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

Shonn Brown, Veree Brown

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.

Boots & big bucks

Hot-to-trot Dallasites raise more than $550K for Equest at 2023 Blue Ribbon Ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Nate Rehlander

Maggie Kipp, Eric Stephenson

What: 2023 Equest Blue Ribbon Ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Nate Rehlander

Maggie Kipp, Eric Stephenson

Where: Al Hill, Jr. Arena at Texas Horse Park

The 411: A brief rain shower didn't dampen spirits at Equest's outdoor gala - in fact, it was welcome respite on a June night.

More than 550 patrons gathered for the annual boots-and-jeans fundraising ball, headed by co-chairs Lindsay Ballotta and Jenny Merkle, with honorary chairs Kristina and Phil Whitcomb and Equest board co-chairs Lisa Loy Laughlin and Clint Haggerty.

After grabbing a glass of bubbly from the champagne wall, attendees made their way into the horse arena for a cocktail reception, featuring a signature drink made with Mejinta Tequila and Pendery’s spices.

AVSD Productions provided a groovy virtual reality experience that let guests feel like they were riding a Kentucky Derby horse or learning to fly. Nearby, pianists Nick Luby and Susan Zhang entertained with a performance on the popular Dallas Symphony Orchestra Concert Truck.

Emcee Jody Dean welcomed guests as they sat down to a multicourse meal and heard from Equest’s new CEO, Myrshem George. Dallas City Council member Jaime Resendez presented the 2023 Citation Award to Nancy and Ron Natinsky, and Equest co-founder Susan Schwartz presented the special Founder’s Award to Lili Kellogg, who recently retired after a 28-year tenure.

After a special performance by dancers from Arthur Murray, keynote speaker Clint Bruce, co-founder of Carry the Load, talked of the challenges veterans face when they come home after serving and underscored the importance of programs that Equest provides.

A spirited live auction conducted by Louis Murad helped to push the evening's fundraising total past $550,000. To celebrate, patrons hit the dance floor and moved and grooved to the sounds of party band Limelight.

The Blue Ribbon Ball raises funds for equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the nonprofit's website.

Who: Maggie Kipp, Eric Stephenson, Payne Wingate, Kelly Wingate, Finley Konrade, Eric Konrade, Angie Denton, Hillary Lynch, Audra Hopper, Jessica Barnett, Adam Steggers, Rebecca Steggers, Ashlyn Hayworth, Ava Staton, Georgia Phillips, Carolyn Anderson, Meredith McKay, Julie Bagley, Michelle Scotter, Brooke Bailey, Sara Rockey, Elizabeth Dacus, Lucy and John Bannon, Thomas Laughlin, Caitlin Laughlin, Julie Gonzalez, John Gonzalez, Greg Cooper, Christina Heddesheimer, Wade Betz, Becca Betz, Elsa Norwood, Angie Kadesky, Jim Kenny, Janelle Kenny, Paul Divis, Tiffany Divis, Colin Mathews, Karly Kilroy, Nellie Kuh, Bianca Moore, Ryan Casey, Kelly Casey, Carol Burnside, Kathleen Delamore, Scott Delamore, and hundreds more patrons and guests.

Equest Equest Blue Ribbon Ball fundraisers galas