Shelby's Social Diary

This sold-out dinner goes late into the night: When charity is a hot ticket

A seat at the table for the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation dinner is a precious commodity that each year is limited to 200 quick starters who are first with reservations for the fundraiser at Fleming's River Oaks. Sunday night's dinner was no exception as the event sold out six weeks before show time — Facebook invitation only.

Applause, applause for chairs John Evatz, Kim Padgett and Jessica Rossman and honorees Diane Caplan and Alex Martinez, recipients of the Tracey Hilfman Award, all of whom contributed to the evening's success.

This partying crowd was having such a good time that no one wanted to leave, staying until the lights started blinking at 1 a.m.

Guests bid generously on silent and live auction items, supped on a delish dinner compliments of Fleming's and operating partner Sam Governale and swayed to the tunes of Kristine Mills and Michael DeMarse. Highlight of the evening for Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation CEO Cindi Rose was a proclamation from Mayor Annise Parker declaring Sept. 14 Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation Day in Houston.

Following dinner and a moving testimonial from Michel Eter on breast reconstruction made possible through the foundation, the lively crowd broke out the cognac and cigars from Lucho's Hector Villarreal. In fact, this partying crowd was having such a good time that no one wanted to leave, staying until the lights started blinking at 1 a.m.

The dinner throng included Dr. Franklin Rose, Gordon Bethune, Michael Caplan, David Arpin, David Hilfman and Estelle Love, Nancy Marcus Golden, Karen and Roland Garcia, Laura Max Nelson and Ben Harwood Rose, Hershey Grace and John Moritz and Mandy Kao.

Dinner chairs Kim Padgett, left, John Evatz and Jessica Rossman.

Kim Padgett, from left, John Evatz and Jessica Rossman at the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation Day dinner September 2014

Photo by Herb Hochman

Dinner chairs Kim Padgett, left, John Evatz and Jessica Rossman.

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Party Watch

Houston jewelers' empowerment brunch sparkles with stories and support

Zadok Jewelers’ Leading Women Panel 2025

Photo by Alex Montoya

Lisa Zadok, Lauren Freeman Roth, Victoria Bludorn, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Zinat Ahmed, Stephanie Abramow, and Amy Zadok.

What: Zadok Jewelers’ Fifth Annual Leading Women Panel

Where: Upstairs at Zadok

The Scoop: A stylish sparkle settled over Zadok Jewelers on a crisp morning as the fifth annual Leading Women panel took over the chic Upstairs at Zadok space. With a guest list just shy of 80, the intimate gathering blended pearls of wisdom with actual pearls. Because when the theme is women’s empowerment and your host is a Houston jeweler, you come dressed to impress.

The conversation, moderated by former TV anchor Lauren Freeman Roth included panelists Victoria Pappas Bludorn, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Zinat Ahmed, and Stephanie Walters Abramow, who shared candid stories about everything from career curveballs to the juggle of boardrooms and baby bottles. Their insights? Grit, grace, and good humor.

The Zadok family — Helene, Amy, and Lisa Zadok — set the tone with warm welcomes and heartfelt reflections on what it means to uplift other women. Proceeds supported Step Up, a nonprofit mentoring girls on their path to success, and attendees left with curated gift bags packed with luxe local treats.

Who: Amy Johnston, Dr. Glenda Demas, Danna Sivan, Liana Schwaitzberg, Delores Druilhet Morton, Emmi Ayoub, Ashley Tsai, Fern Carty Dawkins, Kristi Muhammad, Krishna Powell, Kathryn Boeker, Nora Girard, Katherine Whaley, Nina Rand, Rachel Rosson, Revital Zohar Pour, Debbie Bernstein, Julia Morales, Maggie Glaser, Shanna Schanen, Christine Hoffer, and Heather Almond.

$Zadok Jewelers\u2019 Leading Women Panel 2025$

Photo by Alex Montoya

Lisa Zadok, Lauren Freeman Roth, Victoria Bludorn, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Zinat Ahmed, Stephanie Abramow, and Amy Zadok.

fundraisers