AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE
Chairs: Julie Flowers, Elevate You Coaching, Inc., Bery Crispin, A Sacred Choice
They recruit and engage new members. Ambassadors are our key volunteers in making all our events welcoming, from intimate regional chapter luncheons to large galas and conferences. Ambassadors also help to engage our existing members in our committees.
The Chambers Ambassador Committee meets every 2nd Thursday of each month.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Co‐Chairs: Joyce Jones, Community Volunteer; Diana Pino, PhD, Capstone Higher Ed Services; Brandee Rogers, Hines
GHWCC partners with eight school districts to award two scholarships per district to deserving female graduating seniors. The Love What You Do program provides opportunities for female high school and college students for a hands-on job shadowing program. The program also provides one on one mentorship for the college students.
Our STEAM Town USA program is an after-school program that seeks to increase exposure of third grade girls to STEAM concepts, improve grades and graduation rates, and encourage girls to pursue STEAM careers. The program serves Conroe, Houston, Goose Creek and Spring Branch school districts. We have graduated over 3,500 girls from the program since its inception.
The Chamber’s Education Committee offers college junior and senior girls an opportunity to shadow professionals in their chosen field in a program called “Love What You Do.” During this exciting day female students shadow a professional in a career related to their field of study and network with women who have expertise, advice and unique insights to share. This is an opportunity for students to learn from leaders in business and experience a day in the real life of a working woman.
The Chambers’ Education Committee meets every 3rd Thursday of each month via Zoom.
Educational Empowerment Committee for Women of Color in Accounting & Finance (WCAF)
Co‐Chairs: Melissa Austrie, Stellar Bank; Alisha Garrett, Director, Tax, Withum
The Empowerment Committee for Women of Color in Accounting & Finance (EC-WCAF) is dedicated to supporting the success, leadership, and advancement of women of color in the accounting and finance industries. We recognize the unique challenges they face and are committed to fostering a strong, connected community that uplifts, equips, and champions them at every stage of their careers.
Executive Women’s Engagement Series (Invitation Only)
Co‐Chairs: Kathy Belton, ExxonMobil (Retired), Theresa Einhorn, Former Haynes & Boone Attorney
The Series include several intimate peer to peer networking events for female executives who are GHWCC members or prospective members of companies with 100 or more employees.
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Co-Chairs: Sara Cronin, TPC Group; Stephanie Loving, COMCAST
The proactive voice on key business issues and legislation affecting women. The committee hosts Elected Officials receptions, authors a legislative agenda and hosts an Austin Delegation during session. The committee also encourages women to run for public office.
HR ROUNDTABLE (Invitation Only)
Chair: Brenda James, Brenda James & Co
Human Resources (HR) professionals gather to discuss challenges and opportunities in the industry and invite experts to facilitate discussion on key topics.
INTERNATIONAL CHAPTERS
Embraces the international community to build business opportunities & provide education on culture and traditions. The committee hosts global economic development delegations to encourage leaders to start women’s chambers/organizations in their respective countries.
RISING STARS
Rising Stars: Co-Chairs: Abby Alford, Stream Realty; Megan Avery, Stewart Title
Elevating Powerful mid-level women leaders to greatness.
Nominate a Woman for the Rising Stars Advisory Board
The GHWCC Rising Stars Advisory Board is dedicated to elevating powerful mid-level women to excellence in their careers through business development opportunities, leadership training, and relationship building events. Please submit a nomination for a woman leader who fits the following criteria:
- 5Based in the greater Houston metropolitan area
- 5Is currently in, or has the potential to move into a senior leadership role at her company
- 5Actively serves in our community through other non-profit organizations
Criteria for selection includes career achievements, contributions to company, community involvement and leadership. Selection decisions are made on a rolling basis.
THOUGHT LEADERS INSTITUTE
Houston’s top female executives participate in this year-long leadership program, hosted by-monthly with an overnight retreat. The program is facilitated by Suzan Deison, CEO/President/Founder of the GHWCC. The Institute provides the opportunity to develop your own peer-advisory board.
WOMAN’S HEALTH NETWORK OF THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER AND GREATER HOUSTON
Co‐Chairs: Heather Linton, Blue Cross Blue Shield; Jeanna Bamburg, The Women’s Hospital of Texas
Sub-Committee Allyship Chair: Dr. Elizabeth Travis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Ret.)
The Women’s Health Network provides a regional network of healthcare professionals to advance women’s health and wellness through collaborations in education, sponsorship, research and advocacy. The Committee hosts events with speakers educating our members on health & wellness topics and authors articles for The Connection. The Committee partners with the GHWCC Conference for Women Committee to present the Kathryn Stream Award.
WOMEN SUPPORTING THE ARTS COMMITTEE
Co-Chairs: Adrienne Bond, Frost Brown Todd, Lauren Waddell, Waddell Law Firm, Samita Mehta, Conoco Phillips
Visual Arts Sub-Committee Co-Chair: Jennifer Lewis, Architectural Arts Company; Judy Nyquist, Community Volunteer
The mission of the Committee is to bring the performing and visual arts (with an emphasis on the performing arts), and education about the business of the arts to under-served students in HISD schools. The Committee’s adopted school this year is the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy (YWCPA), a Title I school.
Council Description: The 100 Women Supporting the Arts Education Council is the Committee’s philanthropic arm, supporting the Committee’s initiatives.
GHWCC SBA Women’s Business Center
Executive Director – Shayla White Bowden
The GHWCC SBA Women’s Business Center (GHWCC SBA WBC) is an economic development center that prioritizes programs and services that empower small businesses to succeed. The GHWCC SBA WBC provides resources and tools for business owners to gain access to creating valuable business relationships, certification, contracts, education, and access to capital to ignite and fuel growth, thus building strong communities.
Committee Interest
Please note that committee participation is exclusive to GHWCC members. To join a committee, please ensure that you are a member of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce.