Empowering Women To Reach New Heights

HOUSTON, TEXAS — August 2026 — The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GHWCC) celebrated a defining moment in its 19-year history at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where its leaders, members, corporate partners and distinguished guests gathered for the ringing of The Closing Bell®—and the announcement of the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce, expanding the organization’s mission and influence across the state.

For a regional women’s chamber, ringing the NYSE Closing Bell is a rare and nationally visible distinction. The occasion placed GHWCC on one of the world’s most recognized financial stages and celebrated nearly two decades of opening doors, developing leaders, supporting businesses and creating opportunities for women and girls.

At the center of the celebration were Suzan Deison, CEO, President & Founder of GHWCC, and Tara Dziedzic, Head of U.S. Listings at the New York Stock Exchange, with Deison ringing The Closing Bell®. Martha Castex-Tatum, GHWCC Deputy President & CEO, joined them on the podium alongside an impressive group of corporate leaders whose companies have supported the Chamber and its mission.

“To see GHWCC represented at the New York Stock Exchange alongside so many outstanding companies that champion women was an extraordinary moment,” said Deison. “For 19 years, we have worked to open doors, build relationships and create meaningful opportunities for women. Ringing the Closing Bell was not only a celebration of how far we have come, but a powerful statement about where we are going.”

A Powerful Showing of Corporate Leadership
GHWCC was joined on the NYSE podium by an extraordinary group of corporate leaders representing organizations that have supported the Chamber’s mission and helped advance opportunities for women:

• Megan Avery, Stewart Title
• Jeanna Bamburg, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas
• Pearl Chu, SLB
• Kim Coomber-Hallum, bp
• Susan Dray, NRG Energy
• Tandra LeMay, Verizon
• Arcy Munoz, Fifth Third Bank
• Maria Martinez, Murphy Oil Corporation
• Meena Palanivelu, Murphy Oil Corporation
• Nisha Pillay Modak, Morgan Stanley
• Mark Plante, Wells Fargo
• Kisha Porch, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Caroline Verot Moore, Regions Bank

Together, the NYSE-listed companies and parent companies represented account for approximately $1.97 trillion in market capitalization, more than $9.2 trillion in total assets, approximately $827.3 billion in annual revenue and more than 1.28 million employees worldwide, based on 2025 data compiled by GHWCC.

Their presence at the New York Stock Exchange was a powerful reflection of the collective strength, leadership, and influence behind GHWCC’s mission. These leaders represent organizations shaping major industries while investing in the advancement of women, developing the next generation of leaders and strengthening the communities they serve.

Throughout the Exchange, the GHWCC logo appeared alongside the logos of participating NYSE-listed companies—a striking representation of the partnerships that have helped GHWCC open doors, elevate women and expand opportunity for nearly two decades.

Honoring Today’s Leaders and Inspiring Tomorrow’s

The celebration continued on the NYSE Trading Floor, where GHWCC was joined by additional corporate, civic and community leaders:

• Theresa Einhorn, Haynes Boone, LLP, Retired
• Antoinette Latham, Verizon Business
• Anjali Modak, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Nancy Strohmer, Philanthropist
• Dr. Elizabeth Travis, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Retired

Also participating were students Harper Avery and Sara Martinez, representing the next generation of women leaders.

Their presence reflected one of GHWCC’s most enduring commitments: creating opportunities for girls and young women to see what is possible through mentorship, education, career exposure and access to accomplished leaders.

On the Trading Floor, that mission came to life: women leading today, businesses investing in their advancement and young women being inspired to lead tomorrow.

From Houston to Texas: Launching the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce

Against the backdrop of this historic national moment, Deison announced an exciting new chapter: the launch of the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

Building upon GHWCC’s 19 years of impact, relationships and leadership, the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce will create a broader statewide platform to connect and advance women, entrepreneurs, executives and businesses throughout Texas.

The expansion will deepen opportunities for leadership development, professional connections, mentorship, business growth, education, advocacy and economic advancement, while building stronger connections among women and organizations across Texas’ diverse industries and communities.

What began in Houston has grown into an influential network connecting executives and entrepreneurs, corporations and small businesses, established leaders and emerging professionals, educators, community leaders and students.

The launch of the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce represents the natural next chapter of that momentum.

Announcing it from the New York Stock Exchange made the moment especially meaningful.

GHWCC was not only celebrating its history. It was introducing its future.

Nineteen Years of Opening Doors

Since its founding, GHWCC has worked to create access—access to relationships, knowledge, opportunity, leadership and the rooms where important decisions are made.

The Chamber’s partnerships with leading companies have created pathways to mentorship, professional development, business opportunities and leadership while connecting emerging talent with accomplished leaders operating at the highest levels of business.

At the NYSE, those relationships were on display on a national stage.

The ringing of The Closing Bell® represented far more than the close of a trading day. It marked 19 years of relationships built, businesses supported, women elevated, young leaders inspired and doors opened.

And this time, the bell also signaled a beginning.With the launch of the Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce, GHWCC is carrying its legacy forward—building an even stronger platform for women and
businesses to connect, lead, influence and grow across Texas and beyond.

From Houston to Wall Street—and now across Texas—the next chapter has begun.

Photo Credit: NYSE

Economic figures are approximate and based on 2025 data compiled by GHWCC. Market capitalization and total asset figures reflect December 31, 2025 values. Company reporting methodologies and reporting periods may vary.