For an inaugural gala, the Genesys Works "Changing the Track of Life" fundraiser on Wednesday enjoyed remarkable results — proceeds of more than $650,000, surely a windfall for the non-profit that aids at-risk youths through a program of internships at corporations.
Denise and Charles Hazen chaired the evening at Union Station where 450 guests celebrated the organization's 10 years of aiding high school seniors. Founded in Houston by Rafael Alvarez, Genesys Works has expanded with programs in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago.
Certainly adding to the benefit's success was the naming of El Paso Corp. as honoree, the award accepted by that company's chairman and CEO Doug Foshee. As keynote speaker, Foshee addressed the importance of education and the value in helping students find another track in life through Genesys Works internships.
Also on the program, emceed by KPRC Channel 2 meteorologist Khambrel Marshall, were Alverez, Genesys CEO, and Jorge Benitez, Accenture North America CEO.
The supportive crowd included Ann and Karl Stern, Gloria and Carl Luna, David McClanahan, Mary Lou and Walt Smith, Becky and Gaspir Mir, Andrea and Michael Soper, Claudia and Roberto Contreras, Debbie and Shawn Hurwitz, Jill and Brad Deutser, Nancy and Jim Gordon and Cyndy Garza-Roberts.
