Don't mess with Texas women

Jenna Bush Hager drops into Dallas to celebrate 7 trailblazing Texas women

What: Texas Women’s Foundation 2023 Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration

Photo by Kim Leeson

Madeline Burillo-Hopkins, Jenna Bush Hager, Ann Sheu, Bee Nance

Where: Omni Dallas Hotel

The 411: Dallas native, former first daughter, and NBC Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager came home to Texas to help honor some of the state's most accomplished women on April 27. More than 650 attendees filled the Omni hotel downtown for the Texas Women's Foundation's annual forum and awards party.

Unlike many other nonprofit events, this was more than just a luncheon or a fancy soiree. The day started with a half-day empowerment program for 200 middle and high school girls dubbed #BESTSELF.

Then, Leadership Forums saw the 2023 Maura Women Helping Women and Young Leader award recipients discuss their journey.

Finally, the Awards Celebration and Dinner featured a presentation in which Hager interviewed the honorees in two different panel discussions on stage.

Also a fundraiser, the day's events and celebrations raised $572,000 to further the foundation's mission to advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through groundbreaking research, advocacy, grants and programs.

Who: Brenda Jackson, selection co-chair, and Wendy Bridges of sponsor Comerica Bank presented awards to the following (with descriptions provided by the foundation):

Froswá Booker-Drew, Ph.D. (Dallas), the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, LLC providing DEI, leadership training, community engagement strategies and philanthropic/partnership guidance for institutions.

Mary Pat Higgins (Dallas), 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.

Jill Louis (Dallas), 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. She is also the host of "RelevantNow," an environmental, social and corporate governance-focused podcast.

Madeline Burillo-Hopkins, Ed.D. (Houston), 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.

Aimee Cunningham (Austin), President and CEO of The Boone Family Foundation and a highly experienced principal in the progressive movement.

The Young Leader Award (recognizing breakthrough leadership y a trailblazer under the age of 40) went to:

Ann Sheu (Dallas), 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.

Professor “Bee” Nance (Katy), the COO of Generation Teach, a multi-million-dollar educational non-profit whose vision is to end racial injustice and inequity in education.

Night at the museum

Perot Museum gala-goers with a taste for adventure raise $2 million

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Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

On a balmy Saturday night in November, the doors to Dallas' Perot Museum of Nature and Science closed to the public and reopened for nearly 1,000 chic party-goers. They dined, danced, and played with the exhibits to raise funds at 2024 Night at the Museum Gala.

Led by co-chairs Dr. Pamela J. Okada and Mark Okada, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to support the museum’s educational programs and expand STEM learning opportunities across North Texas.

Perot Museum, Night at the Museum Gala 2024

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

The event, designed by Valdivia Ventures, included live music, a captivating performance by dancers of Texas Ballet Theater, and innovative food activations by Wolfgang Puck Catering (the flaky, piping hot truffle pot pies that gala guests always look forward to).

As patrons explored the museum, they were greeted by hundreds of white orchids from Jackson Durham Events and were serenaded in exhibit hall by musicians provided by Jordan Khan Music Company.

A highlight of the evening was the "10-Minute Tasting Restaurant," an adventurous pop-up type experience that transformed the Museum Store into a five-star dining experience. Of course there were cocktails, too, and the lychee martini was a fan-favorite.

The evening concluded with a high-energy after-party on the lower level of the museum, presented by the Eugene McDermott Foundation. Guests danced the night away to beats by DJ Romi Q, struck a pose at the interactive photo booth, and ended the night at a decadent dessert room featuring a variety of sweet treats.

Funds raised from Night at the Museum will support educational programs, fund day-to-day operations, and provide financial aid to ensure the museum remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps, Chris Shurtleff, Tim Peck, Missy Rogers Peck, Tori Mulford, Linda Silver, Emory McKim, Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, Regen Horchow, Ken Hersh, Dennis Cail, Annika Cail, Grace Cook, Caleb Stearns Wiley, Sarah-Michelle Stearns Wiley, Jason Valdivia, Katherine Stenesen, Chantel Boudreaux, Jeffrey Bragalone, Lexi Dennis, Mickie Bragalone, John Spradling, Miriam Spradling, KC Hurst, Koli Hurst, Magda Veja, Ashley Chellgren, Maria Zajia, Geraldine Parker, Meredith Abbott, and many more patrons and supporters.

museums night at the museum perot museum gala galas

Don't mess with Texas women

Jenna Bush Hager drops into Dallas to celebrate 7 trailblazing Texas women

Night at the museum

Perot Museum gala-goers with a taste for adventure raise $2 million

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