting city-wide collaboration, communication, and coordination. Juliet worked on education and workforce issues from cradle to career and launched initiatives including Hire Houston Youth, Be Well Be Connected, Out2LearnHOU, and UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative. She served as a special advisor to the Mayor offering critical support after major disasters including Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, Juliet became the HoustonGalveston Area Council’s Director of Human Services, leading the Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions, the Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging, and Aging and Disability Resource Center programs. She also serves as executive director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board. She continues to serve the community and is a proud member of one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country with a diverse service area of 13 counties and more than 7 million people.

Juliet K. Stipeche

Houston Galveston Area Council, Director of Human Services

Executive Director, Gulf Coast Workforce Board - Workforce Solutions 3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 120 Houston, Texas 77027 713-993-4524 direct 281-615-2520 cell juliet.stipeche@h-gac.com www.h-gac.com www.wrksolutions.com

Adriana Tamez, Ed.D.

Board of Trustees, Houston Community College - District III and CEO, Tejano Center

life experiences may all differ. Her goal is always to create opportunities to help address our area’s most critical needs, especially access to quality education for all, from early childhood to adult learning. Beginning as a classroom teacher, she has subsequently seized every opportunity to build her capacity and enlarge her sphere of leadership, knowing with increased responsibility she could have a greater impact to equitably benefit all people in the community. Her skills, experience, and passion have led her to co-found the Tejano Center for Community Concerns and the Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success, where she currently serves as President/ CEO and Superintendent of Schools. She was elected and currently serves on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees representing District III, continuing her legacy of empowering communities through equitable education and workforce development opportunities.

Dr. Tamez devotes time to community efforts, serving on numerous boards and commissions, including the Mayor’s ION Community Advisory Council, Keep Houston Beautiful, One Safe Houston, Harris County Housing Authority, and Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force.

As a child, growing up in Houston’s Denver Harbor and Fifth Ward and witnessing the poverty and struggles of so many, Adriana Tamez was perplexed and often pondered: How can I help, what can I do, to make this situation better? The answers came as her siblings and she stood in the shadows of their parents, who modeled giving back and being of service. They also instilled in Adriana and her siblings that education was not an option and the key to fulfilling one’s dreams. Thus, service and education

were the two ingredients that became the guideposts for Dr. Adriana Tamez’s journey as a lifelong educator and leader in service to the community, especially the most vulnerable.

Today, Adriana is a tenacious and empathic leader dedicated to working with community and business leaders, as well as elected officials, that represent the rich diversity that makes Houston the world-class city it is. She is driven by the belief in the power of dialogue and collaborative leadership with those whose identity, culture, background, and

Tamez earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Houston. She earned her doctorate in educational administration at the University of Texas at Austin.

Adriana Tamez, Ed.D. Board of Trustees

Houston Community College District III President/CEO Tejano Center 2950 Broadway Houston, Texas  77017 713-640-3789 Adriana.tamez@tejanocenter.org www.hccs.edu www.tejanocenter.org

Carla Tharp

Vice President of Corporate Development, Apache Corporation

Carla Tharp serves as vice president of corporate development for Apache Corporation, an oil and gas exploration and production company with a longstanding presence in Houston. For nearly three decades, Carla has dedicated herself to an industry vital to the growth and prosperity of our city, working in energy valuations and transactions as a successful engineer and investment banker. Before joining Apache, Carla served as managing director of energy investment banking at Raymond James, director of acquisitions and divestitures at Citi Global Markets and at Lantana Energy Advisors. In previous years, she served on the board of the Acquisitions, Divestitures and Mergers (ADAM) community in Houston, a networking organization for energy professionals. Her passion for bettering the lives of Texans is evident in her commitment to Camp For All, a barrier-free camping experience for children and adults with disabilities in Burton, Texas, where she previously served as a board member.

A native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Carla’s journey to the energy capital of the world was not entirely expected. She initially began studying biomedical engineering at Texas A&M, where she was first introduced to the science behind oil and gas exploration. Though the stars may not have aligned for a career in the medical field, they certainly did for the energy industry when Carla switched majors to petroleum engineering. She soon began her career as a reservoir engineer, employing her unwavering work ethic, nuanced pragmatism and instinct for business in a variety of engineering and consulting roles with increasing responsibility. A successful businesswoman in her own right, Carla cofounded multiple consulting firms specializing in oil and gas mergers and acquisitions. In between these commendable strides, Carla became a dedicated mother, raising her children to pursue careers in mathematics, software management, healthcare and petroleum engineering.

When not engaging with the local community or closing the latest deal, Carla enjoys running in marathons, skiing and trying her hand at poker in the World Oilman’s Poker Tournament in Las Vegas every year.

Vice president of Corporate Development

Apache Corporation

2000 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 100

Houston, Texas 77056-4400 www.apachecorp.com

Carla Tharp

Dr. Tragil Wade-Johnson

Speaker, Author, Life Coach, and Philanthropist

provoke change. In her words, “helping the little Dwyane and Tragil,” which inspired her to start America’s Big Sisters Foundation in 2017 where she desires to change the narrative of youth that have similar challenges. Tragil continues to pursue her mission of impacting lives by sharing her story with the world.

Educational Achievements:

• In 1998 Associate degree from San Diego City College in Early Childhood Education

• In 2005 Bachelor’s degree at Chicago State University with a Major in Elementary Education and a Minor in Psychology

• In 2014 Ministerial License

• In 2015 Certification in Transformational Foundation, Grants and Strategies, Principals in Leadership and Board Building at the University of Notre Dame

Dr. Tragil Wade-Johnson is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, inspirational speaker, life coach, and author with a passion to improve the quality of life through educating, empowering, encouraging, and enlightening as many people as possible.

Tragil’s career as a leader in philanthropy started over 15 years ago, serving as the Executive Director of Wade’s World Foundation. She raised 3.4 million dollars in the first 5 years and impacted over 1 million lives, receiving awards yearly since 2013.

Her highest honor was being a recipient of President Biden’s 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award. Tragil has been featured in many magazines, books, news articles, and talk shows. However, her current feature on CBS news 2022 Mother’s Day special with Norah O’Donnell has resonated nationwide.

Tragil is known for being a caregiver and big sister to her famous brother Dwyane Wade (retired NBA player). Their family story from tragedy to triumph sparked her desire to

• In 2021 Trauma Informed-Care Specialist

• In 2021 Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism from the Global International Alliance Advocate University

• In 2022 Life Coach Certification

Career/Professional Achievements:

• 2003 – 2005 Community High School

– Personal Assistant and Teacher

• 2005 – 2007 Educate Empower Academy School (K-8) – Principal and Co-Founder

• 2007 - 2009 CSMG – Sports Marketing

• 2009 – 2019 Creative Artist Agency –Sports Client Management

• 2006 – 2017 Wades World Foundation

– Executive Director

• 2017 – Present CEO/Founder – America’s Big Sisters Foundation

Honorable Mentions:

• 2013 – BET Humanitarian Award

• 2013 – Woman of Distinction Award

• 2014 – Woman of Excellence – Chicago

Defender

• 2015 – Humanitarian Award – Steve & Marjorie Harvey

• 2015 – Path to Possibility Award –Options for Youth

• 2015 – Leaders Recognizing Leaders Award

• 2016 – Champion for Children – Café Mocha

• 2017 – Survivors Stroll Award – Hosana

4 Youth

• 2018 – Dr. Rita Marley Ambassador Award - Female Development World Organization

• 2019 – Trailblazer Award - Chicago Business Exchange

• 2021 – Making a Difference Award –Mindful Sport Performance

• 2021 – Joe Biden Presidents Award –Leaders Esteem Christian Bible University

• 2021 – Joe Biden Presidents Award –Global International Alliance

In 2020, Tragil married Edward Johnson receiving two bonus children Areyonna and Prince.

Dr. Tragil Wade-Johnson Speaker, Author, Life Coach, and Philanthropist

159 N. Sangamon, Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60607 312-544-0980 www.tragilwade.com

Merinda Watkins-Martin

Entrepreneur and Owner, Lemond Kitchen

Merinda Watkins-Martin is a Houston native who was born and raised in Acres Homes. She is a graduate of Rice University. Merinda has been actively involved in the community for decades. She began volunteering during her time at Rice when she founded and managed a tutoring program, Knowledge Club, for Osborne Elementary and Wesley Elementary. Merinda has chaired and is currently the co-chair of the African American Art Advisory Association, Five A, a patron group at the Museum of Fine Arts that helps celebrate the works of African and African American Artist and build the Museum’s permanent collection. During her time as a chair, Merinda has helped engage the museum with Houston’s African American community through community

events and supporting exhibitions by artists of color. Merinda is also a Trustee for the Museum of Fine Arts and actively supports the museum’s inclusion goals.

Merinda Martin is the owner of Lemond Kitchen, a full-service catering company that has operated in Houston for over 20 years. Lemond Kitchen has provided outstanding catering to universities, nonprofits, corporations, and individuals.

During the pandemic, Lemond Kitchen managed the City of Houston H.E.R.S. program. Lemond managed over 18 restaurants that provided over 250,000 meals to residents affected by the pandemic.

Merinda is also the Executive Director of the Lemond Foundation, a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing educational opportunities and helping

to eliminate food insecurity and food deserts within the community. Lemond Foundation has provided thousands of meals to Houstonians who were affected by natural disasters. The foundation also runs Chris’s Library, a program that offers new books to encourage children to develop a love for reading, and an apprenticeship program for culinary students.

Merinda completed Goldman Sachs 10K Business Program in 2018. She currently is a mentor for the Goldman Sachs Black in Business program, where she assists new entrepreneurs of color to develop strategies to help make their businesses successful. Merinda chaired the Accessibility and Inclusion Board for Social Sciences at Rice University and is a current member of the Advisory Board of Social Science. Merinda is married to Reginald Martin. They have two children, Elizabeth, a senior at Rice University, and Christopher, a freshman at Strake Jesuit.

Merinda Watkins-Martin

Entrepreneur and Owner

Lemond Kitchen

612 Archer Street Houston, Texas 77009 713-790-0441 www.lemondkitchen.com

Dr. Christie Whitbeck

Dr. Christie Whitbeck became superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, the 8th largest district in Texas, in September 2021. She previously served as the superintendent of Bryan ISD and the deputy superintendent of Fort Bend ISD. She is regarded statewide as an awardwinning, consensus-building leader. She has served on numerous state committees to support public education in Texas. After returning to lead FBISD, Dr. Whitbeck made it a top priority to visit all 82 campuses to meet and listen to staff and students. She established a

ThoughtExchange platform to gather feedback from educators, and she is working to refine the culture and climate in the district, improve safety and security in schools, and increase compensation for staff.

Under her leadership, FBISD earned A’s in graduation rates and college and career readiness and an overall 89 (B) rating from the Texas Education Agency for the 2021-22 school year. Also, 84% of FBISD campuses received an A or B, despite learning loss during the pandemic.

Dr. Whitbeck has successfully led

data-driven initiatives that support student success. She opened one of the state’s 10 Regional Career and Technology Centers in Bryan ISD and was named Texas’ Career Technical Education Champion of the Year. She won a 2019 Outstanding Alumni Early Career Award from Texas A&M’s College of Education for significant contributions to her field made within 10 years of graduating.

In Bryan ISD, she was credited with significant academic gains, improvements in graduation and college, career and military readiness rates, widespread transportation and safety improvements, and passage of her “2 Bonds, 1 Vision” plan, which raised significant revenue without raising the tax rate.

Dr. Whitbeck has a long history of educating children in the Houston area, having served as Assistant Superintendent of Academics in Alvin ISD, and an awardwinning principal who opened elementary, middle, and high schools in Katy ISD. She began her career as a teacher in Alief ISD.

Dr. Whitbeck received her Ph.D. in public school administration from Texas A&M University, graduating summa cum laude. She earned a master’s in administration supervision from the University of Houston and a bachelor’s in elementary education from Missouri State University.

Her philosophy of education is “Bringing out the Best in People,” which is the title of a cherished book received from her grandmother when Dr. Whitbeck was a young teacher. From then to now, wherever she goes, she focuses on leading by listening and showing a kind heart.

Dr. Christie Whitbeck Superintendent Fort Bend Independent School District 16431 Lexington Blvd. Sugar Land, Texas 77479 www.fortbendisd.com

Superintendent, Fort Bend Independent School District

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FORT BEND ISD

Fort Bend Independent School District is the eighth largest school district in Texas and the largest school district in Fort Bend County with more than 79,000 students across 82 campuses: 11 high schools, 15 middle schools, 51 elementary campuses and five specialty schools. FBISD also staffs more than 12,000 employees as the largest employer in Fort Bend County.

The District is one of the nation’s most diverse K-12 public education systems; working and learning cohesively alongside families who speak more than 100 languages and dialects. FBISD schools work with students, their families and the community to address each student’s unique needs.

“A” Rated by TEA for….

• Academic Growth

• High School Graduation Rates

• College, Career and Military Readiness

• 124 Distinction Designations for Outstanding Performance in Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, Academic Growth, Closing Achievement Gaps and Postsecondary Readiness

• Dulles High School State Academic Decathlon Champs Six Years in a Row - 2nd Best Team in Nation

• George Bush High School One Act Play 6A State Champs

• Ridge Point High School Baseball 2022 6A State Semifinalists

• Kempner High School Boys’ Singles 5A State Tennis Champ

• Marshall High School 5A State Track ChampsBoys and Girls

FBISD exists to inspire and equip all students to pursue futures beyond what they can imagine.

chooseFBISD

Carolanda Bremond Woodgett

Associate Vice President and General Counsel ad interim, UTMB

later moved to Sugar Land, where she attended John Foster Dulles High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Africana Studies from Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Thereafter, Carolanda moved across the United States to attend the University of California at Berkeley School of Law. There, she found her love for employment law as well as her desire to one day work in the public sector.

Carolanda has held numerous Board leadership positions in non-profit organizations, and she currently serves on the State Bar of Texas Health Law Council. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter.

Most importantly, Carolanda is married to Corey Woodgett and proud mom to their two-year-old daughter, Charlotte, stepmom to Taylor (19) and Cameron (14), and dog mom to Princess.

Carolanda Bremond Woodgett has practiced law for over 18 years and is currently the Associate Vice President and General Counsel ad interim at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (“UTMB”), a public academic health science center in Galveston, Texas, and the oldest medical school in Texas.

In this role, Carolanda leads a team of attorneys, paralegals, investigators, and security professionals, who are dedicated to the mission of UTMB; namely to improve health for the people of Texas and around the world by offering innovative education and training, pursuing cutting–edge research, and providing the highest quality patient care.

Carolanda is also a strategic business partner known for providing practical advice

to senior leadership while minimizing risks and delivering results. Throughout her 11year tenure at UTMB, she has remained dedicated to diversity and inclusion, cultivating change, and collaborating with community partners who align with UTMB’s mission. Ultimately, Carolanda’s goal is to make a positive impact in her community by serving others, fostering positive relationships, and promoting diversity in the legal profession.

Before joining UTMB in 2011, Carolanda began her legal career in the Houston office of Fulbright and Jaworski L.L.P., practicing labor and employment law. During this time, she earned the respect and recognition of others within the legal community as a “Texas Rising Star” for 2009-2011.

Carolanda is a native Houstonian and

Carolanda Bremond Woodgett Associate Vice President and General Counsel ad interim The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) www.utmb.edu

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston 2022

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Influential Women of Houston

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston

Top 30 Influential Women of Houston