Presenting Sponsor - Awards
Presenting Sponsor -Forum
Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration April 29, 2026
Moody Performance Hall
ThankYou!
Thank you for your support of Texas Women’s Foundation’s Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration honoring our 2026 Maura and Young Leader Award recipients.
The afternoon, featuring a mix of insights, inspiration and celebration would not have been possible without you, our partners, and we are truly grateful.
Together we’re creating a strong and vibrant Texas for all!
KARENHUGHESWHITE President & CEO Texas Women’s Foundation
WhataDay!
This year’s sold-out event was an unforgettable afternoon of powerful conversations, inspiring leadership, and collective impact raising an incredible $390,000 to support Texas women, their families, and their futures
The afternoon began with an awards celebration honoring five exceptional Maura “Women Helping Women” Award recipients and two inspiring Young Leader Awardees. We also celebrated High Tech Rising (formerly High Tech High Heels) for 25 years of advancing girls in STEM and presented our inaugural Champion Award to Oncor CEO Allen Nye for his longstanding commitment to advancing women in the workplace
Throughout the evening, guests heard thought-provoking conversations centered on leadership, influence, advocacy, and the future of women in the workplace, including:
A candid conversation between Karen Borta and Kim Tolbert, the first Black woman to serve as Dallas City Manager and the only woman currently leading a top ten US city with a council-manager form of government
A powerful TED Talk-style presentation from Debra Hunter Johnson, challenging all of us to move beyond intention to action to accelerate progress for women
Insights from Young Leader Awardees Amanda Valentine and Prisma Garcia on how emerging leaders are redefining workplace culture, accountability, and sponsorship
A meaningful discussion with Dr Olga Hickman and Margie Aguilar on using leadership, advocacy, and storytelling to drive impact and change; and
A heartfelt conversation between Thear Suzuki and 2025 Maura Awardee Marsha Clark on intentional, purpose-driven leadership.
The conversations from this year’s Leadership Forum were too important to leave in the room. You’ll be able to hear them again - and share them - as part of the new #StrongWomenBetterTexas podcast series Details coming soon
Inspiration&Celebration
MemorableMoments
DrivingImpactTogether
Presenting Sponsor - Awards
Presenting Sponsor - Forum
Special Recognition Award Sponsor
Cocktail Reception Sponsor Registration Sponsor
Snap & Share Sponsor Parking Sponsor
Sponsor
DrivingImpactTogether
LAURA BALDWIN
VICKI BLANTON
KATELYN BRYE
CITY OF DALLAS
BRENDA L JACKSON
CARRIE AND STEVEN PARSONS
COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEXAS
DARCY COWELL – EY
JULIE ENGLAND
CATALINA E GARCIA, M D
GAIL GRISWOLD
HISPANIC 100
HATTIE HILL ENTERPRISES
MARY PAT HIGGINS
HIGH TECH HIGH HEELS
HIRSCH FAMILY FOUNDATION
FRIENDS OF DEBRA HUNTER JOHNSON
ASHLEE KLEINERT
MARSHA CLARK & ASSOCIATES
MARTY MCDONALD AND AMANDA KOONJBEHARRY
MADELINE MCCLURE
LISETTE MENDEZ
RETTA MILLER
ANNE MOTSENBOCKER
ARACELY MUÑOZ
BANKE ODUNAIKE
MELISSA ORTH
DARON AND AVALYN PACE FOUNDATION
JUDGE TONYA PARKER
PATRICIA RODRIGUEZ CHRISTIAN
SARAH SALDAÑA
FRIENDS OF THEAR SUZUKI
TEXAS CAPITAL
FRIENDS OF AMANDA VALENTINE
ZERTUCHE-WONG FAMILY
TheWorkContinues
$115MINVESTEDINTEXASWOMENANDFAMILIES
2024-25Grants
$2.09M Empowering Women’s Philanthropy
$2.64M Economic Security
$930K Other Mission
$365K Leadership
$6M awarded in 2024-25
Since 1985, Texas Women’s Foundation has invested more than $115 million in removing the barriers to women’s economic security, stability and success through targeted research and advocacy, intentional grantmaking and leaderships programs.
In 2024-25, with support from our generous donors and partners, we invested $6M to advance Texas women, their families and their futures,
You are part of the work we do everyday and we are truly thankful for your commitment to Texas Women’s Foundation Your support helps advance our shared work to strengthen women’s economic security, stability and success across Texas and the need has never been greater
We look forward to continuing this important work together.
EXECUTIVELEADERSHIPACCELERATOR
Grounded in research and purposefully built for deep personal and professional growth, the Executive Leadership Accelerator blends immersive leadership development, 1:1 executive coaching, and a mission-aligned capstone project creating a powerful, cohort-based experience for women preparing for higher levels of leadership and impact in their careers and communities
Most importantly, it supports Texas Women’s Foundation’s commitment to investing in women’s lifecycle leadership development
Consider applying for the 2027 cohort or referring a colleague. Applications open now!
Information & Application
