Newly revamped day-long event features emcee Jenna Bush Hager
DALLAS, Texas, January 18, 2023 – Texas Women’s Foundation has expanded its Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration into a day of learning and leadership for the community on April 27, 2023, at the Omni Dallas Hotel (555 S. Lamar St, Dallas, TX 75202). First, the Foundation hosts #BESTSELF, a half-day empowerment program for girls ages 13 to 16. Next, the event features Leadership Forums with the 2023 Maura Women Helping Women and Young Leader recipients discussing their journey. Finally, the evening concludes with the Awards Celebration and dinner, led by Jenna Bush Hager, best-selling author and co-host of NBC’s TODAY.
Miki Woodard, TXWF president and chief executive officer, said, “We invite you to join us for a day of leadership and inspiration. Our event now includes middle and high school students as we strive to celebrate and encourage Texas women leaders across generations. Jenna Hager, whose Texas roots run deep, brings her entrepreneurial spirit and phenomenal journalism career to make this event a ‘must attend’ this spring.”
Hager remarked, “I look forward to emceeing this event honoring women who have elevated women and girls and created opportunities for advancement and leadership. I am fortunate to have learned from my grandmothers, Barbara Bush and Jenna Welch, and my mother, Laura, who showed me how to be an impactful woman who lifts up others to achieve their potential.”
Maura Women Helping Women Award:
For 44 years, the Maura Women Helping Women Award has been presented to more than 220 courageous individuals who have catalyzed change for women and girls.
Brenda Jackson, selection co-chair, and Hilda Galvan, TXWF chairwoman and selection co-chair, led the committee to select the following honorees:
Froswá Booker-Drew, Ph.D. (Dallas, TX) is the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, LLC providing DEI, leadership training, community engagement strategies and philanthropic/partnership guidance for institutions. She is also the CEO of R2 Foundation (Restoration and Reconciliation Foundation) providing support for Black led nonprofits. As a network weaver, she has been a catalyst for building partnerships supporting growth for organizations led by people of color.
Madeline Burillo-Hopkins, Ed.D. (Houston, TX) is the Vice Chancellor Workforce Instruction for the Houston Community College System and College President where she has been an advocate for workforce education, diversity and equity. She has been passionate in bringing innovative educational workforce programs and partnerships to enhance upper economic mobility for underserved communities. She has also been instrumental in developing technology summer camps for girls and increasing female participation in computer science and non-traditional areas.
Aimee Cunningham (Austin, TX) is the President and CEO of The Boone Family Foundation and a highly experienced principal in the progressive movement. She leads its mission to create equity for women and girls to drive innovation and justice for students in public schools; and to steward and create accessible green spaces. She has led the charge supporting policies that impact women and families.
Mary Pat Higgins (Dallas, TX) is the President and CEO of the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum where she leads its mission to teach the history of the Holocaust and advance human rights to combat prejudice, hatred and indifference. Under her leadership, the Museum opened a new state-of-the-art facility on September 18, 2019, accommodating an expanded core exhibit focused on the Holocaust, other genocides and human and civil rights in the U.S.
Jill Louis (Dallas, TX) is Managing Partner of Perkins Coie’s Dallas office, a member of the firm’s Corporate & Securities practice, and co-chair of the Infrastructure Development practice. Her practice focuses on advising companies with growth-oriented, liquidity-creating and transformational strategies. She is also the host of RelevantNOW, an environmental, social and corporate governance-focused podcast examining the intersection of business and public interest.
Young Leader Award:
The Young Leader Award recognizes breakthrough leadership exhibited by a trailblazer who is achieving success in a field, initiative or sector, and creating a path of opportunity for other women to follow. This year’s recipients:
Ann Chao Sheu (Dallas, TX) is the founder of Mpowered Families, a training and coaching company with a unique approach to empowering individuals with tools to have a family life filled with purpose, alignment and connection. A highly sought-after keynote speaker, she is known for her ability to inspire audiences to create a tactical plan toward achieving their Decade Dream.
Professor “Bee” Nance (Katy, TX) is the COO of Generation Teach, a multi-million-dollar educational non-profit whose vision is to end racial injustice and inequity in education. She is also the author of a children’s financial literacy book called “Sunny Gets Money,” and the founder of The Rising Sunny, an organization that teaches families how to build wealth.
Schedule:
11:30-3:00 p.m. #BESTSELF
BestSelf is an empowerment program that brings girls ages 13-16, their educators and allies together to learn leadership skills, healthy conflict resolution and more, so these girls can embrace and become their “best selves.” The workshops, led by subject-matter experts, builds self-confidence and empowers girls to challenge stereotypes, use their voice, pursue their dreams, mentor one another and help generate positive change for equity in their schools, communities and society.
4:00-5:45 p.m. Leadership Forums – award recipients in a moderated conversation
4:00-4:45 p.m.
Ann Chao Sheu: Empowering Community & Bee Nance: Teaching Financial Freedom
Dr. Froswá Booker-Drew: Breaking Economic Barriers
Mary Pat Higgins: Championing Upstanders
5:00-5:45 p.m.
Aimee Boone Cunningham: Amplifying Activism
Madeline Burillo-Hopkins: Building Potential
Jill Louis: Elevating Representation
5:45-6:30 p.m. General Reception
6:30-8:00 p.m. Awards Dinner, presentation and panel discussions; Jenna Bush Hager serves as moderator
Leadership and Advocacy: Dr. Froswá Booker-Drew, Aimee Boone Cunningham, Jill Louis
Leadership and Education: Bee Nance, Madeline Burillo-Hopkins, Ann Chao Sheu, Mary Pat Higgins
Information/Sponsorships:
Sponsorships start at $1,000. To learn more about this event, visit https://txwfleadership.org/
For those interested in sponsorship, contact Joy Busch at lfad@txwf.org, jbusch@txwf.org or 917-279-6077.
About Texas Women’s Foundation:
Texas Women’s Foundation is Transforming Texas for Women and Girls, empowering them to build stronger, more equitable communities. One of the world’s largest women’s foundations, the Foundation raises funding from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. In Fiscal Year 2022, these resources supported more than $7.1 million in investments that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through groundbreaking research, advocacy, grants and programs. Since inception in 1985, the Foundation has invested $74 million in women and girls, including $60 million since 2011. The Foundation’s statewide research on issues affecting women and girls provides decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs in the state. Its advocacy, grantmaking and innovative programs support solutions that help Texas women and girls thrive. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement and has deployed 100 percent of its assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate.
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