wonder women

Highly anticipated Women of Distinction kickoff party draws record Houston crowd

The ABC13 Women of Distinction kickoff party at Tootsies was such a hot ticket that staff were scrambling to pull out extra chairs for the glitzy, jam-packed event honoring 10 of Houston’s most influential and philanthropic women. The cocktail party set the stage for the Crystal Winter Ball benefiting The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

More than 250 and friends and fans of the 2019 Women of Distinction chatted over cocktails at Tootsies before the spirited presentation, emceed by ABC13 anchor Gina Gaston.

The group of business-savvy, generous, community-oriented, and family-centered women includes Farida Abjani, Marilyn DeMontrond, Gaynell Drexler, Jo Lynn Falgout, Carolyn Faulk, Melissa Juneau, Dr. Kelly Larkin, Sneha Merchant, Claire Thielke, and Jerre Williams. All came with their own cheering sections in tow, adding an extra bit of fun to each inductee's announcement. Party guests also applauded the work of honorary chairmen Mary Ann and David McKeithan.

Perhaps the most heart-warming moment of the evening was the announcement of Merele Yarborough as the 2019 Ambassador. As she walked onstage, the crowd, including the Women of Distinction honorees, gave her a standing ovation.

Former Women of Distinction Cyndy Garza Roberts, Dr. Sippi Khurana, and Shawntell McWilliams spoke to the importance of raising funds for Crohn’s and colitis research and auto immune diseases in general.

“The origin of auto immune disease is in the gut. Crohn’s and colitis affects the entire body and this money helps us research and find cures,” Dr. Khurana said.

The 2019 Crystal Winter Ball is January 19, 2019, at the Hilton Americas Houston.

Spotted in the crowd were Tootsies creative director Fady Armanious; new Tootsies owner Norman Lewis and his wife, Donna; Gayla Gardner; Yvonne Cormier; Ann Ayre; Donae Chramosta; Melissa DeMontrond; Marian Harper; Susan Sarofim; Ed McMahon; David Peck; Bill Baldwin; Carol Sawyer; Leisa Holland Nelson; Christine Falgout-Gutknecht and Bill Gutknecht; and Susan Osterberg.

The 2019 Women of Distinction.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

The 2019 Women of Distinction.

charity

Raising Expectations

3 nights of Michelin-starred cuisine fuel Houston nonprofit’s mission

Genuine Cup Hope and Opportunity Dinners 2026

Photo by Jenny Antill

This team came together to execute the Hope and Opportunity dinners.

Fine dining dished with purpose? We’ll have seconds, please.

The Genuine Cup’s second annual Hope and Opportunity Dinner Series brought three evenings of Spanish-inspired hospitality to Soleil June 11-13, raising $665,350 to expand employment pathways and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Co-founders Ignacio Torras and Lorna Ortiz welcomed approximately 300 guests across three sold-out dinners for a culinary collaboration featuring Spain’s celebrated Roca Brothers of El Celler de Can Roca alongside Houston chefs who lead four of the city’s six Michelin-starred restaurants — Felipe Botero (Le Jardinier), Felipe Riccio (March), Mayank Istwal (Musaafer), and Luis Roger (BCN).

Attendees began with Spanish-inspired bites and wine pairings before settling in for a multi-course tasting menu accompanied by Edward Grigassy’s live Spanish guitar performance, creating an evening that felt more Barcelona than Boulevard.

“This event is about more than raising funds — it’s about raising expectations,” said Torras. “Every individual deserves the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and be recognized for their talents. Through hospitality, sport, and community, we are creating pathways that help make that possible.”

The program spotlighted the Genuine Cup’s mission through remarks from Senator Ted Cruz, Commissioner Lesley Briones, and Robert Rule, whose story as a Genuine Cup athlete and Rocambolesc employee reinforced the importance of meaningful employment opportunities for neurodiverse individuals.

Throughout the dinners, members of the Genuine Cup community played active roles in the guest experience.

Funds will benefit the Genuine Cup, an international soccer tournament that will bring together athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Houston from July 27 - August 1. In total, teams from 50 countries will participate in the event, which is being held at Rice Stadium.

On the scene were Anne and Karl Stern, Ivan Perez, Kathleen Sledge, Tony and Francis Buzbee, Daniel Briones, Albert and Anne Chao, Sammi and Mithu Malick, Michael and Megan Bartz, David and Laura Piccione, William and Constanza Restrepo, Neil and Elizabeth Chapman, Kyle and Erin Cummings, and Heidi and Senator Ted Cruz.

Photo by Jenny Antill

This team came together to execute the Hope and Opportunity dinners.

chefs fundraisers