party watch

BRASS brings Houston's future physician-scientists into the spotlight

What: Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists reception

Where: Steak 48

The Scoop: Science and philanthropy made for a chic pairing when BRASS — that’s Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists — gathered more than 100 supporters at Steak 48 in River Oaks District.

Photo by Hung L. Truong

Terri Wang, Deborah Laws, and Jackie St. Germain.

The evening spotlighted BRASS’s mission to fund and mentor emerging medical researchers while growing a network of hands-on philanthropic support. Remarks from BRASS president Elsie Eckert and event hosts Jacquie Baly and Jody Merritt emphasized the organization’s commitment to cultivating young scientific talent at a moment when medical innovation feels like a civic necessity.

A standout moment came from BRASS Scholar and MD/PhD candidate Joe Zoller, who spoke about using immunology to fight cancer. Fellow BRASS Scholar and MD/PhD candidate Katya Kabotyanski shared insights into groundbreaking live research on the human brain aimed at better understanding neurological function. The topic landed especially close to home for BRASS founder Myra Wilson, who recently underwent surgery utilizing this very approach.

Special recognition went to Edna Meyer-Nelson of The Richland Companies for underwriting the event, while Myra Wilson underwrote the evening’s guest experience.

Who: Andy Cordes, Becky Reyes, Hallie Vanderhider. Hector Villereal, Beth Wolff, Joelle Kim, Mady Kades, Bruce Padilla, Christine Johnson, Ghada Ali, Deborah Laws, Elsie Eckert, James Craig, Alex Edna, and Terri Wang.

fundraisers

Viva la Moda

Havana flair fills the runway at Latin Women’s Initiative fashion fête

Photo by Jacob Power

Rochelle Deiso, Ashlee Rubbo, Naimeh Salem, and Samantha Werber.

Welcome to a Havana-kissed fantasia.

Photo by Jacob Power

Rochelle Deiso, Ashlee Rubbo, Naimeh Salem, and Samantha Werber.

The 24th Annual Latin Women’s Initiative Fashion Show and Luncheon, themes Viva la Comunidad, Viva la Moda, unfolded at the Hilton Americas in a whirl of style and unapologetic Latin flair. More than 900 guests slipped into the scene for an afternoon where the stilettos were sharp, the tequila flowed, and the energy never dipped below high-decibel mode.

Luncheon committee chairman Julie Garza and Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI) president Vicky Dominguez welcomed guests into a space transformed by Johanna Terry Events. The marketplace opened early and quickly turned into its own social runway as shoppers browsed, mingled, and paused for Titanium Tequila tastings. Then came the mariachis, weaving through the ballroom to enthusiastic applause.

The fashion show, presented with Tootsies, delivered exactly what the city’s fashion faithful came for: drama, movement, and Latin designers who understand that clothing should enter a room before you do. Under the creative direction of Fady Armanious and production by Lenny Matuszewski, models swept past towering LED visuals in looks accented with jewelry by Brazilian designer Claudia Lobao, while menswear by Festari added a polished counterpoint. Telemundo Houston produced the event videos, and KPRC’s Daniella Guzman emceed the afternoon.

Nearby, an electric Porsche gleamed beside the stage like a very expensive plus-one.

The luncheon honored María Moncada Alaoui, recognized for her generosity and longstanding commitment to Houston’s community causes.

The event raised more than $550,000 benefiting Sunshine Kids, The Rose, Prelude Music Foundation, Finca Tres Robles, A Small Place Farm, and BridgeYear.

Supporting the cause were April Fabre, Lisa Flores, Lisset Garza Ceron, Omar Alaoui, Patricia Herrera, Rosi Hernandez, Gloria Luna Bounds, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Becky Reyes, Maritza Gonzales, Vicki Luna-Lerma and Horacio Lerma, Chree Boydstun, Patricia Garcia, Jolene Treviño, Mari Salazar, Leanne Schneider, Hoda Sana, Xochitl Ljuboja, Cathryn Martinez, Monica Alvarez, Cyndya Garza Roberts, Estela Cockrell, Cinthya Reade, Maria Morales, Jovanny and Samuel Orellana, Anna Reger, Hallie Vanderhider, Debbie Festari, Ally Shell, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Zinat Ahmed, Nora Jarrard, Stephanie Tsuru, Laurie Sanders, and Chelsea Collmer.

fundraisers latin women’s initiative