Board 2023 for website v2

Mission Statement

A nonprofit business organization of highly influential and diverse women and men dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of women through avenues of leadership, education, advocacy, and mentoring.

Ghwcc

About Us

THE GREATER HOUSTON WOMEN’S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is the preeminent voice for the advancement and empowerment of business women across Houston, our nation and beyond. The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit business organization of highly influential and diverse women and men dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of women through avenues of leadership, education, advocacy and mentoring.

We are the place where women do business in Houston. We provide women with a platform to make your voices heard and to build valuable business relationships. We provide opportunities to enhance your leadership skills.

We advocate for your business with our legislators on the local, state and federal levels. We host educational workshops to help you expand or start your business. We educate our membership on the benefits of preventive healthcare. We engage dynamic executive women to build relationships, generate provocative ideas, thoughts and solutions to impact the future of healthcare. We provide unlimited opportunities for women and girls to develop and enhance their leadership skills with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). We provide scholarships for our next generation of women leaders.

Our Houston on Board initiative has increased the number of women serving on public boards, and it continues to keep the conversation open between corporations and search firms to seek qualified women. We provide resources to educate women on the skills needed to be “board ready.” We have successfully spread our influence to Aberdeen, London, Mexico City, Barcelona and Madrid, encouraging business leaders to start women’s chambers of commerce and councils in their respective cities.

If you are not already a member of this dynamic chamber, we encourage you to join today and get involved. Our website is loaded with events, special features and topics of interest including leadership, marketing, branding, social media, volunteer opportunities and entrepreneurship. We encourage you to stay connected and be a part of Houston’s preeminent organization for the advancement and empowerment of business women across Texas!

Chamber Office
3201 Kirby Dr., Suite #400
Houston, TX 77098

Contact
Phone: 713-782-3777
Email: info@ghwcc.org

Benefits of Becoming a GHWCC Member

MEMBERSHIP & BENEFITS

Why Join? As a valued GHWCC Member, you, your organization and colleagues will enjoy many benefits unique to the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

  • Partner with a network of the region’s most powerful & influential business leaders.
  • Increase your company’s image and visibility in the community while supporting gender diversity
  • Company profile listing on the GHWCC website.
  • Opportunity to provide a strong, unified voice on local, state, and federal issues, particularly issues affecting women in business.
  • Provide scholarships for deserving females in Aldine, Conroe, Houston, Fort Bend, Spring, and Spring Branch ISD students to attend a Texas college.
  • Opportunity to change the trajectory for the next generation of women.
  • Build business relationships. People do business with people they know!
  • Receive referral business. GHWCC receives numerous business inquiries, and members are always the priority for business referrals.
  • Leadership opportunities for you and your colleagues.
  • Opportunities to attend educational workshops focusing on leadership, wellness, and personal and business growth.
  • Opportunities to attend GHWCC luncheons, workshops and conferences at a reduced cost.
  • Opportunities to serve/lead on one or more GHWCC committees.
  • Access to conference room with a reduced rental rate
  • Opportunity for your organization to be highlighted in The Connection, the
  • Opportunity for a ribbon cutting at your location during GHWCC Office Hours

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meet the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Board Members

Suzan Deison Pic for HBJ

Suzan Deison

CEO/President/Founder
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Maria Martinez

Maria Martinez

(2024 Chair of the Board) Vice President, HR & Administration
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
1583893649722

Pearl Chu

(2023 Chair of the Board) Director Technical Domains & University Relations
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Abby

Abby Alford

Director, Transaction Management
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Megan Avery Headshot

Megan Avery

Business Development Officer National Commercial Services
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
1516343366208

Dr. Juliet Breeze

(2020 Chair of the Board) CEO
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce

EX-OFFICIO

Rhonda Arnold

Rhonda Arnold

Chief Community Relations and Business Affairs Officer
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Jamie Belinne 1

Jamie Belinne

Assistant Dean for Career & Industry Engagement
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Untitled design (3)

Sarah Blakelock

Director of Communication
Jennifer Briscoe

Jennifer Briscoe

(Central Houston / Energy Corridor Chapter Co-Chair) President
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
linda buchman

Linda Buchman

Associate Superintendent for Communications & Community Engagement
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
1636890886229 (1)

LaQuita Carter

Assistant Superintendent of Talent Management
linkedin white icon Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce

TESTIMONIALS

Janette Marx
 " The Thought Leaders Institute is a strong program that combines women from different companies, industries and specializations to come together for a year program to learn from an executive coach and go down a path of self-discoveryI was personally promoted to CEO during my time with my cohort and I know many other women who found their way to promotions, better business relationships and new adventures as a result of this program.  "

Janette Marx

CEO of Airswift
Beth Young 2
 " The founder and president is the reason the GHWCC is different and better than other similar types of organizations.  I’ve been a member of many others, but none have a leader with the passion for helping women and the drive that never stops. It shows in everything she does for the Chamber. "

Beth Young

Senior Vice President of Colliers International
headshot juliet color 750xx1500 2000 0 0
 " Well, I think there are a lot of success stories, but I myself joined the chamber when my company was young and virtually unknown. By recognizing our accomplishments through awards, the newsletter, and leadership opportunities at the Chamber, our company really benefitted. Not only did we feel embraced by the supportive community the chamber provided but we experienced outstanding growth as a result of the exposure we gained through chamber events. "

Juliet Breeze

CEO/Founder of Next Level Medical, LLC
image
“I became involved with the GHWCC about a year ago and have been impressed with how the Ambassadors and members help insure that everyone participates. If they see you are sitting alone, they will come help you by make introductions and creating connections. You don’t get that type of networking in many organizations. I was a 2016 Women in the Fast Lane STEAM role model and I am so proud to help motivate young girls and introduce them to successful business women.”

Paige Gerich

Retired, BKD CPAs & Advisors
image
“Joining the GHWCC has been an invaluable experience. I have been a member of the Chamber for the past six years – it’s inspiring to see this group’s amazing growth in such a short time. I am proud to serve on the Board and be part of such a highly diverse and accomplished group of women, many of whom I now call friends. ”

Melanie Herz Promecene

Principal, Open Doors Development, LLC
mystery person
“Becoming involved in the GHWCC has been one of the best professional development decisions I have made in my career. It provides the best opportunities for meeting influential business people, many of whom are women. GHWCC is all about women helping women succeed in business and life. Because of GHWCC, I have increased business referrals and have more wonderful friends.”

Irene S. Helsinger

GHWCC Board Member, Managing Director, Newport LLC,
Kervin Dana Headshot cropped
“I recommend joining the GHWCC because of the quality of women and men you will meet. Membership offers opportunities to enhance your knowledge and expand your network. To make the most out of your membership, get involved in one of the committees, such as the Governmental Affairs Committee which I serve on, and help to shape and influence the business issues that are important to you.”

Dana Kervin

Chief Development Officer, The ARKGroup
testimonia two
“After leaving a rewarding corporate career of 15 years, which started in Europe with PWC and continued in Houston, with Continental Airlines and Shell Oil, in 2008 I followed my passion and started my own interior design firm artVIA. At that time, I began intentionally networking with other business owners, women leaders, and entrepreneurs. In Houston’s business landscape there were many valuable professional networking organizations, but one has stood out to me from the day I met Suzan Deison. The Chamber, established by notable Suzan Deison 10 years ago, has been a rewarding circle of empowerment to me for over 6 years, and I enjoyed immensely being surrounded with other high achieving business leaders and entrepreneurs. From the get go I felt the need to not only benefit from the Chamber but also to offer my time and skills to many great committees that I was part of over the years; from Ambassadors, Women’s conference, Hall of Fame Gala, and International. The more I was involved the more I was building a great network and wonderful friendships that has provided me with growth in my own business and a personal fulfilment. The Chamber offers an incredible array of small and large events to foster business networking for its members and as well as to benefit our City’s community as a whole. To highlight some of the most valuable aspects of engagements between members for me was to be part of Through Leaders program, then Circle of SME program, along with actively participating in organizing trade mission trips to UK, Scotland, Mexico and Spain. Over the last couple of years I have joined the Board of Directors where I can be even more involved in helping the future of this distinctive organization. It is an honor to be part of this inspiring organization and I’m thrilled to celebrate 10th anniversary of achievements that Suzan and her team have created with GHWCC.”

Ariana Smetana

Design Principal | Founder , artVIA
image
“I love the feeling of empowerment I get when attending board meetings and/or events for the Chamber. The GHWCC is a great place to get motivated, connected and supported in all endeavors – professionally and personally. Women helping Women – Women supporting Women – Women for Women.”

Alicia Smith

President/CEO, Innovative Legal Solutions, inc.
testimonia three
“The partnership between FedEx and GHWCC has been so rewarding over the past 4 years. The program of work that the GHWCC provides is an excellent compliment to the core strategic pillars of social responsibility in integrating with the Houston community for FedEx. I, personally, have been the benefactor of building long-term, meaningful relationships with many executive women at the GHWCC, particularly through my work as a board member, as well as the Thought Leader’s Institute program. My professional network has grown substantially since engagement with the GHWCC. Amazing women doing amazing things – that is what the GHWCC is all about, and I’m thrilled to be in the mix of it all!”

Erika Tolar

National Vice President of Sales,