Texas Women’s Foundation Honors Changemakers at 2026 Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration

 Texas Women’s Foundation’s Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration brought together a sold-out audience of more than 600 attendees on April 29 at Moody Performance Hall for an inspiring evening dedicated to celebrating women’s leadership and building #StrongWomenBetterTexas and raising more than $385,000 in support of the foundation’s mission. 

Event Leadership: Karen Hughes White (President & CEO, TXWF), Cristal Retana Luna (Co-Chair), Cris Zertuche Wong (TXWF Board Chair), Lynn McBee (Co-Chair)

Co-chaired by Cristal Retana Lule and Lynn McBee, the event highlighted the power of sisterhood and collective philanthropy in removing the barriers to women’s economic security, stability and success and creating a strong and vibrant Texas for all.

Young Leader Award Recipients: Karen Hughes White (President & CEO, TXWF), Amanda Valentine, Prisma Garcia, Cris Zertuche Wong (TXWF Board Chair)

The 2026 Young Leader Award recipients, Prisma Garcia and Amanda Valentine, were recognized for their bold leadership and commitment to creating pathways for others. Garcia’s work in education, mental health access and public service, alongside Valentine’s impact in healthcare operations and systems improvement, exemplify the next generation of changemakers.

The prestigious Maura Women Helping Women Awards honored five exceptional leaders:

• Debra Hunter Johnson for her transformational leadership and advocacy in the corporate and nonprofit sectors;
• Kim Bizor Tolbert for her groundbreaking leadership as Dallas City Manager and commitment to public service;
• Margie Aguilar for amplifying diverse voices through media and storytelling with an emphasis on the Hispanic community;
• Dr. Olga Martinez Hickman for her community-driven work advancing equity and opportunity through Bachman Lake Together;
• Thear Suzuki for her purpose-driven leadership and dedication to inspiring courageous action through mentorship and philanthropy.

The Leadership Forum, presented by Southwest Airlines, emceed by CBS News Anchor Karen Borta, served as a masterclass in leadership, featuring dynamic, micro-learning sessions with award recipients and thought leaders. Borta emphasized the power of collective action and shared purpose in driving meaningful change for women and families across Texas.

The forum opened with “Power, Poise & Purpose,” featuring Kim Bizor Tolbert who shared her insights on leading with intention and navigating leadership at the highest levels of public service. Tolbert shared that the award carries deep meaning, calling it “a mandate to continue to work, swim upstream and focus on what matters.” She emphasized staying grounded in faith amid pressure, noting, “I use my voice to help women find ways forward — not just by opening the door, but by making sure they have the keys.”

Karen Borta, Kim Bizor Tolbert

To close the forum, Thear Suzuki reflected on values-driven leadership, legacy, and the importance of inspiring courageous action in others. “Courage comes from external sources – we have courage to act when we know someone has our back,” she shared.

Following the forum, the foundation presented its Special Recognition Award to High Tech Rising (formerly High Tech High Heels) for its decades-long commitment to advancing girls in STEM. Melendy Lovett and Laura Steffek accepted the honor, sharing that over 25 years, the initiative has reached more than 90,000 girls and invested more than $2 million in STEM education. Fittingly, Texas Instruments sponsored this award as its female leaders were the catalyst for founding the nonprofit 25 years ago.

Concluding the program, the Foundation introduced its inaugural Champion Award, honoring Allen Nye, CEO of Oncor, for his leadership in advancing women in the workplace. Nye thanked Texas Women’s Foundation for opening doors, expanding opportunities and reminding others what is possible when talent is encouraged. “Better decisions are made when there are more perspectives at the table. It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s good business.”

Texas Women’s Foundation President and CEO Karen Hughes White closed the program by thanking attendees, congratulating award recipients, and reflecting on the collective experience, saying, “Friends, I hope you all are feeling as inspired and energized as I am. More importantly, I hope you are feeling hopeful about the future we’re building together.”

Texas Women’s Foundation Celebrated 40th Anniversary with Award-Winning Actress Christine Baranski

On November 14 at the Omni Dallas Hotel, Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) celebrated its Ruby Anniversary Luncheon featuring Christine Baranski, an Emmy, two-time Tony, Screen Actors Guild, Drama Desk and American Comedy Award winner. The luncheon raised $840,000 in support of the Foundation’s mission, including more than $112,000 at the event itself. 

Sofia Diaz, Miss Dallas Nicole Hill, Karen Hughes White

TXWF Board Chair Cris Zertuche Wong welcomed more than 950 guests including seven of the organization’s 11 living Founders.  “We celebrate the nearly $90 million granted to women and girl-serving organizations in Texas and more than $25 million invested in research, advocacy and leadership programs for a total impact of $115 million on Texas women, their families, and their futures since the Foundation’s inception in 1985."

Debbie Branson, Cynthia Izaguirre, Madeline McClure

Wong thanked former Foundation leaders and Ruby Anniversary co-chairs: Gail Griswold and Brenda Jackson (1980s), Laura Estrada (1990s), Helen Frank (2000s), and Shonn Brown(2020s) and the sponsors. 

Texas Women’s Foundation President and CEO Karen Hughes White added, “Help us build on the legacy of our Founders as we prepare for the next 40 years. Because, unlike our Founders, the challenges facing Texas women have not aged well. And the solutions have become increasingly complex. It will take all of us to create meaningful, lasting, systemic change that levels playing field for women – and in turn, creates a strong and vibrant Texas for all.” 

Lynn Fisher, Renda Mathew, Laura Sands

Throughout the program, TXWF shared video clips of its Founders describing how a group of 19 dynamic and diverse women came together across varied backgrounds, beliefs and political ideologies to advance opportunities for Texas women and their families. 

Karen Hughes White, Shonn Brown, Gail Griswold, Christine Baranski, Laura Estrada, Cris Zertuche Wong, Caren Lock

Shonn Brown, former Texas Women’s Foundation board chair, thanked and honored the Foundation’s Founders, including the 11 living Founders who served as the event’s honorary co-chairs: 

·      Susan Shamburger Bagwell

·      The Honorable Harryette Ehrhardt

·      Catalina E. Garcia, M.D.

·      Frances Griffin-Brown

·      Helen LaKelly Hunt

·      The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison

·      Madeline Mandell

·      Patricia Meadows

·      Gwendolyn Oliver

·      CoYoTe PhoeNix

·      Rebecca Russell Sykes

Brown also paid tribute to the Founders who have passed: 

•       Geraldine D. Beer 

•       Vivian Anderson Castleberry

•       Maura Anderson McNiel

•       Joy Mankoff

•       Carmen Miller Michael

•       Louise Ballerstedt Raggio

•       Oeita Bottorff Theunissen 

•       Virginia Bulkley Whitehill

She announced that in honor of the 40th anniversary, interviews with several of the Funders will be included in a collection of 40 stories highlighting the passion, purpose and perseverance that have shaped TXWF’s impact. 

Target women

Sabrina Thomas, the Group Vice President of Target and Speaker Sponsor, introduced Christine Baranski and Caren Lock, TXWF former board chair who moderated the conversation.

Caren Lock, Christine Baranski

Special thank you to speaker sponsor Target and The Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Speaker Endowment Fund.

Texas Women’s Foundation Announces New Board Chair and New Board Members

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) has announced that Cris Zertuche Wong has been named Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors beginning this month. Wong will serve a two-year term as Board Chair through June 30, 2027. She succeeds Carrie Freeman Parsons. 

In partnership with the TXWF President & CEO Karen Hughes White, Wong will lead the organization alongside Executive Committee:

Cris Zertuche Wong – Chair (Retired, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs)

Carrie Freeman Parsons – Immediate Past Chair (Chair of the Board, Freeman Company)

Jana Etheridge – Secretary (Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff, Capital One)

Lisette Mendez – Finance Committee Chair (Vice President Finance & Latin America Controller, AT&T)

Aracely Muñoz – Governance Committee Chair (Director, Corporate Partnerships, Children’s Health)

Hattie Hill – Member-At-Large (CEO, Hattie Hill Enterprises)

Holly Tucker – Member-At-Large (Partner, Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory)

Karen Hughes White – President and CEO, Texas Women’s Foundation 

 

In addition, TXWF has added new board members: 

·      Vanessa Salinas Beckstrom, Partner, PwC

·      Patricia Rodriguez Christian, CEO, CRG Group Inc.

·      Katie Edwards, Chief Impact Officer & President, Mavs Foundation at Dallas Mavericks

·      Candice Hill, Southwest Segment Head, JPMorgan Chase & Co

·      Marty McDonald, Founder & CEO, Boss Women Media & CEO, Elle Olivia

 

For a complete list of Board Directors, visit here.

Wong said, “I’m honored to build on the legacy of impact created by the Foundation’s founders nearly 40 years ago. In so many ways, Texas women and girls have never needed us more.” 

 Hughes White added, “The strength of Texas Women’s Foundation is a direct result of the tireless volunteers who give generously of their time, talent and treasure in support of our mission. We are so grateful for the leadership of Carrie Freeman Parsons, and look forward to the impact Cris Zertuche Wong will have on the Foundation as we celebrate 40 years of impact.” 

Texas Women’s Foundation Launches New Executive Leadership Accelerator Program for Senior Level Professional Women

Texas Women’s Foundation, a leading organization that advances leadership and economic opportunities for Texas women and girls, announces the launch of its Executive Leadership Accelerator (ELA)—a bespoke leadership experience designed exclusively for senior-level executive women preparing for partner or C-suite roles.

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.

Texas Women’s Foundation’s Executive Leadership Accelerator will be delivered in a hybrid format combining immersive in-person and virtual sessions, personalized leadership assessments, and powerful networking opportunities with support from an executive sponsor. Participants will also collaborate on a capstone project that puts leadership into action, while championing the mission of Texas Women’s Foundation. 

Those interested in applying should meet these criteria:

•      Senior-level leaders with 15+ years of experience in for-profit Texas organizations who are preparing for partner or C-suite roles. 

•      Executives currently leading business units or strategic initiatives with significant P&L responsibilities; and 

•      Experienced leaders identified as “ready now” or “ready next” for key leadership roles.

Hughes White added, “The Executive Leadership Accelerator is designed with a bold vision: to drive meaningful, systemic change for leaders and the organizations they serve, while advancing Texas Women’s Foundation’s mission through every participant’s journey. Women occupy only 28% of the top executive positions in Texas, so that showed us this program is needed to help that number increase.”

Applications will be accepted now through August 25. The program will kick off in October and run through May 2026. For more information and to apply, visit www.txwf.org/executiveleadershipaccelerator or email leadership@txwf.org

Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation Grants $114,000 to 29 North Texas Nonprofits

The Hispanic 100 (H100) Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation has awarded $114,000 in grants to 29 North Texas area nonprofits serving the needs of Latina women and girls in low- and moderate-income communities. Since its inception, H100 has given $786,000 across 165 grants. 

The H100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation was established in 2019 by the Hispanic 100 Network to further engage Latinas in philanthropy, and to expand resources for local organizations whose mission is to empower, educate and support Latinas across North Texas.”

Jennifer Treviño and Maria Espinoza, H100 Latina Giving Circle Co-Chairs, said, “We are honored to be able to support so many worthy organizations who are serving Latina women and girls across North Texas to live healthier and more successful lives.” 

 

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

(* indicates first-time grantees)

·      *Agape Clinic – Salary for Latina Director of Clinic Operations

·      *Attitudes & Attire –  Salary for a bilingual program manager

·      *AVANCE – Dallas-Parent-Child Education Program 

·      Bachman Lake Together – Community Action Network: parent leadership programming

·      Buckner Children and Family Services, Inc. – Dallas Family Hope Center and access to economic security

·      *Cannenta Foundation Inc. – Project Ayuda program

·      Cara Mia Theatre Co. – First Latinidades Art Symposium

·      Catch Up & Read –  Support for one campus

·      *ChildCareGroup – Born Learning Program

·      Family Place Inc. – Support for bilingual client-facing staff

·      *Frontiers of Flight Museum Inc. – Flight-Latina Young Ladies Aerospace-STEM Challenge

·      Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas – Programming for two Latina/Hispanic troops

·      Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas – Dallas Chapter-Latinas in Progress

·      Immschools – Family-led community workshops

·      *Mi Escuelita Preschool Inc. – Education Evolution Program

·      Mosaic Family Services Inc. – Support for survivors in the Transitional Housing program

·      Primos Dallas – Student mentoring program and to visit Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI)

·      Readers 2 Leaders – Family Reading 2024-2025 cohort

·      Rosa es Rojo, Inc. – The Rojo Way wellness program

·      *ScholarShot – Salary for Academic Manager

·      SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. – SER STEM robotics program

·      *Sharing Life Community Outreach, Inc. – Expansion of program activities

·      *The Lullaby House – Support for education and program services

·      The Compelling Why – Two seminars and Leadership series

·      The Concilio – General support for educational programming

·      United to Learn – Student and educator support at 17 Dallas ISD campuses

·      *Volar – Capacity building support

·      Wesley-Rankin Community Center – Girls of Hope, Girls of Honor Program

·      Young Women’s Preparatory Network – Senior Mentoring Alliance at Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School

To learn more about joining the H100 Latina Giving Circle, visit https://www.txwf.org/h100latinagivingcircle/ or email H100latinagc@txwf.org

Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation Delivers $115,000 to North Texas Nonprofits

The Hispanic 100 (H100) Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation has awarded $115,000 in grants to 30 North Texas area nonprofits serving the needs of Latina women and girls in low- and moderate-income communities. Since 2019, the group has contributed $506,000 to dozens of worthy nonprofit organizations.

Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation and grantees

The H100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation was established in 2019 by the Hispanic 100 Network to further engage Latinas in philanthropy, and to expand resources for local organizations whose mission is to empower, educate and support Latinas across North Texas.

Cris Zertuche Wong, Lucinda Rocha; Suzanne Cruz-Sewell; Maryanne Piña Frodsham

Linda Valdez Thompson, H100 Latina Giving Circle Co-Chair, said, “From education to family support, housing and health, these grants will have an immediate impact on these organizations during a difficult few years. We are honored to support them.”

Kim Cummings (H100 LGCboardmember), Mylinh Luong (Orchid Giving Circle co-founder), Lisa Montgomery (The Village Giving Circle co-founder)

Lucinda Rocha, H100 Latina Giving Circle Co-Chair, added, “There were so many worthy nonprofit organizations as there are many needs in our community. We appreciate the H100 members who have helped research and pare down the list to these amazing organizations addressing social issues and making a difference in their communities.” 

Grants were given to the following:

•      After-School All-Stars – Career Exploration program for Latina All-Stars

•      Aspire – Early Education and Family Literacy Program for Latinas and children

•      Bachman Lake Together – Community Action Network program to equip parents 

•      Bryan’s House – Family Support Services Program for children with special needs

•      Catch Up & Read – Bilingual support to help at-risk children read on grade level 

•      The Compelling Why – Seminars and leadership programs for Latina students 

•      The Concilio – Parents Advocating for Student Excellence program

•      Foundation Communities – Housing for homeless and low-income families

•      Friends of Solar Prep – Educational programs for girls at Solar Prep for Girls 

•      Genesis Women’s Shelter – Bilingual services for Spanish speaking families  

•      Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas – Membership access for Latina girls 

•      Girlstart – Afterschool programs and summer camps

•      HHM Health – Women and Children’s Health Center support 

•      Hispanic Women Network of Texas (Latinas in Progress) – Operational support 

•      Hope Clinic of McKinney – Support for a medical doctor to provide care

•      Human Rights Initiative of North Texas – Support of HRI’s Crime Victims Program

•      Jubilee Park Community Center – Housing and Workforce Program for low-income residents 

•      LiftFund – Technical Assistance integration of Latina Small Business Recovery Program

•      Metrocrest Services – Metrocrest Empowerment Initiative for Women 

•      Mommies in Need – Support for Annie's Place to provide healthcare access

•      Mosaic Family Services – Support salary of a bilingual case manager

•      Primos Dallas – Support for young people to become college, career and life ready 

•      Rainbow Days, Inc. – Community Connection program for at-risk children 

•      Readers 2 Leaders – Support reading skills of underserved Dallas children 

•      Rosa es Rojo – Salary and support for SuperVive-Comunidad Virtual platform  

•      SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. – SER STEM funds for girls to learn and compete in robotics 

•      United to Learn – Program support for public elementary schools 

•      Viola’s House Inc. – Maternity outreach program for new and expectant teen moms 

•      Wesley-Rankin Community Center – Girls of Hope and Girls of Honor courses 

•      Young Women’s Preparatory Network – Program support for all female schools

Miki Woodard, Texas Women’s Foundation president and CEO, said, “Thank you to the H100 Latina Giving Circle for raising funds and supporting these incredible nonprofit organizations. When we lift up a woman and her family, the community also rises and benefits.”

Leadership includes Maryanne Piña Frodsham, H100 Board President; Lucinda Rocha, co-chair; Linda Valdez Thompson, co-chair; Maria Espinoza, grants chair; Kim Cummings, board member; and Rachel C. Ybarra, board member. Committee members include Elsa Grivas, Betty Manetta, Evelyn Molina, Rosa Navejar, Silvana Rosero, Erma Saracho, Jennifer Treviño and Dora Tovar.

Donating to the H100 Latina Giving Circle is open to anyone who has a desire to join a legacy of philanthropy that creates positive change by investing in the lives of Latinas. To learn more about joining the H100 Latina Giving Circle, visit https://www.txwf.org/h100latinagivingcircle/ or email H100latinagc@txwf.org.

Texas Women’s Foundation Elects New Board Members

Texas Women’s Foundation has elected three new board of directors who will serve three-year terms from 2022-2025:

Connie Kleinert Babikian - The Pillow Bar, Owner and President

Jana Etheridge - Capital One, Senior Vice President
Chief of Staff & Customer Service, Financial Services

Cris Zertuche Wong - Goldman Sachs, Managing Director

They join a board of 41 members led by Hilda Galvan, TXWF chair, who continues her two-year term through June 30, 2023.

The executive committee includes the following:

•      Hilda C. Galvan – Chair/Jones Day, Partner-in-Charge

•      Carrie Freeman Parsons – Chair Elect/Freeman, Chair of the Board

•      Bonnie Clinton – Toyota North America, VP and CPO Indirect Procurement Shared Services

•      Sara Garcia Duran – Sidley, Partner 

•      Debra Hunter Johnson – Reciprocity Consulting Group, Founder

•      Cynt Marshall – The Dallas Mavericks, President and CEO 

•      Neena Newberry – Newberry Solutions, President

•      Laura Nieto – Southwest Airlines, Director Community Engagement

•      Melissa Orth – The Legacy Senior Communities, President and CEO 

•      Holly Reed – Ryan, LLC, Principal & Practice Leader, U.S. Advocacy

•      Gowri Sharma – Redfort LLC Partners Real Estate Investment and Development Company, Principal; Dallas Museum of Art, President

•      Rachel Vinson – CBRE, Global Chief Operating Officer for Capital Markets

•      Miki Woodard – Texas Women’s Foundation, President and CEO 

Miki Woodard, Texas Women’s Foundation president and chief executive officer, said, “Under the thoughtful leadership of Hilda Galvan, our Executive Committee and our Board, we have an amazing group that helps us advance our mission of investing in women and girls to drive positive change. These new board members will add their experience and passion to help us even further, and we appreciate their service.”

 

In addition, three TXWF staff have been promoted:

•      Dena L. Jackson, Ph.D. – from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Strategy Officer

•      Ashley Lindsay – from Associate Vice President of Development to Chief of Staff

•      Dawn Hooper – from Vice President of Finance to Chief Financial Officer

Texas Women’s Foundation is Transforming Texas for Women and Girls, empowering them to build stronger, more equitable communities. 

Texas Women’s Foundation’s 36th Annual Luncheon Raised More than $1 Million to Support Women and Girls

 Texas Women’s Foundation’s 36^th Annual Luncheon Raised More than $1 Million to Support Women and Girls 

Cleo Wade, Angie Thomas, Laysha Ward

Held online for the second year on September 30^th, Texas Women’s Foundation’s 36^th Annual Luncheon, presented by the Dallas Mavericks, raised more than $1 million. About 4,000 people watched the program themed “My Voice. My Story. Every Woman’s Power to Build Compassion and Community.”

The Annual Luncheon is the Foundation’s principal fundraiser in support of its work to advance women’s economic security, leadership, education, health and safety in Texas through research, advocacy, programs and grantmaking.

Cynt Marshall, Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Laura Nieto

Hilda Galvan, Texas Women's Foundation Chair, welcomed luncheon co-chairs, Debra Hunter Johnson and Lindsay Billingsley.  

The trio then thanked the major sponsors for their tremendous support:

Presenting Sponsor: The Dallas Mavericks

Speaker Sponsors: Target with ongoing support from the Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Speaker Endowment Fund at Texas Women’s Foundation 

Book Club: Perkins Coie

Ripple: Southwest Airlines

Investor: Lindsay Billingsley & Debra Hunter Johnson, Lucy C. Billingsley, CBRE, Hunt Consolidated, Inc., Thomson Reuters

Leader: Galleria Dallas, Jones Day, Pepsico, Kimberly-Clark, Reciprocity Consulting Group, Toyota

Advocate: Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Dr. Arlene Ford, Katherine Glaze Lyle, NexBank, Gwendolyn A. Parker, Vizient

Roslyn Dawson Thompson (TXWF president and CEO), Debra Hunter Johnson (co-chair), Lindsay Billingsley (co-chair), Hilda Galvin (TXWF chairwoman)

Billingsley introduced the speakers, Angie Thomas and Cleo Wade, who discussed the power of women’s storytelling. 

Next came the appeal to support Texas Women’s Foundation from two luncheon sponsors. Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall and Southwest Airlines’ Laura Nieto spoke in front of the Dallas Galleria community wall that was displayed throughout the month of September. Marshall and Nieto announced a surprise: people who donated at least $500 would receive two tickets to a Mavs game and a Southwest roundtrip airline ticket.

For more information on the event, visit https://www.txwfluncheon.org/.

Texas Women’s Foundation’s 35th Annual Luncheon Raised More Than $926,000

Texas Women’s Foundation held its 35^th Annual Luncheon, presented by Toyota and powered by The Dallas Mavericks, on September 29, featuring a conversation with America Ferrera, award-winning actress, director, producer, The New York Times best-selling author and activist. The conversation was moderated by Laysha Ward, Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer for Target. As the principal fundraiser for the Foundation, the luncheon raised more than $926,000.

Laysha Ward interviews America Ferrera

Themed “Texas for All,” the 35^th Annual Luncheon, co-chaired by business and community leaders Bonnie Clinton, Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer of Toyota, and Cynt Marshall, President & CEO of The Dallas Mavericks, brought together virtually 2,000+ influential business and philanthropic leaders at the appointed time of the Luncheon, who gathered to support Texas Women’s Foundation’s mission to advance the lives of women, girls and their families in Texas. An additional 11,000 people followed the link to view the Luncheon within 24 hours of the event.

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Cynt Marshall, Bonnie Clinton, A. Shonn Brown

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, president & CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation, said, “The Foundation chose the theme ‘Texas For All’ to reinforce the need to build more inclusive and equitable communities. This was beautifully stated in the conversation with America Ferrera and Laysha Ward, as well as in the statements given by our Luncheon co-chairs who spoke to the power of equity and diversity, and how important they are to creating a Texas for All.”

Ferrera’s comments focused on these themes:

1. The need within all people, of all races and backgrounds, to be seen.
2. Each person’s unique identity is their superpower, not an obstacle.
3. In order to reach understanding, we need to get comfortable with uncomfortable situations. 
4. Sisterhood and community give us both strength and support.
5. Talent is universal, but opportunity is not. 

Bonnie Clinton, A. Shonn Brown, DJ Poizon Ivy, Cynt Marshall, Roslyn Dawson Thompson

Dawson Thompson and A. Shonn Brown, TXWF board chairwoman, along with Clinton and Marshall, challenged guests to:

• educate themselves about the issues, 
• activate networks and influence, 
• advocate for change, and 
• donate to TXWF to continue supporting the transformative work. 

 A special thank you to the following sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: Toyota

Powered by: The Dallas Mavericks 

Speaker Sponsor: Target, with ongoing support from The Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Fund at Texas Women’s Foundation

Resilience Sponsors: Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt, Kimberly-Clark

Leader Sponsor: McKesson

Advocate Sponsors: AT&T, EY, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, Bev Goulet, Jones Day, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Paula and Ron Parker, Texas Capital Bank, Texas Instruments

Additional sponsors are listed here: https://www.txwfluncheon.org/sponsors

Texas Women's Foundation 35th Annual Luncheon with Keynote Speaker America Ferrera

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) announces the keynote speaker for its 35^h Annual Luncheon: America Ferrera, award-winning actress, director, producer, The New York Times best-selling author and activist. Themed “Texas for All,” this year’s event will take place virtually on Tuesday, September 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In honor of the 35^th anniversary, tickets are $35 each. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit txwfluncheon.org.

Business and community leaders Bonnie Clinton and Cynt Marshall are co-chairs of the luncheon. Clinton is vice president and chief procurement officer for Toyota North America, serves on Texas Women’s Foundation board and is a member of TXWF’s Economic Leadership Council. Marshall is chief executive officer of The Dallas Mavericks; she also serves as a Foundation board member and is an Economic Leadership Council member. Both women are diversity and inclusion champions and role models in their workplaces and in the community.  

“We are thrilled to assemble this ‘dream team’ – our keynote speaker, America Ferrera, who is passionate about strength in diversity and the importance of creating opportunities for everyone to participate fully in our society and economy, and our co-chairs, Bonnie Clinton and Cynt Marshall, who share the same passion and make it a reality through their exemplary leadership,” said Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Texas Women’s Foundation president and chief executive officer. 

 Others participating in the virtual event include A. Shonn Brown, Texas Women’s Foundation board chair and Kimberly-Clark vice president and deputy general counsel, and Laysha Ward, Target executive vice president and chief external engagement officer. Target is the keynote speaker sponsor.