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. 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.
Featuring a new venue and theater-style format, the program opened with an awards celebration, sponsored by Haynes Boone, honoring seven extraordinary women whose leadership is transforming communities across the state.
Awards Selection Committee co-chairs, Texas Women’s Foundation Board Chair Cris Zertuche Wong and 1991 Maura Award Recipient Brenda Jackson, recognized attendees “for believing deeply in this work” and reflected on the organization’s impact, emphasizing that for 40 years, the foundation has remained steadfast in its mission – advancing research, advocacy and strategic investments that create real change for Texas women and their families. Wong emphasized that even amid today’s challenges, the foundation is “not slowing down,” but instead “doubling down to expand opportunity and ensure all Texans have the chance to thrive.”
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.”
A keynote highlight was Debra Hunter Johnson’s “DEBTalk,” which challenged attendees to rethink systemic barriers and move from intention to action in creating equitable workplaces. She challenged us to redesign systems because, “according to the McKinsey report, it could take 50 years for women to reach parity in the workplace. We don’t have 50 years.”
In a dynamic discussion on intergenerational leadership, Young Leaders Prisma Garcia and Amanda Valentine reflected on the realities facing emerging leaders today and the importance of collaboration across generations.
The “Voices That Shape Change” session highlighted the power of storytelling and advocacy, as Margie Aguilar and Dr. Olga Martinez Hickman shared how they use their respective platforms to drive meaningful community impact. Among their reflections, Aguilar noted, “We must learn to own our greatness and know our worth,” while Hickman emphasized inclusive solutions, saying, “The people closest to a problem need to be part of the solution – that’s my personal mantra.”
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.”
Throughout the event, speakers reflected on the Foundation’s 40-year legacy of impact, including mobilizing more than $115 million to support the 14.7 million women and girls across Texas. The program concluded with a call to action, encouraging collective giving to further accelerate progress, supported by a $55,000 matching gift from Debra Hunter Johnson and a group of her friends, contributing to the more than $385,000 raised by the event.
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.”
The evening transitioned into a celebratory reception sponsored by Perkins Coie, uniting attendees in the shared mission of creating a strong and vibrant Texas for all by building #StrongWomenBetterTexas.
Key sponsors recognized:
- Presenting Sponsor: Haynes Boone
- Leadership Forum Sponsor: Southwest Airlines
- Cocktail Reception Sponsor: Perkins Coie
- Parking Sponsor: Friends of Olga
- Registration Partner: Hilti
- Maura Recognition Sponsor: Marshalling Resources
- Transformational Partner: Debra Hunter Johnson and Friends
- Special Recognition Award Sponsor: Texas Instruments and the TI Foundation
- Snap & Share Photo Sponsor: Oncor (with photo experience by Pikcher Booth)
More information can be found at https://txwf.org/leadership
About Texas Women’s Foundation:
Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support nearly $5 million in investments each year to help eliminate the barriers to women’s economic security, stability and success through targeted research and advocacy, intentional grantmaking and leadership programs. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested nearly $90 million in grantmaking in support of Texas women, their families and their futures, and another $25 million in research, advocacy and educational programs for a total impact of $115 million over the last 40 years. As TXWF prepares for its next 40 years, the organization’s vision for a strong and vibrant Texas for all will remain at the forefront of its work.
TXWF’s targeted research into the issues impacting the economic security of Texas women and families will continue to guide its work. The biannual “Economic Issues for Women in Texas Report” also provides corporate and community leaders, and state and local lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the mission-aligned investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a values-based portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits that align with its mission. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now.