Perennial benefit chair Sheridan Williams is just back from New York where she joined a handful of other fashionable women selected from across the continent to participate in the Donna Karan Ambassador program. That nifty honor celebrates, according to Donna Karan headquarters, "an elite group of women who embody Donna's personal values of giving back to their communities."

No question, Williams qualifies as both a loyal Karan customer (nominated by Saks Fifth Avenue) and a very involved volunteer. Her recent credits include co-chairing the multi-million dollar Memorial Hermann Foundation gala, the Houston Chronicle Best Dressed Luncheon, the Catwalk for a Cure and the St. Luke's Friends of Nursing luncheon.

Friday was the big day for the lucky seven women, who included New York social heavyweight Cornelia Guest. They were front and center at Karan's Fall 2010 fashion presentation in her Manhattan studio and were invited into the designer's personal salon for an hour of chewing over pertinent subjects of the day. Politics, President Obama, Bill Clinton (Karan's personal favorite), healthcare and cancer research were on the table.

Round two was the trip to a film studio where the ladies had hair and makeup done for a 45-minute video during which they discussed fashion, women's issues and their personal reasons for giving back in their communities.

Part of the Ambassador package is an intimate Donna Karan trunk show event in each Ambassador's city with a portion of proceeds donated back to her specific area of charitable interest. Williams is hoping to have Karan make a personal appearance at a special fundraiser here to benefit the Children's Cancer Hospital at M.D. Anderson, where Williams serves on the Board of Visitors.

Not so new kid on the block

Who doesn't love Barry Mandel, COO of Legacy Community Health Services and former director of the city's Theater District? Through the years in those posts, he has made many friends and opened many doors.

So then who wouldn't love the idea of him taking the reins at Discovery Green as its new president and park director. Mandel officially steps into that post July 1, replacing the much-admired Guy Hagstette, who is moving on to consult with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership.

Hagstette made his mark and won equally-ardent admirers with his work at Discovery Green where he led the public/private enterprise through the development, design, construction and operation of the popular downtown park.

Moving forward

Addressing the unmet needs of cancer survivors — that is the mission of the new Houston-based non-profit CancerForward: The Foundation for Cancer Survivors, founded by Beth Sanders Moore, herself a survivor of breast cancer. She is joined in the effort by co-founders and advisory directors Albert "Bo" Bothe Jr., president and CEO of BrandExtract, and Brian Cruver, CEO of Austin-based Xenex Healthcare.

Goals of the Web-based entity include opening the doors for networking between cancer survivors, serving as an educational resource and eventually awarding grants supporting educational and resource survivorship programs at healthcare institutions and in community-based organizations. The non-profit's Web site launched on Monday on the heels of National Cancer Survivors Day.

In the planning for more than a year, CancerForward has assembled a national advisory board that includes such familiar names as former Texas Gov. Mark White, chef Robert Del Grande, the Rev. Suzette Caldwell, fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo and investment advisor David Solomon, all of whom are cancer survivors.

Sight 'ems

Paige and Tilman Fertitta, Laura and Dave Ward, Margaret Williams and Jim Daniels among the notables packing Tony's to the rafters Saturday night. At another table, Rodney and Judy Margolis with Paula and Alfred Friedlander and at another Rania and Jamal Daniel entertaining family and friends . . .

Karen Pulaski and her tight squeeze songman Steve Tyrell dining at Da Marco with interior designer Renea Abbott and husband Greg Manteris, owner of Creative Flooring . . .

Courtney and Bo Hopson, fresh from chairing the Alley Theatre's "Jetsetters Ball" dining at Tony's with Alley managing director Dean Gladden and wife Jane. Table talk included the success of last month's gala and the possibilities of the Alley's 2011 "April Fool's Day" gala. We hear plenty of tricks and shenanigans are in store . . .

Julie Gilbert, chief communications and marketing officer for Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell, and hubby developer John Gilbert partying in New York with Houston cardiologist Dr. Stuart Solomon and his bride Suzy Solomon. They were spotted at a private Elton John concert at Lincoln Center where they were among 2,500 holders of the coveted black American Express card exclusively invited to the concert and cocktail reception.